ISSN:
1600-0668
Source:
Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
Topics:
Architecture, Civil Engineering, Surveying
,
Medicine
Notes:
The effect of a thin, passive, adsorbent sheet containing activated carbon on reducing the concentration of volatile organic compounds in indoor air is investigated. A mathematical model is established to describe the conditions in a hypothetical room containing building materials, furniture, an activated carbon sheet, etc. The results of the modelling show that the activated carbon sheet can reduce the concentration of the organic vapour in the room air by a factor of 1.6 – 200, depending on the resistances to mass transfm in the laminar gas film surrounding the activated carbon sheet and in the voids of the sheet. The maximum value 200 is a theoretical limit, if both the film and void resistances could be eliminated. Minimization of the film and void resistances is important to achieve high effect of the activated carbon sheet. This could be done by e.g. dividing a single sheet into several smaller pieces, hanging the sheets at some places where the airflow is relatively high, and making the sheets thin and loose. For some of the model parameters, estimated or assumed values were used in the calculations. Experimental work regarding sorption equilibria and mass transport properties of the species and materials involved is needed for more accurate results.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0668.1993.t01-3-00003.x
