3
3.0 OPERATION
A. The purifier, when installed properly and operated within
its design limitations, will effectively purify compressed
air at system pressure so that it can be utilized, after
appropriate pressure reduction, with respirators, hoods
and similar breathing apparatus. It will remove liquid and
solid contaminants, odors and many toxic gases including
carbon monoxide. (Traces of hydrogen sulfide, sulfur di-
oxide, nitrogen dioxide, and miscellaneous organic gases
[not methane]) Treated air purity either meets or exceeds
OSHA standard for breathing air (See Table 2.) Although
the purifier will eliminate the impurities commonly found
in compressed air, care should be exercised in the location
of the air compressor intake to avoid very high concen-
trations of impurities or unusual toxic contaminants from
being introduced into the system.
Occupational Safety and Health Regulations (1910.134d)
These regulations correspond to the Commodity
Specification for Air, Compressed Gas Association Inc. - (CGA
Specifications G-7.1 Type 1, Grade D).
(1) The OSHA standard also states that compressed breathing air shall meet at leat the
requirements for Type-1 Grade 2 breathing aire described in ANSI/Compressed Gas
Association Commodity Specification for Air ANSI/CGA G-7.1-1989.
(2) The CSA standard lists levels for a number of additional contaminants (methane. non-
methane hydrocarbons, nitrogen dioxide, nitrous oxide, halodenated hydrocarbons) and
includes by reference contaminants documented by the ACGIH for chemical substances and
physical agents in the workroom environment. The purifier will remove only those gaseous
contaminants normally adsorbable by activated carbon.
* At rated conditions, the purifier will reduce CO concentrations up to 400 PPM v/v to
below allowable limits.
** Since CO is converted to CO
2
by the purifier, high concentrations of CO in the system
and/or high concentrations of CO
2
at the compressor intake could result in exceeding
allowable Co
2
limits.
***Will remove gaseous hydrocarbons normally adsorbable by activated carbon.
B. Before and during operation, it is necessary to make
certain checks to insure satisfactory performance.
1. Check to see that lines downstream of the purifier
are clean and free of materials which could show up
at the point of use of the air.
2. Check to see that the filter and convertor are
installed level. This is necessary to insure adequate
drainage.
3. Check the flow, pressure, and temperature to insure
that the purifier is being operated within design
limitations.
4. Check Indicator - DO NOT OPEN PURIFIER OUTLET
ISOLATION VALVE IF UPPER INDICATOR BAND IS YELLOW.
a. With outlet isolation valve closed and purifier
pressurized, open indicator bleed valve until
upper indicator band turns green (approximately
5 minutes).
b. After upper indicator band has turned green,
close indicator bleed valve. (Note: A fixed orifice
will allow a small and continuous bleed of air to
flow through the indicator.)
c. Open outlet isolation valve to place purifier in
operation.
d. Low indicator band should gradually turn green
during operation.
e. Periodically (about every 30 minutes), check to
see that upper indicator band is green.
During this check, establish that indicator has
slight bleed flow.
f. When upper indicator band turns yellow,
convertor cartridge should be replaced.
g. Lower indicator band will begin to turn yellow
if cartridge is not replaced. Cartridge must be
replaced before lower indicator band turns
completely yellow to avoid toxic levels of carbon
monoxide from passing through the purifier.
TABLE 2
Contaminant
Maximum Allowable
Concentrations
Catalite Air
Purifier Outlet
Concentrations at
Rated Operating
Conditions
OSHA (1)
CSA (2)
Carbon Monoxide (CO)
PPM v/v
10
5
Normally
below 10*
Carbon Dioxide (CO
2
)
PPM v/v
1000
500
Normally below
1000**
Condensed
Hydrocarbons mg/m
3
5
1
0 to 0.2
Odor
Not Noticeable
Not Detectable
None***
Moisture Content
dew point temperature
10°F (5.6°C)
below ambient
temperature
(at 1 atm.
pressure)
9°F (5°C)
below the min.
temperature
breathing air
is exposed to
(at lime pressure)
-40°F (-40°C) at line pressure,
-71°F (-57°C) when purified
@ 100 psig and reduced to 1
atm. pressure acceptable for
life of cartridge