Research on Demand Controlled Ventilation Strategy for Laboratory Ventilation System

Abstract

Reducing the amount of outdoor air entering a space has distinct advantages for ventilation system. However, it often brings the consequence of depressing indoor air quality (IAQ). For laboratories, on average, the laboratory IAQ conditions of low TVOCs and low particulates permitted the substantial reduction of minimum air change rates. With many modern laboratories operating with fewer fume hoods and more energy-efficient equipment and lighting, the labs minimum air exchange rate requirement is often the dominant energy use driver. Current codes or specifications for laboratories ventilation system are the most straight forward approaches. They do not optimize a laboratory's ventilation rate, or verify whether the intended levels of safety and comfort have been achieved by the labs design. Demand controlled ventilation (DCV) can also avoid over-ventilation by providing outdoor air rates based on actual occupancy rather than on design occupancy or full occupancy.