A multitracer system for multizone ventilation measurement

Journal Article · Sat Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1990 · Review of Scientific Instruments; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.1141339· OSTI ID:6384227

Sherman, M ^[1]

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1. Energy Performance of a Buildings Group, Indoor Environment Program, Applied Science Division, Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, University of California, Berkeley, CA (USA)

Mass transfer due to pressure-driven air flow is one of the most important processes for determining both environmental quality and energy requirements in buildings. Heat, moisture, and contaminants are all transported by air movement between indoors and outdoors as well as between different zones within a building. Measurement of these air flows is critical to understanding the performance of buildings. Virtually all measurements of ventilation are made using the dilution of a tracer gas. The vast majority of such measurements have been made in a single zone, using a single tracer gas. For the past several years LBL has been developing the MultiTracer Measurement System (MTMS) to provide full multizone air flow information in an accurate, real-time manner. MTMS is based on a quadrupole mass spectrometer to provide high-speed concentration analysis of multiple tracer gases in the (low) ppm level that are injected into multiple zones using mass-flow controllers. The measurement and injection system is controlled by a PC and can measure all concentrations in all zones (and adjust the injected tracer flows) within 2 min and can operate unattended for weeks. The resulting injection rate and concentration data can be analyzed to infer the bulk air movement between zones. The system also measures related quantities such as weather and zonal temperature to assist in the data interpretation. Using MTMS, field measurements have been made for the past two years.

• DOE Contract Number: AC03-76SF00098
• OSTI ID: 6384227
• Journal Information: Review of Scientific Instruments; (USA), Journal Name: Review of Scientific Instruments; (USA) Vol. 61:9; ISSN RSINA; ISSN 0034-6748
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320107* -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Building Systems-- (1987-)
AIR FLOW
AIR POLLUTION
BUILDINGS
DATA ACQUISITION
FLUID FLOW
GAS FLOW
INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
POLLUTION
QUANTITY RATIO
VENTILATION
VENTILATION SYSTEMS