Oxygen Delivery System for Closed-Circuit Escape Respirators

Details

• Personal Author:
  Cornman JK ; Fernando RD ; Toole BW
• Description:
  In the design of self-contained closed-circuit escape respirators (CCERs), using the closed-circuit principle where the breathing gas from the user is recirculated and reconditioned in a closed loop within the apparatus is the most efficient design and leads to a small size. This type of respirator is favored when it must be carried by the user at all times for quick deployment in an emergency. A unique oxygen delivery system (ODS) that is compact and operates at a very high pressure for these type of respirators was developed. This ODS comprises a carbon composite cylinder storing pure oxygen, a valve integrated pressure reducer (VIPR), and a demand valve that delivers the breathing gas to the user. To minimize the physical size while retaining the performance characteristics required, direct metal laser sintering was used for the VIPR body using metal alloys and very high oxygen pressures of up to 10,000 PSI. This paper outlines the design, function, testing, and performance of the ODS. Unique design features were developed and incorporated such as delayed pressurization of the high-pressure chambers within the VIPR to reduce its size and eliminate leak paths. Overall, the flow characteristics of the VIPR and the system work of breathing performance were adequate and met the design requirements for the ODS. Applied in a future design, this ODS should contribute to development of smaller CCERs than current devices and deliver oxygen according to Title 42 Code of Federal Regulations. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Occupational Health Oxygen Personal Protective Equipment Respiratory Protective Devices Safety
• Keywords:
  Author Keywords: Self-contained Breathing Apparatus Closed-circuit Personal Protective Equipment PPE Respirator Respirators Respirator Testing
• ISBN:
  9780791888667
• Publisher:
  The American Society of Mechanical Engineers
• Document Type:
  Text
• Genre:
  Proceedings
• Place as Subject:
  Atlanta Region [OSHA] ; Birmingham Region [OSHA] ; Florida ; Pennsylvania ; Philadelphia Region [OSHA]
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  NPPTL - National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Volume:
  8
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20070494
• Citation:
  Proceedings of the ASME 2024 International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition (IMECE 2024), November 17-21, 2024, Portland, Oregon. Volume 8: Fluids Engineering. New York: The American Society of Mechanical Engineers, paper no. V008T10A053, 2024 Nov; 8:V008T10A053
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2025
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Source Full Name:
  Proceedings of the ASME 2024 International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition (IMECE 2024), November 17-21, 2024, Portland, Oregon
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:90761b76ff25dd7a9d17f418eeb8a7fb616ebb3bae467a27716067e3274f60f33a82ef1d3731454750b6122069946293e574e01456e97bd70a2a62320e15d74d
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/208693/cdc_208693_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 1.96 MB ]