Title: Experimental-Numerical Studies of Moisture-Toluene Buffering Capacity of HLC

Author(s): Anh Dung Tran Le, Jianshun S Zhang, Zhenlei Liu, Fathia Dahir Igue, Bing Beverly Guo, Jérôme Lasne, Marie Verriele, Frédéric Thevenet

Publication: Symposium Paper

Volume: 362

Issue:

Appears on pages(s): 701-719

Keywords: hemp lime concrete, indoor air quality, moisture buffering capacity, toluene buffering capacity

DOI: 10.14359/51742003

Date: 6/17/2024

Abstract:
Hemp lime concrete (HLC) is an environment-friendly material increasingly used in building construction. Many studies have focused on the moisture buffer capacity of HLC, but its pollutant buffering capacity remains unknown. To address this research gap, the potential for moisture and toluene buffering capacity of hemp concrete is presented in this article. The sorption capacity toward toluene (TOL), a typical indoor volatile organic compound (VOC) of HLC, has been measured and investigated with a 50 L environmental chamber at 23°C and a relative humidity of 50%. The moisture buffering capacity of HLC has been determined according to the Nordtest protocol. The experimental data have been used to evaluate the model parameters of the CHAMPS-bio model (coupled heat, air, moisture, and pollutant simulation transport model dedicated to bio-based building materials) that assesses VOC transfers and hygrothermal behavior of building materials under dynamic conditions. The results are innovative and new for hemp concrete, and evidence that this bio-based material can mitigate the indoor toluene concentration and regulate indoor relative humidity thanks to its buffering capacity.