The new patent of Airtecnics, based on natural principle of photocatalysis, consists on a depuration equipment composed by a turbine coated on titanium dioxide and a ultraviolet light that falls upon the fluids passing across the system. This solution could be applied to different type of turbines, adapting to such a different fluid as gases or water.
Photocatalysis is a natural principle of decontamination of nature. It’s a natural process safe for human being that imitates photosynthesis and accelerates a photoreaction through light action on a catalyst.
So, it’s about a photochemical reaction realising solar energy to chemical energy on a catalyst surface, in the case of Airtècnics' patent it is a metallic material semiconductor that accelerates the speed of reaction. During the process, reactions of oxidation and reduction take place. This way, most of environmental pollutants are eliminated.
Because of its characteristics, mineralizes the most of contaminants present in urban areas produced by industries and vehicles like carbon monoxides, nitrogen and sulphur oxides, as well as formaldehydes and other volatiles organic compounds.
Moreover, the conjunction of UV-A rays act on titanium dioxide generating reactive oxygen species. Those are Hydroxyl Radicals (like OH technology does) that inactivate a large range of organisms such a viruses, bacteria, or other pathogens, reducing them until nearly its totality. Likewise, decreases very significative way suspended contaminant particles.