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A simple model to study the influence of fluctuating airflow on the effective air exchange rate when using natural ventilation

  • Technical Note/Indoor/Outdoor Airflow and Air Quality
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Abstract

Fluctuating airflow may strongly influence the real air exchange rate when using natural ventilation, resulting in a larger “effective” air exchange rate than the “mean” air exchange rate calculated by conventional methods (i.e., the network method). To study the effective air exchange rate during natural ventilation under conditions of actual use, this study proposes a simple model that accounts for fluctuating airflow. The model assumes that the airflow near a building opening fluctuates regularly and velocity is assumed to have either a square or sine wave pattern. Our analysis shows that the effective air exchange rate is larger when accounting for fluctuating airflow. This suggests that the mean air exchange rate should not be calculated without consideration of real airflow fluctuations.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Building Science, School of Architecture, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China

    Bin Zhao

  2. Fengshang Building Energy Efficient System Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd, Room 1209 E1 Tower Oriental Plaza, No.1 East Changan Ave., Beijing, 100738, China

    Jianlong Zeng

Authors
  1. Bin Zhao
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  2. Jianlong Zeng
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Correspondence to Bin Zhao.

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Zhao, B., Zeng, J. A simple model to study the influence of fluctuating airflow on the effective air exchange rate when using natural ventilation. Build. Simul. 2, 63–66 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/S12273-009-9304-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/S12273-009-9304-z

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