Ventilation Efficiencies of Task/Ambient Conditioning Systems with Desk-Mounted Air Supplies

In laboratory experiments, we investigated the ability of two task/ambient conditioning systems with air supplied from desk-mounted air outlets to efficiently ventilate the breathing zone of heated manikins seated at desks. In most experiments, the task conditioning systems provided 100% outside air while a conventional ventilation system provided additional space cooling but no outside air. Air change effectiveness (i.e., exhaust air age divided by age of air at the manikin's face) was measured. Tracer gases simulated the release of pollutants from nearby occupants and from the floor covering, and the associated pollutant removal efficiencies (i.e., exhaust air concentrations divided by concentrations at manikin's face) were also measured. High values of air change effectiveness (~ 1.3 to 1.9) and high values of pollutant removal efficiency (~ 1.2 to 1.6) were measured when these task conditioning systems supplied 100% outdoor air at a flow rate of 7 to 10 L s^-1 per occupant.