Article
Construction & Building Technology
Ho Jin Sung, Sean Hay Kim, Hyunsuk Kim
Summary: While school retrofits in Korea focus on energy savings, this study analyzes the impact on indoor air quality when specific measures of the retrofit package are applied. The measures include window replacement, increasing airtight enclosures, implementing ventilation systems and air purifiers, and utilizing natural ventilation. The study finds that infiltration from hallways and maintaining airtightness of enclosures are important, and mechanical ventilation should operate independently from energy demand reduction policies. A high-efficiency filter can be installed to reduce the volume of mechanical ventilation, and natural ventilation should be supplemented by air purifiers.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Catherine L. Connolly, Chad W. Milando, Kimberly Vermeer, Jacqueline Ashmore, Luis Carvalho, Jonathan I. Levy, M. Patricia Fabian
Summary: Rising ambient temperatures due to climate change will impact indoor temperatures and heating and cooling utility costs. Tradeoffs in meeting heating and cooling demands and lack of AC access in colder climates require coordinated public policies. Our model results suggest that cooling subsidy policies can decrease indoor summer temperatures and increase energy consumption, with greater savings for retrofitted homes.
JOURNAL OF URBAN HEALTH-BULLETIN OF THE NEW YORK ACADEMY OF MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Changliang Nie, Xueyun Geng, Runqi Zhang, Lina Wang, Ling Li, Jianmin Chen
Summary: This study investigated the presence of cyanobacteria on the pre-filter of HVAC systems and found that the concentrations were highest in autumn and significantly higher compared to winter and summer. The airborne transportation of aquatic and terrestrial cyanobacteria contributed to their presence on the pre-filter. The dominant cyanobacteria families identified were Chroococcidiopsaceae, norank_cyanobacteriales, Nostocaceae, and Paraspirulinaceae. Some detected genera, such as Nodularia sp., Pseudanabaena sp., and Leptolyngbya sp., potentially produced cyanobacterial toxins that could pose a threat to human health. This study provides new insights into the distribution of cyanobacteria outside of aquatic habitats.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Chi-Yuan Lee, Xin-Wen Wang, Chen-Kai Liu
Summary: A wireless flexible air velocity microsensor was developed using MEMS technology for real-time monitoring of air velocity in the cold air ducts of HVAC systems. The deployment of micro sensors and field domain verification helped optimize the internal environment control and enhance the quality and reliability of process materials. In comparison to commercial sensors, the home-built micro air velocity sensor offers advantages such as fast response time, simultaneous sensing of multiple physical quantities, and low cost.
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Pei Peng, Chen Zhang, Wenqiang Li, Michal Pomianowski, Guangcai Gong, Xi Fang, Liang Chun, Rui Guo
Summary: This study systematically investigates the application of diffuse ceiling ventilation (DCV) in indoor airflow and contaminant dispersion for space heating and cooling. The results show that DCV provides a satisfying thermal environment in both heating and cooling modes, and there is no reverse flow from the room to the plenum. The study also reveals that DCV performs better for space cooling and the exhaust positions have a greater influence on the system than the air change rates.
JOURNAL OF BUILDING ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Shuanghua Cao, Xin Li, Bing Yang
Summary: This study investigates the impact of dynamic and steady-state operation modes of indoor air conditioning on the heat and moisture transfer of the envelope structure, showing that dynamic operation mode can significantly reduce energy consumption compared to steady-state operation mode while maintaining the same thermal comfort.
JOURNAL OF BUILDING ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
H. Tian, L. Zhu, J. Ni, T. Wei, P. Wang, H. Xiao, X. Chen
Summary: Growing evidence suggests that even a low CO2 concentration of 1000 ppm can pose direct health risks to humans, which is often exceeded in many indoor environments. To address this issue, we developed a CO2 purification module using a moisture swing sorbent and integrated it with existing air conditioning units. The sorbent can spontaneously bind and release CO2 from the air, depending on the moisture level, making it an ideal solution for indoor carbon capture. Tests in simulated indoor environments and an actual office demonstrated the effectiveness of the purification module in maintaining healthy CO2 levels. This decentralized carbon capture facility has the potential to contribute to negative emissions and mitigate the global warming and climate change crisis.
MATERIALS TODAY SUSTAINABILITY
(2023)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Cary A. Faulkner, Robert Lutes, Sen Huang, Wangda Zuo, Draguna L. Vrabie
Summary: This study evaluates American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers Guideline 36 (G36) using a typical medium office building. It considers the interaction between control sequences for water-side and air-side equipment and assesses the performance of G36 from the perspective of indoor air quality. It also examines the short-term behaviors of the building under G36 to understand its control stability.
BUILDING AND ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Brandon Bottorff, Chen Wang, Emily Reidy, Colleen Rosales, Delphine K. Farmer, Marina E. Vance, Jonathan P. D. Abbatt, Philip S. Stevens
Summary: Despite the lack of full understanding of the chemistry of nitrous acid (HONO) in the indoor environment, this study presents results from comparing measurements of HONO using different instruments. The findings indicate that HONO has a long enough lifetime to be quickly distributed indoors and mix throughout the house, contributing to the oxidative capacity indoors.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Mingchao Xia, Fangjian Chen, Qifang Chen, Siwei Liu, Yuguang Song, Te Wang
Summary: This paper proposes an adaptive optimal scheduling strategy for residential heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) based on deep reinforcement learning. By learning the state transition probability, the method can reduce electricity costs while ensuring comfort. The effectiveness of the proposed method is demonstrated through experimental results.
JOURNAL OF MODERN POWER SYSTEMS AND CLEAN ENERGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Konguvel Rajeswari Subramaniam, Chi-Tsun Cheng, Toh Yen Pang
Summary: Conventional HVAC controllers mainly focus on controlling the temperature of a confined space, ignoring other important parameters related to thermal comfort and indoor air quality. This project developed a fuzzy logic controller (FLC) using MATLAB and Simulink to regulate the in-cabin PMV and CO2 levels of a vehicle HVAC system. The FLC effectively controlled the opening and closing of the recirculation flap based on temperature and CO2 readings, maintaining desirable PMV and CO2 levels without significantly increasing energy consumption. The proposed FLC can be applied to various HVAC systems using low-cost sensors.
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Xi Meng, Lianyu Yan, Fudan Liu
Summary: Combining a living wall with air-conditioning can improve the indoor thermal environment, reduce CO2 concentration, and enhance subjective evaluation on indoor environment.
BUILDING AND ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Younghun Kim, Dongho Shin, Kee-Jung Hong, Gunhee Lee, Sang Bok Kim, Inyong Park, Bangwoo Han, Jungho Hwang
Summary: This study established a theoretical model to estimate the performance of various indoor air quality management methods for controlling indoor PM2.5 concentrations and energy consumption. The model was verified through comparative experiments. The study identified efficient energy-saving PM2.5 management scenarios using different IAQ management methods based on the annual life patterns of residents in South Korea. The results showed that energy consumption could be significantly reduced by applying natural ventilation in certain seasons and mechanical ventilation in others.
Review
Construction & Building Technology
Nehul Agarwal, Chandan Swaroop Meena, Binju P. Raj, Lohit Saini, Ashok Kumar, N. Gopalakrishnan, Anuj Kumar, Nagesh Babu Balam, Tabish Alam, Nishant Raj Kapoor, Vivek Aggarwal
Summary: This paper reviews control measures and preventive sustainable solutions for improving indoor air quality, emphasizing the importance of integrated non-pharmaceutical and engineering control measures. By reducing occupant density, maintaining social distance, and implementing advanced ventilation systems, healthy indoor air quality can be sustained.
SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND SOCIETY
(2021)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Xuemin Sui, Zhongjie Tian, Huitao Liu, Hao Chen, Dong Wang
Summary: This study investigated indoor air quality under different ventilation modes in a new residential building in Xi'an, China. Mechanical ventilation was found to effectively reduce the impact of haze weather on indoor PM2.5 concentration, but the control of CO2 concentration needs improvement. The study provides guidance for the optimization of residential mechanical ventilation systems.
JOURNAL OF BUILDING ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
S. Pigg, D. Cautley, P. W. Francisco
Article
Thermodynamics
Paul W. Francisco, Scott Pigg, Dan Cautley, William B. Rose, David E. Jacobs, Salvatore Cali
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY FOR THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT
(2018)
Article
Thermodynamics
Zachary Merrin, Paul W. Francisco, David Bohac, Josh A. Quinnell, Collin Olson
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY FOR THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT
(2018)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Larry Palmiter, Jun-Hyeung Kim, Ben Larson, Paul W. Francisco, Eckhard A. Groll, James E. Braun
ENERGY AND BUILDINGS
(2011)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
P. W. Francisco, J. R. Gordon, B. Rose
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Zachary Merrin, Paul W. Francisco
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2019)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Paul W. Francisco, Stacy Gloss, Jonathan Wilson, William Rose, Yigang Sun, Sherry L. Dixon, Jill Breysse, Ellen Tohn, David E. Jacobs
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Tami C. Bond, Angela Bosco-Lauth, Delphine K. Farmer, Paul W. Francisco, Jeffrey R. Pierce, Kristen M. Fedak, Jay M. Ham, Shantanu H. Jathar, Sue VandeWoude
Summary: The inability to effectively communicate how infectious diseases spread in human environments has led to avoidance of interactions during the COVID-19 pandemic. The authors introduce a metric, Effective ReBreathed Volume (ERBV), to quantify transmission and analyze the impact of different particle sizes and interventions on spreading. This framework helps in identifying transmission modes and effective interventions, supporting mitigation decisions in emerging situations.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Joseph Bongungu, Paul Francisco, Stacy Gloss, Ashlynn Stillwell
Summary: This study estimated residential hot water consumption in single-family homes in Chicago using smart electricity meter data, showing that water heating accounts for a significant proportion of electricity consumption in these households with significant spatial variability.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH: INFRASTRUCTURE AND SUSTAINABILITY
(2022)
Proceedings Paper
Construction & Building Technology
Yigang Sun, Paul W. Francisco, Zachary M. Merrin
Summary: A model is developed to characterize the transport of contaminants from a garage to a living space based on a measurement of single tracer gas decays. This model considers time delays of contaminant transport, interprets the test results with clear physical meanings of the coefficients in the model equations, and is helpful for understanding the transport process of contaminants.
IAQ 2020: INDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY PERFORMANCE APPROACHES, PT 2
(2022)
Article
Thermodynamics
Paul W. Francisco
Article
Thermodynamics
Paul W. Francisco, Max H. Sherman
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Paul W. Francisco, Jeffrey Siegel, Larry Palmiter, Bob Davis
ENERGY AND BUILDINGS
(2006)
