Application of Gas Adsorption Kinetics I. A Theoretical Model for Respirator Cartridge Service Life

TLDR

The study develops a new theoretical model based on gas adsorption kinetics to predict contaminant vapor breakthrough on solid sorbents. The model derives theoretical expressions and breakthrough curves for respirator cartridge service life across various contaminants and concentrations, and compares them with prior Mecklenburg and Wheeler formulations. The new model accurately reproduces experimental breakthrough curves from 0 % to 100 % and outperforms earlier theories, offering a simpler, more practical tool for industrial hygiene.

Abstract

Using the principles of gas adsorption kinetics, we have developed a new theoretical model addressing the adsorption and breakthrough of contaminant vapors or gases with respect to solid sorbents. Specifically, we have applied the theory to predict respirator cartridge service life in connection with individual contaminant exposure to toluene, vinyl chloride, ethyl acetate, and each of several different trichlorinated hydrocarbons at several levels of concentration. Theoretical expressions and contaminant breakthrough curves derived from our new approach are compared with those published previously by Mecklenburg and by Wheeler. The breakthrough curves derived by Mecklenburg and by Wheeler have approximately the same shape as the corresponding experimental curves for 0% to 40% breakthrough. However, these curves deviate in varying degrees from the experimental data at breakthrough values exceeding 40%. By contrast, our new theory agrees with published experimental results over the entire range of 0% to 100% breakthrough. The new model not only agrees with experimental observation, it is also less complicated and easier to apply to practical industrial hygiene problems than theories developed previously.