Design optimization of photocatalytic glass tubular honeycomb reactor for air purification

Photocatalysis produces strong oxidizing agents that can decompose organic compounds (VOCs) and kill microorganisms. One of the practical applications is air purification. The objective of this study is design optimization of a photocatalytic tubular honeycomb reactor for indoor air purification. A prototype photoreactor was fabricated and experimentally tested for the artificial-UV-assisted photocatalytic oxidation effect on gaseous nitric oxide (NO). It was found that more than 90% degradation of NO could be achieved in a single pass through the photoreactor. An empirical-correlation analysis was conducted to characterize the performance of the photoreactor with respect to the reactor dimensions, UV irradiance, and volumetric flow rate of treated air. Based on the empirical-correlation results, design optimization analysis of photocatalytic tubular honeycomb reactor was successfully accomplished.