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

Agenda Media overview Applications System design 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 Sulfur dioxide 5 % by weight Formaldehyde 2.5 - 4 % by weight Hydrogen sulfide 11 % by weight Nitric oxide 2 -3 % by weight Broad Based oxidizer low molecular weight and low boilers. Acid gases Aldehydes

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

Specialty Impregnated Carbons Acid impregnated carbons Ammonia 16 % by weight Amines Sulfur & KI3 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 NH4 ions. ( aquarium) Ammonia in air ( 3 % removal capacity )

Contaminant Loading Overview KMnO4 Caustic Carbon Sulfur Dioxide 4-5% 14 - 15 % Hydrogen Sulfide 11% 14- 15% KMnO4 Impregnated Carbon Formaldehyde 2 - 4 % 5 %

Media Testing – Life test Activated carbons Yes - butane working capacity (CTC) Chemically impregnated carbons Some - using pH testing Potassium permanganate media Yes - KMnO4 and MnO2 levels

Reactivation Activated carbon – yes Potassium permanganate – no 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 Preservation Commercial Specialty applications 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 Nitrogen dioxide Museums Ozone Archives Sulfur dioxide Formaldehyde Museums Archives Libraries 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 Diesel Engines Aldehydes 4 10 Carbon monoxide 2300 60 Hydrocarbons 200 136 Oxides of nitrogen 113 222 Oxides of sulfur 9 40 Organic acids 4 31 Particulate 12 110

Contaminant Odor Thresholds Aldehydes TLV, ppm odor threshold, ppm Formaldehyde 1.0 1.0 Acrolein .01 0.2 -15 Hydrocarbons Toluene 200 2.14-15 Cyclohexane 300 0.41 Xylene 100 0.47 - 200

Contaminant Odor Thresholds Oxides of nitrogen TLV, ppm odor threshold, ppm Nitrogen dioxide 5.0 5.0 Nitric oxide 25.0 0.3 - 1.0 Oxides of sulfur Sulfur dioxide 5.0 0.47 - 5.0 Organic acids Acetic acid 10.0 0.2 - 2.4 Others Hydrogen sulfide 20.0 0.00047 - 4.6 Ozone 0.1 0.1

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

CHEMICAL WARFARE AGENTS Building Protection CHEMICAL WARFARE AGENTS

Chemical Warfare Blister Agents Lewisite and mustard ( HL) (garlic) Damages skin, eyes and respiratory tract Nitrogen mustards (hn-1fishy, -2 fruity, -3 odorless) Sulfur mustards (H, HD, HT) (garlic to odorless) 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 GA ( slight fruit odor) Sarin GB ( near odorless) Soman 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 Removal capacity 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 possible media selections Select filter type Efficiency vs.breakthrough Disposable vs. refillable End user choice Cost considerations Keep future maintenance and change out in mind

Educate to Sustain