Development and application of mathematical models for describing indoor air purification using photocatalytic oxidation and adsorption processes

Adsorption has been the most commonly used method to treat indoor air contaminants. However, recently Photocatalytic Oxidation (PCO) has been gaining attention as a possible alternative method for indoor air purification because it promises to clean air more efficiently and effectively.; Two technologies were evaluated: photocatalytic reactions and adsorption, including adsorption combined with reactions. These technologies were evaluated with three main objectives in mind. The first objective was to determine the kinetics of PCO. The second objective was to develop a model that predicts the performance of an indoor air treatment system using PCO. The last objective was to develop a model that predicts the performance of an indoor air treatment system using both adsorption and reactions. Pursuant to these objectives, the dissertation is laid out in the following manner:; Chapter 2 focuses on the development of a batch model to determine the kinetics of PCO as a function of important parameters including initial light intensity, initial contaminant concentration, catalyst thickness, and relative humidity. Good agreement between model calculations and experimental data were obtained.; Chapter 3 focuses on the development of a model to predict the performance of an indoor air purifying device in a room utilizing the kinetics from Chapter 2. A system design includes air flow rate entering and exiting the room, the air contaminant emission in the room, and a device through which recycled air flow passes until the air contaminant in the room meets the treatment objective. Various important design parameters such as air flow rate, catalyst usage and recycle flow rate were evaluated.; Chapter 4 focuses on the development of a model that includes both adsorption and reactions, and the application of the model for indoor air adsorption. A system design is similar to the one mentioned above except for the type of air treatment device, which is an adsorber in this case. Various important design parameters such as the ratio of adsorber flow rate to room air flow rate, volume of a room, and mass of the adsorbent were evaluated. The model can predict the performance of an indoor treatment system using adsorption and reactions.; Chapter 5 summarizes the overall conclusions of this study and makes recommendations for future work.