Effects of environmental conditions on the sorption of VOCs on building materials - Part II: Model evaluation

Sorption data obtained by using small environmental chambers under different environmental conditions (air temperature, relative humidity, and air velocity) have been used to evaluate the linear Langmuir model and the diffusion model for VOC sorption by different building materials. The two models were evaluated (1) by the goodness of model curve-fitting to the experimental data according to the ASTM recommended statistical indices and (2) by the ability in predicting the desorption period based on the data from the adsorption period. The linear Langmuir model appeared to be suitable for the painted drywall and ceiling tile while the diffusion model seems more suitable for carpet. The variations of the sorption model parameters are not always consistent with the changes of the environmental conditions.