SP chambers: description and transnational access

1. Introduction

SP chambers are a tool for qualitative and quantitative investigation of indoor air pollution and indoor air chemistry. The goal is the determination of emissions and reactions of organic compounds present in indoor air with ozone under controlled conditions representative for indoor environments and their effect on indoor air quality. The chambers can also be used for exposure studies involving materials, subjects and humans. SP chambers are part of the Transnational Access of Euochamp-2.

2. Description of the research facility

SP operates three types of chambers: a walk-in chamber with a volume of 22 m³, STORA, an open/close 1 m³ chamber, LILLA, and a microchamber FLEC (Field and Laboratory Emission Chamber) with a volume of 35 cm³. The chambers are equipped with control units for temperature, relative humidity and ventilation rate, and several inlet and sampling ports.

The following research questions are addressed:

• Ozone-initiated chemical reactions in indoor air
• Particles and gaseous products from indoor chemical reactions and their organic composition
• Deposition and surface reactions on building and interior equipment materials
• Characterization of emissions from materials and subjects

The specific characteristics of the SP chambers are:

• Simulation of realistic indoor air conditions with respect to temperature, relative humidity and air exchange rates
• Emission measurements, exposure experiments and reactions in the gas phase and on surfaces

The chamber design and operation are compatible with several international standards. FLEC complies with ISO 16000-10, LILLA 1 m³ chamber with ISO 16000-9 and STORA 22 m³ chamber with ASTM E1333.

2.1. Technical data

The inside walls of the chambers are all constructed from stainless steel. Compressed, dried and purified ambient air is used in the experiments/tests. Technical details for the different chambers can be found here and in the following tables:.

2.2. Images

2.3. Publications

Relevant publications illustrating the research possibilities of our chambers:

Giorgi R., Chelazzi D., Frantini E., Langer S., Niklasson A., Rådemar M., Svensson J.-E., Baglioni P.: Nanoparticles of Calcium Hydroxide for Wood Deacidification: Decreasing the emissions of organic acid vapours in church organ environments. Journal of Cultural Heritage 2009, 10(2), 206-213.

Langer S., Moldanová J., Arrhenius, K., Ljungström E., Ekberg, L.: Ultrafine Particles Produced by Ozone/Limonene Reactions in Indoor Air under Low/Closed Ventilation Conditions. Atmospheric Environment 2008, 42(18), 4149-4159.

2.4. Access to the chamber under Eurochamp TA

Access to SP chambers is provided through Eurochamp-2 Transnational Access and other collaborations. Please contact us to find the appropriate setup for new projects at SP. We offer access to various instruments for generation, sampling and analysis of volatile organic compounds, ozone and particles. Guest instruments can be fitted in/to the chambers and modification of inlet and sampling lines can be provided on request.

3. Institution in charge of the laboratory facility

SP Sveriges Tekniska Forskningsinstitut AB (SP Technical Research Institute of Sweden AB) is owned by RISE Research Institutes of Sweden Holding AB under the Ministry of Industry. SP is the national institute for technical evaluation, research, testing, certification, metrology and calibration, and is working closely with large and small companies, universities, institutes of technology and other organisations. SP's activities cover a wide technical range, with about 30 technology areas organised in eight inter-working technical departments. We are some 900 co-workers who base our services on competence, efficiency, impartiality and international acceptance. SP's headquarters are located in Borås, close to Gothenburg on the West Coast of Sweden.

SP Chemistry and Materials Technology conducts research, testing, calibration and certification in a wide range of areas related to analytical chemistry and materials technology. Core competences include organic and inorganic analyses of major and trace components in gases, liquids and solids, environmental analyses, characterization (chemical and/or physical) of indoor air, materials, surfaces and interfaces. The Department has a strong experimental programme, with a range of state-of-the-art facilities for field and laboratory measurements. Important activity is chemical metrology -- quality assurance and quality control of the measurements in chemical laboratories and activities ensuring the accreditation of the laboratory by SWEDAC -- the Swedish Accreditation Agency.

SP is partner 10 in Eurochamp-2.

3.1. Contact Information

 Dr. Sarka Langer, phone: +46 10 516 5287

 Dr. Karine Arrhenius, phone: +46 10 516 5728

4. Additional Information

n.a.