The controlled experiments were conducted in a
18.26m3 stainless steel environmental test chamber
maintained at a temperature of 2370.5C and a relative
humidity (RH) of 5075%. A TSI portable Q-Trak
(model 8550, TSI Inc.) was put in the chamber to ensure
that the temperature and RH were within the required
margin. The air exchange rate was maintained at 0.5 h1
to simulate the typical natural ventilation conditions.
Fig. 1 shows the schematic diagram of the experimental
set-up. The chamber was purged by blower air, which
was passed through a clean air system with activated
charcoal particle filters and High-Efficiency Particulate
Air (HEPA) filters. Mixingfans were installed at the
ceilingof the chamber to ensure adequate air mixing.
Temperature control was achieved by placingthe test
chambers in incubator cabinets. The temperature of inlet
air was controlled by usingconditioningcoils. RH is
controlled by addingdeionized water to the air system.
Humidification was accomplished by bubblinga portion