Advanced Adsorbents for Ammonia Control in Enclosed Environments

Abstract:

Exposure to gaseous contaminants in the enclosed atmosphere of a submarine may pose a hazard to health. Ammonia (NH3) is one such gas which originates from the carbon dioxide removal system and physiological activity. Within the enclosed environment of a submarine continuous Submarine Exposure Reference Value (ERV) are lower than UK Workplace Exposure Limits (WEL) to ensure that health is not comprised. NH3 levels on-board are maintained within permitted levels using selective adsorbents. This paper details the laboratory evaluation of advanced absorbents for NH3 removal. Adsorbents for NH3 prepared in-house and commercial alternatives were evaluated under dynamic flow conditions. Results indicate that the in-house materials have substantially greater NH3 adsorption capacity and could be suitable for deployment on submarines. An alternative passive NH3 removal system using a thin film of sorbent on an inert substrate has been investigated. Using developed testing methodology the effect of film loading on NH3 removal will be presented.

Read the whole study: Advanced Adsorbents for Ammonia Control in Enclosed Environments