Abstract
The performances of a laboratory PhotoCatalytic Oxidation (PCO) device were determined using a recirculation closed-loop pilot reactor. The closed-loop system was modeled by associating equations related to two ideal reactors: a perfectly mixed reservoir with a volume of VR = 0.42 m3 and a plug flow system corresponding to the PCO device with a volume of VP = 5.6 × 10−3 m3. The PCO device was composed of a pleated photocatalytic filter (1100 cm2) and two 18-W UVA fluorescent tubes. The Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) of the apparatus was measured under different operating conditions. The influence of three operating parameters was investigated: (i) light irradiance I from 0.10 to 2.0 mW·cm−2; (ii) air velocity v from 0.2 to 1.9 m·s−1; and (iii) initial toluene concentration C0 (200, 600, 1000 and 4700 ppbv). The results showed that the conditions needed to apply a first-order decay model to the experimental data (described in Part I) were fulfilled. The CADR values, ranging from 0.35 to 3.95 m3·h−1, were mainly dependent on the light irradiance intensity. A square root influence of the light irradiance was observed. Although the CADR of the PCO device inserted in the closed-loop reactor did not theoretically depend on the flow rate (see Part I), the experimental results did not enable the confirmation of this prediction. The initial concentration was also a parameter influencing the CADR, as well as the toluene degradation rate. The maximum degradation rate rmax ranged from 342 to 4894 ppbv/h. Finally, this study evidenced that a recirculation closed-loop pilot could be used to develop a reliable standard test method to assess the effectiveness of PCO devices.
Highlights
Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) is a current problem because so many people spend time indoors and are exposed to numerous pollutants, such as Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
Since the Excel® solver is usable for data analysis, such a tool should be preferred for Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) determination using Equation (1) or Equation (3)
The Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) of the apparatus was calculated under different operating conditions
Summary
Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) is a current problem because so many people spend time indoors and are exposed to numerous pollutants, such as Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). Equation (1) should be able to describe satisfactorily the decrease in the pollutant concentration over time provided that the total time of the experiment does not exceed 2 h In this equation, the term α (= k τp ) is the fractional yield of the treated flow rate of the PCO device. Since the volume of the PCO device is small in relation to the volume of the reservoir, it is expected that the CADR value is small with regard to the air flow rate Q, and α does not exceed some %. In this case, Equation (1) can be simplified as:.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
