Adsorbent Combination for Fire and Industrial Escape Filters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current escape filter devices either focus on protecting against carbon monoxide or industrial gases, failing to combine both functionalities effectively, and existing adsorbent combinations often compromise on gas absorption capacity due to impregnation of activated carbon, which reduces its effectiveness for other gases.
Innovation Solution
An adsorbent combination of non-impregnated activated carbon and an oxide mixture with greater than 40% manganese(IV) dioxide and 20% copper(II) oxide, where the activated carbon is placed upstream of the oxide mixture, achieving both ABEK and CO performance standards with optimized water content to minimize moisture transfer and enhance gas retention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If activated carbon is impregnated with hygroscopic substances to extend hopcalite service life, then CO protection duration is improved, but adsorption capacity for other gases (ABEK gases) deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The filter is divided into two separate layers: an activated carbon layer for adsorbing ABEK gases and an oxide mixture layer for catalyzing CO oxidation. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function without interference, preventing the activated carbon from being impregnated with hygroscopic substances that would reduce its adsorption capacity for organic gases and vapors.
Solution Approach 2:
The activated carbon layer acts as an intermediary protective layer upstream of the oxide mixture layer. It adsorbs water vapor and other gases before they reach the oxide mixture, thereby protecting the oxide mixture from moisture without requiring impregnation of the activated carbon with hygroscopic substances.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a filter combines both fire escape (CO protection) and industrial escape (ABEK gas protection) functionalities, then versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines fire escape functionality (CO protection via oxide mixture) and industrial escape functionality (ABEK gas protection via activated carbon) into a single filter device. The two adsorbent layers are arranged in series, allowing the filter to meet both EN 403/ANSI/ISEA 110 (fire escape) and DIN 58647-7 (industrial escape) standards simultaneously without requiring multiple separate filters.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter device achieves multi-functionality by incorporating both activated carbon for ABEK gas adsorption and oxide mixture for CO catalysis in a single unit. This universal design allows the same filter to protect against both fire-related CO exposure and industrial gas exposure, eliminating the need for separate specialized filters.
3Reliability
If activated carbon water content is increased to reduce moisture transfer to oxide mixture, then oxide mixture activity is preserved, but gas absorption capacity for activated carbon deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The activated carbon is designed with low water content (below 3% by weight) and is not impregnated with hygroscopic substances. This creates a relatively simple, non-complex material that prioritizes its primary adsorption function over long-term moisture management, accepting that it may need replacement sooner rather than maintaining high water content to preserve oxide mixture activity indefinitely.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This combination achieves balanced gas retention times for CO, H2S, HCN, SO2, NH3, and other pollutants, meeting stringent standards with a minimized adsorbent volume, improving the overall performance and reducing the need for excessive adsorbent material.
Implementation Method 1
The water content of the activated carbon is important for the adsorption properties of the adsorbent combination, since due to the hygroscopic properties of the oxide mixture, the moisture present in the activated carbon is practically completely transferred to the oxide mixture within a short time
Implementation Method 2
Hopcalite catalyzes the oxidation of toxic carbon monoxide (CO) to carbon dioxide (CO2) by (atmospheric) oxygen (O2) at room temperature
Implementation Method 3
Hopcalite catalyzes the oxidation of toxic carbon monoxide (CO) to carbon dioxide (CO2) by (atmospheric) oxygen (O2) at room temperature
Implementation Method 4
The activated carbon grains are connected to each other using an adhesive
Data Source
AI summary
The subject matter of the invention is a combination of adsorbents for filters of combined fire and industrial emergency filter escape devices in accordance with EN 403 and ANSI/ISEA 110 and also DIN 58647-7, each comprising a layer of non-impregnated activated carbon and an oxide mixture, a respirator filter comprising the combination of adsorbents, and use of the respirator filter and of the combination of adsorbents. The activated carbon layer is arranged upstream of the layer of the oxide mixture in the direction of flow, wherein the activated carbon has a water content of < 3% by weight.