Chamber simulation of fine particle penetration into houses
Mosley, R. B. and Greenwell., D. J.
2001 Advances in Filtration and Separation Technology, American Filtration and Separations Society, Vol. 15
Mosley, R. B. and Greenwell., D. J., (2001), "Chamber simulation of fine particle penetration into houses", Advances in Filtration and Separation Technology, American Filtration and Separations Society, Vol. 15.
ABSTRACT
Exposure to fine particles of outdoor origin has garnered increased interest of late. A number of recent studies have shown a correlation of negative health effects with increases in outdoor fine particles. Since people spend up to 90% of their time indoors, the relationship between indoor and outdoor fine particles has taken on added significance. This paper describes some results from a study in which the processes of particle removal from infiltrating air by building envelopes are simulated in a chamber. The chamber consists of two compartments, each having a volume of 19 m3. Particles with aerodynamic diameters in the range of 0.015 to 5 pm are generated in one compartment and then transported through simulated leakage paths to the other compartment under the action of applied pressure differentials. The simulated leakage paths described in this paper consist of horizontal slits (0.508 mm high, 102 mm deep, and 433 mm wide) between aluminum plates. The penetration factor for each size particle is determined by simultaneously measuring the concentrations in the two compartments as a function of time. The penetration factor is obtained through a mathematical solution of the mass balance equations. The measured values of penetration are compared to predictions of a mathematical model describing deposition by the mechanisms of settling and diffusion. At applied pressures of 2 Pa, only 5% of 0.01 pm particles and 60% of 0.025 pm particles pass through the 0.508 mm high slits. At a pressure of 5 Pa, 30% of 0.01 pm particles and 80% of 0.025 pm particles pass through the slits. At 10 Pa, 54% of 0.01 urn particles and 90% of 0.025 pm particles pass through the slits. At 20 Pa, 72% of 0.01 urn particles and 94% of 0.025 urn particles pass through the slits.
Other pub:
Mosley, R.B., D.J. Greenwell, L.E. Sparks, Z. Guo, W.G. Tucker, R. Fortmann, and C. Whitfield. Penetration of ambient fine particles into the indoor environment. Aerosol Science and Technology, Vol. 34, pp. 127-136, 2001.
A mathematical model of electrostatic precipitation / by R.B. Mosley, M.H. Anderson, and J.R. McDonald ; prepared for U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development.
This publication in whole or part may be found online at: here.
