Grantee Research Project Results

Test Protocol for Evaluating Smog Reducing Roofing Tiles

EPA Grant Number: SU835533
Title: 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 (NO_x). This project will quantify NO_x 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 NO_x analyzer will measure the reduction of NO_x in the chamber occupied by a roof tile.

Expected Results:

The TiO₂ catalyst on the tiles will reduce the overall concentration of NO_x. Increasing light intensity, humidity, or residence time is expected to increase the rate of degradation of the NO_x. The weathering if the tile is expected to have a minimal effect on the rate reduction of NO_x. 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:

Final Report