Development of a chemical mechanism for the controlled release of bioactive ingredients for the microbiological treatment of the internal air in climatized atmospheres

• Grant number: 00/12776-3
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Innovative Research in Small Business - PIPE
• Start date: April 01, 2002
• End date: May 31, 2005
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Chemical Engineering - Chemical Technology
• Principal Investigator: Carlos Alberto Alves de Carvalho
• Grantee: Carlos Alberto Alves de Carvalho
• Company: STQ Comércio e Serviços de Tecnologia Química Ltda

Abstract

The principal focus of this project is in the production of a chemical mechanism for treating condensed water in air-conditioning systems, aiming for the chemical and biological sterilization of the air fed back into the internal atmosphere. The mechanism of controlled release works by the interaction between an encapsulant, cyclodextrine, obtained from a renewable source through a biotechnical process and hosts with antifungal and/or antibacterial action, forming an inclusion compound, which will be incorporated into a ceramic matrix. This is an innovative product, since it differs from other existing products on the market in its use of controlled release technology, the mechanism of which is the intelligent chemical release of the active ingredient which inhibits the multiplication of microorganisms in the condensed water and enables the maintenance of the air within the standards laid down by law. The inclusion compound will be prepared, in the laboratory phase, using the coprecipitation and liofilization methods. Aqueous solutions of cyclodextrine are mixed with the active ingredient in predetermined estequiometric proportions, in constant agitation and, when necessary, using heat, thus obtaining the supramolecular compound. The inclusion compound will be supported in the ceramic base matrix. The matrix may be prepared from ceramic dusts obtained from non-conventional chemical processes such as co-precipitation and hydrothermic, with controlled microstructure. The ceramic matrix is kept, after the controlled thermic treatment to obtain the desired microstructure, in an aqueous solution for chemiabsorbtion of the active ingredient and/or the inclusion compound, under agitation and strict pH control. The control of the stages of synthesis and the quality of the product will be carried out through physico-chemical characterization with infrared spectroscopy, X-ray difratometry, thermoanalytical techniques and nuclear magnetic resonance in solution and in the solid state. (AU)