Clean air for biological studies: evaluation of a heated platinum catalyst for removing hydrocarbon impurities

Abstract

Heated metal catalysts provide an effective means of removing low molecular weight hydrocarbons present as contaminants in most laboratory air supplies. We compared the reported efficiencies of different metal catalysts with platinum (1% w/w) on 1/8-in (1 in. = 25.4 mm) alumina pellets. At 350 °C this catalyst (30 g packed in a 30-cm3 combustion tube) oxidized all traces of methane, ethane, and ethylene in air at flow rates of up to 3 L∙min−1 (space velocity of 6000 catalyst bed volumes per hour). The platinized alumina pellets offer less resistance to airflow and require lower operating temperatures than platinum and other metal catalysts on different solid support materials. This approach to air purification may provide a safer, more efficient and economical alternative to methods currently used in the laboratory, as well as in areas of commercial horticulture.