Industrial chimneys are one of the largest contributors to air pollution, releasing a wide range of harmful gases and fine particulate matter into the atmosphere. These emissions significantly degrade environmental quality and contribute to long-term public health risks such as respiratory diseases and cardiovascular complications. Traditional air pollution control devices used in industrial exhaust systems, including electrostatic precipitators and bag filters, often struggle with high operational costs, frequent maintenance, and performance deterioration at elevated temperatures. To overcome these challenges, this study explores the potential of titanium filters constructed from titanium dioxide (TiO₂) threads as a novel, efficient, and cost-effective solution. TiO₂ is well recognized for its exceptional heat resistant and chemically stable properties, which make it ideal for withstanding the harsh and corrosive conditions inside chimneys. More importantly, its unique photocatalytic activity allows the breakdown of toxic gases such as nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into less harmful by-products like carbon dioxide (CO₂) and water (H₂O). Unlike conventional methods that merely capture pollutants, this system actively transforms them, thereby ensuring a more comprehensive strategy to reduce factory pollution. The proposed filter is designed for periodic replacement, allowing industries to maintain efficiency while minimizing costs. Laboratory and simulation-based evaluations indicate a significant reduction in both gaseous emissions and suspended particulates when TiO₂-based filters are integrated into chimney systems. These findings suggest that titanium-based filters not only extend filter durability but also promote sustainable filtration practices. Overall, the technology shows great promise in supporting cleaner industrial operations and helping to protect the environment for future generations.

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1. 1.       Seinfeld JH, Pandis SN. Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics. 3rd ed. Hoboken: Wiley; 2016.
2. Cooper CD, Alley FC. Air Pollution Control: A Design Approach. 4th ed. Long Grove: Waveland Press; 2011.
3. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Reducing Air Pollution from Residential Wood Smoke [Internet]. Washington, DC: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; 2021 [cited 2025 Aug 14]. Available from: https://www.epa.gov/burnwise
4. World Health Organization (WHO). Air Pollution and Its Impact on Human Health [Internet]. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2020 [cited 2025 Aug 14]. Available from: https://www.who.int/health-topics/air-pollution#tab=tab_1
5. McCook DK. Chimney Filters – Design and Construction Considerations. In: Proceedings of the ASDSO Annual Conference; 1997; Pittsburgh, PA.
6. National Clean Air Program (NCAP), Government of India. Guidelines for Reducing Air Pollution from Household Emissions. New Delhi: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change; 2021.
7. International Organization for Standardization (ISO). ISO 16890: Air Filter Testing and Classification. Geneva: ISO; 2018.
8. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Sixth Assessment Report on Climate Change and Air Pollution. Geneva: IPCC; 2021.
9. Nazaroff WW, Alvarez-Cohen L. Environmental Engineering Science. 2nd ed. Hoboken: Wiley; 2022.
10. Chae M, Chung B. Heat transfer effects of chimney height, diameter, and Prandtl number. Int Commun Heat Mass Transfer. 2015; 67:48-54.

Industrial chimneys are one of the largest contributors to air pollution, releasing a wide range of harmful gases and fine particulate matter into the atmosphere. These emissions significantly degrade environmental quality and contribute to long-term public health risks such as respiratory diseases and cardiovascular complications. Traditional air pollution control devices used in industrial exhaust systems, including electrostatic precipitators and bag filters, often struggle with high operational costs, frequent maintenance, and performance deterioration at elevated temperatures. To overcome these challenges, this study explores the potential of titanium filters constructed from titanium dioxide (TiO₂) threads as a novel, efficient, and cost-effective solution. TiO₂ is well recognized for its exceptional heat resistant and chemically stable properties, which make it ideal for withstanding the harsh and corrosive conditions inside chimneys. More importantly, its unique photocatalytic activity allows the breakdown of toxic gases such as nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into less harmful by-products like carbon dioxide (CO₂) and water (H₂O). Unlike conventional methods that merely capture pollutants, this system actively transforms them, thereby ensuring a more comprehensive strategy to reduce factory pollution. The proposed filter is designed for periodic replacement, allowing industries to maintain efficiency while minimizing costs. Laboratory and simulation-based evaluations indicate a significant reduction in both gaseous emissions and suspended particulates when TiO₂-based filters are integrated into chimney systems. These findings suggest that titanium-based filters not only extend filter durability but also promote sustainable filtration practices. Overall, the technology shows great promise in supporting cleaner industrial operations and helping to protect the environment for future generations.

🔒 This is a subscription article

Full text is available to subscribers and institutional members. Please choose an option below to access it.

1. 1.       Seinfeld JH, Pandis SN. Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics. 3rd ed. Hoboken: Wiley; 2016.
2. Cooper CD, Alley FC. Air Pollution Control: A Design Approach. 4th ed. Long Grove: Waveland Press; 2011.
3. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Reducing Air Pollution from Residential Wood Smoke [Internet]. Washington, DC: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; 2021 [cited 2025 Aug 14]. Available from: https://www.epa.gov/burnwise
4. World Health Organization (WHO). Air Pollution and Its Impact on Human Health [Internet]. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2020 [cited 2025 Aug 14]. Available from: https://www.who.int/health-topics/air-pollution#tab=tab_1
5. McCook DK. Chimney Filters – Design and Construction Considerations. In: Proceedings of the ASDSO Annual Conference; 1997; Pittsburgh, PA.
6. National Clean Air Program (NCAP), Government of India. Guidelines for Reducing Air Pollution from Household Emissions. New Delhi: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change; 2021.
7. International Organization for Standardization (ISO). ISO 16890: Air Filter Testing and Classification. Geneva: ISO; 2018.
8. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Sixth Assessment Report on Climate Change and Air Pollution. Geneva: IPCC; 2021.
9. Nazaroff WW, Alvarez-Cohen L. Environmental Engineering Science. 2nd ed. Hoboken: Wiley; 2022.
10. Chae M, Chung B. Heat transfer effects of chimney height, diameter, and Prandtl number. Int Commun Heat Mass Transfer. 2015; 67:48-54.