General analytical mass transfer model for VOC emissions from multi-layer dry building materials with internal chemical reactions

Abstract

A general mass transfer based model was developed for analyzing volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from dry multi-layer building materials with two emission surfaces. This model adds to an earlier multi-layer model by considering chemical reactions within the materials. Consequently, it can be used to analyze the effect of these chemical reactions on removing VOCs, and for characterizing secondary VOC emissions from the building material. The model was validated with literature data and our experimental results. Some typical secondary emissions were analyzed using this model, and obviously differed from the primary emissions. The model is a useful tool for predicting, analyzing and "designing" the VOC emission characteristics, including secondary emissions, of building materials. © 2011 Science China Press and Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.