Transient analysis of volatile organic compound concentrations for estimating emission rates

While emission rates of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have been obtained for building materials, furnishings and processes in chambers, field measurements are more difficult. Procedures to estimate emission rates using transient analysis of VOC concentrations are described and applied in a two-story classroom/office building. The analysis employs semi-real-time VOC concentrations determined with a portable GC/FID and simultaneous air change rate measurements using tracer gas decay. The results of the analysis yield consistent values of emission rates for building materials ranging from 0.20 to 0.40 mg m−2 h−1 when normalized by floor area. Occupancy-related emissions were more difficult to estimate and covered a wider range from roughly 0.1 to 1.5 mg m−2 h−1. The test data were also analyzed in an attempt to determine sink parameters, but these efforts were not particularly successful. Furthermore, in these tests, the inclusion of sink effects did not significantly impact the estimated emission rates. While this paper offers a transient analysis approach that may lead to improved field estimates of VOC emission rates, it is not presented as a definitive methodology. Nevertheless, transient analysis has potential for use in other buildings, but simultaneous air change rate measurements are critical in its application in estimating VOC emission rates in the field.