Molecular Filtration National Air Filtration Association Annual Convention

Molecular Filtration National Air Filtration Association Annual Convention September 19, 2008 Paula Levasseur, Cameron Great Lakes, Inc. .

Agenda � Media overview ◦ Types ◦ General loading capacity � Applications ◦ ◦ Industrial Preservation Commercial Specialty � System design ◦ Media selection ◦ System options

Media types

Activated Carbon � Activated carbon ◦ Coconut shell ◦ Coal �M W >50 and boiling points >120 F Depending upon the compound and its concentration in the airstream it can adsorb up to 33% of it’s own weight.

Potassium Permanganate Media � Broad Based oxidizer low molecular weight and low boilers. � Acid gases � Aldehydes � Sulfur dioxide � 5 % by weight � Formaldehyde � 2. 5 - 4 % by weight � Hydrogen sulfide � 11 % by weight � Nitric oxide � 2 -3 % by weight

Caustic Impregnated Carbons � Sulfur dioxide � 14 % by weight � Hydrogen sulfide � 14 % by weight � Acetic acid � Chlorine - high levels � 11 % by weight � Hydrogen cyanide � Fluorine, bromine

Specialty Impregnated Carbons � Acid impregnated carbons ◦ Ammonia � 16 % by weight ◦ Amines � 16 % by weight � Sulfur & KI 3 impregnated carbon ◦ Mercury removal � 15 % on a conservative basis

Specialty Impregnated Carbons � TEDA - KI (nuclear grade carbon) ◦ Radioactive iodides � ASZM-TEDA ◦ Phosgene, cyanogen chloride

Zeolite � Best used in water filtration for removal of NH 4 ions. ( aquarium) � Ammonia in air ( 3 % removal capacity )

Contaminant Loading Overview KMn. O 4 Caustic Carbon Sulfur Dioxide 4 -5% 14 - 15 % Hydrogen Sulfide 11% 14 - 15% KMn. O 4 Formaldehyde 2 -4% Impregnated Carbon 5%

Media Testing – Life test � Activated carbons ◦ Yes - butane working capacity (CTC) � Chemically impregnated carbons ◦ Some - using p. H testing � Potassium permanganate media ◦ Yes - KMn. O 4 and Mn. O 2 levels

Reactivation � Activated carbon – yes ◦ In HVAC systems not considered hazardous – ◦ Industrial – end user is responsible for determining hazard ( TCLP) �Could be a plus for Green Buildings � Potassium permanganate – no � Treated carbons – some � Blended media - no

Applications � Industrial ◦ Refineries, pulp & paper mills ◦ Paint spray booths ◦ Chemical plants � Preservation ◦ Libraries archives and museums � Commercial � Specialty applications ◦ Firing ranges ◦ Nail salons

Industrial � Generally lower air flow � High contaminant levels � Generally refillable � Deeper bed depths Serpentine filter 1000 cfm

HDPE Vessels - AIR FLOW 2000 CFM

Preservation � Museums � Archives � Libraries � Nitrogen dioxide � Ozone � Sulfur dioxide � Formaldehyde SEE NAFA LAM GUIDELINE

Commercial � Hospitals - operating & ER rooms ◦ Removal of contaminants associated with fuel exhaust from helicopters and ambulances � Airports - control towers and passenger terminals Removal of contaminants associated with fuel exhaust from planes, and support vehicles � Office buildings ◦ Contaminants associated with outdoor air.

Contaminants in Fuel Exhaust Contaminant Pounds per 1000 Gallons of Fuel Automobile Aldehydes � Carbon monoxide � Hydrocarbons � Oxides of nitrogen � Oxides of sulfur � Organic acids � Particulate � 4 2300 200 113 9 4 12 Diesel Engines 10 60 136 222 40 31 110

Contaminant Odor Thresholds � Aldehydes ◦ Formaldehyde ◦ Acrolein � Hydrocarbons ◦ Toluene ◦ Cyclohexane ◦ Xylene TLV, ppm odor threshold, ppm 200 300 100 2. 14 -15 0. 41 0. 47 - 200 1. 0. 01 1. 0 0. 2 -15

Contaminant Odor Thresholds � Oxides ppm of nitrogen � Oxides of sulfur ◦ Nitrogen dioxide ◦ Nitric oxide ◦ Sulfur dioxide � Organic acids TLV, ppm odor threshold, 5. 0 25. 0 0. 3 - 1. 0 5. 0 0. 47 - 5. 0 ◦ Acetic acid 10. 0 0. 2 - 2. 4 ◦ Hydrogen sulfide ◦ Ozone 20. 0 0. 1 0. 00047 - 4. 6 0. 1 � Others

Specialty Applications � Mercury removal ◦ Fluorescent light bulbs ◦ Dental office � Radioactive iodides ◦ Nuclear power plants � Gluteraldehyde ◦ Sterilization agent in hospital and dental offices

Building Protection CHEMICAL WARFARE AGENTS

Chemical Warfare Blister Agents � Lewisite and mustard ( HL) (garlic) ◦ Damages skin, eyes and respiratory tract � Nitrogen mustards (hn-1 fishy, -2 fruity, -3 odorless) ◦ Damages skin, eyes and respiratory tract � Sulfur mustards (H, HD, HT) odorless) (garlic to ◦ Damages skin, eyes and respiratory tract. May suppress the immune system. � Not generally fatal – easily removed with coconut shell carbon

Chemical Warfare Nerve Agents � Tabun � Sarin � Soman GA ( slight fruit odor) GB ( near odorless) GD (camphor odor) ◦ Volatile. Immediate threat but short lived. Death can occur within 15 minutes � VX (odorless) ◦ Least volatile of the agents and the most potent. Persistent in the environment. Death may occur from 4 - 42 hours after exposure � Easily removed with coconut shell activated carbon

Chemical Warfare Blood Agents � Cyanogen chloride ( CK ) weak bitter almond odor ◦ The most difficult to remove. It requires the use of a treated carbon ASZM-TEDA. (Calgon carbon product) � Hydrogen cyanide (AC) ( bitter almonds) ◦ Can be removed with caustic impregnated carbons �Cyanide is most dangerous in enclosed areas. Exposure may come from ingestion as well as breathing of the vapors

BUILDING PROTECTION � Carbon Filters installed in an HVAC system do not offer adequate protection from a chemical threat. � BIBO housings are required for proper protection. Air flow rated at 250 FPM. � Safe rooms � Multidiciplinary approach ◦ Detection ◦ Sealing ◦ Filtration

System Design � Media selection �Contaminant �Target contaminant - single �Target contaminants – multiple � Removal capacity ◦ Determine change out frequency � Removal efficiency required � Pressure drop requirements � Ambient conditions

Filter Selections - Partial Bypass � Disposable impregnated synthetic media ◦ ◦ Reasonable cost Minimal media weight Low pressure drop Efficiencies around 30 % � Disposable granular honeycomb filters ◦ Slightly higher cost ◦ More substantial media weight ◦ Pressure drop varies with fill ◦ Efficiencies ranging from 30 - 50 %

Partial By-pass � Recommended where low level intermittent contaminants are present � Not generally recommended in a one pass situation if high removal efficiencies are required � If applied correctly they can be effective in reducing odors to an acceptable level

Full Retention - Disposable � Synthetic media (various types) ◦ Some have high efficiencies ◦ Limited media weight ◦ Some non- dusting ◦ Pressure drop varies with design ◦ Specialty media available � Bulk fill ◦ High efficiency ◦ Substantial media weight ◦ Some dusting does occur ◦ Pressure drop under. 5 ◦ Specialty media available

Full Retention - Disposable � Easily retrofit - fit into standard particulate filter housings � Handle easily � Take less space � Cost effectiveness - ◦ Up front less expensive ◦ Replacements may turn out to be more expensive over years

Full Retention - Refillable � Front ◦ ◦ ◦ and side access carbon housings 70 and 90 #’s of carbon per 2000 cfm Specialty media is available High efficiencies - long life Initial equipment cost - high Requires more room Replacement media cost - low �Carbon may be recycled

Conclusion � Review potential contaminants ◦ Critical nature �Nerve agents vs. Diesel odors � Determine � Select possible media selections filter type ◦ Efficiency vs. breakthrough ◦ Disposable vs. refillable �End user choice �Cost considerations � Keep future maintenance and change out in mind

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