MopFan technologyThe MopFan concept has been proven at the University of Nottingham with laboratory evaluations. The MopFan uses Photocatalytic Oxidation (PCO) technology, which is proven to remove pollutants, organic contaminants and compounds from air streams using the irradiation of titanium dioxide (TiO2) surfaces with ultraviolet (UV) lights causing the disintegration of organic compounds by reactions with oxygen (O) and hydroxyl radicals (OH). The O and OH reactions can also destroy viruses. This process is proven and used innumerous industries and some air cleaner products.
The proposed system has numerous advantages over current systems such as air sterilization without chemicals or filters, low cost, long life, efficient, and compact, system. Most components are commercial off-the-shelf. It is deployable as small floor, wall, or ceiling units for homes, buildings and public transport. The technology is adaptable for integration in currently mass-produced air cleaner products, allowing very rapid deployment. It can supplement current HVAC systems, added to inlets/outlets, yet with minimal pressure drop, unlike filters. All of these development path use the same technology of the basic MopFan and present a number of easily technically achievable options for development.
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Photocatalysis
In photocatalytic air purifiers, the catalyst that cleans the air is typically Titanium dioxide (TiO2) and it's energized by ultraviolet (UV) light. UV is the short-wavelength light just beyond the blue/violet part of the electromagnetic spectrum.
Titanium dioxide is a semiconductor. Just a thin film covering the surface of a backing material called a substrate, which is usually made from ceramic or metal.
When UV light shines on the titanium dioxide, electrons are released at its surface.
The big advantage that photocatalytic air purifiers have over other air-cleaning technologies, such as filters is that instead of simply trapping pollutants (which still have to be disposed of somehow), they completely transform the harmful chemicals and effectively destroy them.
Titanium dioxide is a semiconductor. Just a thin film covering the surface of a backing material called a substrate, which is usually made from ceramic or metal.
When UV light shines on the titanium dioxide, electrons are released at its surface.
- The electrons interact with water molecules (H2O) in the air, breaking them up into hydroxyl radicals (OH·), which are highly reactive, short-lived, uncharged forms of hydroxide ions (OH−).
- These hydroxyl radicals then attack bigger organic (carbon-based) pollutant molecules, breaking apart their chemical bonds and turning them into harmless substances such as carbon dioxide and water. This is an example of oxidation.
The big advantage that photocatalytic air purifiers have over other air-cleaning technologies, such as filters is that instead of simply trapping pollutants (which still have to be disposed of somehow), they completely transform the harmful chemicals and effectively destroy them.