Predictive model for CO2 generation and decay in building envelopes

Abstract

Understanding carbon dioxide generation and decay patterns in buildings with high occupancy levels is useful to identify their indoor air quality, air change rates, percent fresh air makeup, occupancy pattern, and how a variable air volume system to off-set undesirable CO 2 level can be modulated. A mathematical model governing the generation and decay of CO 2 in building envelopes with forced ventilation due to high occupancy is developed. The model has been verified experimentally in a newly constructed energy efficient healthy house. It was shown that the model accurately predicts the CO 2 concentration at any time during the generation and decay processes.