Ensuring Carbon Monoxide Protection in Critical Air Systems

 

Carbon monoxide (CO) contamination remains a persistent risk across industrial compressed air networks, cryogenic air separation units, and life-support breathing systems. Because CO is both odorless and toxic even at trace concentrations, its presence can compromise equipment integrity and endanger personnel relying on clean air supplies.

 

DEAI CHEM’s CO Removal Catalysts are engineered to provide reliable oxidation of carbon monoxide under ambient or mildly elevated temperatures, offering a robust safeguard for systems where air purity is fundamental.

 

 

 

 

1. Functional Principle and Material Characteristics

 

 

The catalysts are formulated primarily from manganese and copper oxides, optimized for high activity at low temperatures. They are available in powder and granular forms to accommodate different reactor designs and filtration assemblies.

 

Key technical advantages include:

 

• High catalytic activity for CO oxidation at low temperature
• Minimal pressure drop, even in high-flow configurations
• Stable performance across a broad range of air quality and humidity conditions
• Compatibility with packed beds, filter cartridges, and scrubber canisters

 

These properties allow for efficient conversion of CO to CO₂ without the need for external heating, making the catalyst well suited for passive, continuous protection in constrained or sensitive installations.

 

 

 

 

2. Integration in Industrial Systems

 

 

Industrial Compressed Air Systems

 

CO Removal Catalysts are widely used in compressed air purification units where hydrocarbons, lubricants, or combustion gases may introduce CO into the system. The catalyst bed is typically configured as a granular-packed reactor located upstream of moisture separators and fine particulate filters.

 

 

Cryogenic Air Separation Units

 

In cryogenic air separation, CO must be eliminated prior to liquefaction to prevent contamination of heat exchangers and prevent freeze-out within low-temperature stages. Catalysts installed at the pretreatment section ensure CO removal before air enters cold boxes and oxygen enrichment towers.

 

 

Gas Processing and Safety Equipment

 

Packed catalyst canisters are incorporated into scrubbers and filtration modules used in industrial environments where CO may be generated through thermal processes, solvent handling, or combustion residues.

 

 

 

 

3. Applications in Breathing Air and Life-Support Systems

 

 

Because CO exposure poses acute risks even at ppm-level concentrations, the catalyst is used extensively in critical safety equipment:

 

• Firefighting and mine rescue masks

CO Removal Catalysts protect operators entering combustion-heavy or oxygen-depleted environments.

 

 

• Aircraft cabin emergency systems

Integrated canisters ensure breathing air remains free from CO during pressurization events.

 

 

• Subsea diving and saturation systems

Maintaining CO-free breathing gas is essential for diver safety in closed-loop or compression-based systems.

 

 

• Medical breathing gas and hospital oxygen distribution

Catalysts safeguard oxygen supplies that may be susceptible to trace CO formation from compressor systems.

 

 

These applications typically rely on granular formulations loaded into compact cartridges, where low resistance to airflow and long service life are priorities.

 

 

 

 

4. Engineering Considerations for System Designers

 

 

When selecting or integrating CO Removal Catalysts, several technical factors should be evaluated:

 

• Material compatibility with any acidic, corrosive, or chlorinated gases present in the air stream
• Thermal stability, especially in installations susceptible to heat cycling
• Space and geometry constraints, influencing catalyst loading depth and surface area
• Pressure drop limitations in breathing systems or high-flow industrial lines

 

 

DEAI CHEM supports custom substrate matching to ensure compatibility with application-specific requirements.

 

 

 

 

5. Supporting Reliable Operation Across Industries

 

 

With established performance in demanding industrial and life-support environments, DEAI CHEM’s CO Removal Catalysts provide a dependable solution for CO mitigation. Their combination of catalytic efficiency, mechanical stability, and versatile form factors enables consistent protection across a broad spectrum of operational contexts.