First Advisor

Elliot Gall

Date of Award

5-24-2019

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Mechanical Engineering and University Honors

Department

Mechanical and Materials Engineering

Subjects

Indoor air quality, Air filters -- Design and construction, Green roofs (Gardening) -- Environmental aspects, Volatile organic compounds

DOI

10.15760/honors.751

Abstract

Maintaining indoor air quality that supports human health is a primary objective of the built environment. While outdoor air is commonly thought of as having more pollutants, it has been shown that indoor air quality (IAQ) can be more polluted with VOCs and particulate matter. In order to better understand IAQ, we must understand the types of compounds present in the air that we are filtering into our buildings. One method for doing this is by analyzing the intake air and the filters in HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) systems. These filters are specifically designed to collect dust, pollen, and other particulate matter; however, prior research has shown that on green roofs, microbes and dirt from the surrounding vegetation can accumulate onto these filters. Oxidation reactions with ozone and the particulate matter can result in the byproduct formation and the emissions of unidentified VOCs. In order to analyze these emissions, we need to collect the filter particulates; however, we don’t know the amount of exposure they are receiving due to fluctuations in the wind speed and direction. This thesis reviews the design and fabrication of a filter bank assembly (FBA), which will enable further research for the impact of biogenic particulate matter loading onto typical HVAC filters depending on the direction of wind.

Rights

In Copyright. URI: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).

Persistent Identifier

https://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/28932

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