• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.20-31
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• 2008

A respirator is useful to protect a worker from the harmful gases and vapors in the workplace, and the evaluation of respirator cartridge service life is important for the worker's health and safety. The performance of cartridge is effected by several factors such as concentration of gas and vapor, humidity, temperature, adsorbents and cartridge packing density. Adsorption model was applied to both sampling tube and respirator cartridge to predict the service life for organic vapors. The variables of the adsorption model were measured from the experiment with the sampling tube, and it was used to predict the service life of respirator cartridge. In the experiment, we used carbon tetrachloride as a organic vapor and activated carbon take out respirator cartridge as activated carbon. As a result, it was possible to predict the service life of respirator cartridge and predicted service life was quite correct. Breakthrough time decreased with increase of CCl4 concentration. In case of sampling tube, adsorbed amount of CCl4 was larger than respirator cartridge due to linear velocity. Also, rate constant of sampling tube was larger than respirator cartridge, because of, effect of flow rate, packing density. In the prediction of service life of respirator cartridge by using sampling tube, the time required for 50% contaminant breakthrough(${\tau}$) is more effective than the rate constant(k').

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.72-78
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• 1996

The breakthrough curves of a sampling tube were studied to predict the service life of a respirator cartridge for organic vapors. The fixed bed adsorption model was applied to respirator cartridge and it's variables were calculated from tile experiment of sampling tube. By the experiment and simulation, it was possible to predict the service life of a respirator cartridge, however, not adequate at low $CCl_4$ concentration less than 700ppm and at high air humidify. The breakthrough curves of sampling tube were irregular compare to that of respirator cartridge due to .packing density.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.89-95
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• 1996

To predict the service life of an organic vapor respirator cartridge, the breakthrough curve of respirator was simulated using a fixed-bed adsorption model and compared with that of sampling tube. And the effects of bed porosity, length to diameter ratio and flow rate of the sampling tube were studied. The life time of respirator cartridge was increased with the decrease of particle size and bed porosity. And the breakthrough time of sampling tube was affected by the flow rate, however not by the length to diameter ratio. The 10% breakthrough time of the sampling tube was corresponded with that of cartridge.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.19-31
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• 1999

Most breakthrough tests are conducted at higher concentration levels compared to those in the field of air-purifying respirator applications. For example, typical challenge concentrations for breakthrough tests agains tcarbon tetrachloride are ranged between 250-1000 ppm although applicable concentrations range for air-purifying cartridge is 5-50 ppm for carbon tetrachloride. However, no guarantee has been made that isotherms derived from the experiment at high challenge concentrations could estimate adsorption capacity at the lower concentration range where workers wear usually air-purifying respirators. Three models of adsorption isotherms (Freundlich, Langmuir and Dubinin/Radushkevich(D/R) isotherms) that have been commonly applied for respirator cartridge testing were evaluated. Adsorption capacity at each challenge concentration was calculated from the Reaction Kinetic equation fitted for the breakthrough data. These data were used for derivation of three isotherms. In general, the D/R isotherm has given the best agreement between estimated adsorption capacities and experimentally measured. If the challenge concentration of 100 ppm is included for derivation of models, Freundlich and D/R models could succes sfully produced good estimations for adsorption capacities at 50 ppm level. Estimated adsorption capacities by both models ranged in 94 - 109 % of the experimentally measured. However, Langmuir model gives underes timation in all cases.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.84-91
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• 2000

The adsorption characteristics of a respirator cartridge is affected by the kind of adsorbent, concentration of organic vapor, humidity and packing density of cartridge. In this study, activated carbon fiber(ACF) instead of activated carbon is used as a adsorbent of cartridges for the removement of organic vapor and the adsorption characteristics were examined. ACF made of cellulose showes high efficiency for the removal of carbon tetrachloride and the adsorption capacity was 0.569g/g ACF at 450 ppm. The relative humidity dose not affected to the adsorbed amount and Langmuir Isotherm was more adequate than Freundlich Isotherm for this adsorption phenomena.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.55-66
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• 1996

This study was conducted to evaluate breakthrough characteristics of respirator cartridge using multi-organic vapors, including carbon tetrachloride, trichloroethylene, and toluene. The organic vapors were used as single phase, binary system, and ternary system. The results are summarized as follows. 1. Organic vapors studied were 1,000 ppm, 750 ppm, 500 ppm and 250 ppm in single phase. Carbon tetrachloride having the highest molecular weight showed the breakthrough first, and breakthrough sequency by organic vapor was dependent on its molecular weight. The 10% breakthrough times at 1,000 ppm of organic vapor were 97 minutes for carbon tetrachloride, 129 minutes for trichloroethylene and 135 minutes for toluene. 2. When concentrations of organic vapors were at levels of the Threshold Limit Values, the lives of the respirator cartridges were 122 hours in carbon tetrachloride, 18 hours in trichloroethylene and 28 hours in toluene. 3. In the binary system at a total concentration of 1,000 ppm with carbon tetrachloride and trichloroethylene, breakthrough times ranged from 104 minutes to 125 minutes, which were longer than 97 minutes in a single phase (1,000 ppm) for carbon tetrachloride, but shorter than breakthrough times for TCE and Toluene. 4. Breakthrough times in the binary system with carbon tetrachloride and toluene were 131~132 minutes. 5. Breakthrough times in the ternary system with carbon tetrachloride, toluene, and trichloroethyl ene were $120{\pm}8$ minutes, which were longer than 97 minutes in the single phase (1,000 ppm) for carbon tetrachloride, equal to 129 minutes for trichloroethylene, and shorter than 135 minutes for toluene. Those were almost similar to $124{\pm}9$ minutes of breakthrough times in the binary systems.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.204-215
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• 2008

Many researches for service-life of chemical cartridges of respirators have been performed in many countries. On the result of these researches a few softwares programs were eventually developed to be used. In spite of that, it is difficult to apply these researches and softwares practically in the work spot because of too many factors that influence on service-life of chemical cartridges. This study was the first of two conducted for the purpose of developing program for estimating exchange period or service-life of chemical cartridges available feasibly in the workplaces. Collecting plan of cartridges discarded after use is in principle that three cartridges from three workers at a time, three steps of 1/2 exchange time due to smelling, just routine exchange time and 1.2 to 1.3 expanded time of routine exchange, total nine cartridges are collected in the same job site. 33 cartridges for organic vapor were collected in paint spray process of ship yard and paint factory, and 6 cartridges for acid were collected in plating process. These cartridges were analysed the remaining breakthrough time in 3M Innovation Center. Challenge vapor and breakthrough concentration were complied with Korean regulation for chemical cartridge respirators. Estimated breakthrough time was determined from previously used time plus breakthrough time for the remaining. Exchange period of cartridge would be the shortest time among three estimated breakthrough times. On the result breakthrough time for organic vapor was found to be relatively easily estimated, but that for acid aerosol or vapor was difficult to be confident. Even though this method was difficult to be precisely predicted exchange period of cartridge, it could be an alternative program practically available in the job site.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.102-112
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• 2009

The greatest concern of vapor/gas respirators is when to exchange chemical cartridges, but it is very difficult to estimate the breakthrough time of them in the workplace spot due to so many factors influencing on breakthrough. There needs to study on estimating cartridge exchange period available practically in the spot, even if it is not precise. In the previous study, authors suggested the method on estimating service-life of chemical cartridges using cartridges discarded after use. This followed study was to estimate exchange period for chemical cartridges using comparison of concentrations between Korean Occupational Exposure Limits (KOELs) and odor thresholds of chemicals. Chemicals were divided into four groups, I, II, III and IV groups. Group I chemicals are relatively safe if cartridges are just or slightly delayed exchanged when smelling since odor thresholds were less than 0.5 times KOELs. Odor threshold of Group II chemicals are 0.5~2.0 times KOELs and potentially hazardous if cartridges are exchanged when smelling. Those chemicals should be conducted program on estimating service-life of cartridges, which was just previously published (J Kor Soc Occup Environ Hyg 2008;18(3) 204-215). Group III chemicals (odor thresholds are more than 2.0 times KOELs) and Group IV chemicals (odorless or no data for smelling) must be performed the above mentioned program before cartridges. Even if this method on cartridge exchange using odor threshold is practically widely used in the workplace spot in the present, program on estimating service-life of cartridges is recommended for all chemicals to reduce potentially hazards.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.84-89
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• 1996

The adsorption characteristics of active carbon used as a cartridge filler of organic vapor respirator were examined by humidity, particle size, challenge concentration and specific surface area. As a result, the 1% breakthrough time of Carbon Tetrachloride($CCl_4$) was decreased with increase of relative humidity, challenge concentration and particle size (0.6～2.0mm) of active carbon. The adsorbed amount of $CCl_4$ was about 1. 1mg/$m^2$ at RH 40% and 0. 5mg/$m^2$ at RH 80% . However in the case of prehumidified active carbon, humidity did not affected to 1% breakthrough time up to RH 40%.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.50-56
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• 2011

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.