Purifying the Air by Using Advanced Photocatalysis

Purifying the Air by Using Advanced Photocatalysis

The Photocatalytic method is used to purify air and water. It is a chemical reaction that is similar and can be compared to the chlorophyll photosynthesis occurring in trees that transforms pollutants into harmless elements. Oxidation occurs from a combined reaction with the light (solar or in the case of BRID, LED light) and the air that surrounds us.

Photocatalytic air purifying technology destructs recalcitrant pollutants present in the air, transforming them into harmless elements. Compared to a normal HEPA filter, the advantages are many: A HEPA filter can essentially hold some particulate matter (PM) until the filter becomes saturated, which occurs quickly. After the filter is saturated, there is no further filtration taking place.

 

The mold and microorganisms trapped on a HEPA filter create a potential health risk 

 

Photocatalytic filtration attacks and destroys multiple sources of pollution that a HEPA filter simply does not retain. Most of these pollutants are of gaseous origin (for example NO2, Benzene, Formaldehyde). There are a few advanced HEPA purifiers that have an additional activated carbon filter which traps pollutants of a broader spectrum, similar to photocatalysis. However, they come with three big disadvantages:

• They have a very short duration, as coal saturates very quickly and therefore they must be changed continuously 

• They are toxic waste, making them hazardous to dispose of 

• Once saturated, they become incubators of bacteria and viruses. This process multiplies in humid conditions.

THE BENEFITS OF USING BRID

BRID filters are long-lasting and only require water to be regenerated and reused, while a HEPA filter must be changed continuously and degrades in performance in a very short time. BRID purifiers eliminate various kinds of pollutants (chemical toxins, bacteria, viruses, spores, organic odors, VOCs, etc.), HEPA filtration captures only one kind of pollutant (PM). Other photocatalytic purifiers use a UV light source which is known as an irritant and hazardous light source due to the ozone it produces. BRID uses extra-low consumption LED lights, which guarantee zero ozone emissions and electric safety. In fact, our visible LED light technology is covered by numerous patents. 

 

Air purifiers that use UV light produce ozone, while BRID's technology decreases ozone pollution in the airAir purifiers that use UV light produce ozone, while BRID's technology decreases ozone pollution in the air

HOW DOES PHOTOCATALYSIS WORK?

Photocatalysis can be effectively used in a real environment to decompose pollutants and enhance the quality of air. Essentially, it is an oxidation reaction in which a chemical substance, atom or ion loses electrons and hence increases its oxidative state. If an element oxidizes by losing electrons (for example: Fe> Fe2 ++ 2e‐), another element must exist which is reduced by photo-generated electrons (for example: 2H ++ 2e‐> H2). Therefore oxidation and reduction reactions must occur simultaneously: oxidation-reduction or Redox reaction will happen.

Redox reactions can occur relatively slowly, as in the formation of rust, or much more rapidly, as in the case of burning fuel. There are simple redox processes, such as the oxidation of carbon to yield carbon dioxide (CO2) or the reduction of carbon by hydrogen to yield methane (CH4), and more complex processes such as the oxidation of glucose (C6H12O6) in the human body.

To enhance this air purifying process, a catalyst is needed which is a substance capable of increasing the speed of the chemical reaction. The catalyst also has to have an ability to lower the activation energy and therefore allow a higher number of molecules to react with each other. It does not actively participate in the chemical reaction and at the end of it remains unchanged. 

Finally, a photocatalyst is needed, which is a substance capable of promoting a chemical reaction by absorbing electromagnetic radiation. The photocatalyst decreases the activation energy of a certain reaction and by doing so, it accelerates the speed of that same reaction. The substances that are capable of performing these processes are semiconductors.

 

Photocatalytic filtration attacks and destroys multiple sources of pollution that a HEPA filter simply does not retain. BRID uses proprietary, patented and exclusive technology to induce the greatest photocatalytic action possible.

Advanced photocatalysis has led us to the research and development of new semiconductor materials which are faster and more effective at "devouring" organic and inorganic air pollutants. BRID uses the best-known catalyst: Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is a high-performance semiconductor material prepared specifically for BRID in Italy. Our TiO2 nanoparticles are precisely formulated for use with visible light (LED).

This recipe decomposes a multitude of organic and inorganic substances: microbes, nitrogen oxides, poly-condensed aromatics, benzene, sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, methanol, ethanol, ethylbenzene, m-xylene, monoxide and nitrogen dioxide. The photocatalytic reaction also has residues that derive from its oxidizing action. Byproducts that derive from the transformation of pollutants are sodium nitrates, sodium carbonates and limestone salts, produced in a non-harmful and negligible quantity. The result is a reduction in toxic pollutants produced by cars, factories, home heating systems and other sources, both of natural and man-made origin. 

 

This recipe decomposes a multitude of organic and inorganic substances: microbes, nitrogen oxides, poly-condensed aromatics, benzene, sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, methanol, ethanol, benzene, ethylbenzene, m-xylene, monoxide and nitrogen dioxide. BRID's technology decomposes a multitude of organic and inorganic substances, including microbes, nitrogen oxides, poly-condensed aromatics, benzene, formaldehyde and so on. 

THE MAIN ADVANTAGES OF PHOTOCATALYSIS

The substantial advantages of photocatalysis are its anti-pollution, odor removal,anti-fouling, and antibacterial effects. These properties are all results of the oxidation reaction of the substances in contact with a photocatalytic surface. If they are pollutants, we speak of an anti-pollution reaction, if they are dirty substances (carbon, dyes) we speak of an anti-fouling reaction, if they are bacteria, moulds, fungi and microorganisms, we speak of an antibacterial and anti-odor reaction (since odors are mainly generated by organic compounds).

BRID uses proprietary, patented and exclusive technology to induce the greatest photocatalytic action possible. BRID's elements are all developed and produced in Italy and are the result of 15 years of advanced research. BRID is truly unique and there hasn’t been such revolutionary photocatalytic product in air filtration so far. 


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