BIM-Based Environmental Conditions Assessment in a Facade-Integrated Photobioreactor for Carbon and Energy Saving Potential Estimation: A Case Study of Fatemieh Girls’ Dormitory of University of Tehran

Building-integrated microalgae photobioreactor (BIMP) is advanced building technology for high-performance architecture. This integrated circular design transforms a typical building facade into a vertical factory that converts solar radiation, the building’s gaseous and water effluents to biomass, thermal energy, and oxygen. The growth behavior of microalgae in BIMP has been reported to be mainly dependent on solar intensity, ambient temperature, wind velocity, and, more importantly, the 𝑪𝑶𝟐 contained in flue gas emitted from the building, all of which are known as BIMP environmental factors and are associated with climatic, structural, and chemical properties of the building. This study aims to quantitatively determine these factors in the Fatemieh dormitory complex of the University of Tehran through applying a transient building simulation. The simulation model of the BIMP's environmental factors has been carried out with TRNSYS software using the data collected in the survey campaign. The 𝑪𝑶𝟐 emission model of the building has then been calibrated based on the billed electricity and gas consumption. The model has been further used to evaluate the reduction of the building's 𝑪𝑶𝟐 emission and energy consumption deriving from the installation of BIMPs into the building.

Keywords:

High-performance architecture , Building integrated microalgae photobioreactor , Building information modeling , TRNSYS