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

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

3. Media types

4. 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.

5. Potassium Permanganate Media
Sulfur dioxide
5 % by weight
Formaldehyde
% 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

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

7. Specialty Impregnated Carbons
Acid impregnated carbons
Ammonia
16 % by weight
Amines
Sulfur & KI3 impregnated carbon
Mercury removal
15 % on a conservative basis

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

9. Zeolite
Best used in water filtration for removal of NH4 ions. ( aquarium)
Ammonia in air ( 3 % removal capacity )

10. Contaminant Loading Overview
KMnO4
Caustic Carbon
Sulfur Dioxide 4-5% %
Hydrogen Sulfide 11% %
KMnO Impregnated Carbon
Formaldehyde % 5 %

11. 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

13. 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

14. 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

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

16. HDPE Vessels - AIR FLOW 2000 CFM

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

18. 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.

19. Contaminants in Fuel Exhaust
Contaminant Pounds per 1000 Gallons of Fuel
Automobile Diesel Engines
Aldehydes
Carbon monoxide
Hydrocarbons
Oxides of nitrogen
Oxides of sulfur
Organic acids
Particulate

20. Contaminant Odor Thresholds
Aldehydes TLV, ppm odor threshold, ppm
Formaldehyde
Acrolein
Hydrocarbons
Toluene
Cyclohexane
Xylene

21. Contaminant Odor Thresholds
Oxides of nitrogen TLV, ppm odor threshold, ppm
Nitrogen dioxide
Nitric oxide
Oxides of sulfur
Sulfur dioxide
Organic acids
Acetic acid
Others
Hydrogen sulfide
Ozone

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

23. CHEMICAL WARFARE AGENTS
Building Protection
CHEMICAL WARFARE AGENTS

24. 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

25. 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 hours after exposure
Easily removed with coconut shell activated carbon

26. 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

27. 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

28. 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

29. 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. 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

31. 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

32. 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

33. 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

34. 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

35. Educate to Sustain