Indoor air disinfection using a polyester supported TiO2 photo-reactor

Author(s)

Paschoalino, M. P. ^[1] ; Jardim, W. F. ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Estadual Campinas, UNICAMP, Lab Quim Ambiental, Inst Quim, BR-13084971 Campinas, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: INDOOR AIR; v. 18, n. 6, p. 473-479, DEC 2008.
• Web of Science Citations: 24

Abstract

Among the decontamination methods applicable to indoor air, heterogeneous photocatalysis has received increasing attention in recent years. This decontamination method is based on the UV irradiation of a solid catalyst, normally TiO(2), aiming at the generation of highly reactive hydroxyl radicals. In this work, a novel way to prepare the photocatalyst was used, incorporating pure P-25 TiO(2) (Degussa) into polyester orthophthalic polymer. The film was coated onto the walls of a PVC reactor with a concentric 30 W germicidal lamp (254 nm). The efficiency of this prototype was evaluated against fungi and bacteria elimination in a 67 m(3) confined room. The system was very efficient for bacteria reduction, decreasing the bacterial count to below the detection limit (1 CFU/plate during 30-min sampling) after 2 h of operation at 195 l/min. For fungi, the gas-phase reactor showed to be less efficient and silver doping of the catalyst showed no increase in biocide activity.The use of a photocatalytic reactor based on TiO(2) incorporated onto polyester orthophtalic polymer has been tested at 195 l/min, showing good performance in the air disinfection of a 67 m(3) room. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 04/04810-8 - The use of heterogeneous photocatalysis in the disinfection of indoor air
• Grantee: Matheus Paes Paschoalino
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master