Air Cleaning Technology Laboratory (ACTLab)

1. Air Cleaning Technology Laboratory (ACTLab) Investigators: Douglas Kosar and David Chojnowski, Energy Resources Center Prime Grant Support: National Center for Energy Management and Building Technologies and Department of Energy Problem Statement and Motivation • Most people spend the vast majority of their time indoors • Costly conditioning of ventilation air from outdoors is the current solution for the dilution of indoor air pollution • Strong interest in substituting clean recirculated air , at least in part, for ventilation air to potentially save costs • Also interest in securing buildings against airborne threats • Lack validated performance for many current filter types • Need testing standards for many emerging filter technologies Technical Approach Key Achievements and Future Goals • Basic through applied research on cleaning air of particulates and gases/vapors using various forms of: • fibrous media • energetic surfaces • sorbent materials • Test duct loop compliant with current and emerging ASHRAE Method of Testing (MOT) standards including: • 52.2 MOT General Ventilation Air-Cleaning Devices for Removal Efficiency by Particle Size • 145.2P MOT Gaseous Contaminant Air-Cleaning Devices for Removal Efficiency • Construction of laboratory began late 2004 and test loop became operational late 2006 for particulate filter research • Benchmark particulate filter tests were completed early 2007 • Industry Expert Panel formed early 2006, released prioritized research needs, and will update those needs annually • Top research need for filter bypass evaluation now underway • Gas phase filter research capabilities are being introduced in stages with first targeted gas generation and instrumentation to be incorporated in the test loop by late 2007 • UIC leading a team of three universities (including Penn State and Syracuse Universities) to provide a more comprehensive air cleaning research capability for NCEMBT/DOE