Fraunhofer Future Foundation
Fraunhofer Future Foundation
© Fraunhofer, Markus Friemann/Illustration: Theresa Pfeiffer

© Fraunhofer, Markus Friemann/Illustration: Theresa Pfeiffer

CycloPlasma — sustainable remediation for contaminated wood surfaces

Why do we need a new solution?

All through the 1970s and 1980s, wooden structures inside buildings were treated with wood preservatives containing pentachlorophenol (PCP) and lindane to guard against mold, rot and insects. Xyladecor and Xylamon, two commonly used products, are now known to contain carcinogenic neurotoxins. Approximately 3 million residential and larger buildings in Germany are potentially contaminated with these substances. To prevent or at least mitigate harms to the health of building users, the treated wood is disposed of as hazardous waste, the contaminated areas are enclosed or isolated, or the rate of air exchange in the affected spaces is increased. However, these methods are not a sustainable solution from a health, energy, or historical preservation perspective.

© Fraunhofer IBP
Interior of the historical mill used for demonstrations at the Glentleiten Open Air Museum

Who will benefit from this new technology?

The CycloPlasma technology makes it possible to remove hazardous materials from these structures without leaving any residue behind. It balances protecting building users’ health with the economic interests of owners by preserving the substance of the building while also helping to preserve historical artifacts. The technology is to be used by renovation and remediation firms and developers in the future. In particular, it may help with remediation in designated historical public-sector buildings such as archives, documentation centers, and open-air museums. The buildings themselves were not the only things treated with wood preservatives containing harmful lindane and PCP; exhibits inside the buildings were preserved in the same way. This means the German federal, state, and local governments could all play an important role, leading the way in using this technology.

© Fraunhofer IBP
Adsorption of toxic substances such as lindane (top right) and pentachlorophenol (bottom right) by cyclodextrin (left) (top view)

How does the new solution work?

To remediate contaminated historical wood structures, a combination of two technologies is used. First, a liquid solution containing a capture molecule is applied to the wood surface. The ring-shaped cyclodextrins enclose the harmful substances in their hollow centers and encapsulate them in the wood. If the saturation of the solution applied is exceeded, a suction current arises, carrying the remaining substances out into the air. Once in the air, they are immediately deactivated because an air purifier based on plasma technology destroys the toxins (lindane and PCP in this case) with electrical current. This makes it possible to treat the wood and contaminated interior spaces sustainably, without leaving any residue behind, and without any adverse health effects. The name CycloPlasma represents the two cleaning processes involved.

 

What makes the project unique?

This project combines two established methods for the first time: adsorption technology, a method of detoxifying wood while preserving it from a historical preservation standpoint, and the plasma method of purifying indoor air by removing harmful substances that have already been emitted. This is also the first time the combined method is being used for applications in wood restoration.

© Fraunhofer, Markus Friemann
Project manager Dr. Andrea Burdack-Freitag from Fraunhofer IBP at the CycloPlasma booth at the BAU 2023 trade show

Why is the Fraunhofer Future Foundation supporting this project?

The CycloPlasma project provides a solution that removes contamination that is harmful to the environment and health from wooden structures inside buildings in a sustainable way. In this way, it balances the interests of society, industry, and the environment. The CycloPlasma method is completely new in the area of remediation, renovation, and modernization of historical buildings, tapping into a new market.

Project insights

© Fraunhofer IBP
Scientists at the research object in the Glentleiten Open-Air Museum
© Fraunhofer, Markus Friemann
Applying the cyclodextrin solution to a wooden surface
© Fraunhofer IBP
Demonstration object in the Glentleiten open-air museum
© Fraunhofer IBP
Dr. Andrea Burdack-Freitag from Fraunhofer IBP at the CycloPlasma stand at the “BAU 2023” trade fair

The "Wissenschaftssofa CycloPlasma"

Live from the research site “Freilichtmuseum Glentleiten” on March 7, 2024

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© © iStock/Illustration: Theresa Pfeiffer

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