An experimental device for the measurement of hygroscopic inertia influence on RH variation

Abstract

This article reports the development of an innovative flux chamber thatis specifically developed for the support of experimentalwork that is aiming at a systematic measurement of the hygroscopic inertia influence on relative humidity (RH) variation inside rooms. This flux chamber is a flexible infrastructure where different testconfigurations can be run. The precise control of vapor production, inside air renovation, and system temperature allow for the reproduction, in a small-scale room, of hygrothermal scenarios that can be fully repeated in an unlimited number of cycles.Results obtained are presented in this article, relating especially to the testing and calibration procedures and highlighting the limitations and possibilities of the facility.The hygroscopic inertia effect on RH variation is demonstrated. A discussion on the perfect mixing of the air inside a room is also addressed, based on the obtained results.