Improvement of Air Quality in a Small Indoor Ice Arena by Effective Emission Control in Ice Resurfacers

Abstract

The effectiveness of a new emission control system in the ice resurfacer was tested in an exhaust gas emission laboratory, and the improvement of the air quality in a small, enclosed ice arena was demonstrated in a 4.5-month follow-up study. The emission control system consisted of a lambda sensor-controlled fuel supply and a three-way metallic catalyst that were applied to a propane-fueled resurfacer. In the laboratory tests, the engine emissions of carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC), and nitrogen oxides (NO) reduced simultaneously by 91, 90, and 96%, respectively. During the air quality follow-up the median 1-hour average nitrogen dioxide (N02) concentration inside the ice arena decreased from 430 ug/m3 (230ppb) to 58 ug/m3 (31 ppb), and that of CO decreased from 4.4 mg/m3 (3.8 ppm) to 1.5 mg/m3 (1.3 ppm). The new emission control system proved to be a feasible, reliable, and effective means to improve the indoor air quality in the ice arena. However, continuous mechanical ventilation was necessary during all business hours in order to achieve and maintain a fully acceptable air quality with this technology. © 1997 Air & Waste Management Association.