Development of outdoor pollution free zone by fan-assisted devices

ABSTRACT

Vertical City Air Purification System was designed to reduce the aerosol counts at the playground next to a major traffic road. Columns with air grilles are arranged in circle to create a close loop system. Computational simulation is adopted to study three scenarios. The first simulation covers conventional wind block technology, where strong wind speed is created between columns to stop pollutants from entering the premise. However, it is observed that polluted air can enter the development from the head above. Hence, two other options are created, one with supply air directing to the centre of the development, the other with underfloor air supply. It is studied that at outlet velocity of 6.5 m/s, the underfloor system can contribute to around 40% pollution reduction using MERV13 filter, which is more than 24% better than the baseline. Traditionally, outdoor pollution mitigation deems to be contributing insignificantly. The positive simulation result marks a potential for future outdoor pollution mitigation development.

KEYWORDS:

• Air pollution
• purification
• roadside health
• public transportation
• residential

Acknowledgements

This study is supported by Invest in Arup 15918 “Regional particulate pollution mitigation by green wall and landscape vegetation”.

ORCID

Jimmy Chun-Kuen Tong http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2793-1123

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Arup [grant number IIA 15918].

Notes on contributors

Kollsman Chan

Mr Kollsman Chan was trained to be an Environmental and Energy Engineer under the School of Energy and Environment, City University of Hong Kong. Upon BEng graduation, he was awarded the part-time studentship to study at The Chinese University of Hong Kong on pollution mitigation subject; and is currently employed by Arup as a Graduate Engineer. He participated in various building design projects and conceptual design projects on air pollution topic.

Jimmy Chun-Kuen Tong

Ir Dr Jimmy Chun-Kuen Tong is an Associate and East Asia Energy Skill Leader at Arup, focusing on building sustainability and innovation. Ir Dr Tong has applied his expertise in energy systems in various sectors, including wind, solar, and other renewable energy, infrastructure and building services, and product and system development in the manufacturing of electronics, ventilation equipment, and filtration equipment. He obtained his Ph.D. degree specialising in computational fluid flow and heat transfer from the University of Minnesota. He is also a Guest Lecturer at several universities in Hong Kong on the subject of energy and sustainability and co-authored book publication and book chapters and publications in archival, refereed journals.