Mechanisms of Activated Carbon Degradation by Perspiration.
Abstract
Sweat degradation of activated charcoal was studied by static and dynamic test methods. For the static tests, both untreated and treated charcoal was immersed in a synthetic sweat solution or an aqueous solution of the individual components of the synthetic sweat solution, dried at 70 C for 12 hours, and then exposed to carbon tetrachloride vapors in a desiccator to determine capacity. The ratio of treated charcoal pickup to untreated charcoal pickup was used as a measure of poisoning effects. Dynamic tests used a gas chromatograph column (1/2-in. O.D. by 6-in. long) packed with activated charcoal. Synthetic sweat solutions or solutions of the individual components were injected into the column to determine whether the charcoal would preferentially adsorb one or more components thus pinpointing the 'poisoning' material or materials present in synthetic sweat. Conclusions from the studies were that, other than loss of capacity of the charcoal due to water, no single component or components could be identified as 'poisoning materials.' Specific conclusions from the static test data were that pretreatment of charcoal with silicone, crown ether, or pH 7 buffer solution all were effective in moderating the reduction of carbon tetrachloride pick up due to exposure to synthetic sweat. This was probably because the pretreatments protected the charcoal from contact with water in the synthetic sweat solutions. Results of the gas chromatography studies were inconclusive. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 1977
- Accession Number
- ADA063587
Entities
People
- Louis L. Pytlewski
Organizations
- Drexel University