Effect of Water on Activity and Protective Properties of Catalysts Used in Respiratory Protective Equipment

Abstract

This chapter presents the results of the study on the water effect on the activity and protective properties of supported metal-complexes catalysts (SMCC) and manganese oxides intended for equipping personal respiratory protection equipment (PRPE) against toxic carbon monoxide and ozone. The problem is that many catalysts reduce or completely lose activity in conditions of high air humidity and do not ensure stable air purification from gaseous toxic substances to maximum permissible concentrations for the working area. The factors determining the effect of water are the water vapor adsorption, adsorbed water molecules protolysis, and dehydration of the carrier surface. The quantitative model is evaluated by the generalized thermodynamic parameter GTP, with which aid it is possible to predict the mechanism of formation and the catalytic-active complexes composition. The natural tripoli and acidic-modified clinoptilolite-based catalysts demonstrate steady CO protecting properties under the air-gas flow high humidity and are used for equipment PRPE.