MODELING OF VOCs IN INDOOR ENVIRONMENT WITH A MODULAR TOOLBOX

Paper i proceeding, 2005

This paper presents a numerical simulation program which can be used to assess concentration and duration of VOC’s in indoor environment with respect to surrounding building constructions, furniture, appliances and ventilation systems. Unlike from empirical models where storage and release of VOC’s is treated as surface phenomena, the model presented takes into account the volumetric storage capacity of building materials. Simulations show that gypsum boards both take up and release VOC’s fast while the release from concrete walls takes longer time. These results are validated against measurements. As an illustration of program possibilities, the VOC’s concentration over time has been calculated for a typical office room with constant VOC source and variable ventilation airflow (working time – non working time). The room has a solid concrete structure. Compared to a tight structure, the release of VOC’s from concrete increases the concentration in indoor air by around 10 % during working time.