LITHIUM HYDROXIDE: IS IT HAZARDOUS WHEN USED IN MANPOWERED CO2 SCRUBBING SYSTEMS? Show full item record BACKGROUND: A major problem facing the crew of a disabled submarine (DISSUB) is preventing a build-up of carbon dioxide (CO2). USN submarines carry a large amount of anhydrous lithium hydroxide (LiOH) which is stored in canisters in granular form. In the absence of power it is currently advised that these canisters are opened and the LiOH spread over the available horizontal surfaces where it is continuously fanned and intermittently stirred. Other available, non-electrically powered, scrubbing techniques include a bellows system employed by the British, in which the integrity of the canisters and their filters are preserved and a French technique, in which the LiOH is emptied into nylon mesh "curtains" which are hung vertically and rely on convection currents to deliver CO2 to the absorbent. Of concern is the possibility that in opening the canisters, caustic LiOH dust is released which may pose a hazard to the survivors.

METHOD: Using standard industrial hygiene techniques, the airborne dust levels of LiOH generated by each technique were measured in the breathing zone of an operator and remotely. 5.72 kg of anhydrous LiOH granules were used in each trial and, for each technique, three trials were undertaken using LiOH which had been stored in submarines for different periods: new; 5 years and 10 years. RESULTS: Statistically significantly greater amounts of dust were generated by the USN and French techniques than the British bellows (p less than 0.05). 66.7percent of the readings from the stirring and fanning technique and 83.3percent of those from the French curtain trials exceeded the exposure of limit of 0.25 mg.m-3 set by the Naval Environmental Health Center for use in this situation. All the readings from the bellows trials were below that limit. CONCLUSION: This study provides evidence that the dust generated when employing open scrubbing techniques poses a significant hazard to the survivors in a DISSUB.

Files in this itemaerolux curtains This item appears in the following Collection(s)jcpenney prelude curtains This is a collection of the published abstracts from the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS) annual meetings.foil curtains 12x8Aviat Space Environ Med. 2009 Jun;80(6):561-4.Arieli R1, Eynan M, Arieli Y, Abramovich A.Author information1Israel Naval Medical Institute, IDF Medical Corps, Haifa, Israel. kalah blue fabric drapesrarieli@netvision.net.ilAbstractINTRODUCTION: In the sunken submarine, a breakdown in the power supply can disrupt the provision of fresh air and the absorption of CO2. eclipse samara blackout energy-efficient curtain stone blue

A personal device based on a breathing mask and the soda lime canisters used in the submarine is proposed for CO2 absorption.horizon embroidered color block grommet curtain panelMETHODS: In an unmanned experiment, a breathing simulator provided a flow of air at 8.7 L x min(-1) and a carbon dioxide output of 20.9 L x h(-1), which passed through either one or two 3.8-kg canisters of soda lime. In the manned experiment, four subjects wore the breathing mask, which was connected to two 3.8-kg canisters of soda lime placed in a bag, and remained for 24 h in a sealed hyperbaric chamber. They inspired the chamber atmosphere and expired via the canisters.RESULTS: In the unmanned experiment, the concentration of CO2 when a single canister was used reached 1% after 8 h, 2% after 22 h, and 2.5% after 37 h. With two canisters connected in sequence, the concentration of CO2 reached 1% after 48 h, while the pressure at the entrance to the canisters did not exceed 0.7 cm H2O.

In the manned experiment, the CO2 concentration decreased over the first 12 h from its initial value of 1.3%, stabilizing during sleep at 0.75%.DISCUSSION: The personal carbon dioxide absorption device lowered the ambient CO2 level over a period of 24 h, and could maintain this level for a further 24 h. Keeping CO2 at a low level has an advantage over the peaks of 3% obtained with absorbent LiOH curtains, where elevated pressure and increased P(CO2) may have an adverse effect on the survivors. Some of the crew can remain active without using the device, while the others do the job of clearing the carbon dioxide for the whole crew.PMID: 19522368 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] Publication TypesClinical TrialMeSH TermsAbsorptionAdultAir Pollution, IndoorCalcium Compounds/pharmacology*Carbon Dioxide/analysisCarbon Dioxide/metabolism*Ecological Systems, Closed*Equipment FailureHumansMasksMaterials TestingOxides/pharmacology*SleepSodium Hydroxide/pharmacology*Submarine Medicine*TemperatureYoung AdultSubstancesCalcium CompoundsOxidesCarbon DioxideSodium Hydroxidesoda limeFull Text SourcesIngenta plcMiscellaneousSODIUM HYDROXIDE - Hazardous Substances Data BankCarbon dioxide - Hazardous Substances Data BankCALCIUM COMPOUNDS - Hazardous Substances Data Bank

ChemBio Enviro-Curtain™ (MSHA Approval #07-LPA130002) Passive Carbon Dioxide Scrubbing. Quick, Simple, No Mess. The Enviro-Curtain™ is your solution to removing CO2 in mine refuge shelters, barricaded areas or sealed confined spaces, using safe soda lime (not lithium hydroxide) for removing CO2. Cost 33% less than LiOH curtains (4) curtains are vacuum packed in one box with stand. Each stand holds up to 16 curtains Provides 96 hr/person of CO2 scrubbing Scrubs 1.08 ft3/hr (30 liters) per person No hazardous waste by-product 5 Year Shelf Life (Documented aged testing) Box dimensions: 40” X 26” X 2-1/2” Part of the MSHA required, harmful gas removal component, (4) CO2 scrubbing curtains are sealed in an air-tight foil pouch ready for use. The curtains are then installed on a special folding stand and placed at designated locations within the shelter. Carbon dioxide CO2 scrubbing system Portable and easy to set-up