A Study on the Similarities between Water Vapor and VOC Diffusion in Porous Media by a Dual Chamber Method

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

Abstract

To better understand the similarities and differences between moisture and volatile organic compound (VOC) diffusion through porous media, a dual chamber experimental system was developed. The diffusion and partition coefficients of moisture and selected VOCs in materials were compared. A pilot test with gypsum wallboard and oriented strand board (OSB) showed similar diffusion kinetics between moisture and VOC. To further establish the similarity relationship between VOC and water vapor transport, calcium silicate was used as a reference material to develop the concept of a similarity coefficient and its application in combined heat, air, moisture and pollutant simulation (CHAMPS) in buildings. The diffusion resistance factor calculated for moisture from the dual chamber tests agreed well with that from the conventional dry cup test method. The diffusion behavior of each particular VOC in porous media is predictable as long as the similarity coefficient of the VOC is known. Future experiments will extend this to materials with significant VOC emissions in buildings.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)444-453
Number of pages10
JournalClean - Soil, Air, Water
Volume37
Issue number6
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2009
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

Scopus 69549120712

Keywords

Keywords

  • Calcium silicate, Diffusion coefficient, Dual chamber, Emissions, Indoor Air, Volatile organic compounds (VOC)