Design factors affecting the passive release of tracer gas for ventilation measurements

The ventilation rate is an important parameter for assessing indoor air quality and energy efficiency. In occupied buildings, measurements utilising passive methods are preferable to active due their simplicity less intrusive nature. perfluorocarbon tracer method can be used measure long-term rates this purpose. This requires the release of a gas which often liquid chemical diffusing out vial. emission key vial design as if it too low, sampler will not able detect gas. If high, become saturated. Both scenarios lead inaccurate results. There wide variability in but little information about relative impact each factor. Thus, aim study was compare common gas, perfluoromethylcyclohexane, using different vials designs i.e. capping styles, septa materials, fill levels. Samples were kept incubator gravimetric analysis carried semi-microbalance (resolution: 0.01 mg). results demonstrate that significantly affected by style level.