Grantee Research Project Results
Test Protocol for Evaluating Smog Reducing Roofing Tiles
EPA Grant Number: SU835533Title: Test Protocol for Evaluating Smog Reducing Roofing Tiles
Investigators: Cocker, David , Cao, Calvin , Espinoza, Carlos , Nguyen, Duc , Chen, Vincent , Lichtenberg, William
Current Investigators: Cocker, David , Espinoza, Carlos , Liang, Chun-Yu , Rodriguez, Edwin , Moncayo, Jessica , Tam, Kawai , McCoy, Kelly , Lancaster, Louis
Institution: University of California - Riverside
EPA Project Officer: Packard, Benjamin H
Phase: I
Project Period: August 15, 2013 through August 14, 2014
Project Amount: $14,995
RFA: P3 Awards: A National Student Design Competition for Sustainability Focusing on People, Prosperity and the Planet (2013) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Pollution Prevention/Sustainable Development , P3 Challenge Area - Sustainable and Healthy Communities , P3 Awards , Sustainable and Healthy Communities
Objective:
Manufacturers of smog-reducing roof tiles do not have peer reviewed experimental data to support their claim that ceramic roof tiles coated with a titanium dioxide catalyst (TiO2) effectively remove air pollutants in the atmosphere, such as nitrogen oxides (NOx). This project will quantify NOx reduction of TiO2 coated roof tiles, and thus will make cost-benefit analysis and comparison with other control strategies possible.
Approach:
An environmental chamber will be deployed in an atmospheric processes laboratory for a controlled temperature, light, humidity study, residence time, surface loading of TiO2 study. A NOx analyzer will measure the reduction of NOx in the chamber occupied by a roof tile.
Expected Results:
The TiO2 catalyst on the tiles will reduce the overall concentration of NOx. Increasing light intensity, humidity, or residence time is expected to increase the rate of degradation of the NOx. The weathering if the tile is expected to have a minimal effect on the rate reduction of NOx. Green building applications include TiO2 impregnated walls or paints. Results will be used to explore additional green building applications of TiO2 based on the cost effectiveness, lifetime assessment, and environmental impacts of the smog-reducing roof tiles.
Supplemental Keywords:
air pollution control, criteria pollutant, green alternative, human welfare, sustainability, weather, innovative technology;Progress and Final Reports:
The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.