2023ICERD8-C21 -- Studying the Effect of a Tree Distribution Duct System in Improving the Indoor Air Quality, and Reducing Cross-Contamination

Underfloor air distribution (UFAD) systems are widely overlooked in the field of Air Conditioning, and integrating it with the constructal law of nature was never studied before. The constructal law was utilized in this work and provided impeccable results in enhancing indoor air quality. The COVID outbreak has made researchers value the prominence of indoor air quality (IAQ) and accumulation of contaminants in enclosed areas. Experimental analysis was carried out by generating and dispersing particles of known sizes into a test room with a controlled environment. Tracing and monitoring the particle dispersion in a room enables designing air distribution systems with lower contamination and cleaner indoor environment. Air velocity was measured at different locations (at different heights) in the room using a velocity meter. At the same marked locations, particle concentration was also constantly measured at fixed time intervals. In this work, a UFAD system was installed and readings of temperature, velocity and particle concentration were recorded. Under the same conditions, a UFAD system with two branches was installed to replicate the effect of the constructal law which is key in optimizing the flow of air in the room. The double branched duct offered superior performance over the conventional UFAD system in terms of indoor air quality and energy efficiency. Readings of air velocity and particle concentration deduced that the branched duct proved to be the most energy efficient, and the one that offered the best IAQ.