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Title: Method, system and apparatus for monitoring and adjusting the quality of indoor air

Abstract

A system, method and apparatus is provided for monitoring and adjusting the quality of indoor air. A sensor array senses an air sample from the indoor air and analyzes the air sample to obtain signatures representative of contaminants in the air sample. When the level or type of contaminant poses a threat or hazard to the occupants, the present invention takes corrective actions which may include introducing additional fresh air. The corrective actions taken are intended to promote overall health of personnel, prevent personnel from being overexposed to hazardous contaminants and minimize the cost of operating the HVAC system. The identification of the contaminants is performed by comparing the signatures provided by the sensor array with a database of known signatures. Upon identification, the system takes corrective actions based on the level of contaminant present. The present invention is capable of learning the identity of previously unknown contaminants, which increases its ability to identify contaminants in the future. Indoor air quality is assured by monitoring the contaminants not only in the indoor air, but also in the outdoor air and the air which is to be recirculated. The present invention is easily adaptable to new and existing HVAC systems. Inmore » sum, the present invention is able to monitor and adjust the quality of indoor air in real time by sensing the level and type of contaminants present in indoor air, outdoor and recirculated air, providing an intelligent decision about the quality of the air, and minimizing the cost of operating an HVAC system.« less

Inventors:
; ; ;
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Idaho National Laboratory (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE
OSTI Identifier:
1174784
Patent Number(s):
6,711,470
Application Number:
09/717,180
Assignee:
Bechtel BWXT Idaho, LLC (Idaho Falls, ID)
DOE Contract Number:  
AC07-94ID13223
Resource Type:
Patent
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
42 ENGINEERING; 47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION

Citation Formats

Hartenstein, Steven D., Tremblay, Paul L., Fryer, Michael O., and Hohorst, Frederick A. Method, system and apparatus for monitoring and adjusting the quality of indoor air. United States: N. p., 2004. Web.
Hartenstein, Steven D., Tremblay, Paul L., Fryer, Michael O., & Hohorst, Frederick A. Method, system and apparatus for monitoring and adjusting the quality of indoor air. United States.
Hartenstein, Steven D., Tremblay, Paul L., Fryer, Michael O., and Hohorst, Frederick A. 2004. "Method, system and apparatus for monitoring and adjusting the quality of indoor air". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1174784.
@article{osti_1174784,
title = {Method, system and apparatus for monitoring and adjusting the quality of indoor air},
author = {Hartenstein, Steven D. and Tremblay, Paul L. and Fryer, Michael O. and Hohorst, Frederick A.},
abstractNote = {A system, method and apparatus is provided for monitoring and adjusting the quality of indoor air. A sensor array senses an air sample from the indoor air and analyzes the air sample to obtain signatures representative of contaminants in the air sample. When the level or type of contaminant poses a threat or hazard to the occupants, the present invention takes corrective actions which may include introducing additional fresh air. The corrective actions taken are intended to promote overall health of personnel, prevent personnel from being overexposed to hazardous contaminants and minimize the cost of operating the HVAC system. The identification of the contaminants is performed by comparing the signatures provided by the sensor array with a database of known signatures. Upon identification, the system takes corrective actions based on the level of contaminant present. The present invention is capable of learning the identity of previously unknown contaminants, which increases its ability to identify contaminants in the future. Indoor air quality is assured by monitoring the contaminants not only in the indoor air, but also in the outdoor air and the air which is to be recirculated. The present invention is easily adaptable to new and existing HVAC systems. In sum, the present invention is able to monitor and adjust the quality of indoor air in real time by sensing the level and type of contaminants present in indoor air, outdoor and recirculated air, providing an intelligent decision about the quality of the air, and minimizing the cost of operating an HVAC system.},
doi = {},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1174784}, journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue Mar 23 00:00:00 EST 2004},
month = {Tue Mar 23 00:00:00 EST 2004}
}