CFD simulation of VOCs concentrations in a resident building with new carpet under different ventilation strategies

This paper investigates the effect of ventilation strategies on the concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from a new carpet in an apartment with the VOCs emission characteristics taken from chamber test data. The commercial software FLUENT 6 has been employed to solve the continuity, momentum, turbulence and concentration equations under five different ventilation strategies. Numerical results show that ventilation strategies have a small effect on VOCs emission from carpet. Continuous ventilation keeps a low level of VOCs concentration in the air. Flushing ventilation has a significant effect on the VOCs concentration in the air. During a period without ventilation, VOCs concentration in the air usually increases to a high level. Thus, the ventilation should be carried out before the arrival of residents to ensure a low level of VOCs concentration. At the startup of ventilation run, the sudden flow strongly promotes the mixing of VOCs, which may lead to local high concentration.