Moisture Risk Analysis for Three Construction Variants of a Wooden Inverted Flat Roof

The paper presents an analysis of the hygrothermal performance of an inverted flat roof with a CLT (cross-laminated timber) structure in a building that meets the requirements of Passive House Standard (PHS) with regards to the potential risk of moisture. The calculations were made in the WUFI®Plus and WUFI®Bio software. The following variants were taken into account: three structure configurations, three different external climates and different scenarios of microclimate control and air change rate. The results of the calculations show that, especially in cooler climates, there is an actual moisture risk in the structure despite the excellent thermal insulation. The structure of the inverted flat roof, due to the use of a tight membrane on the outer side, allows for the partition to discharge the excess moisture only to the inside of the building. Ensuring the comfort of users may require periodic humidification of internal air, which translates directly into an increase in moisture content of the structure. The performed analysis clearly showed that there are no universal solutions. It is important to point out that for the proper performance of inverted wooden roofs, it is crucial to analyse moisture, not only thermal and energy parameters.

ASSAY AND GRAPHITE FURNACE- ATOMIC ABSORBANCE SPECTROMETRY ACCURACY FOR PALLADIUM CONTENT ANALYSIS

Palladium is a member of the expensive Platinum Group Metals as it is indispensable for various applications of modern technology. Due to the very small number of these elements in nature, high-sensitivity analytical methods and devices are required for accurate PGM measurement. The current study aims to determine the accuracy level of the Graphite Furnace-Atomic Absorbance Spectrometry device for palladium analysis after pre-concentration through the assaying process. The studied samples were two in-house standard reference samples with stream sediment and ultramafic rock matrices. Due to the lack of certified reference material containing certain palladium compositions, the degree of accuracy was tested by the spiking method. The detection limit for Pd in this study was 11.79 ppb. Pd content in the stream sediment (17 ppb) is much lower than of the ultramafic sample (290 ppb), implying PGM association to ultramafic rock naturally. Almost all measurements have good accuracy according to spike recovery between 80-120%. Inaccurate addition process and inappropriate calibration range most probably lead to inaccuracy.

Investigation of the life cycle carbon impact of passive house building envelopes in Canada

Whole building energy and life cycle impact modeling was conducted for a single-family detached reference building designed to meet the Passive House Standard. Life cycle operating global warming potential (GWP) and building envelope embodied GWP were assessed for two mechanical system configurations and three Canadian cities. Variations in regional electricity carbon intensity were found to significantly impact both operating and embodied GWP. Embodied GWP was found to be significant relative to operating GWP in locations with access to low carbon electricity. Additionally, use of natural gas mechanical systems in Edmonton resulted in 360% greater operating emissions than in Montreal, while electric heat pump mechanicals yielded 6,600% higher emissions. Finally, the Passive House Standard method for quantifying operating GWP was found to overestimate emissions by up to 3700% in Montreal and underestimate emissions by 34% in Edmonton, when compared to a method accounting for variations in regional electricity carbon intensity.

Investigation of the life cycle carbon impact of passive house building envelopes in Canada

Whole building energy and life cycle impact modeling was conducted for a single-family detached reference building designed to meet the Passive House Standard. Life cycle operating global warming potential (GWP) and building envelope embodied GWP were assessed for two mechanical system configurations and three Canadian cities. Variations in regional electricity carbon intensity were found to significantly impact both operating and embodied GWP. Embodied GWP was found to be significant relative to operating GWP in locations with access to low carbon electricity. Additionally, use of natural gas mechanical systems in Edmonton resulted in 360% greater operating emissions than in Montreal, while electric heat pump mechanicals yielded 6,600% higher emissions. Finally, the Passive House Standard method for quantifying operating GWP was found to overestimate emissions by up to 3700% in Montreal and underestimate emissions by 34% in Edmonton, when compared to a method accounting for variations in regional electricity carbon intensity.

A Comparison Of Building Envelope Performance Levels Between Ontario, Denmark, Germany And The Passive House Standard, In The Low-Rise, Residential Context

This research compared and analyzed where the Ontario Building Code rates in the low-rise, residential sector in terms of its: in comparison to Denmark, Germany and the Passive House Standard. This was analyzed to see how Ontario compared against other world renowned energy efficient regulations and where or if there was room for improvement. For this, HOT2000 and THERM were utilized on all four of the reference standards, where both of these programs were managed in a way to compare the results of ‘typical’ building envelopes and the current regulation from each of the standards. These results were then able to provide a whole home’s heating and air conditioning energy use in the Greater Toronto Area climate. Overall, the results illustrated Ontario homes consume the most energy for both typically constructed homes and homes utilizing the minimum requirements. In addition to this, Ontario also had the least performing building envelope connection details. In total, the Passive House performed at the highest level followed by Germany, Denmark and then Ontario.

A Comparison Of Building Envelope Performance Levels Between Ontario, Denmark, Germany And The Passive House Standard, In The Low-Rise, Residential Context

This research compared and analyzed where the Ontario Building Code rates in the low-rise, residential sector in terms of its: in comparison to Denmark, Germany and the Passive House Standard. This was analyzed to see how Ontario compared against other world renowned energy efficient regulations and where or if there was room for improvement. For this, HOT2000 and THERM were utilized on all four of the reference standards, where both of these programs were managed in a way to compare the results of ‘typical’ building envelopes and the current regulation from each of the standards. These results were then able to provide a whole home’s heating and air conditioning energy use in the Greater Toronto Area climate. Overall, the results illustrated Ontario homes consume the most energy for both typically constructed homes and homes utilizing the minimum requirements. In addition to this, Ontario also had the least performing building envelope connection details. In total, the Passive House performed at the highest level followed by Germany, Denmark and then Ontario.

Development and Validation of Chromatographic Method for the Standardization of Homeopathic Formulation of Syzygium Cumini

Background Syzygium cumini (Lam.), family Myrtaceae, has a long history of use in folk and traditional systems of indigenous medicine. Many homeopathic formulations of Jamun seeds are available in the market for their crucial usage as an anti-diabetic. Despite the popularity of homeopathic products, a lack of standard quality is a significant impediment in their acceptance. The present study aimed to develop and validate a chromatographic method for the standardization of the homeopathic formulation of Syzygium cumini. Methods The seeds of Syzygium cumini were studied for physicochemical evaluation and preliminary phytochemical screening. Also, the in-house standard and marketed homeopathic formulations of Syzigium cumini were standardized for pH, total fatty content, total phenolic and flavonoid content, with quantitative high-performance liquid chromatography- photodiode array detector (HPLC-PDA) analysis by using ellagic acid as a marker. Results The physicochemical characteristics of crude material were found to be within pharmacopeial limits. The phytochemical screening showed the presence of various secondary metabolites. The total phenolic and flavonoid content was higher in the in-house standard than in marketed formulations. A validated quantitative HPLC-PDA analysis showed variations of ellagic acid content in different homeopathic formulations. Conclusion Physicochemical analysis and the HPLC method for quantitative estimation of ellagic acid can be used to standardize a homeopathic formulation of Syzygium cumini.

FC 135A STEP TOWARD GREEN NEPHROLOGY: APPLYING THE PASSIVE HOUSE CONCEPT TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF DIALYSIS FACILITIES

Background and Aims The environmental impact of dialysis is now being largely recognized. It requires from the nephrology community to actively explore novel environmentally responsible health-care practices. Among them, conception of energy-efficient facilities may be an important prerequisite for improving the environmental impact of dialysis. The Passive House concept is an internationally recognised, performance-based energy standard in construction which so far has been rarely applied to medical facilities and never to dialysis centres. We report our experience with the first passive-house certified dialysis facility in Europe. Method The Passive House concept is a sustainable construction standard for nearly zero energy buildings (the Resolution of the European Parliament of 31/01/2008 has called for its implementation by all member states by 2021). Principles and design tools of the Passive House concept are freely available for all architects. The concept combines a particularly high level of insulation with a specific system of ventilation. Geothermal energy and energy from inside the building such as the body heat from the residents or solar heat entering the building are the main energy sources. Passive House buildings allow for heating and cooling related energy savings of up to 90% compared with typical building stock and over 75% compared with average new buildings. Results The François Berthoux Center (www.artic42.fr) is a 4 400 m2 dialysis facility operated by 40 health care agents and providing care to 135 patients. It was designed following the Passive-House standard, applied for the first time to such a medical building. Several adjustments specific to the dialysis activity were necessary. The most unexpected aspect was the importance of hemodialysis machines as an energy source. Thorough thermal evaluation showed that the heat provided by different type of hemodialysis machines was systematically superior to the energy mandatory during the coldest day of the year (>10 W/m2). In practice, the center turned out to be fully operational with no external source of heating. The downside was that the geothermal pump system was not sufficient to fully regulate temperatures during the warmest period of the year. Optimal cooling was achieved by the addition of conventional AC systems in the hemodialysis rooms. Overall, as compared to a similar center, energy savings provided by the The François Berthoux Center were substantially less than what is expected from a conventional Passive House building but were over 50%. The extra-cost of the construction was estimated to 3 to 5%. Conclusion In conclusion, the concept of eco-friendly building should extend to dialysis facilities. Application of the Passive House Standard in the context of hemodialysis requires to take into account some specificities that can impact the global environmental performance of the building. However, the net result is clearly in favor of such a construction, which is both affordable and sustainable.

The potential for the passive house standard in longyearbyen – The high arctic

Passive building design reduces a building’s energy consumption through mainly non-mechanical design strategies. The Passive House (or Passivhaus) Standard certifies such buildings that comply with its strict energy performance criteria. Achieving the Standard is very challenging for dwellings in extreme climates. There is limited knowledge of the Standard’s potential in Arctic regions, particularly the High Arctic. Through a review of the literature and energy modelling of a hypothetical dwelling, the challenges in achieving the Standard in Longyearbyen (78°N), Norway are investigated. Very low temperatures and 112 days without daylight create a high heating demand. Whereas previous studies measured actual building performances or used simple calculations, the findings in this investigation show the limitations of individual design parameters and technical limits of the building envelope. In theory the Standard can be achieved in Longyearbyen; however, the potential in practice is low due to the very tight margins in the heating criteria. The results show the significant impact of applying contextual (climatic) adjustments to the boundary conditions of the Standard. The investigation could contribute to a discussion on modifying the Passive House Standard for dwellings in the High Arctic and improving building design for the region. Practical application: Current knowledge regarding energy efficient building performance in Arctic climates is limited, while the urgency for improved efficiencies is extremely high. The modelling in this work shows the valuable impact of contextual adjustments to the Passive House boundary conditions; the impact of individual design parameters; and the potential for significant energy savings through adopting passive house principles for dwelling design in Longyearbyen or similar climates. This investigation could encourage new policy making, additional research and the development of an optimized Passive House Standard that considers High Arctic climate conditions, thus encouraging new energy efficient building construction in cold climates.