Generic Adsorptive Carbon Residual Life Indicator

Carbon based filtration technologies have several known modes of degradation and failure including adsorption of chemical contaminants, adsorption of environmental pollutants and operational interferents, repeated moisture condensation, and moisture vapor adsorption. In unknown hazardous environments, the ultimate End-of-Service-Life Indicator (ESLI)/Residual Life Indicator (RLI) for critical Individual Protection equipment is one that is capable of non-selectively detecting the adsorption of any chemical or biological agent in the various filter media used in these technologies. Leveraging on experience in the development and commercialization of agent-specific ESLIs and flow dynamics in filter media, a next-generation approach to RLI sensors will be adapted to respirator cartridges to monitor the performance capabilities of ASZM-TEDA carbon media independent of the type of agents present. This technology will lend itself to autonomous monitoring of respirator sorptive media and has the potential for being ruggedized for extensive field use in multiple filtration-based applications.