MECCATECH

TASK 1 – Identify the problemProblem: Turin’s urban pollution

In particular

Porta Nuova Area: • Slowed traffic in many surrounding streets • Approximately 1500-2500 cars per hour between 7:40 and 8:40

Photo taken on Geoportale di Torino

Target GroupsResidents and workers

Car Bus On foot

Emissions: 1.4 Kg 0.85 Kg 0 Kg

Distance: 8.1 Km 9.8 Km 1.8 Km

Averange daily data

Photo taken on www.aironhealth.com

How does it work?• The light, natural or artificial,

activate the photocatalyst (TiO2)

• Titanium dioxide form the reactant molecules to oxygen

• These reagents (ROS) in contact with the pollutants transforming them into CO2 and H2O neutralize

Task 2 – Solution: PhotocatalysisWhat is it?

• A photochemical process similar to photosynthesis

• An accelerator of natural oxidation processes

How to apply?

Possible applications

Asphalt Paints Plants

Asphalts

Photo taken on www.senini.it – Modified

Main features• 32 tons of pollutants are absorbed annually by 1 square kilometer

• the most important:nitrogen dioxide;carbon monoxide;particulate matter;Formaldehyde;Sulphur dioxide;benzene

• Average price is 25 € per square meter

The CNR is estimated that 1 m2 can get to remove about l '80% of the pollutants present in 80 m3 of air in just 1 hour

AsphaltsWhy use them? The main advantages

• They have an average life of 12 years compared with 7 of traditional asphalts

• Their cost is absorbed over time due to less maintenance

• The catalyst is not consumed and remains effective throughout the life of asphalt

• Annual deaths reduced by 180-300 units

• Public health expenditure reduced

PaintsWhy apply on our homes?

• Because their effects are equal to those of asphalts

• Why stay clean building exteriors

• Because their cost is slightly higher than that of conventional paints.

Photo taken on www.csbari.it

PlantsIt is possible to use plants as an alternative to paints

In less polluted places• Absorption capacity is less than asphalt and paints• Cheaper than asphalts and paints

Photo taken on www.fototoscana.it

The most effective are:

• Edera

• Dracena