2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

This course was intended for professional preparation of students interested in air quality monitoring and control roles in the public or private sector, as well as advanced HVAC engineering roles covering indoor air pollution management in addition to temperature and humidity control. The course began with learning/reviewing the principles of fluid mechanics and thermodynamics relevant to indoor and outdoor air quality. Concerning outdoor air quality, the course content included introduction to key air pollutants, EPA standards for air quality, rationale behind the standards, air quality index (AQI) calculation, and sources of pollution. The use of equilibrium thermodynamics in predicting air quality was introduced and resources available for equilibrium calculation were identified. The relevant sensor technologies were also introduced. Concerning indoor air quality, the course content covered air-conditioning basics for temperature and humidity control, which was supplemented with the strategies for monitoring and controlling pollutants using air filtration, ventilation and air purification. Filter standards and filter testing technologies were discussed. ASHRAE and OSHA guidance concerning healthy indoor air quality (IAQ) was covered. A low-cost air quality sensor was installed in the classroom that streamed data to the internet. Students were assigned projects utilizing this sensor and the neighboring outdoor sensors, which triggered interest in citizen science.