Task 05-02 – Emerging Filter & UV Devices for Energy Efficient IAQ in Commercial Buildings

Objective

A test loop compliant with ASHRAE Standard 52.2 and compatible with pending requirements in ASHRAE Standard 145.2P, for particulate and gas filter performance testing respectively, is being built at UIC in Task 7 and will become operational late in 2005. A 2nd test apparatus compliant with ASHRAE Standard 52.2 and consistent with preliminary test procedures in ARTI-21CR/610-40030-01, for particulate filters and UVGI lamps respectively, is also being built in Task 7 at PSU and will become operational later in 2005 as well In the final Task 7 subtask, an initial round of joint manufacturer benchmark tests will be conducted with the two test loops on air cleaning media/devices. This follow-on project to Task 7 will utilize these two test loops to evaluate the performance of a wide range of emerging particulate and gas phase filters, UV germicidal irradiation (UVGI) lamps, and combined devices. From the testing results, filter technology guidelines and training materials will be generated to educate the HVAC industry and certify its personnel. An Industry Expert Panel will participate in setting commercial sector research and outreach agendas, testing activities, and education programs.

An Industry Expert Panel will be formed by UIC and periodic meetings, along with other communications, will be structured in Subtask 1 to assist with formulation of commercial sector research and outreach agendas, testing activities, and education programs. The panel members will consist of manufacturers, at-large experts, and government research and regulatory authorities to ensure both industry and public interests are served. In Subtask 2, necessary upgrades to the UIC test loop will be completed for: 1) a gas phase filter test section and loop instrumentation for the pending ASHRAE Standard 145.2P; and 2) a multiple in-line particle filters test section to extend beyond the single filter testing of ASHRAE Standard 52.2. Likewise in Subtask 3, necessary upgrades to the PSU test loop will be completed for advances to the preliminary ARTI testing procedures based on PSU’s Task 7 work. The formulated research agenda and its resulting prioritized testing activities will also be carried out in Subtask 2 on separate and combined particulate and gas phase filters in the UIC test loop, and in Subtask 3 on separate and combined particulate filters and UVGI lamps in the PSU test loop. In Subtask 4, findings from the research completed in Subtasks 2 and 3 will be applied by UIC to education programs, by generating materials to assist in: 1) training the HVAC industry about filter/UV lamp selection, installation, operation and maintenance; and 2) certifying its personnel, including NAFA/NEMI Level 1 and 2 training/certification programs.

Major Sub-awardees

This project is being executed by the Energy Resources Center (ERC) at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) and the Indoor Environment Center/Penn State University (PSU). The Principal Investigator is Douglas Kosar (UIC) and Co-PIs are James Freihaut Ph.D. and William Bahnfleth Ph.D., PSU.
This project will be initiated upon completion of Task 7 and is scheduled to be completed in 12 months.