Building ventilation system and method for ventilating a building
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing building ventilation systems suffer from dead zones and inefficiencies in managing air quality parameters like VOC and particle concentrations, leading to high energy consumption and suboptimal indoor air quality.
Innovation Solution
A building ventilation system with air handling units, air quality sensors, and air cleaning units controlled by a system that optimizes outdoor air flow and cleaning unit activity based on local air quality data, calculating minimum flow rates and considering cleaning effects to maintain predefined air quality standards while minimizing energy use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional building ventilation systems are used to deliver outdoor air into building areas, then air quality is maintained, but dead zones are generated and energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the building into multiple building areas and further segments each area into zones with different air quality requirements. Air handling units are assigned to specific building areas rather than serving the entire building uniformly, allowing targeted ventilation only where needed based on local air quality sensor data.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements local quality control by measuring air quality parameters (VOC, particles, CO2) in each building area and zone independently. Different air handling strategies are applied to different zones based on their specific air quality conditions, rather than treating the entire building uniformly. This allows high-quality air delivery only to zones requiring it.
2Use of energy by stationary object
If Demand-Controlled Ventilation systems are used to regulate air flow based on occupancy, then energy consumption is reduced, but detailed air quality parameters like VOC and particle concentrations are not monitored or optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors multiple air quality parameters (VOC, particles, CO2, temperature, humidity) using sensor arrays in each building area. This real-time feedback data is fed to the control system, which automatically adjusts air handling unit operation and air cleaner activation based on actual measured conditions, creating a closed-loop control system that optimizes both energy use and air quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system monitors and responds to changes in multiple air quality parameters simultaneously (VOC concentration, particle concentration, CO2 levels, temperature, humidity). By tracking these parameter changes in real-time, the system can dynamically adjust ventilation rates and air cleaning intensity to maintain optimal air quality while minimizing energy consumption.
3Reliability
If air handling units deliver outdoor air to all building areas uniformly, then air quality standards are met, but energy is wasted heating or cooling air in areas that do not need it
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the operation of air handling units based on real-time air quality sensor data from each building area. Air handling units can be activated or deactivated, and their flow rates adjusted, according to the specific needs of each building area. This dynamic control allows the system to meet air quality standards while minimizing energy waste by delivering conditioned air only where and when needed.
Data Source
AI summary
Building ventilation systems comprising one or more air handling units arranged and configured to receive air from outside a building comprising one or more building areas and deliver outdoor air into a building are disclosed. The building ventilation system comprises a plurality of air quality sensors arranged to measure the quality of the air inside the building. The building ventilation system comprises a control system connected to the air handling units and configured to receive data from the air quality sensors. The control system is configured to control the activity of the air handling units in dependency of the data from the air quality sensors. The building ventilation system comprises a plurality of air cleaning units arranged to eliminate gaseous and particulate pollutants from the air inside the building. The control system is configured to control the air cleaning units in dependency of the data from the air quality sensors.