Polluted air flows in the nanopurifier continuously through a set of photocatalytic filters. Filters of this type completely decompose toxic gases, microorganisms, such as bacteria and viruses, mold and other contaminants of organic type.
Photocatalysis is the natural decomposition of certain substances by the action of light in the presence of a catalyst. The catalyst does not change and it is not consumed during the reaction.
The final products of the reaction are common and stable compounds, mostly water vapor and carbon dioxide. All micro-organisms like algae and fungi behave similarly.
This means that using photocatalysis will purify the air completely using only the action of light. See the principle of photocatalysis here: (link to image photo ...)
Photocatalytic filter is subject of patent protection in the Czech Republic and in Europe.
Filters in nanopurifiers are made of special metal slats which are covered in a titanium dioxide-based photoactive substance.
The nanopurifier has a photoactive filter that does not require any maintenance or cleaning.
The nanopurifier does not catch dust and dirt like other purifiers whose filters have to be washed from the dust and dirt, cleaned and changed.
Decomposition of harmful chemical substances and disposal of bacteria and viruses occurs in the interior of the nanopurifier.
Nanoaircleaner nanopurifiers are made from natural materials like solid wood, art glass fusing, mirror glass, canvas without harmful binders and ceramic tiles. Nanopurifiers are able to dispose of substances in the room more effectively thanks to the absence of plastic parts that exude chemical substances.
The system of photocatalysis is based on the action of UVA radiation on TiO2, Zn, Ag, its various uses are known worldwide for over 30 years and the patented system of RETAP s.r.o. is currently unique and aimed at a healthy environment in living rooms.
This phenomenon makes use of the action of UVA radiation on a special layer of titanium oxide that is tightly attached to aluminum slats. Photocatalysis occurs by bringing the air into the system of slats with exposure to UVA light. Substances in solid state, i.e., viruses, bacteria, fungi, and in gaseous state, i.e., formaldehyde, toluene, nitrous oxides, are decomposed during photocatalysis to carbon dioxide CO2 and water without the need for any other filters.
The filter unit can fit in any cleaning unit, but also in local heating units, made from wood, metal, glass, also glass side lamps, table lamps, radiators, etc.
Development of nanopurifiers will end at the beginning of the second half of 2016 and RETAP s.r.o., the owner of the patent and certificate, will begin the initial series of products assembled with photocatalytic filter.
For your information, RETAP is a member of the Czech Society for Applied Photocatalysis which deals with the issues of nanotechnology from the perspective of the liquidation of harmful substances in the air and in the water.
We are currently launching our own production of purifiers and we can immediately send you more information about these products. You can follow our webpage for further information and news. We will also be glad to welcome you in our company, where you will be able to see for yourself the various designs of purifiers and where we will answer any of your questions.
We bring you a report from the measurement of the effectiveness of nanocurtures from the Institute of Clinical Microbiology from Hradec Králové. When measuring the efficiency of bacteria, mold and virus destruction.
Rating:
After 3 hours of Nanoaircleaner work, the overall concentration of bacteria in the air decreased by 66% in the normal operation of the office (including office activity including opening and closing of doors, movement of students and clinic staff), the total yeast and mold concentration in the air dropped by 71%.
For the purpose of efficiency testing, a glass version of Nanoaircleaner wood nanoparticles has been produced, which is more likely to trigger a cleaner. This option will soon be included in our e-shop.
Indoor air quality is nowadays, if ever, assessed according to temperature, humidity and concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2). It is often the case that people complain about the air quality even though all these indicators show an optimal level. The comfort of the people spending time indoors is, however, also decreased by odors, smoke fumes from interior equipment, etc. Most of these substances, which we perceive through smell (but also those that we are not able to discern), belong to the group of volatile organic compounds.
Volatile organic compounds or VOCs are chemical substances that are emitted as gases from solid or liquid substances. They easily evaporate into the air even at room temperature. The concentration of these substances may be up to 100 times higher inside than outside. Many of the products that we use, or are exposed to every day, emit volatile organic compounds into the air. While all VOCs have the potential to be harmful, there are a few VOCs, which can be particularly dangerous, and yet are emitted from a series of products in our homes. These VOCs are formaldehyde, benzene and phenol, and they are classified as hazardous air pollutants according to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), US Green Building Council (USGBC) and a European Union (EU) study claims that the rate greater than 500 ng/L (nanogram per liter) of volatile organic compounds can pose a health risk in households. However, data from thousands of tested homes showed the mean value of 1200 ng/L – more than twice the permissible level. Even moderately elevated levels of these airborne chemicals can cause health problems to people, especially small children, elderly people, pregnant women and those who suffer from allergies and asthma.
Sample testing of one of the last air purifiers developed in collaboration with RETAP in a project led by a research team under the Technical University of Liberec - The accompanying graphs show the curve of the degradation of harmful substances: formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, acetone, toluene, n-xylene, o-xylene. Retap nanopurifiers are demonstrably and continuously capable to decompose harmful substances
Testing of purifiers in a closed chamber in a modified form serves as a standard measurement of the effectiveness of the final product, but also for further development of the purifiers.
RETAP has currently introduced 5 models designed to purify air in the volumes from about 30-150 m3
Photo and chart of testing the effectiveness of one of the first prototypes of RETAP nanopurifier according to CEN standard in Belgium. Test of organic compound mixtures consisting of formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, acetone, n-heptane, toluene and o-xylene with a volume concentration of 200 ppb.
Concentration (ppbv) - The chart shows the degradation of chemicals formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, acetone, n-heptanemu, toluene and o-xylene with a volume concentration of 200 ppb at the time of 1.4 h to zero.
Scheme of the measuring chamber or box for experimental testing of active or passive photocatalytic air purification device. Inside is shown the photocatalytic device, e.g. purifier (black box) and a fan (cross) in the case of passive devices, i.e., photocatalytic coatings.
The prototype of the air purifier was displayed during the international conference and ISO meeting in Prague in September 2014.
Photo of the purifier prototype in a box assembled at the TUL laboratory
Testing, designed and modified according to CEN method - degradation of toluene Testing of the purifiers takes place in the above-mentioned experimental boxes. Before each test, the box is first thoroughly purged with air that has been filtered in advance. Thus filtered air contains a negligible amount of organic substances. In the liquid phase, the box is injected with a defined quantity of the studied volatile organic compounds (e.g. toluene, formaldehyde). The quantity of sprayed volatile substances is determined according to the required concentration (ppmv) in the box. Analysis of the gases in the box is performed using the photoacoustic apparatus INNOVA 1421i from LumaSense Technologies. This is the photoacoustic detection of infrared radiation that is absorbed by the sample in the gas. Measurements can be carried out continuously, the apparatus takes analyte which returns into the box after the analysis. The detection limit of the apparatus is 0.5 ppm for toluene, 100ppb for formaldehyde, 100ppb for total organic carbon and 5 ppm for CO2. At present, the apparatus is set so that it can measure one pollutant, CO2 and H2O. Our future goal is to measure more gases simultaneously. Humidity, temperature and air pressure are also monitored during the experiment.
4.3. Results and Conclusions from Modified CEN Test for the Characterization of Photocatalytic Efficiency of Air Purifiers
There are two charts for each purifier (see Figs. 5 and 6). The charts on the left show the plot of percent reduction in the degradation of toluene and the second one shows change in concentration of CO2, which takes place during this process. The measured data for each model are listed below: 12
Changes in gas concentration (toluene-left, CO2-right) during the testing of purifier Retap - model 1.
Changes in gas concentration (toluene-left, CO2-right) during the testing of purifier Retap - model 1.
Changes in gas concentration (toluene-left, CO2-right) during the testing of purifier Retap - model 2.
Changes in gas concentration (toluene-left, CO2-right) during the testing of purifier Retap - model 2.
Retap 1: 71ppm/89h (see chart), 0.8 ppm/h
Retap 2: 38ppm/25h (see chart), 1.5 ppm/h
Retap 3: 13ppm/81h, 0.16ppm/h (the decline stopped on the concentration 3.5ppm)
The measured data show that the constructed Retap prototypes have a very promising potential for microbial degradation of pollutants (chemical substances) from the atmosphere.
Photocatalysis is the natural decomposition of certain substances by the action of light in the presence of a catalyst. The catalyst does not change and it is not consumed during the reaction.
The final product of the reaction are common and stable compounds, mostly water vapor and carbon dioxide. All micro-organisms like algae and fungi behave similarly.
This means that using photocatalysis will purify surface completely using only the action of light. See the principle of photocatalysis here:
Photocatalysis is a process of chemical decomposition of substances in the presence of a photocatalyst and light radiation.
In the case of Nanoaircleaner purifiers, it is the effect of UVA radiation from special fluorescent or LED lights onto the surface of photocatalytic filter coated with TiO2.
Why should you choose Nanoaircleaner air purifier?
Nanoaircleaner purifiers are the first product of its kind with photocatalytic cleaning-filtering of the air as the only and main filtering system. They are unlike any other purifier currently sold on the Czech market.
Photocatalysis is a physical process of oxidation on the surface of titanium dioxide excited by UV light.
Example: An organic substance, e.g. smoke, which mixes with oxygen under normal conditions, decomposes on contact with the activated surface of TiO2 mostly to CO2 and H2O molecules. TiO2 allows the reaction of atmospheric oxygen with organic pollutants, which would have not occurred otherwise.
The oxidation potential of 3.2V at the surface of excited TiO2 is able to decompose 99% of organic bonds and oxidize many inorganic molecules.
Nanoaircleaner purifiers work as air purifiers with unique and, it should be pointed out, proven capabilities.
During the testing of the prototype of this hybrid air purifier in the only Testing Institute in Brussels, it was found that the air purifier could decompose not only the impurities contained in the air but also carcinogenic and life-threatening substances, including formaldehyde and toluene.
Similar results in the degradation and destruction of these substances have not yet been achieved by any other method of air purifying.
All tested substances are destroyed by decomposition to CO2 and water.
Air purifiers have been developed in cooperation with the Department of Nanotechnology at the Technical University of Liberec and are patented.
