PTR-MS Assessment of Photocatalytic and Sorption-Based Purification of Recirculated Cabin Air during Simulated 7-h Flights with High Passenger Density

Armin Wisthaler,*† Peter Strøm-Tejsen,‡ Lei Fang,‡ Timothy J. Arnaud,§ Armin Hansel,† Tilmann D. MÄrk,† and David P. Wyon‡
Institut fr Ionenphysik, Leopold-Franzens-Universitt Innsbruck, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria, International Centre for Indoor Environment and Energy, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark, and Boeing Commercial Airplane Group, P.O. Box 3707, MC 02-WH, Seattle, Washington 98124
Environ. Sci. Technol., 2007, 41 (1), pp 229–234
DOI: 10.1021/es060424e
Publication Date (Web): November 23, 2006
Copyright © 2007 American Chemical Society
*

 Corresponding author phone:  +43 512 507 6249; fax:  +43 512 507 2932; e-mail:  armin.wisthaler@uibk.ac.at.

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†

 Leopold-Franzens-Universität Innsbruck.

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‡

 Technical University of Denmark.

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§

 Boeing Commercial Airplane Group.

Abstract

Four different air purification conditions were established in a simulated 3-row 21-seat section of an aircraft cabin:  no air purifier; a photocatalytic oxidation unit with an adsorptive prefilter; a second photocatalytic unit with an adsorptive prefilter; and a two-stage sorption-based air filter (gas-phase absorption and adsorption). The air purifiers placed in the cabin air recirculation system were commercial prototypes developed for use in aircraft cabin systems. The four conditions were established in balanced order on 4 successive days of each of 4 successive weeks during simulated 7-h flights with 17 occupants. Proton-transfer reaction mass spectrometry was used to assess organic gas-phase pollutants and the performance of each air purifier. The concentration of most organic pollutants present in aircraft cabin air was efficiently reduced by all three units. The photocatalytic units were found to incompletely oxidize ethanol released by the wet wipes commonly supplied with airline meals to produce unacceptably high levels of acetaldehyde and formaldehyde.

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History

  • Published In Issue January 01, 2007
  • Received for review February 22, 2006
    Revised manuscript received October 6, 2006
    Accepted October 13, 2006

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