Ventilation Pressure Control to Prevent Building Pollutant Infiltration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for preventing pollutant infiltration through building envelopes, such as radon, are costly, energy-intensive, or have uncertain efficacy, lacking control based on real-time pollutant concentration and pressure differences.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that adjust building ventilation systems to maintain indoor pressure higher than outdoor pressure, using sensors to measure pollutant concentration and air pressure differences, controlling fans and vents to prevent infiltration, considering energy loss and dew point conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If sealing openings in the building envelope is performed to prevent pollutant infiltration, then pollutant infiltration is reduced, but the cost and complexity of modification increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the pollutant prevention function from the building envelope structure itself and relocates it to the ventilation system. Instead of modifying the envelope to prevent infiltration, the ventilation system actively manages air exchange to achieve the same protective effect, separating the filtration function from the structural function.
Solution Approach 2:
The ventilation system acts as an intermediary between the indoor and outdoor environments, controlling air exchange and pollutant infiltration through active management of pressure differences and airflow rates, rather than relying solely on passive envelope sealing.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If active ventilation is used to replace air frequently to prevent pollutant accumulation, then indoor air quality is improved, but energy consumption for heating and cooling increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The ventilation system dynamically adjusts its operation based on real-time measurements of indoor and outdoor air quality, pressure differences, and building airtightness characteristics. This allows the system to optimize air exchange rates to prevent pollutant accumulation while minimizing unnecessary energy consumption during periods when infiltration is already low.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors indoor air quality parameters, outdoor pollution levels, and pressure differences, using this feedback to adjust ventilation rates and pressure control strategies, thereby optimizing the balance between air quality maintenance and energy consumption.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If pipes and fans are installed to create an alternative path for ground gases, then radon infiltration is prevented, but device complexity and installation cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The ventilation system performs multiple functions: it provides general air exchange for indoor air quality, controls pressure differences to prevent infiltration, and simultaneously manages ground gas (radon) mitigation through the same air handling equipment, eliminating the need for separate dedicated pipe systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges radon mitigation functionality with the general ventilation system, combining what would traditionally be separate systems (ventilation ducts and radon pipes) into a unified air management system that handles both air quality and pollutant prevention through integrated pressure control.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If ventilation system is controlled to increase inside air pressure to prevent infiltration, then pollutant infiltration is reduced, but energy loss from air leakage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the inside air pressure based on real-time measurements of outdoor pollution levels, building airtightness characteristics, and current infiltration rates. Pressure is increased only when and where necessary to prevent infiltration, rather than maintaining constantly elevated pressure, thereby minimizing energy loss while maintaining protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the pressure parameter dynamically based on measured conditions, adjusting the degree of pressurization according to outdoor pollution levels and building-specific airtightness characteristics, optimizing the balance between infiltration prevention and energy conservation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Effectively reduces pollutant infiltration by optimizing indoor pressure, minimizing energy consumption, and preventing condensation, while ensuring precise control based on real-time data.
Implementation Method 1
maintain indoor pressure higher than outdoor pressure... controlling the building's ventilation system to increase the inside air pressure until the air pressure inside the building envelope becomes higher than the air pressure outside the building envelope
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Methods and systems for controlling ventilation in a building based on measurements of air pressure differences between inside and outside of the building envelope in order to prevent infiltration of pollutants in general. The system is particularly suited to prevent infiltration of radon from the ground. Air pressure is measured on both sides of the building envelope and the building's ventilation system is controlled in order to ensure that the air pressure inside the envelope is at least a minimum threshold higher than the air pressure on the outside of the building envelope.