Journal of Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers ISSN:1738-3692(Print) 2093-7709(Online) 한국농공학회논문집

This study evaluated the nitrogen oxide (NO_x) removal efficiency by air purification concrete blocks with titanium dioxide (TiO₂). The concrete in the mixtures had a 30% water:cement ratio, to which TiO₂ was added at 0%, 5%, and 10% of cement weight. The compressive strength reduction rate and removal efficiency of NO_x were investigated. The result of the compressive strength test in the study indicated that addition rate of TiO₂ did not lead to signifcant effect. In terms of the average removal efficiency of NO_x, mix No. 1 using a TiO₂ mixing ratio of 0% had a removal efficiency of 0.57% on average; thus, the removal effect was not significant. For the other samples prepared by mixing, the average removal efficiencies for mix No. 2 (5% TiO₂) were 58.86% and 62.05% for normal and washing surface treatments, respectively, and those of sample No. 3 (10% TiO₂) were 59.94% and 67.61%. mixs No. 4 (5%) and No. 5 (10%), in which TiO₂ diluted with distilled water was sprayed onto the block surface, had an average NO_x removal efficiency of 61.72% and 68.48%, respectively. In terms of NOx removal efficiency, Mixs No. 3 and No. 5 with 10% TiO₂ were better than Mixs No. 2 and No. 4 with 5% TiO₂. In addition, analyzing the NO_x removal efficiency results from the fixing method, it was capable to apply mixing (washing) and the diluted spray methods. Therefore, it was found that the diluted spray method applied in this study can be employed in any manufacture of air purification concrete blocks.