Air purification by road materials: results of the test project in Antwerp

Author(s): Anne Beeldens
Paper category : conference
Book title: International RILEM Symposium on Photocatalysis, Environment and Construction Materials - TDP 2007
Editor(s): P. Baglioni and L. Casssar
Print-ISBN: 978-2-35158-056-1
e-ISBN: 978-2-35158-057-8
Publisher: RILEM Publications SARL
Publication year: 2007
Pages: 187 - 194
Total Pages: 8
Language: English

Abstract: A project on environmental friendly concrete pavement blocks is conducted at the Belgian Road Research Centre. The use of photocatalytic material in the surface of pavement blocks to obtain air purifying materials is investigated. In presence of UV- light, TiO2 as photocatalyst, is able to reduce the NO and NO2 content in the air, caused by the exhaust of traffic.
The first part of the project concentrated on the behaviour of the material in the laboratory.
The parameters of the testing method are determined, as well as the behaviour of the material over time. The second part of the project concentrates in the translation of these laboratory results to real site measurements. A pilot project is started in Antwerp, at a main city road through the centre. 10 000 m² photocatalytic pavement blocks are placed. Measurements on the efficiency towards air purification of the pavement blocks are carried out.
This paper focuses on the environmental aspects of the types of materials, the mechanism of air purification. A review of the results obtained in the laboratory as well as the results from the site is given.

Online publication: 2011-07-01
Publication type : full_text
Public price (Euros): 0.00