JP Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer
Volume 15, Issue 1, Pages 15 - 63
(February 2018) http://dx.doi.org/10.17654/HM015010015 |
|
EVALUATION OF THE INDOOR AIR QUALITY OF RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS IN THE HOT-HUMID TROPICAL ENVIRONMENT OF ENUGU, ENUGU STATE NIGERIA
Francis Onyechi Uzuegbunam, Austin Madubuchi Ezezue and Dickson Madukwe Nwalusi
|
Abstract: Effective natural ventilation designs can enhance indoor air quality in the hot-humid tropical environment. Today however, buildings in this area still depend heavily on artificial ventilation for daily operations. Temperature range of 25°C to 36°C and high relative humidity range of 70% to 95% are common in most Nigerian towns. They are above the recommended thermal comfort temperature of 30°C and relative humidity of 75%. Reliance on air-conditioning for thermal comfort is common in enclosed spaces. The study aims at evaluating the indoor air quality of residential buildings of the hot-humid tropical environment. Objectives were to determine if there was any significant difference in the indoor air quality and pattern of air flow in the buildings to determine the significance of design strategies to pollutants and mechanism for pollution. Also, the relative humidity with regards to indoor air quality of the design strategies was investigated and solutions proffered. Accordingly, the objectives were so hypothesized. Results revealed discernible pattern of indoor air quality within residential building of the study area. It confirmed significant indoor air pollution. Also, significant difference between relative humidity and indoor air quality levels, amongst the different design strategies of the study area, was confirmed. |
Keywords and phrases: Keywords and phrases: indoor air quality, natural ventilation, passive designs, thermal comfort. |
|
Number of Downloads: 553 | Number of Views: 2616 |
|