Implementation of eWAR System in the Neutralization of Selected Chemicals in Building Ventilation Systems

This paper presents an Early Warning and Response System (eWAR) system that is capable of preventing casualties and mass hysteria in the event of a possible chemical release, be it criminal or accidental (in the case of an industrial spill). Experiments are conducted on a lab-scale set-up which uses a wireless computer interface in order to monitor important ventilation parameters such as air-velocity, humidity, pressure, temperature and their influence on in-duct levels of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and airborne contaminants. This system is designed to reduce the severity of various airborne contaminants, including some toxic agents, only when concentration of contaminants, regardless of type, generate some abnormal pulses as compared with the average day-to-day normal pulses of indoor and outdoor air. This capability of the system to be activated and deactivated avoids the additional energy and maintenance costs associated with continuous filtration, the frequent regeneration of filter media as well as the cost of additional air handling units to compensate for pressure drops caused by filters. Preliminary results have been obtained using various chemicals and different types of activated carbons (as filters); they show that the in-duct concentration can in fact be controlled and significantly reduce the severity of some release scenarios.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/9781845640682
• Corporate Authors:

  WIT Press

  Computational Mechanics, 25 Bridge Street
  Billerica, MA  United States  01821
• Authors:
  • Nowak, T
  • Patel, A M
  • Kozinski, J A
  • Dascal, A
  • Haghighat, F
  • Rastan, S
  • Morofsky, E
  • Butler, I
• Conference:
  • The Second International Conference on Safety and Security Engineering
  • Date: 2007-6-25 to 2007-6-27
• Publication Date: 2007-6

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 539-548
• Monograph Title: Safety and Security Engineering II

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Chemical agents; Contaminants; Disaster preparedness; Emergency management; Fatalities; Heating, cooling and ventilation equipment; Structures; Ventilation systems; Warning systems
• Uncontrolled Terms: Early warning technologies; Volatile organic compounds
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Highways; Public Transportation; Safety and Human Factors; I82: Accidents and Transport Infrastructure; I83: Accidents and the Human Factor;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01055586
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 9781845640682
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Aug 23 2007 3:10PM