Modeling Carbon Mask Adsorptive Filters

The mathematical modeling of beds employed in individual pro- tection is reviewed. The first models presented in the literature considered that the removal of the toxic compounds was done only by physical adsorp- tion. However for some compounds an efficient protection cannot be attained if only adsorption is present. Consequently adsorbents which eliminate the toxic compounds by physical adsorption coupled with chemical reaction are used in the filters. Thus, several models that take into account these two phenomena were proposed. Individual and collective protection equipment prevents its user from con- tacting toxic compounds present in the surrounding atmosphere and thus avoid severe injury. The primary item of protection is the personal respirator which is frequently employed both in industrial and military environments. The background of expertise on respiratory protection is its military appli- cation which dates back to the First World War, conflict in which chemical agents/weapons were used for the first time. The individual defense techno- logy evolved very quickly since the defenders in Ypres used any available tissue as an instinctive protective mean, until pre-wetted masks produced to cover the entire face, and finally fully sealed mask with eye lenses and filters were carefully designed and produced.