The FLEC® has been validated and used in research for many years.
Below is a publication list of journal articles, abstracts, poster or oral presentations where the FLEC or CHEMATEC’s other products have been in focus.
If you have anything that can be added to the list, we encourage you to contact CHEMATEC.
2023 |
Braish, Tamara; Tinel, Liselotte; Depelchin, Laurence; Gaudion, Vincent; Andres, Yves; Caudron, Cécile; Antczak, Emmanuel; Brachelet, Franck; Locoge, Nadine Evaluation of the seasonal variation of VOC surface emissions and indoor air concentrations in a public building with bio-based insulation Journal Article In: Building and Environment, vol. 238, pp. 110312, 2023, ISSN: 0360-1323. Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Bio-based insulations, In-field emissions, Indoor air, Seasonal campaigns, VOC @article{Braish2023,The use of bio-based insulation materials is widely spreading in buildings. Due to their organic load, they can be an important source of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). This study is among the first that evaluates the spatial and seasonal in-field VOC surface emissions from bio-based and conventional building structures as a whole, in a French public building insulated with wood wool. In addition to surface emissions, measurements of VOC concentrations in indoor air were taken. Results showed that a spatial difference (up to 5 times) in VOC emissions was observed due to the inhomogeneity of the surface. Moreover, the cardinal orientation of building structures with the same constitution induced a difference (up to a factor 30) in emission rates due to the exposure to different hygrothermal conditions. The variation in temperature and relative humidity between seasons led to higher summer VOC emissions and indoor air concentrations. In addition, indoor VOC concentrations were shown to be higher at night compared to daytime due to the decreased ventilation rate. Furthermore, an interesting approach was developed in this study to have a primary overview of the impact of surface emissions on indoor VOC levels. Results confirmed that the three bio-based walls have no significant specific VOC emissions at high rates compared to the floor and the ceiling. Bio-based insulations showed no impact on microbial indoor air concentrations during the two seasons. Moreover, no detected VOCs could be attributed to microbial development as they were also emitted from building materials. |
2018 |
Thevenet, F; Debono, O; Rizk, M; Caron, F; Verriele, M; Locoge, N VOC uptakes on gypsum boards: Sorption performances and impact on indoor air quality Journal Article In: Building and Environment, vol. 137, pp. 138 - 146, 2018, ISSN: 0360-1323. Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Adsorption, Building materials, Gypsum boards, Indoor air quality, VOC @article{THEVENET2018138,Indoor air pollution requires the development of various approaches to reduce the concentration of VOCs. Beyond the optimization of ventilation and the reduction of pollutant sources, building materials with sorptive properties are currently examined as possible VOC remediation processes. The potentialities and the effectiveness of sorptive building materials still require detailed and reliable assessments. Thus, the objective of this paper relies in the development of a methodology to determine VOC partitioning coefficients on two sorptive building materials, in comparison with a non-sorptive one, using two contrasted model VOCs, namely toluene and formaldehyde, under different environmental indoor conditions. This approach aims at comparing the different materials and estimating their lifetimes regarding VOC uptake under realistic indoor conditions. After exposing the experimental methodology, uptakes of toluene and formaldehyde are investigated on the three selected gypsum boards. The determination of respective partitioning coefficients enlightens the contrasted behaviours of boards depending on (i) the presence or absence of sorptive agent in their formulation, (ii) the nature of the sorptive agent used, (iii) the structure of the model VOC, (iv) the paper layer on board and (v) the relative humidity. Based on obtained experimental results, the lifetimes of boards are evaluated for each VOC. Results evidence that improvements still have to be achieved to enhance the significance of sorptive gypsum board on indoor air quality. Nevertheless, reliable methodologies are now available to assess the behavior of these materials in indoor environment and to help their effective optimization. |
2016 |
Harb, P; Sivachandiran, L; Gaudion, V; Thevenet, F; Locoge, N The 40m3 Innovative experimental Room for INdoor Air studies (IRINA): Development and validations Journal Article In: Chemical Engineering Journal, vol. 306, pp. 568 - 578, 2016, ISSN: 1385-8947. Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Environmental conditions, Experimental chambers, Indoor air, VOC @article{HARB2016568,Over the last 30years, several experimental chambers were developed and implemented for indoor air studies. Yet, they were not all representative of real indoor air conditions. Either they did not have sufficient volumes or they were hindered by difficulties to control experimental conditions and air exchange rates. In this context, a 40m3 Innovative experimental Room for Indoor Air studies (IRINA) has been developed and validated at Mines Douai (Atmospheric Sciences et Environmental Engineering department (SAGE)) to overcome these drawbacks and above all to perform reproducible indoor air studies avoiding any possible experimental biases. IRINA inner walls are covered with aluminum foils. The room is operated in a closed mode and is equipped with a VOC injection system that relies on the heated and pressurized injection of vaporized VOC. IRINA is also equipped with analytical instruments that allow the analysis of both gas (online and offline measurements) and particle phases. IRINA validation evidenced that: (i) the air exchange rate of the room is well controlled over an one year timespan; (ii) both gaseous and particulate background levels in IRINA remain lower than typical indoor air conditions; (iii) fast homogenization of injected VOC concentrations is reached in the room; (iv) adsorption phenomena on IRINA walls are limited; and (v) there is no VOC matrix impact regarding individual VOC decays. The modelling of VOC natural decay in IRINA based on the new INCA-Indoor model showed that the VOC removal in IRINA is mainly due to the air exchange rate. |
2009 |
Giorgi, Rodorico; Chelazzi, David; Fratini, Emiliano; Langer, Sarka; Niklasson, Annika; Rådemar, Maria; Svensson, Jan-Erik; Baglioni, Piero Nanoparticles of calcium hydroxide for wood deacidification: Decreasing the emissions of organic acid vapors in church organ environments Journal Article In: Journal of Cultural Heritage, vol. 10, no. 2, pp. 206 - 213, 2009, ISSN: 1296-2074. Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Acetic acid, Calcium hydroxide, Corrosion, Formic acid, Nanoparticle, Organ pipe, VOC, Wood deacidification @article{GIORGI2009206,Acetic and formic acid vapors emitted from woodwork in historical organs are very important corrosive agents for lead pipes. These acids are slowly released from the wood both during playing and when the pipes are silent. To inhibit this emission process, the wood surface can be modified, by creating a protective layer with alkaline features. However, a coating of wood is not recommended since this could modify the appearance and create a layer not perfectly compatible with the substrate. For this reason, we propose to use some innovative nanotechnology that has been successfully applied for the deacidification of wood samples coming from the Vasa shipwreck. Application of calcium (or magnesium) hydroxide nanoparticles, with sizes ranging from 30–150nm, allowed a homogeneous distribution of particles through the surface layer of wood simply by soaking (or spraying) it in a alcoholic (or mixed with less polar solvents) dispersion of nanoparticles. Nanoparticles do not modify the wood appearance and distribute randomly within the first layers of wood. The small size of particles accounts for the high reactivity with CO2 from the air, to give the alkaline reserve of carbonates that provide high efficacy in the neutralization of gaseous acids. The emission of volatile organic compounds (VOC) from the treated wood was determined by using an emission test cell, Field and Laboratory Emission Cell (FLEC). The results show that the emissions of acetic acid vapor from nanoparticles treated wood was very low (<70μg/m2h) during the first 13 month. In contrast, untreated wood emitted high concentrations of acetic acid vapor (200–400μg/m2h). |
Nicolle, Jérôme; Desauziers, Valérie; Mocho, Pierre; Ramalho, Olivier Optimization of FLEC®-SPME for field passive sampling of VOCs emitted from solid building materials Journal Article In: Talanta, vol. 80, no. 2, pp. 730 - 737, 2009, ISSN: 0039-9140. Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Building material, Emission cell, Indoor air, Passive sampling, SPME, VOC @article{NICOLLE2009730,The FLEC®-SPME sampler, described in a previous paper, consists of an emission cell coupled with solid phase microextraction (SPME) for passive sampling of VOCs emitted from building materials. It represents an interesting alternative to standard dynamic sampling protocol as it is easier to implement. If standard dynamic sampling determines emission rates, passive FLEC®-SPME aims to the determination of the concentration in air at the material surface. That could be assumed provided that material/air equilibrium is reached. Thus, VOCs emission kinetics were studied for 3 different materials (pine wood panel, carpet and PVC floor) to determine equilibrium times. Then, the relevance of the method has been assessed using new materials through a 3-day emission test. Qualitative results were compared to those obtained from the standard method to check the ability of FLEC®-SPME to detect the most toxic compounds, named “VOCs of interest” and listed in the French regulation. Minor differences were observed, so this methodology seems promising, especially for field studies aiming in the identification of VOCs sources in buildings. Moreover, the concentration at the material surface combined to emission modeling could be used to predict indoor VOCs concentrations helping in indoor air quality diagnostic. |
2008 |
Järnström, H; Saarela, K; Kalliokoski, P; Pasanen, A -L Comparison of VOC and ammonia emissions from individual PVC materials, adhesives and from complete structures Journal Article In: Environment International, vol. 34, no. 3, pp. 420 - 427, 2008, ISSN: 0160-4120, (Proceedings of the 1st Conference of the UK Network on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) 29th and 30th March 2006, University of Birmingham, UK). Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Adhesive, Material emission, PVC, VOC @article{JARNSTROM2008420,Emission rates of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and ammonia measured from six PVC materials and four adhesives in the laboratory were compared to the emission rates measured on site from complete structures. Significantly higher specific emission rates (SERs) were generally measured from the complete structures than from individual materials. There were large differences between different PVC materials in their permeability for VOCs originating from the underlying structure. Glycol ethers and esters from adhesives used in the installation contributed to the emissions from the PVC covered structure. Emissions of 2-ethylhexanol and TXIB (2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol diisobutyrate) were common. High ammonia SERs were measured from single adhesives but their contribution to the emissions from the complete structure did not appear as obvious as for VOCs. The results indicate that three factors affected the VOC emissions from the PVC flooring on a structure: 1) the permeability of the PVC product for VOCs, 2) the VOC emission from the adhesive used, and 3) the VOC emission from the backside of the PVC product. |
2007 |
Järnström, H; Saarela, K; Kalliokoski, P; Pasanen, A -L Reference values for structure emissions measured on site in new residential buildings in Finland Journal Article In: Atmospheric Environment, vol. 41, no. 11, pp. 2290 - 2302, 2007, ISSN: 1352-2310. Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Ammonia, Formaldehyde, Material emission, Reference value, VOC @article{JARNSTROM20072290,A 3-year research project was established in 1999 to create numerical reference data for material emissions during the time of construction and during the first year. Seven buildings, representing the present construction practice in Finland, were investigated. Material emissions were measured by using the field and laboratory cell (FLEC) during the time of construction, in the newly finished, and in the 6- and 12-month-old buildings. The emission rates for volatile organic compounds (VOCs), formaldehyde, and ammonia were determined. The highest total VOCs (TVOC) emissions were measured in the newly finished buildings from the ceiling structure and from some of the PVC floor coverings. These emissions were up to 1300–2000μgm−2h−1. Individual VOCs with emission rates above 50μgm−2h−1 included 2-(2-butoxyethoxy) ethanol and its acetate, C4–C16-substituted alkylbenzenes, and xylenes. The mean TVOC emission decreased at least to the Finnish M1-class level (200μgm−2h−1) from all surfaces and in all the buildings in 6–12 months. The ammonia and formaldehyde emissions from the ceiling structure were 20–60μgm−2h−1 in the newly finished buildings and the M1-levels (30/50μgm−2h−1) were exceeded in some cases. These emissions even increased in some buildings during the follow-up period indicating the difference between emissions measured in the laboratory and on site from real structures. Reference values based on the means and 95th percentile are presented to be utilised in both quality control and while investigating indoor air quality problems which are suspected to be caused by a defect structure. |
2006 |
Luo, R; Niu, J L Determining diffusion and partition coefficients of VOCs in cement using one FLEC Journal Article In: Building and Environment, vol. 41, no. 9, pp. 1148 - 1160, 2006, ISSN: 0360-1323. Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: ATD, Cement slab, Diffusion coefficient, GC-MSD, Inverse problem of mass diffusion, Mass diffusion, Partition coefficient, VOC @article{LUO20061148,The diffusion and partition coefficients of eight volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in cement slabs were experimentally determined using a field and laboratory emission cell (FLEC) system based on the method developed in a previous study on the water vapor diffusion. A cement slab planted with a mixture of eight VOCs was placed in an one-FLEC system to undergo the mass diffusion in the slab and the emission to air flowing through the FLEC. The concentration of each VOC in the air flowing out of the FLEC was measured according to the EPA Method TO-17 using sorbent tube-automatic thermal desorption (ATD) and the gas chromatography-mass spectrum detector (GC-MSD) system. The diffusion and partition coefficients were then obtained by solving the inverse problem of the one-dimensional unsteady mass diffusion equations in the cement slab. And, the partition coefficient was also obtained from the total mass transfer estimated from the VOC concentration measurements and air flowrate, which was equivalent to the headspace concentration-weighting method. |
1998 |
Uhde, E; Borgschulte, A; Salthammer, T Characterization of the field and laboratory emission cell—FLEC: Flow field and air velocities Journal Article In: Atmospheric Environment, vol. 32, no. 4, pp. 773 - 781, 1998, ISSN: 1352-2310. Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Tags: Air velocity, Chambers, emission rate, FLEC, flow field, VOC @article{UHDE1998773,Abstract The Field and Laboratory Emission Cell (FLEC) has been designed for VOC emission testing of material surfaces. Knowledge about the air flow field in the cell compartment is highly desired, as the air velocity at the sample surface may considerably influence the emission behaviour. A simple mathematical approach of flow theory predicted an unevenly distributed air flow into the FLEC. This could be confirmed by air velocity measurements using a self-constructed hot-wire anemometer. With a total flow of 250 ml min−1, air velocities measured at the surface ranged from ⩽ 0.1 to 0.9 cm s−1. A surface area of very low air velocities was detected in the FLEC centre with a radius of ≈20 mm. A VOC emission test using a simulated punctual source yielded different emission rates at different locations in the cell compartment. |