Evaluation of A Ventilation System with Bypass Filter for Reduced Indoor Volatile Organic Compounds and Saved Energy

Choi, Sung-Woo

Environmental Engineering Research 1997;2(2): 107-118.

Sung-Woo Choi^†

Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Keimyung University, Taegu, Korea

Corresponding Author: Sung-Woo Choi ,

Received: November 14, 1996; Accepted: July 14, 1997.

ABSTRACT

HVAC (Heating, Ventilating and Air-Conditioning) systems must maintain thermal comfort and also maintain acceptable indoor air quality (IAQ) levels in buildings. Thus, proper selection and operation of the HVAC system of a building leads to thermal comfort and good IAQ. The VAV/BPFS system is an electronically controlled system which provides cost-effective thermal comfort and acceptable indoor air pollution using a bypass filtration system. Under controlled conditions in a chamber (32.6 m³), twenty four experiments were performed to investigate whether the VAV/BPFS system reduces indoor volatile organic compounds and energy consumption more effectively than the conventional VAV system. Cigarettes and deodorants were used to simulate activities in the chamber. Four energy loads (400, 800, 1200, and 1900 watts) were used to simulate the presence of occupants in the chamber. Results show that the difference between VAV/BPFS system and VAV system in reducing indoor volatile organic compounds and energy is statistically significant Also, the TVOC total decay rate of the VAV/BPFS system was about 20 percent higher than that of the VAV system. Total energy consumption by the VAV/BPFS system was about 10 percent lower than that of the VAV system. The VAV/BPFS system improves indoor air quality more efficiently than the VAV system, and it reduces energy consumption. Retrofitting the VAV system with the VAV/BPFS system was easy. The use of VAV/BPFS system is, therefore, recommended for buildings with VAV system as well as for buildings under construction.

Keywords: Ventilation System | HVAC System | Indoor Air Quality | VOCs | TVOC