DEVELOPMENT OF IMPROVED CO(2) SCRUBBERS FOR USE IN RESPIRATORS

PHASE I OF THIS STUDY WILL VERIFY THE FEASIBILITY OF MAKING SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENTS IN CO(2) SCRUBBER MATERIALS TO ALLOW SAFE AND EFFECTIVE USE UNDER CONDITIONS OF HIGH METABOLIC ENERGY EXPENDITURE PRODUCING CO(2E EXHALATION RATES IN EXCESS OF 2 LITERS PER MINUTE. THE FEASIBILITY STUDY WILL EXAMINE TWO APPROACHES: (1) MODIFICATION OF CA(OH)(2)-BASED ABSORBENTS TO ALLOW DRY STORAGE WITHOUT DECREASING THEIR EFFICIENCY, AND (2) DEVELOPMENT OF A NEW SCRUBBER BASED ON MG(OH)(2) WHICH SHOWS PROMISE OF HIGH RATEEFFICIENCY WITH LOW EXOTHERM AT HIGH CO(2) ABSORPTION RATES.