An Extensive Review of the Energy and Indoor Environment Impacts of Dynamically Varying Air Change Rates in Vivariums

Gordon Sharp, Aircuity, Inc.

At past Labs21 conferences, the concept of dynamically varying the minimum air change rates of a laboratory room based on real-time measurement of the laboratory's indoor environmental quality was presented along with relevant case studies. Per this concept, a laboratory room's minimum laboratory air change per hour (ACH) rate is reduced to a low level such as four or two ACH when the laboratory air is clean. When air contaminants or odors are detected the laboratory ACH rate is temporarily increased to a higher level such as 15 ACH.

Last year's presentation provided raw data and analysis of indoor environmental conditions and energy savings at more than 80 different laboratory areas from seven facilities in the U.S. and Canada. This was the largest study of real- time laboratory environmental conditions ever undertaken. Over a quarter-million hours of environmental and control data were analyzed to reveal that, although events requiring higher air change rates occurred regularly on a weekly basis, over 99 percent of the time laboratory rooms could be operated safely at reduced air change rates.

This year's presentation will also involve an analysis of a large amount of case study data showing actual energy and environmental data from operating facilities. However, this year's focus will be on the unique data and resulting analysis of the conditions in vivarium facilities. The impact of the dynamic control of air changes on these facilities will be presented as well as the unique characteristics of the indoor environment that are present in different types of animal facilities.

Additionally, a brief update will be provided on the air change rate control of laboratory facilities using the results of what now consists of over a million hours of environment and energy data from many different laboratory facilities.

Controlling the air change rate of vivariums based on the real-time data of many different parameters represents a paradigm shift that can have a significant impact on vivarium energy consumption and sustainability. It also can provide invaluable data on the real time environment within the vivarium to ensure a safe room environment for the animals. In keeping with the principles of the Labs21 Approach, this concept can also decrease life cycle and HVAC system first-costs by reducing the average design air handler and main system airflows for the vivarium. Additionally, this approach can reduce a vivarium's minimum air change rate from 10 to 20 ACH down to six to eight ACH, representing a significant opportunity for energy savings and reductions in the facility's carbon footprint. In summary, a dynamic air change rate approach for vivariums can maintain safe room conditions for the animals while furthering the goals of sustainable vivarium design.

Biography:

Gordon Sharp has over 25 years of wide-ranging entrepreneurial experience and more than 20 U.S. patents to his name. From 1979 to 1985, he was vice president and co-founder of IMEC Corporation, a motor controls technology company from which he created a spin-off company called the Phoenix Controls Corporation. As president, CEO, and founder of Phoenix Controls, Gordon led the development of a $25 million venture capital-backed company. Phoenix Controls is a world leader in laboratory airflow controls that, under Gordon's leadership, was honored for three consecutive years by INC magazine as one of the 500 fastest growing private companies in America.

In early 1998, Phoenix Controls was acquired by Honeywell, Inc. Thereafter, in addition to participating in restructuring the Honeywell Home and Buildings Solutions business, Gordon led the development of a Honeywell business unit now known as Aircuity. In January of 2000, Aircuity became an independent, venture capital-backed company and today is the leading manufacturer of energy- and environment-sensing and information systems to optimize building ventilation for energy-efficient performance without sacrificing occupant comfort or health.

Gordon is the chairman and founder of Aircuity and a graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology with bachelor's and master's degrees in electrical engineering. He is a member of the ANSI Z9.5 Laboratory Ventilation Standard committee and a member of the board of directors of the International Institute for Sustainable Laboratories, a nonprofit foundation, and the official cosponsor of the Labs21 2008 Annual Conference.

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