(536d) Low Temperature Co Oxidation Using Microfibrous Entrapped Catalysts for Fire Escape Mask Application

Prime reason for deaths in fire is not the fire itself but poisoning caused due to carbon monoxide. It has been reported by the American Medical Association that, every year 2100 deaths and 10000 injuries occur due to CO poisoning. The research work undertaken here deals with development of high contacting efficiency microfibrous entrapped catalysts to remove carbon monoxide for fire escape mask application. Microfibrous materials are a special class of catalysts that entrap micro-sized (10-250 micron) catalyst particles in micron sized (2-20 micron) wires. This approach enables high contacting efficiency with lower pressure drop. This paper presents development of catalyst, the dynamics of CO oxidation as observed in microfibrous beds, hysteresis effects, moisture enhancement of catalytic activity and self-sustained oscillations. The paper compares the performance attributes of microfibrous bed with packed beds that are being used in commercial products now. The results obtained show that, ten times reduction in catalyst mass and four-fold reduction in pressure drop could be caused by these materials.