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Modeling pollutant penetration across building envelopes

Liu, D. and Nazaroff, W. W.
2001
Atmospheric Environment, 35(26): 4451-4462


Liu, D. and Nazaroff, W. W., (2001), "Modeling pollutant penetration across building envelopes", Atmospheric Environment, 35(26): 4451-4462.
Abstract:
As air in?ltrates through unintentional openings in building envelopes, pollutants may interact with adjacent surfaces. Such interactions can alter human exposure to air pollutants of outdoor origin. We present modeling explorations of the proportion of particles and reactive gases (e.g., ozone) that penetrate building envelopes as air enters through cracks and wall cavities. Calculations were performed for idealized rectangular cracks, assuming regular geometry, smooth inner crack surface and steady air?ow. Particles of 0.1-1.0 mm diameter are predicted to have the highest penetration e?ciency, nearly unity for crack heights of 0.25mm or larger, assuming a pressure di?erence of 4 Pa or greater and a ?ow path length of 3 cm or less. Supermicron and ultra?ne particles are signi?cantly removed by means of gravitational settling and Brownian di?usion, respectively. In addition to crack geometry, ozone penetration depends on its reactivity with crack surfaces, as parameterized by the reaction probability. For reaction probabilities less than B10@5, penetration is complete for cracks heights greater thanB1 mm. However, penetration through mm scale cracks is small if the reaction probability is B10@4 or greater. For wall cavities, ?berglass insulation is an e?cient particle ?lter, but particles would penetrate e?ciently through uninsulated wall cavities or through insulated cavities with signi?cant air?ow bypass. The ozone reaction probability on ?berglass ?bers was measured to be 10@7 for ?bers previously exposed to high ozone levels and 610@6 for unexposed ?bers. Over this range, ozone penetration through ?berglass insulation would vary from >90% to B10-40%. Thus, under many conditions penetration is high; however, there are realistic circumstances in which building envelopes can provide substantial pollutant removal. Not enough is yet known about the detailed nature of pollutant penetration leakage paths to reliably predict in?ltration into real buil dings.

As air infiltrates througH Unintentional Openings in Building Envelopes, Pollutants May Interact With Adjacent Surfaces. Such Interactions Can Alter Human Exposure To Air Pollutants of Outdoor Origin. We Present Modeling Explorations of the Proportion of Particles and Reactive Gases (e.g., Ozone) That Penetrate Building Envelopes As Air Enters Through Cracks and Wall Cavities. Calculations Were Performed for Idealized Rectangular Cracks, Assuming Regular Geometry, Smooth Inner Crack Surface and Steady Airflow. Particles of 0.1-1.0 M Diameter Are Predicted To Have the Highest Penetration Efficiency, Nearly Unity for Crack Heights of 0.25 Mm Or Larger, Assuming A Pressure Difference of 4 Pa Or Greater and A Flow Path Length of 3 Cm Or Less. Supermicron and Ultrafine Particles Are Significantly Removed By Means of Gravitational Settling and Brownian Diffusion, Respectively. in Addition To Crack Geometry, Ozone Penetration Depends On Its Reactivity With Crack Surfaces, As Parameterized By the Reaction Probability. for Reaction Probabilities Less Than ~10-5, Penetration Is Complete for Cracks Heights Greater Than ~1 Mm. However, Penetration Through Mm Scale Cracks Is Small If the Reaction Probability Is ~10-4 Or Greater. for Wall Cavities, Fiberglass Insulation Is An Efficient Particle Filter, But Particles Would Penetrate Efficiently Through Uninsulated Wall Cavities Or Through Insulated Cavities With Significant Airflow Bypass. the Ozone Reaction Probability On Fiberglass Fibers Was Measured To Be 10-7 for Fibers Previously Exposed To High Ozone Levels and 6กม10-6 for Unexposed Fibers. Over This Range, Ozone Penetration Through Fiberglass Insulation Would Vary From >90% To ~10-40%. Thus, under Many Conditions Penetration Is High; However, There Are Realistic Circumstances in Which Building Envelopes Can Provide Substantial Pollutant Removal. Not Enough Is Yet Known About the Detailed Nature of Pollutant Penetration Leakage Paths To reliably predict infiltration into real buildings.


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Author Information and Other Publications Notes
Liu, D.
University of California, Berkeley, California
  1. Air pollutant penetration through airflow leaks into buildings
  2. Modeling particle penetration through cracks in building envelopes
  3. Particle penetration through building cracks
  4. Particle penetration through windows  
Nazaroff, W. W.
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California
  1. Indoor particulate matter of outdoor origin: importance of size-dependent removal mechanisms
  2. Modeling particle penetration through cracks in building envelopes
  3. Nonlinear least-squares minimization applied to tracer gas decay for determining airflow rates in a two-zone building
  4. Particle deposition from turbulent flow: review of published research and its applicability to ventilation ducts in commercial buildings
  5. Particle penetration through building cracks
  6. Particle penetration through windows  



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