DEVICE FOR DETECTING AND REDUCING RADON CONCENTRATION IN AN INDOOR ENVIRONMENT
20240167707 ยท 2024-05-23
Assignee
- IPVC | Instituto Polit?cnico de Viana do Castelo (Viana Do Castelo, PT)
- Universidade da Coru?a (A Coru?a, ES)
Inventors
- S?rgio Ivan FERNANDES LOPES (Viana Do Castelo, PT)
- Paulo Manuel PASSOS BARROS (Viana Do Castelo, PT)
- Ant?nio Jos? CANDEIAS CURADO (Viana Do Castelo, PT)
- Tiago Manuel FERN?NDEZ CAM?RES (A Coru?a, ES)
- Paula FRAGA-LAMAS (A Coru?a, ES)
- ?scar BLANCO NOVOA (A Coru?a, ES)
Cpc classification
F24F2120/10
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F24F2110/68
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F24F11/58
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F24F11/52
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F24F11/0001
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
International classification
F24F11/00
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F24F11/52
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
Abstract
The present application discloses a device for detecting and reducing radon concentration in an indoor environment. This device comprises at least one radon gas sensor and, at least one differential pressure sensor for measuring the difference between the indoor and outdoor atmospheric pressures, wherein both sensors are connected to a microcontroller configured to perform the pre-processing and aggregation of the data obtained by said sensors. To reduce radon levels, it triggers at least one physical actuator to activate a ventilation device for reducing the radon concentration in an indoor environment when indoor radon concentration is above a first predetermined threshold or when indoor radon concentration is above a second predetermined threshold and the differential pressure is negative.
Claims
1. Device for detecting and reducing radon concentration in an indoor environment comprising at least one radon gas sensor, at least one differential pressure sensor for measuring the difference between the indoor and outdoor atmospheric pressures, wherein both sensors are connected to a microcontroller configured to perform the pre-processing and aggregation of the data obtained by said sensors, and trigger at least one physical actuator to activate at least one ventilation device for reducing the radon concentration in an indoor environment, if the indoor concentration is above a first predetermined threshold; or if the indoor radon concentration is above a second predetermined threshold and the differential pressure is negative.
2. The device according to the previous claim 1, further comprising at least one sensor selected from a list consisting of temperature sensor, relative humidity sensor, carbon dioxide sensor, total volatile organic compound sensor, and combinations thereof.
3. The device according to the previous claim 1, comprising at least one visual alert element selected from a list consisting of a light-emitting diode, an electroluminescent light-emitting diode, an organic light-emitting diode, or combinations thereof.
4. The device according to the previous claim 1, wherein the physical actuator for activating the ventilation device comprises a module with at least one AC voltage regulator.
5. The device according to the previous claim 1, wherein the physical actuator activating the ventilation device comprises at least one pulse-width modulation control motor.
6. The device according to the previous claim 1, further comprising a communication module.
7. The device according to the previous claim 6, wherein the communication module uses Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy, Low Power Wide Area Network Protocol, Zigbee, Wi-Fi communication, or combinations thereof, for connection.
8. The device according to the previous claim 1, wherein the radon sensor comprises an ionization chamber or a photodiode for detecting alpha particles.
9. The device according to the previous claim 1, wherein the ventilation device for reducing radon gas risk exposure comprises a forced air system.
10. The device according to the previous claim 1, further comprising a motion detection sensor.
11. The device according to the previous claim 1, further comprising a battery.
12. The device according to the previous claim 1, further comprising a port for charging.
13. The device according to the previous claim 1, further comprising a power supply.
14. The device according to the previous claim 1, wherein such device is configured to be activated at a predetermined time.
15. A building door comprising at least one device as described in claim 1.
16. A building window comprising at least one device as described in claim 1.
17. Use of the device for detecting and reducing radon concentration in an indoor environment as described in claim 1, for reducing radon risk exposure, namely inside service buildings, offices, homes, and shopping centers.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0034] For an easier understanding, the figures have been attached, which represent preferred embodiments that do not intend to limit the object of the present description.
[0035]
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DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0047] This description concerns a device for detecting and reducing radon concentration in an indoor environment.
[0048] In an embodiment, the device for detecting and reducing radon concentration in an indoor environment comprises a microcontroller configured to perform the pre-processing and aggregation of data, obtained by at least one radon gas sensor and a differential pressure sensor between outdoor and indoor air of an indoor environment. For actuation, it comprises at least one physical actuator that controls, a ventilation device to reduce radon risk exposure whenever a certain point is found above a predetermined threshold for radon levels.
[0049]
[0050] Along this description, it is considered that hybrid ventilation is any kind of ventilation that combines natural and mechanical ventilations.
[0051] The second dimension, related to thermal comfort, is defined, according to the standard EN ISO 7730:2005 (2005-ergonomics of the thermal environment) [11], as the psychological condition, in which the individual's satisfaction with the surrounding environment (hygrometric conditions) is in good balance, contributing therefore for its health and well-being. This mental condition is a broad concept that varies according to the metabolism of each person through five processes: conduction, convection, radiation, evaporation, and respiration. In addition to these, individual parameters such as clothing and the type of activity are of equal importance, as well as the environmental parameters of the space where people are, such as air temperature, relative humidity, and air velocity. Finally, the third-dimension concerns energy efficiency, referring to the sustainable use of energy by reducing consumption and increasing overall thermal comfort.
[0052]
[0053]
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[0055]
[0056]
[0057] In an embodiment, the power supply of the device is an extended capacity portable battery, for example, 10000 mAh, or preferably a direct connection to the AC mains with a 5V DC USB voltage adapter.
[0058] In an embodiment, the Sparkfun ESP32 LoRa 1-CH Gateway development kit can be used as the basis of the device, which uses an ESP32 microcontroller. Regarding the device sensors, examples of potential different sensors are the FTLab RD200M radon gas sensor, which makes use of the ionization chamber detection technique, and the Sensirion SDP810 differential pressure sensor. In another embodiment and in addition to those, a sensor like the Sensirion SCD30 is added to the device to measure carbon dioxide, relative humidity, and temperature. In an embodiment, to measure the Total Volatile Organic Compounds, the Adafruit SGP30 sensor is used, whose new version comes equipped with an I.sup.2C interface with Qwiic connectors compatible with the Sparkfun development kit. In an embodiment, a 5 mm RGB LED module can be used as an actuator, for visual indication of radon levels, while an industrial 220V ventilation device can be used for radon gas reduction.
[0059] In an embodiment, the assembled version of the device for detecting and reducing radon concentration in an indoor environment was used, with all the components mounted on a breadboard with the corresponding power circuit and control of sensors and actuators. All sensors were powered directly from the mains with a 5V DC USB voltage adapter, which allows the output of at least 2A of current, with the radon sensor having a step-up of 5-12V. The system can also be powered with an extended-capacity portable battery, preferably with solar charging to avoid power failures. To guarantee successive periods of 7 days of measurement, 50000 mAh is recommended. The fan is powered by 220V and is controlled through an AC voltage regulator that can be also used as a relay, to turn the fan on and off.
[0060] Initially, the physical quantities to be measured were analyzed, to assess the measurement periodicity and to avoid the results presenting large variations in short periods of time. Thus, in the experimental tests, an embodiment of the device for detecting and reducing radon concentration in an indoor environment was configured to collect and transmit values in 10-minute periods, for radon, and in 1-minute periods for the remaining parameters. These time periods fall within the margins of error presented by the sensor manufacturers and allow the verification of any errors during measurements. Whenever large fluctuations occur between readings, the radon measurement is repeated, and the new value is again compared to the previous readings. When the value is consistent with the previous ones, that is, it presents a variation below 20%, it is considered an accurate measurement, and the information is then transmitted via Wi-Fi. When the value is not consistent, it is considered a wrong measurement and discarded.
[0061] The experimental validation process was carried out to approve an embodiment of the device for detecting and reducing radon concentration in an indoor environment and its integration with an online monitoring platform [12]. This process was divided into four parts: (i) Idealization and creation of the experimental scenario; (ii) Integration with the platform; (iii) Validation of the device for detecting and reducing radon concentration in an indoor environment and (iv) Active radon gas reduction.
[0062] To validate the proof of concept, an experimental scenario, with an embodiment, was set up in the outer span of a bedroom, located on the ground floor of a single-family house. The compartment's dimensions are 4.80?3.40?2.50 meters (L?W?H), resulting in an area of 16.32 square meters and a volume of 40.80 cubic meters.
[0063] Within this space, a measuring tube was installed and connected to the differential pressure sensor, which extended outdoors to measure the differential pressure reading at the respective sensor located within the building. Additionally, an industrial mini fan was positioned in a window, strategically placed to facilitate the inflow of outdoor air. Once these components were in place, the remaining window opening was sealed using a stainless steel-coated wooden panel, and any gaps were meticulously sealed with insulating tape and a spongy material plate fastened with a wooden lock.
[0064] Thus, the experimental validation process was carried out over a period of 7 consecutive days, which took place between Jun. 8 and 16, 2022, and corresponds to a short-term evaluation. The on-site data acquisition took place under normal conditions of space use, that is, the room was unoccupied during the day and occupied during the night. Therefore, opening the interior door during the day or entering and leaving the compartment at any time was interpreted as normal use, and this factor was disregarded in the evaluation. To avoid readings with false positives, some precautions were taken, namely: the external opening remained completely sealed, except for the fan installation hole; the IoT device was protected from sunlight or electromagnetic radiation; an embodiment of the device for detecting and reducing radon concentration in an indoor environment was placed on a drawer module, situated 2.00 meters away from the fan and outside its airflow path; a gap of 25 centimeters was maintained between the device and the wall as well as other objects, and with a ceiling height of 2.50 meters, the device was positioned at a height of 0.80 meters from the floor and 1.70 meters from the ceiling. During the measurement period, the embodiment of the device for detecting and reducing radon concentration remained completely intact, having not been moved or tampered with.
[0065] To send the experimental measurements to the cloud, in an embodiment of the device the ESP32 Wi-Fi module was chosen as the main communication technology, between the development kit and the online monitoring platform, since it speeds up the tests regardless of the user's location. Still, other communication protocol options are possible, e.g., Zigbee, LoRaWAN, Bluetooth, BLE, among other suitable options.
[0066] For accurate and reliable validation of an embodiment of the device for detecting and reducing radon concentration in an indoor environment, a professional-grade active detector called Canary Pro by Airthings was used as a reference and placed within the indoor space during the setup of the experimental scenario. This probe is duly certified, collects instantaneous measurements at 1-minute intervals and saves hourly averages in a total of 24 records per day. In an embodiment, the device for detecting and reducing radon concentration in an indoor environment was configured to collect and transmit values in 10-minute periods for radon, in a total of 6 records per hour, and in 1-minute periods for the remaining parameters, in a total of 60 records per hour. Thus, it was possible to validate by comparison the measurement of the radon concentration whose average concentration for the 7 days was 82 Bq/m.sup.3 with a standard deviation of 39 Bq/m.sup.3, for the device for detecting and reducing radon concentration in an indoor environment, being within the confidence interval of the reference probe, which showed a standard deviation of 91 Bq/m.sup.3.
[0067] In an embodiment, the activation of the ventilation device for the reduction of radon gas was set at the limit value of 100 Bq/m.sup.3, a value recommended by the WHO [2]. Thus, the following scale of action can be defined to control the actuators: Normal-Radon content less than or equal to 100 Bq/m.sup.3, which implies the LED lighting in green and keeping the ventilation device off; AlertRadon content greater than 100 and less than or equal to 300 Bq/m.sup.3, implies blue LED lighting and ventilation device on; Dangerous-Radon content greater than 300 Bq/m.sup.3, implies red LED lighting and ventilation device on. During the experimental test, both the visual alert indication of the existing radon levels, facilitated by the RGB LED, and the activation and deactivation of the ventilation device worked perfectly. Therefore, at this point, it can be stated that the achieved outcome was favorable, and the system was effectively managed in a highly satisfactory manner.
[0068] In an embodiment, the differential pressure sensor between the exterior and interior of an indoor environment has two inputs to connect the measuring tubes. The HIGH input will produce a positive measurement of the pressure differential between outside and inside, i.e. a value greater than 0 Pa. Conversely, the LOW input will produce a negative measurement of the pressure differential between outside and inside, indicating a value less than 0 Pa. In the experimental test, the normal recommendation was followed, which is to measure positive pressures inside the compartment, in this way the LOW inlet was connected to the external air pressure, while the HIGH inlet remained open to the positive pressure to be measured inside the compartment. If, on the other hand, the intention was to measure the negative or suction pressure, it was sufficient to invert the connections, that is, connect the HIGH inlet to the exterior air and the LOW inlet to the vacuum compartment. As the vacuum level rises, the pressure difference between the bottom and top sides also increases.
[0069]
[0070] In one embodiment and considering the dimension of energy efficiency, the device for detecting and reducing radon concentration in an indoor concentration could also comprise a motion detection sensor that would be configured to activate its operation. In this way, the device can save energy when the analyzed compartment is empty, i.e., without people or animals.
[0071] In one embodiment, the device for detecting and reducing radon concentration in an indoor environment may further be pre-programmed to be activated at a time predetermined by the user.
[0072] In one embodiment, the now disclosed device for detecting and reducing radon concentration in an indoor environment can be used, for example, inside service buildings, offices, homes, and shopping malls.
[0073] In one embodiment, a door and/or window can also be developed to comprise the device for detecting and reducing radon concentration in an indoor environment and its combination with an integrated ventilation device, now disclosed.
[0074] The term comprises or comprising when used in this document is intended to indicate the presence of the features, elements, integers, steps, and components mentioned, but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, integers, steps, and components, or groups thereof.
[0075] The present invention is, of course, in no way restricted to the embodiments described in this document and a person with average knowledge of the area will be able to foresee many possibilities for modifying it and replacing technical characteristics with equivalent ones, depending on the requirements of each situation, as defined in the appended claims.
[0076] The following claims define further embodiments of the present description.
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