Natural Ventilation Characterization in a Classroom under Different Scenarios

Sergio A. Chillon, Mikel Millan, Iñigo Aramendia, Unai Fernandez-Gamiz, Ekaitz Zulueta and Xabier Mendaza-Sagastizabal
Additional contact information
Sergio A. Chillon: Nuclear Engineering and Fluid Mechanics Department, University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU, Nieves Cano 12, Vitoria-Gasteiz, 01006 Araba, Spain
Mikel Millan: System Engineering and Automation Control Department, University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU, Nieves Cano 12, Vitoria-Gasteiz, 01006 Araba, Spain
Iñigo Aramendia: Nuclear Engineering and Fluid Mechanics Department, University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU, Nieves Cano 12, Vitoria-Gasteiz, 01006 Araba, Spain
Unai Fernandez-Gamiz: Nuclear Engineering and Fluid Mechanics Department, University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU, Nieves Cano 12, Vitoria-Gasteiz, 01006 Araba, Spain
Ekaitz Zulueta: System Engineering and Automation Control Department, University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU, Nieves Cano 12, Vitoria-Gasteiz, 01006 Araba, Spain
Xabier Mendaza-Sagastizabal: Nuclear Engineering and Fluid Mechanics Department, University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU, Nieves Cano 12, Vitoria-Gasteiz, 01006 Araba, Spain

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 10, 1-13

Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic has pointed to the need to increase our knowledge in fields related to human breathing. In the present study, temperature, relative humidity, carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) concentration, and median particle size diameter measurements were taken into account. These parameters were analyzed in a computer classroom with 15 subjects during a normal 90-minute class; all the subjects wore surgical masks. For measurements, Arduino YUN, Arduino UNO, and APS-3321 devices were used. Natural ventilation efficiency was checked in two different ventilation scenarios: only windows open and windows and doors open. The results show how ventilation affects the temperature, CO 2 concentration, and median particle diameter size parameters. By contrast, the relative humidity depends more on the outdoor meteorological conditions. Both ventilation scenarios tend to create the same room conditions in terms of temperature, humidity, CO 2 concentration, and particle size. Additionally, the evolution of CO 2 concentration as well as the particle size distribution along the time was studied. Finally, the particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) was investigated together with particle concentration. Both parameters showed a similar trend during the time of the experiments.

Keywords: particle size; carbon dioxide concentration; CO 2; classroom air composition; natural ventilation; Arduino; SCD30; APS; school health; COVID-19 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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