Radon Mitigation using Ventilation Assessment Tool
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Transcript of Radon Mitigation using Ventilation Assessment Tool
Radon Mitigation using Ventilation Assessment Tool
Group 9William Allred
Joshua ChastainDaniel DiazRyan Nester
02/24/09 Group 9 – Department of Health
Introduction
Naturally occurring radioactive gas
Colorless, tasteless, odorless
Found all over the World
Kills over 20,000 people each year (EPA)
02/24/09 Group 9 – Department of Health
Introduction – What is the Problem?
High rise residential buildings also have Radon problems
Limited on mitigation techniques
Ventilation applicable to dilute Radon
Need methods to estimate airflow for dilution
02/24/09 Group 9 – Department of Health
Project Scope
Develop a spreadsheet tool to evaluate the parameters necessary for successful mitigation of a single unit within a multi-family structure using ventilation techniques.
Current radon level Target radon level Natural leakage to outside Ventilation rate required to reach target Evaluation of increased load on A.C. system
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The Design Concept
Microsoft Excel Data Validation & Formulas Determining What is Needed
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Design Concept – How it Works
Equations / Theories
Where: Aeq = Estimated Leakage Area P = Pressure ρ = Density of Air Q = Natural Ventilation Rate V = Volume ACH = Air Changes per Hour C = Concentration of Radon G = Generation rate of Radon
Q Aeq2P
ACH
Q
VG C V ACH
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Contaminant Equations
- Mass of Radon in zone i after a given time
- Initial mass of Radon in zone i
- Mass flow rate of Radon into zone i
- Generation rate of Radon in zone i
- Mass flow rate of Radon out of zone i
Dilution Equation
02/24/09 Group 9 – Department of Health
On-site Testing
Blower Door Fan Tests
Leakages found from Pressurization and De-Pressurization tests
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On-Site Testing
Smoke sticks Pressure direction
Pressurization De-Pressurization
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Results from On-site Testing
Documented leakage characteristics
Compared spreadsheet and actual values
Values are within 10% Unexpected leakage
sources
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Results for Blower Door Test
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Results of Blower Door Test
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Spreadsheet Demonstration
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The Future
Fine tuning Compare results to
efficiency regulations Make more
aesthetically pleasing
Write user manual
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Acknowledgment
Special thanks to Florida Department of Health
Clark Eldredge Jorge Laguna
FAMU Director of Building Sciences Thomas Pugh
Faculty Advisor Juan Ordoñez
Homeowners Garmin Ranck Daniel Montesinos Nicholas Landera
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References
Design of Fluid Thermal SystemsWilliam S. Janna
NIST Multizone Modeling Website (CONTAM)http://www.bfrl.nist.gov/IAQanalysis/index.htm
Minneapolis Blower Door Operations ManualThe Energy Conservatory
Walton, George. “CONTAM 2.4 User Guide and Program Documentation.” http://www.bfrl.nist.gov/IAQanalysis/docs/NISTIR_7251c.pdf