A review of the wheeler equation and comparison of its applications to organic vapor respirator cartridge breakthrough data.

This project was undertaken to study the effect of dry airflow rate and bed weight on organic vapor respirator cartridge breakthrough curves for a single vapor (acetone) and challenge concentration (1060 ppm average). Dried cartridges from a single manufactured lot were used. The data were analyzed using three applications of the Wheeler equation, including (1) varying bed weight, (2) varying residence time, and (3) fitting the breakthrough curve. These approaches are discussed and equations given. Values for the adsorption capacity (We) and the rate coefficient (kv) are presented and compared. Based on these comparisons, limitations of the Wheeler equation are discussed and guidelines given concerning its use.