Modelling of exhaust gas diffusion  in underground carparks

Where real estate is at a premium, car parking goes underground. And a couple of hundred cars in an enclosed space produce some very unhealthy air. There is a legislative requirement to monitor enclosed car parks for carbon monoxide emissions, but sighting of the sensors to this date has relied on best experience and very broad guidelines. It takes no accounts of ventilation and gas pockets which pose a threat to health due to the toxicity levels of CO.

QCIF and a team of researchers from the University of Southern Queensland are working on a project to model given car parks with various movements of air and vehicles to give a more accurate position for the carbon monoxide sensors.

As a result, sensor quantity and locations will be optimised to achieve

• legally acceptable level of gas concentration
• low installation cost
• reduced power consumption of the fans by only being used when required, hence a reduction in the carbon footprint

The realisation of such a model, based on embedded knowledge, known physical characteristics of the gas and rates of propagation, will remove elements of best judgement and allow sensor placement based on known criteria.

By allowing the dynamics of the car park environment to be modelled, the developed system can be offered by Gas Detection Australia (GDA) as part of the car park gas detection systems they manufacture as an aid to the consultants and Mechanical Engineering companies for the positioning and number of sensors they require, thereby placing the positioning and sensor requirements on a more scientific basis.

Future Potential

Other countries also have similar problems especially in city centres where most car parking is subterranean. The accurate sighting of the sensors will allow better control of the ventilation fans and reduce energy consumption. GDA would be able to offer this service via its network of agents and overseas customers.

Participants

Professor Tran-Cong
A/Prof Buttsworth
Dr Mai-Duy
University of Southern Queensland

Industry Participants

Gas Detection Australia