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Effects of ERV Filter Degradation on Indoor CO 2 Levels of a Classroom

Author

Listed:
  • Jae-Sol Choi

    (Department of Architectural Engineering, Inha University, Incheon 22212, Korea)

  • Jae-Hyuk Lee

    (Air Solution B2B Sales Engineering Team, LG Electronics, Seoul 07336, Korea)

  • Eui-Jong Kim

    (Department of Architectural Engineering, Inha University, Incheon 22212, Korea)

Abstract

Energy recovery ventilators (ERVs) are widely used to reduce energy losses caused by ventilation and improve indoor air quality for recently-constructed buildings. It is important for spaces with high occupancy density and longer residence times, such as classrooms. In classrooms, the ERV size is typically estimated by the target number of students in the design phase, but the design air volume flow rates (m 3 /h) of the ERV can decrease over time owing to filter degradation such as increased dust loading. In this study, field tests are conducted in a classroom to investigate filter degradation through a visual inspection and by measuring the air volume flow rates at the diffusers connected to the ERV. In addition, variations in carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) concentrations are also measured to verify the effects of filter degradation on the indoor CO 2 levels over the entire test period, which includes filter replacement, as well. As the tests are conducted during classes, several adjusting methodologies are proposed to match the different test conditions. The results show that the total air volume flow rate of the ERV increases after the filter replacement (546 to 766 m 3 /h), but it again decreases as time elapses (659 m 3 /h). Accordingly, the indoor CO 2 concentration decreases after the filter replacement by more than 300 ppm (1404 to 1085 ppm), clearly showing the effect of filter degradation. However, this CO 2 concentration remains similar for four months after the replacement, and the total air volume rate decreases again. An interpretation is made using computational fluid dynamics analysis that the measured CO 2 concentrations are affected by airflow patterns. The airflow in the cooling system may dilute CO 2 concentrations at the measuring location. Thus, periodic filter replacement and management are important to ensure the desired ERV air volume rates and consequently the desired indoor CO 2 concentrations.

Suggested Citation

  • Jae-Sol Choi & Jae-Hyuk Lee & Eui-Jong Kim, 2018. "Effects of ERV Filter Degradation on Indoor CO 2 Levels of a Classroom," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(4), pages 1-15, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:10:y:2018:i:4:p:1215-:d:141475
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Zhang, L.Z & Niu, J.L, 2001. "Energy requirements for conditioning fresh air and the long-term savings with a membrane-based energy recovery ventilator in Hong Kong," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 26(2), pages 119-135.
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    3. Ning, Mao & Mengjie, Song & Mingyin, Chan & Dongmei, Pan & Shiming, Deng, 2016. "Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modelling of air flow field, mean age of air and CO2 distributions inside a bedroom with different heights of conditioned air supply outlet," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 164(C), pages 906-915.
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    Cited by:

    1. Carla Balocco & Lorenzo Leoncini, 2020. "Energy Cost for Effective Ventilation and Air Quality for Healthy Buildings: Plant Proposals for a Historic Building School Reopening in the Covid-19 Era," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(20), pages 1-16, October.

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