Determination of Pressure Drop Across Activated Carbon Fiber (ACF) Respirator Filters and Cartridges Grant uri icon

abstract

  • Activated carbon fibers (ACF) are considered as good alternative adsorbents to granular activated carbon (GAC) for the development of thinner, light-weight and efficient respirators because of their larger surface area and adsorption capacities, thinner critical bed depth, lighter weight and fabric form. To further investigate the possible application of ACFs in respiratory protection, the pressure drop across ACFs in respirator cartridges and filters must be investigated to determine the optimum dimensions (thickness and area) and density of ACF that will result to acceptably breathable respirators. The purpose of this research study is to investigate the pressure resistance across two (2) forms of activated carbon fibers (ACF) in realistic respirator cartridges and filters. The specific aims of this study are to characterize commercially available ACFs by form and fiber organization, and to determine the pressure drop across ACF respirator cartridges and filters using constant air flows and sinusoidal air flows. The organization of the ACF?s individual fibers, particularly the weaving tightness, will be visualized using light microscopy. The ACF materials in cartridges and filters will be challenged with pre-conditioned constant or sinusoidal air flows at different adsorbent densities (g/cm3) and composition (ACF cloth, ACF cloth or combination) in a test chamber. The constant air flow will be set at 85 LPM, while the sinusoidal air flow will be set at 5 different sinusoidal patterns that will simulate realistic breathing patterns. In both constant and sinusoidal air flows, the pressure drop across the ACF cartridges/filters will be determined. The obtained data on pressure drop will be compared among the different cartridge and filter types and compared to the NIOSH requirements in breathing resistance testing for respirator cartridges to determine the ACF density and composition that may result to the best respirator cartridge and filter designs with acceptable breathing resistance.

date/time interval

  • August 2012 - June 2014