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Ventilation efficiencies of desk-mounted task/ambient conditioning systems.
D Faulkner1, W J Fisk, D P Sullivan
1Indoor Environment Department, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, California 94720, USA. D_Faulkner@lbl.gov
Indoor Air
|January 29, 2000
Summary
Task/ambient conditioning systems effectively ventilate the breathing zone using 100% outdoor air. These systems improve indoor air quality (IAQ) and can maintain IAQ while saving energy.
Area of Science:
- Building Science
- Environmental Engineering
- HVAC Systems
Background:
- Conventional ventilation systems may not adequately address localized air quality needs in occupied spaces.
- Task/ambient conditioning systems offer a potential solution for targeted ventilation and improved indoor air quality (IAQ).
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of two task/ambient conditioning systems in ventilating the breathing zone of occupants at desks.
- To assess the impact of these systems on air change effectiveness and pollutant removal efficiency.
Main Methods:
- Laboratory experiments using heated manikins seated at desks.
- Measurement of air change effectiveness using tracer gas step-up procedures.
- Calculation of pollutant removal efficiencies simulating occupant and floor-based emissions.
Main Results:
- Task/ambient systems supplied with 100% outdoor air (7-9 L/s per occupant) achieved high air change effectiveness (1.3-1.9).
- High pollutant removal efficiencies (1.2-1.6) were observed, correlating well with air change effectiveness.
- These systems demonstrated potential for improved ventilation and air quality.
Conclusions:
- Task/ambient conditioning systems can significantly enhance breathing zone ventilation and air quality.
- These systems offer flexibility to either improve IAQ or reduce energy consumption while maintaining acceptable IAQ levels.
- The findings support the use of task/ambient systems for efficient and effective indoor environmental control.