Duct Monitoring at Building Services Laboratory Using Mechanical Robot (MerDuct)

Abstract

Mechanical robot has been widely used in environmental monitoring. The robot were apply to the air ducting in the Mechanical Ventilation and Air Conditioning System ( MVAC) to show real view inside the ducting. The aim of the mobile robot is to help reach certain places that cannot afford by human especially in the ducting. This paper highlight the third model of Mechanical Robot Ducting (MerDuct) that has been developed and analyze the result obtains by the MerDuct. Abandoned ducting was selected to gather the visual image by MerDuct using in-situ approach method. The result shows the real condition inside the ducting, and rubbish were found in the ducting. The information gathers by MerDuct start from the beginning to the end of the ducting. The visual image captured will be important for pre and post duct cleaning process. This kind of monitoring also will be the guide for maintenance activity to create safe and clean indoor air to the building occupants and building environment.