Assessment of the effect of passive green walls on volatile organic compounds in an office sized chamber

Abstract

This Master's thesis concerns the assessment of the effect of passive green walls on indoor air quality in terms of VOCs by means of punctual (Tenax®TA) and continuous (Radiello®) sampling in the context of the “Green4Indoor Wallonia” project. The tests were conducted in an office sized, temperature controlled chamber submitted to climatic sequences simulated in a buffer zone in order to replicate exterior temperature fluctuations in summer and winter. The composition and concentrations of VOCs inside the chamber were assessed in empty chamber tests, tests with an added VOC source (painted gypsum board), and tests with green walls plus an added VOC source, all according to the various climatic simulations. The samples were analyzed by TD-GCMS and results were assessed through visual inspection of data by means of graphical representations. The results show that tests with green walls during winter simulations present lower VOC concentrations than tests without green walls irrespective of sampling methods. For summer simulation tests with green walls, Tenax®TA results also present lower VOC concentrations whereas Radiello® results present higher VOC concentrations when compared to tests without green walls. Given the multitude of constraints, confounding factors and problems encountered, the exact cause behind the discrepancies cannot be determined. The limitations and shortcomings of the experimental methodology were also discussed in order to propose improvements for potential future experiments involving green walls.