MEASUREMENT AND IMPROVEMENT OF

INDOOR AIR QUALITY IN IT CLASSROOM

Mladen Tomi, Biljana Milutinovi, Predrag ivkovi, Petar Djeki,
Aleksandra Borii
Most people spend more than ninety percent of their time indoors. Therefore, special
attention must be paid to indoor air quality and comfort. It is of big importance to maintain
indoor air quality in object where large number of occupants spends a long period of time.
Poor indoor environment can affect negatively on scholarly performances (teaching and
learning activities) and cause discomfort, bad work performance, as well as weakness,
dizziness, headache. The problem of indoor air quality in educational institutions can be more
serious than in other types of objects, because of the higher concentration of students and IT
equipment (an insufficient supply of outside air, problems with poor design and ventilation
system maintenance).
This paper analyzed changes in air quality in IT classrooms, when it is occupied with

students. The changes of indoor air temperature, relative humidity, CO2 concentration are
monitored in the classroom, as well as outdoor temperature and relative humidity. Several
cases have been studied: closed unventilated classroom, classroom with natural ventilation,
air-conditioned classroom. Responses of students are followed for each case. Analysis was
performed based on the measurement results and numerical simulations using the CFD
package, and measures are proposed to improve the indoor air quality in the considered
classroom.

Parabolic Hyperbolic Or Elliptic Numerical Integration Code Series

PHOENICS
General Transport Equation

Values IAQ parameters obtained by measuring and numerical simulation

( ) + ( U j ) =
+ S

x j
x j
x j

CO2 (ppm)
t (oC)
(%)
Closed unventilated classroom
Numeracal
simulation
Measurement
(%)

S
Governing equation
1
0
0
Continuity
Ui
ef
-p/xi + fi
Momentum
h
aef
Sh
Energy
c
Def
Sc
Concentration
k
t / k
(G )
Turbulent kinetic energy

t /
( / k)(C1G C2)
Turbulent kinetic energy dissipation
G= t (kUi + iUk) kUi
t = Ck2 /
(k , , C1 , C2 , C) = (1.0, 1.314, 1.44, 1.92, 0.09)

Numeracal
simulation
Measurement
(%)
Numeracal
simulation
Measurement
(%)

Numerical model of the classroom

CLOSED
CLASSROOM

OPENED
WINDOW

4149

64.90

15.56

3897
28.70
57.50
6.47
1.39
Classroom with opened window

13.10
19.10

1453

28.30

(g/kg)

21.38

43.84

6.89

925
23.60
39.70
57
9.41
Air-conditioned classroom

6.90
0.15

5611

25.99

41.1

8.52

5197
7.97

27.50
5.81

46.00
-

8.96
5.16

AIR-CONDITIONED
CLASSROOM
CO2 concetration field

Temperature field

Relative Humidity Field

Thermal comfort indicators predicted mean vote (PMV) and predicted percent of dissatisfaction (PPD)
Case study

Closed unventilated
classroom

Classroom with
opened window

Air-conditioned
classroom

PMV

PPD

PMV

PPD

PMV

PPD

Calculated

1.16

33.7

0.33

7.3

0.78

18

Simulated

0.95

24.96

0.13

7.21

0.46

10.2

Survey

1.65

100

0.1

10

0.82

45.2

Average
value

1.25

52.89

0.25

8.52

0.87

24.47

In this paper changes in air quality in IT classrooms were analyzed. The changes of indoor air temperature, relative humidity, CO2 concentration were monitored in the classroom and a
survey was conducted among students. The measured values are complemented by numerical simulation which resulted in the visualization of scalar fields. In the paper three case studies
were investigated: closed unventilated classroom, classroom with opened window and air conditioned classroom. Measurements and simulation of indoor CO2 concentrations have shown
that in case of closed unventilated and in case of air-conditioned classroom indoor CO2 level reached 5200ppm indicating inadequate ventilation. Main thermal comfort indicators have
shown unfavorable working environment in both cases resulting with high PPD and relatively high PMV. In the case of the classroom with opened window thermal comfort indicators were far
more favorable with close to neutral value of PMV.
On the end of the paper error analysis evaluation of the uncertainty of numerical simulation results was conducted. The acceptable error level of computer models developed the possibility
of detailed analyses and predictions on thermal comfort in buildings, being of a real use for the design and research activity.
On the basis of those three cases authors have suggested solution, where fresh air would be lead directly into the classroom from two openings on the outer wall. The results of numerical
simulation have show that in this case PMV and PPD values would be acceptable.