Measurement of air exchange rates in different indoor environments using continuous CO2 sensors
Yan You , Can Niu , Jian Zhou , Yating Liu , Zhipeng Bai
,
Jiefeng Zhang
,
Fei He
,
Nan Zhang
DOI:10.1016/S1001-0742(11)60812-7
Received January 12, 2011,Revised August 30, 2011, Accepted , Available online April 06, 2012
Volume 24,2012,Pages 657-664
A new air exchange rate (AER) monitoring method using continuous CO2 sensors was developed and validated through both laboratory experiments and field studies. Controlled laboratory simulation tests were conducted in a 1-m3 environmental chamber at different AERs (0.1-10.0 hr-1). AERs were determined using the decay method based on box model assumptions. Field tests were conducted in classrooms, dormitories, meeting rooms and apartments during 2-5 weekdays using CO2 sensors coupled with data loggers. Indoor temperature, relative humidity (RH), and CO2 concentrations were continuously monitored while outdoor parameters combined with on-site climate conditions were recorded. Statistical results indicated that good laboratory performance was achieved: duplicate precision was within 10%, and the measured AERs were 90%-120% of the real AERs. Average AERs were 1.22, 1.37, 1.10, 1.91 and 0.73 hr-1 in dormitories, air-conditioned classrooms, classrooms with an air circulation cooling system, reading rooms, and meeting rooms, respectively. In an elderly particulate matter exposure study, all the homes had AER values ranging from 0.29 to 3.46 hr??1 in fall, and 0.12 to 1.39 hr-1 in winter with a median AER of 1.15.
