Ensuring carbon monoxide (CO) is removed from critical air streams is vital to guaranteeing breathable air quality and protecting sensitive equipment. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, and highly toxic gas, often present in compressed breathing air, cryogenic air separation units, industrial exhaust, and emergency respirators. Even at low concentrations, prolonged exposure poses serious health risks; at high concentrations, it can be fatal.
CO Removal Catalyst provides a passive and efficient method to eliminate carbon monoxide through catalytic oxidation, making it a key safety component in modern air purification systems.
1. Catalytic Composition & Physical Characteristics
DEAI CHEM’s CO Removal Catalyst is a manganese dioxide and copper oxide-based granular catalyst, formulated for high oxidation activity under dry air conditions. It is available in multiple particle sizes and powder form to meet specific process designs:
• 4 × 8 mesh
• 10 × 16 mesh
• 12 × 20 mesh
• Powder grade (for substrate coating and OEM integration)
2. Target Contaminant — Carbon Monoxide (CO)
CO is a by-product of incomplete combustion and can enter air systems through equipment leakage, contaminated supply lines, or industrial processing. It is particularly hazardous because it binds strongly to hemoglobin, impairing oxygen transport in the bloodstream.
Typical sources include:
• Compressed breathing air supply
• Cryogenic air separation units
• Emergency response respirators
• Industrial exhaust from combustion processes
• Aerospace and deep-sea breathing systems
To protect personnel and equipment, CO removal must occur before the air stream is used or processed downstream.
3. Working Mechanism
The catalyst initiates oxidation of carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide (CO₂) when CO passes through a properly configured bed:2CO + O₂ → 2CO₂
This reaction proceeds at ambient temperature or slightly elevated temperatures, without requiring external energy input. Once converted, CO₂ can safely pass through downstream components.
4. Application Scenarios
The versatility of DEAI CHEM’s CO Removal Catalyst allows deployment across multiple sectors:
• Cryogenic Air Separation Systems
CO must be removed to protect highly sensitive equipment operating at extremely low temperatures. Even trace levels of CO can impact purity and process stability.
• Compressed Breathing Air
Used in diving oxygen cylinders, hospital breathing systems, firefighting gear, and mining rescue masks — breathable air must remain free of CO to meet safety standards.
• Aerospace and Defense
Aircraft cabin supply and closed-cycle breathing systems depend on precise air composition. Catalyst-based filtration ensures long-term safety without active energy consumption.
• Industrial Purification & Process Gas Treatment
The catalyst can be used in fixed-bed reactors, filter cartridges, or scrubber canisters for continuous CO removal in manufacturing environments.
5. Key Operational Advantages
• High oxidation efficiency for carbon monoxide
• Works at ambient or mild elevated temperature
• Minimal pressure drop across the catalyst layer
• Long service life with low maintenance requirements
• Suitable for both retrofits and new system designs
Powder form is designed for coating onto carrier substrates such as metallic honeycombs, ceramics, or porous foams — allowing engineers to integrate CO removal directly into OEM modules and filtration units.
6. Safety and Compliance
Meeting OSHA and international breathing air quality standards requires effective CO treatment at the system level. DEAI CHEM provides technical guidance for proper catalyst selection, system configuration, and integration into existing designs.
A detailed Safety Data Sheet (SDS) is available upon request and should be consulted before handling or installation.
For system design consultation or catalyst selection support, please contact our technical team.