Search results

(1 - 2 of 2)
Applying Statistical Methods to Air Quality and Asthma Data in Chicago Homes
Title
Applying Statistical Methods to Air Quality and Asthma Data in Chicago Homes
Creator
Abromitis, Kari
Date
2020
Description
This thesis investigates one years’ worth of indoor and outdoor air pollution data collected from Chicago area homes in relation to results...
Show moreThis thesis investigates one years’ worth of indoor and outdoor air pollution data collected from Chicago area homes in relation to results from monthly asthma surveys taken by the residents of those homes. This examination involves the processing and calibration of this large dataset, basic statistical analysis, and analysis of asthma as related to variation of air pollution and air pollution resulting from nearby transportation sources. The data was collected as a part of the Breathe Easy project, which was funded by the HUD and involved IIT and Elevate Energy, a Chicago-based economic development organization that promotes building equality through climate action. The majority of the data processing and analysis were performed using Python and it is intended for continued use during the ongoing Breathe Easy project. The basic statistical analysis of this data led to initial investigations of how the variability of pollutants on a daily basis triggered asthma severity and symptoms. There were limited relationships observed between asthma symptoms and pollutant variability, and it was found to not be as important as overall pollutant levels. A second investigation was pursued to examine how the proximity to transportation, including Metra trains, freight trains, elevated rail trains, highways, bus lines, and busy roads, affected indoor and outdoor pollution levels at each home, as well as concurrent asthma outcomes. Similar to previous research, there was some relation for transportation closeness, particularly for highways and Metra trains, and pollution emitted that effects the health of nearby residents. In addition, homes that had greater air infiltration (via envelope airtightness measurements) had elevated levels of particulate matter – the pollutant most associated with transportation proximity. This thesis provides a basis for further investigations in this ongoing project and for similar asthma and air quality relationship studies.
Show less
Design and Fabrication of Battery-Operated Radiator Control (BORC) Utilizing 3D Printing Strategies
Title
Design and Fabrication of Battery-Operated Radiator Control (BORC) Utilizing 3D Printing Strategies
Creator
Riley, Christopher W.
Date
2023
Description
The scope of this work aims to serve as a continuation of prior research focused on the “development and evaluation of an automatic steam...
Show moreThe scope of this work aims to serve as a continuation of prior research focused on the “development and evaluation of an automatic steam radiator control system or retrofitting legacy heating systems in existing buildings” (Syed Ali et al., 2020) by describing and testing the mechanical components of the developed controller in full detail. Other aspects of radiator efficiency are also explored. Primarily, this work aims to elaborate on the importance of material selection and mechanical properties of the design process. It also proposes initiative-taking solutions for the building’s energy recovery by monitoring the initial set up and focusing on certain details such as cardinal direction, thermal breaks, etc. These legacy systems are generally problematic when attempting to calculate energy efficiency, as a majority of radiator controls tend to be manual. Though there are comparable products within the European market, they cater to hot water systems and not steam, and in some instances require an internet bridge for operation (Tahersima et al., 2010). Since this is an extension of our earlier project, I will refer to it as Battery Operated Radiator Control (BORC) and the previous version as BERG’s Automated Radiator Control (ARC).
Show less