Experimental Study for Energy Impact of Indoor Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5) Control Strategies in an Air-conditioned Chamber

Understanding the pathways of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in heating, ventilating and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems can provide important fundamental information to design appropriate engineering strategies to control certain indoor air quality (IAQ) objectives. Both ventilation strategies and penetration factor of the HVAC systems affect the thermal energy consumption substantially, nonetheless, experimental data reporting in the literature is significantly lacking. The aims of the proposal are to measure indoor PM2.5 concentrations under demand control ventilation and to evaluate the energy impact on the ventilation system in an experimental chamber. Penetration factor influencing on the particle transportation will be investigated by inserting different air filter options in the ventilation air duct. The correlation between the measured indoor exposure concentrations of PM2.5 and CO2 at various ventilation flow rates will be analyzed and reported. The study would provide preliminary energy assessment of indoor PM2.5 exposure concentrations at certain ventilation requirements for air-conditioned spaces.