Modelling mass transfer phenomena and quantification of ventilation performance in a full scale installation

This paper outlines development of a low order model that can be used for control purposes and quantification of ventilation performance in ventilated systems. First informative pollutant transport data is generated using numerical simulations. Later on, identification procedures are followed to build a low order transfer function model from the CFD generated input–output data. The obtained results demonstrate that first order model can sufficiently describe the dominant mass transfer dynamics in the ventilated air space. Afterwards classical mass balance equation is used to explain the objectively formulated model in a meaningful manner. The developed model is compact in structure and accurate in nature making it an ideal input for model based controller algorithm development. Furthermore its model parameter is found to be an inverse of the local mean age of air. Therefore the model can also be used to assess ventilation performance.