EFFICACY OF ALKALI-SUPEROXIDE BEDS FOR BACTERIA REMOVAL FROM AIR.
Abstract
The feasibility and chemical behavior of potassium superoxide in thin-bed canisters were investigated. An experimental parametric study of the four variables of particle size flow rate, relative humidity, and bed depth was completed. General laboratory observations for thin-bed canisters showed: (1) Increasing relative humidity resulted in increasing carbon dioxide absorption and oxygen generation; (2) Increasing flow rate resulted in decreasing carbon dioxide absorption and increasing oxygen generation; (3) Increasing bed depth resulted in increasing carbon dioxide absorption and decreasing oxygen generation; (4) Increasing mesh (surface area) resulted in increasing oxygen generation but had no apparent effect on carbon dioxide absorption; The efficacy of the thin-bed superoxide canister toward bacteria (Serratia Marcescens) in an air stream was shown to be predominantly a physical effect. Tests were conducted with an empty canister (control), an inert canister (CaSO4 or sand), and a potassium superoxide canister. The physical effect of the inert canister removed 63 to 84% of the bacteria from the air stream. The superoxide canister exhibited the same physical effect, while a chemical effect removed an additional 6 to 16% of the bacteria. The filtration effect of the thin-bed superoxide canister toward bacteria was considerably greater than any chemical effect. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1966
- Accession Number
- AD0648309
Entities
People
- R. C. Evans
- S. J. Burdick
Organizations
- Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory