Journal of Environmental Health Sciences (한국환경보건학회지)

Korean Society of Environmental Health (한국환경보건학회)
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Effect of Airborne Organic Vapor Concentration Levels on the Adsorption Capacity of Charcoal in the Cartridges of Air Purifying Respirators

공기 중 유기용제 농도수준이 방독마스크 정화통의 활성탄 흡착용량에 미치는 영향

  • Park, Doo-Yong (Department of Mechanical Systems Engineering, Hansung University)
  • 박두용 (한성대학교 기계시스템공학과)
  • Received : 2010.12.21
  • Accepted : 2011.01.13
  • Published : 2011.02.28
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Abstract

The adsorption capacity of charcoal is a function of the airborne concentration of the target chemical. To evaluate the adsorption capacity of charcoal packed in the cartridges of air purifying respirators, breakthrough tests were conducted with carbon tetrachloride for three commercial cartridges (3M models #7251, #6000 and AX) at 25, 50, 100, 250 and 500 ppm. Adsorption capacities were calculated using a mass transfer balance equation derived from the curve fitting to the breakthrough curves obtained experimentally. Carbon micropore volumes were estimated by iteration to fit the Dubinin/Radushkevich (D/R) adsorption isotherm. They were 0.6566, 0.5727 and 0.3087 g/cc for #7251, #6000 and the AX cartridge, respectively. Above 100 ppm (at high challenge concentrations), #7251 and #6000 showed higher adsorption capacities. However, as the challenge concentration decreased, the adsorption capacities of #7251 and #6000 sharply dropped. On the other hand, the adsorption capacity of the AX cartridge showed little change with the decrease of the challenge concentration. Thus, the AX showed a higher adsorption capacity than #7251 and #6000 at the 5-50 ppm level. It is concluded that service-life tests of cartridges and adsorption capacity tests of charcoal should be conducted at challenge concentration levels reflecting actual working environmental conditions. Alternatively, it is recommended to use the D/R adsorption isotherm to extrapolate adsorption capacity at low concentration levels from the high concentration levels at which breakthrough tests are conducted, at a minimum of two different concentration levels.

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References

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