The building envelope as an air filter.

Taylor, B.J.; Webster, R.; Imbabi, M.S.

Abstract

Recent research suggests that fine-particulate air pollution increases the incidence of lung disease and premature death. In this paper, single fibre filter theory was used to predict the theoretical particulate collection efficiency of air permeable walls (dynamic insulation). The relationship between particle diameter and filtration efficiency for dynamic insulation, as a function of flow rate, is examined and compared to that for a conventional filter. Factors such as filter penetration as a function of flow rate, filter thickness, and packing density for a range of particle diameters are also presented. The findings suggest that, in addition to reducing heat loss through the building fabric, dynamic insulation can act as a high performance air filter in naturally ventilated buildings, thus providing a viable and attractive alternative to mechanical air-conditioning in congested urban environments.

Citation

TAYLOR, B.J., WEBSTER, R. and IMBABI, M.S. 1998. The building envelope as an air filter. Building and environment [online], 34(3), pages 353-361. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0360-1323(98)00017-1

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: May 31, 1998
• Online Publication Date: May 31, 1998
• Publication Date: May 31, 1998
• Deposit Date: Jan 11, 2011
• Publicly Available Date: Jan 11, 2011
• Journal: Building and environment
• Print ISSN: 0360-1323
• Electronic ISSN: 1873-684X
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 34
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 353-361
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0360-1323%2898%2900017-1
• Public URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10059/553