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For IAP System:

Currently, using outdoor air ventilation to maintain adequate indoor air quality is an essential element and the most common approach adopted by most building owners. This is done at the expense of high energy cost to cool and clean the outside air as well as challenges in maintaining thermal comfort throughout the whole building.

The IAP system uses advanced sorbent to capture the carbon dioxide from indoor air so that the indoor air can be recycled for use and therefore, reduces outdoor air ventilation requirements. This in turn, reduces Air-conditioning, Mechanical and Ventilation (ACMV) loads required for conditioning outdoor air and provide significant energy savings for buildings.

Three rounds of test bedding were conducted at two locations namely BCA SkyLab and School of Science and Technology to achieve 2 objectives: (a) Verify that the IAP system can effectively maintain the indoor carbon dioxide level at below 1,100 ppm and, (b) To ascertain the energy reduction potential of the ACMV system when the IAP system is in use.

For Biochar Air Filter:

Particulate matters (PMs) can affect our respiratory systems and lead to health hazards such as aggravated asthma, irritation of airways and even heart attacks.  Effectiveness and durability of air filtration system is very important, especially if Singapore wants to promote the widespread utilization of natural ventilation and occupant’s health and comfort.

Conventional fabric-based air filter causes pressure drop across the filter as air passes through it. This worsens when the pores in the filter are blocked by pollutants. In the case of biochar air filter, the air speed actually increases and stabilizes after passage through biochar air filter, which is the result of flow straightening and reduction of air turbulence.

Field tests were conducted at the BCA SkyLab to measure performance in removal of PM2.5 concentrations and outdoor VOC concentrations as well as the wind speed.

For IAP System:

Rather than rely solely on Outdoor Air (OA) ventilation, by using the IAP system to maintain the indoor carbon dioxide concentration at the desired level, it will reduce the required amount of OA changes and in turn, reduces the amount of energy needed to cool the outdoor air brought into the building. The overall impact is to keep the indoor environment healthy, productive and comfortable for building occupants without using excessive energy.

The IAP system could also possibly contribute to the reduction in frequency of filter replacement due to extended filter life, as a result of using less OA changes. Furthermore, for smaller size buildings or spaces that use fan coil unit (FCU) systems which do not bring in outdoor air, the IAP system will help to dilute the carbon dioxide concentration level indoors to provide for occupant health, productivity and comfort.

In addition, if we are able to successfully explore the offtake of carbon dioxide captured by the IAP system in more meaningful ways than exhausting it to the ambient, it will help to address the issue of closing the carbon loop and make the IAP system a truly sustainable solution in the built environment. If we can also explore the generation of carbon credits through this whole process, it will make it even more attractive for building owners to adopt our solution.

For Biochar Air Filter:

For IAP System:

1.     The IAP system was able to perform effective carbon dioxide scrubbing in air-conditioned spaces.

2.     Up to 19% of energy savings from the ACMV system was achieved. To better assess the impact on the energy consumption of the ACMV system after the adoption of IAP system, a longer period of monitoring or the use of energy simulation software tool will be ideal.

3.  Actual air scrubbing and energy performance after the deployment of IAP system is highly dependent on the building type, ACMV equipment design and efficiency. We will need to continue to test in multiple and diverse buildings.

For Biochar Air Filter:

Air filters containing biochar are able to remove about 12.2% of the PM10 and 32.9% of the PM2.5 from external air before it is channeled into buildings. When the external air has very high PM levels, for example during a haze incident, this biochar air filter can remove higher percentages of PMs. Reduce pressure drop of air flowing through the filter This is a low-cost plug-and-play system, which can be easily sized to customize for different air duct systems.