The problem of high levels of CO2 in ambient air appears to be a modern one. Yet, this is not one of the new fads that crop up from time to time and then disappear again, never to be mentioned again. It is, indeed, a modern problem, caused by the improvements in building standards and especially window manufacture. These improvements, hailed as a triumph over the age-old problem of draughty buildings, have nevertheless created a new negative effect. Ventilation was never a matter for discussion in most cases, it happened naturally as the wind blew and the air in rooms was replaced on a regular basis. With the new, draught-proof buildings this no longer happened, particularly since central heating made it unnecessary to have an air flow for any reason. This has given birth to the concept of indoor climate control.
The result was stale air. Air that has been used and breathed and not replaced, seen as a rising concentration of carbon dioxide, not to mention humidity. These effects had a detrimental influence on the buildings, promoting the growth of mould and other unwanted plant life. This was not the only effect. Slowly, the level of days off for sickness rose and the quality of work sank in these newer or refurbished buildings, leading to something referred to as Sick Building Syndrome, since it appeared to affect everybody in one building. The causes were not known for a long time, but now it is recognised that this is a result of breathing stale air with a high concentration of carbon dioxide over an extended period. Studies have shown that a level of 1000 ppm carbon dioxide will reduce the ability to concentrate by about 30 %, a significant drop by any means.
The obvious solution to this problem of indoor climate control was ventilation, and ventilation or air-conditioning systems were installed in all of these buildings leading only to the next problem: the heating bills in winter rocketed and staff complained of stiff necks and other maladies. Sick Building Syndrome was still here, but in a different form. How to provide adequate ventilation without simply heating the environment in winter? The only viable solution is control of the ventilation to reduce the exchange of air to the minimum required to keep a healthy atmosphere in the rooms, which is where indoor climate control becomes an active instead of just a passive discipline.
The real problem is the carbon dioxide, which is best measured with a NDIR infrared sensor. These are available in one or two channel technology for CO2, but the single channel version is quite accurate and stable enough for this purpose today.
Older types of sensor used to drift, as do cheaply manufactured ones, but a good-quality single channel sensor today will remain stable over years, only requiring a reference point occasionally to set a relative zero point. Such infrared sensors for CO2 are now available from a number of manufacturers such as Madur Electronics in Austria. These come complete with an appropriate analogue output to allow the CO2 level to control the function of the ventilation system.
Industry standard for these control functions is the 0?10 V output, but there are other varieties in use. These can be readily accommodated in the construction or calibration of the system to ensure a high quality of indoor climate control. Perhaps we have finally seen the end to Sick Building Syndrome and can now enjoy the benefits of a controlled climate indoors, if not outdoors.
About The Author
Simon Fowler studied mechanical Engineering in London and now work for an electronic company in Vienna, Austria manufacturing flue gas analysers and infrared sensors.
http://www.madur.at/index_gb.html
Everything begins with your consciousness. Everything that happens in your... Read More
Shamanic healing is one of the vast numbers of healing... Read More
If you're like most of us who have known chronic... Read More
Back-to-Nature AromatherapyBack-to-nature is a new health initiative by people living... Read More
Alternative medicine is gaining more attention every day. The idea... Read More
Not everybody knows exactly what ergonomic means, but it's getting... Read More
Life in today's hectic society is going more and more... Read More
Friends, The study below done a few years ago should... Read More
The Way Essential Oils Effect the Etheric Body or Psycho-spiritual... Read More
Martial arts are currently studied worldwide from a variety of... Read More
Aromatherapy is a well known holistic method for healing, but... Read More
Those who have watched the movie "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon"... Read More
The term "organic" is used everywhere. What exactly does that... Read More
This article first appeared in The Sept. 2004 issue of... Read More
There are many drugstore and alternative Internet products for treating... Read More
Stuttering is a problem that affects approximately one in every... Read More
CAM (complementary and alternative medicine) therapies are generally classified into... Read More
When thinking about alternative medicine, most people picture plants, crystals,... Read More
This question most gamblers ask themselves when they begin to... Read More
Nowadays is the era of everything that is herbal and... Read More
Aloe Vera is a member of the Lily family. It... Read More
Extracted from botanicals, that is, from plants and trees. They... Read More
Sheepskin a better sleep If you want a better sleep,... Read More
The problem of high levels of CO2 in ambient air... Read More
Even a single family member who is senile or afflicted... Read More
You should always keep in mind that whatever actions you... Read More
To relieve hemorrhoids first look for ways to get your... Read More
Tired of costly medications, prescriptions and time lost for doctor's... Read More
The five day speech course for stuttering/stammering.The first two days... Read More
There are many varieties of mint plants. If you want... Read More
A visualization session is an hour-long conversation with your subconscious... Read More
Darker-complexioned teens will always seek a tanning bed or booth.... Read More
It may be an ordinary dance studio during the week,... Read More
Welcome to another exciting issue of "The Home Made Medicine... Read More
If you're like most of us who have known chronic... Read More
You might think of lemon and parsley as great garnishes... Read More
Starbucks now offers the Green Tea Frappachinos, yes I had... Read More
Why is smell so strongly linked to memory and emotion?It... Read More
Shingles, commonly known as the herpes zoster virus is a... Read More
Life in today's hectic society is going more and more... Read More
Approximately 10 million Americans suffer from a condition known as... Read More
Feeling sad? Have you lost interest in things you used... Read More
Naturopathic medicine is a system and philosophy of medicine that... Read More
Hello!Alan Allard here?You have my respect for taking action to... Read More
Don't accept that prescription just yet. In most cases it's... Read More
My Fun Commandments are more relevant today than ever before... Read More
The common ginger root used in cooking has been found... Read More
Autism is a developmental disorder and the specific cause for... Read More
Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) has been used for thousands of... Read More
Here are a variety of home remedies for constipation using... Read More
In spirituality, there are number of exercises available that help... Read More
Perhaps a little eclipsed by the world-wide success of Rooibos,... Read More
The Mysterious FrankincenseUsed for many thousands of years, the Frankincense... Read More
Dr. Bernie Siegel, author of "Love, Medicine and Miracles" was... Read More
Pranic Therapy Part I - An IntroductionPranic Therapy is an... Read More
Tips on Purchasing Essential OilsIt is important to purchase your... Read More
What is "it"? Oils-Pure Essential Oils. Frankincense and Myrrh, for... Read More
In the 1970's, there was a margarine commercial with the... Read More
Noni Juice, Morinda CitrifoliaMorinda Citrifolia , a deciduos creeping vine... Read More
Smell is a specialised chemical sense. It is interesting to... Read More
Hmmm ? what does organic living mean ? I like... Read More
In "Evidence for the Sixth Sense", Hazel Courteney interviews an... Read More
Comfrey Herbal SalveHere is an herbal combination that contains herbs... Read More
For over 3000 years, the Chinese have been using green... Read More
Why do you do something that harms you? Why do... Read More
Why do the Japanese have the longest lifespan? Last month... Read More
Alternative Medicine |