Development of a photoreactive fabric filter for simultaneous removal of VOCs and fine particles

A fabric filter sampling system was manufactured by using a UV lamp and a plate-shape sample fabric coated with titanium dioxide (TiO₂) sol to develop a photoreacting fabric filter capable of simultaneously removing dust particles and volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) from contaminated air streams. Variations of pressure drop across the fabric as well as toluene vapor removal efficiency were investigated and examined with respect to various conditions such as the injection duration of dust-laden gas, the photocatalyst particle size, the toluene vapor load, and the photocatalyst load. Again, variations in air permeation and the tensile strength of fabrics with the photocatalyst load were measured and examined to determine the appropriation of nonwoven fabric as a supporter for the photocatalyst. The toluene removal efficiency of this new generation fabric filter was manifestly significant, and a possible deficiency in removal efficiency would be solved through the appropriate design and serial arrangement of a multichannel photoreactor consisting of fabric media coated with the photocatalyst.