Dynamic Ventilation Control for Indoor Pollution and Energy Efficiency

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Solution Overview

Problem

Modern enclosed structures face challenges in minimizing indoor pollution while maintaining fresh air and energy efficiency, as they often introduce outdoor pollutants and require frequent ventilation, which can be inefficient and ineffective due to fixed regulation-based parameters.

Innovation Solution

A dynamic and adaptive ventilation system that uses user-defined criteria to optimize HVAC operations by calculating a weighted combination of conflicting requirements, including fresh air supply, indoor air quality, and energy conservation, utilizing real-time air pollution levels and historical data with machine learning and statistical methods.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If building envelope insulation is increased to improve energy efficiency, then energy consumption is reduced, but ventilation effectiveness during working hours is compromised due to fixed regulation-based parameters

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidventilation effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces fixed, regulation-based ventilation parameters with dynamic control that adjusts airflow rates based on real-time indoor and outdoor air quality conditions. This enables the highly insulated building to maintain energy efficiency while achieving effective ventilation only when and where needed, rather than operating at constant high airflow rates

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes ventilation parameters (airflow rates, timing, duration) based on measured air quality conditions and predictive pollution data. By adjusting these parameters dynamically, the system achieves effective pollutant removal and fresh air supply in highly insulated buildings without the energy penalty of continuous high-rate ventilation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If ventilation is operated during working hours to maintain fresh air levels, then indoor oxygen levels are maintained, but energy consumption increases due to pollution introduction and continuous operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefresh air supplyVSAvoidventilation energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses predictive air quality models and outdoor pollution forecasts to anticipate periods of high pollution before they occur. This allows the system to pre-ventilate the building during periods of low outdoor pollution, storing fresh air in the building's thermal mass and air volumes, thereby reducing or eliminating the need for ventilation during high-pollution working hours

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of continuous ventilation operation, the system implements periodic ventilation cycles synchronized with outdoor pollution patterns. By concentrating ventilation activities during low-pollution periods and utilizing the building's air volumes and thermal mass to maintain air quality during occupied periods, the system significantly reduces energy consumption while maintaining fresh air supply

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP3918255B1Libraries, systems, and methods for minimizing air pollution in enclosed structures
Publication Date: 2025.01.08 URECSYS URBAN ECOLOGY SYST INDOOR AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT LTD
  • EP3918255B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3918255B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3918255B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The disclosure relates to libraries used in conjunction with integrated ventilation and temperature controls for enclosed structures. Specifically, the disclosure is directed to libraries, systems and methods for minimizing pollution while simultaneously conserving energy and maintaining required levels of fresh air inside a multi-storied structure and its internal spaces, in an optimal manner, utilizing dynamic, user-defined threshold values and implementing strategies based on user defined goals.