DIY Supplied Air Respirator system

[Melissa]

Hey Garage Journal,

I don't know if this has been posted before, but here was my take on the project.

I wanted a moderately comfortable and versatile supplied air system to use while working with dangerous particulate matter, fumes, and other things I did NOT want in my respiratory system. Looking at the premade kits I found them to be a bit too pricey (even those without an included compressor). I took it upon myself to do a quick and effective version that didn't break the bank.

Here is my setup:

This is the setup coming off of my initial compressor piping.

Compressor

I used the following products: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KWLV9PW/?tag=atomicindus08-20

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00S20AEXI/?tag=atomicindus08-20

http://www.pksafety.com/allegro-sar...gtWDOj4gQLuuMaz3IUri7DM2bnogdQuwxQhoC81Xw_wcB

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007FXJH2W/?tag=atomicindus08-20

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NB90O0I/?tag=atomicindus08-20

The direct air respirator hood camed with an "OBAC" style fitting that I couldn't find anywhere. I replaced it with a standard industrial fitting, very easy to do.

The setup on the respirator hood was easy because it came with a belt. I have a T fitting, one connection for incoming air, another to connect to the respirator with a regulator in between, and a hose to connect to the tool I am working with (spray gun most of the time).

Before I added the coalescing filter, I would begin to smell the gelcoat I was spraying toward the end of the process. It was coming in through the compressor and entering the hood. Once I added the coalescing filter the air always feels clean. I like this approach much better than having to buy all the different types of filters for various applications. The positive pressure in the hood ensures I have no exposure to whatever airborne contaminants I am producing. The final cost was a fraction of what a completed kit costs. I adjust the regulator until there is sufficient positive pressure to not have to worry about anything getting in. I haven't tested it in bee keeping however

Any input / constructive criticism / mean criticism welcome. Thought I'd share a solution I came up with that cost way less than the supplied air kits.

 

[FriendOfYours]

No no no.

There is serious bacteria inside that tank and you are drawing in whatever you are spraying. You need a tankless, or oiless clean tank system being fed clean air from the outside. And a desiccant filter is not going to stop isocyanates and other horrible chemicals from destroying your insides

If you want to use an oil compressor you need a breathable air filtration system which is very expensive.

 

[Monkey Milk]

looks pretty good, I would have put some type of paper filter inline. I usually call them "toilet paper" filters cause that's what it looks like. Goes down to .01 micron.

Maybe someone else comment on the "oil" vapor that will get into the air from the pump.

 

[volleyball]

I too want a supplied air system and I would never use a compressor that was used for other purposes.
While not ideal, a cheap wet/dry vac that you bought new and a new large air hose would be much better.
And you need to have whatever bring in air that is outside. You are only compressing the bad stuff and pumping it right into your face.

 

[ADSR]

No no no.

There is serious bacteria inside that tank.

No kidding!!!

 

[geartow]

No a chance I would wear that

 

[404]

Creative. I have made something similar, but I use air from a blower located outside my work area.

IMO breathing the compressor air without a suitable filter in line is not good. There sometimes is a CO hazard as well.

I suggest you get another breathing air compressor for your set up and put it far away outside.

 

[rlitman]

I too want a supplied air system and I would never use a compressor that was used for other purposes.
While not ideal, a cheap wet/dry vac that you bought new and a new large air hose would be much better.
And you need to have whatever bring in air that is outside. You are only compressing the bad stuff and pumping it right into your face.

I wonder if an HVLP turbine would work well.
An oiled compressor is absolutely not suitable for breathing air.

 

[turbowoodworker]

You can find old "squirrel cage" type blowers with and without motors all over the place (CL, garage sales). That may be a safer option as a blower with ambient air drawn from a safe environment.

 

[404]

I wonder if an HVLP turbine would work well.
An oiled compressor is absolutely not suitable for breathing air.

Having recently purchased the electric power HF HVLP system I would say yes. Air gets warm though.

 

[volleyball]

I have a supply of old computer fans and could build a box with several in line with an inlet filter and an outlet to a long plastic tubing but the vacuum kinda has all the parts already built in.
You want a weak vacuum. One strong enough to push the air the 30 40 ' it may be to get the machine outside yet not too strong that you get the air hot, at least in summer. It may be nice in winter though.

 

[rustyjames]

No way would I trust that setup, you're really taking a big chance of getting a serious respitory infection.

 

[kd3pc]

wow! A lot of assumptions to make something that your health or life MAY depend on. Kind of like the divers that make their own oil compressor dive unit..

Best of luck, but I would not even put that on and expect to have copious clean air at pressure....the tank slime may be the least of your worries....

You have been advised, warned and encouraged to find a real breathing apparatus. Please do so.

 

[WBrowniv]

I have been thinking about getting a fresh air system at some point in the future and came across this system on Ebay:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/380950796193

Looked like a nice setup for the price.

 

[Warrenator]

I have been trying to make a similar gizmo for myself, good find on the air hood for $39. Instead of a compressor and high pressure air, though, i think a low pressure blower (i have a small one from a bouncy castle, puts out way way too much volume though) and a light plastic hose maybe 1 inch diameter to match up with the one on the hood. No compressed air with potential contamination from oil, no filters needed. Just make sure the air intake is located outside the area of chemical laden air.

I think you're on the right track, just a little fine tuning. And for the record, many paint shop respirators i have seen hook up to the same compressed air source as the spray gun, painters don't like to drag too many extra hoses.

 

[southalabama]

You'd be better off rigging something to take fumes away than trying to breathe air through a regular compressor.

Lungs. You have two but one isn't a spare.

 

[pendragon1998]

Is it bad to use the air nozzle on a compressor to blow on your face to cool you off on a hot day?

 

[rlitman]

Is it bad to use the air nozzle on a compressor to blow on your face to cool you off on a hot day?

Yes, for many reasons.

 

[beamrider]

Might be better to find an old CPAP setup on craigslist, and adapt that. All you need is positive pressure, and not a lot of it.

 

[G_P]

Is it bad to use the air nozzle on a compressor to blow on your face to cool you off on a hot day?

A compressor blow gun will shoot nails across the room and embed them in wood. So any debris that is in the gun or line will be blasted into your face at high velocity.
I've done it before when covered in sawdust, but I pointed the blowgun away and sprayed it for a few seconds before pointing at by body. Oh and if there is condensed water in the hose, it stings like a ***** when it gets sprayed out at 120+ PSI.

As to breathing air out of a shop compressor? Oh hell no. All kinds of nastiness inside the tank not to mention that you are compressing and breathing the fumes and vapors you are trying to avoid. I would be easier to wear a respirator with the proper cartridges and install fans to pull air through the spray area to keep the vapors down.

 

[thebigbadyeti]

Life motto : Do stupid things, win stupid prizes.

 

[Melissa]

What I am gathering from your collective responses is that there is not adequate filtration inline between the tank to filter out the bacteria thriving in the moist environment within the tank, or the dangerous airborne particulate matter being drawn in from the work space. My solution should be to rig up a blower drawing in air from outside to flow through the hood.

My question is: Why does the .3 micron filter (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00S20AEXI/?tag=atomicindus08-20) not prevent these contaminants from entering the hood? Are the bacteria too small to effectively filter?

Life motto : Do stupid things, win stupid prizes.

Cool motto. Didn't know that testing something a few times and reporting to a knowledgeable community for advice was stupid. Your well thought out response was an appropriate prize.

 

[sberry]

I don't believe osha allows regular piston compressed air for breathing.

 

[404]

What I am gathering from your collective responses is that there is not adequate filtration inline between the tank to filter out the bacteria thriving in the moist environment within the tank, or the dangerous airborne particulate matter being drawn in from the work space. My solution should be to rig up a blower drawing in air from outside to flow through the hood.

My question is: Why does the .3 micron filter (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00S20AEXI/?tag=atomicindus08-20) not prevent these contaminants from entering the hood? Are the bacteria too small to effectively filter?



.

This filter does what you ask. I do not know why the one you linked to is not adequate. There may be carbon monoxide in the air.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002STR8G/?tag=atomicindus08-20


Not too cheap, and I think the cartridge needs changing

 

[thebigbadyeti]

What I am gathering from your collective responses is that there is not adequate filtration inline between the tank to filter out the bacteria thriving in the moist environment within the tank, or the dangerous airborne particulate matter being drawn in from the work space. My solution should be to rig up a blower drawing in air from outside to flow through the hood.

My question is: Why does the .3 micron filter (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00S20AEXI/?tag=atomicindus08-20) not prevent these contaminants from entering the hood? Are the bacteria too small to effectively filter?





Cool motto. Didn't know that testing something a few times and reporting to a knowledgeable community for advice was stupid. Your well thought out response was an appropriate prize.

I just figured if you couldn't read the stickers or warnings on your compressor or any of the equipment you did purchase, that a lengthy and well-worded reply would be unnecessary. Forgive my assumption. Personal safety should always be number one and a little common sense goes a long way.

http://www.med.navy.mil/sites/nmcphc/Documents/industrial-hygiene/COMPRESSED-BREATHING-AIR.pdf

Section V for compressors. But I would read the whole article so you know what you are doing.

 

[404]

I just figured if you couldn't read the stickers or warnings on your compressor or any of the equipment you did purchase, that a lengthy and well-worded reply would be unnecessary. Forgive my assumption. Personal safety should always be number one and a little common sense goes a long way.

http://www.med.navy.mil/sites/nmcphc/Documents/industrial-hygiene/COMPRESSED-BREATHING-AIR.pdf

Section V for compressors. But I would read the whole article so you know what you are doing.

Thanks for the link, but to be fair to the OP not all the warnings on products are relevant these days. I wish they would just stick to the essentials.

 

[PT Doc]

Oh my. Please do more research before using. If this was that easy everyone would do it and people would not have $4000 units at home.

 

[wkearney99]

Oh my. Please do more research before using. If this was that easy everyone would do it and people would not have $4000 units at home.

THIS. Seriously. It'd almost be better to do nothing than cobbling something together and injuring yourself out of a false sense of safety.

 

[bdk1976]

I picked up a complete, never used, good quality fresh air kit on ebay for $325 a few years back. A bit of a lucky score but if you are patient you can likely find similar on ebay/cl.

Looks like you have close to $200 invested in this setup. Like the others have said, I wouldn't use it for breathing. Luckily all is not lost as you should have good filtration for painting, etc!

 

[404]

Oh my. Please do more research before using. If this was that easy everyone would do it and people would not have $4000 units at home.

Some of that cost is product liability insurance..

 

[thebigbadyeti]

Good points 404, but you only get one life. Understandably a lot of the warnings and labels are the company's covering their butts. But you only get one life to live. I deal with safety issues all day long for work, and some of the corners cut to save a penny are seriously dangerous and could cause irreversible health complications. All I'm saying is that the information and resources to protect yourself and anyone else using this equipment are only a few keystrokes away

 

[ledhore]

Usually an OSHA grade D breathing air manifold contains general pupose, coalescing, and charcoal filtration with specific efficiencies. Also present is an oxygen and carbon monoxide sensor. Moisture and temperature must be controlled and yes they can be fed by an oil bath compressor. Moisture (dewpoint) requirements are different for compressor fed vs bottle fed systems for grade D compliance, which ensures your health. You are not there yet.

 

[Worsedog]

Absolutely do not breathe the oiled compressor air. All of the warnings so far are spot on. There is a reason breathable air equipment is so expensive.

As yeti said there is a wealth of information available. Even if you don't buy your stuff from one of the vendors/manufacturers look at how their equipment is set up and go from there.

I'm all about saving money, but there are some places where it is foolish to cut corners, this is one of them.

 

[PT Doc]

Some of that cost is product liability insurance..

That could be said for any product that is sold. Nonetheless, the way the op is making "air" is not the right way to do it. Let's not be the origin for the next darwin awards.

 

[Melissa]

I just figured if you couldn't read the stickers or warnings on your compressor or any of the equipment you did purchase, that a lengthy and well-worded reply would be unnecessary. Forgive my assumption. Personal safety should always be number one and a little common sense goes a long way.

http://www.med.navy.mil/sites/nmcphc/Documents/industrial-hygiene/COMPRESSED-BREATHING-AIR.pdf

Section V for compressors. But I would read the whole article so you know what you are doing.

Thank you for this response Yeti, much more informative. I have read the article and some other sources and am still confused as to why so many of you think this is a horrible idea...

My filter setup includes the PneumaticPlus SAFM3000M-N03BD-MeP – 3/8” NPT Coalescing 0.1 Micron Filter as the second stage.

The following checklist is provided in the Navy's Compressed Breathing Air PDF...

Oxygen: 19.5% - 23.05%
Carbon Dioxide: <1000 PPM
Carbon Monoxide: <10 PPM
Oil: <5 mg/m3
Water Vapor: 18 mg/m3 (24 ppm v/v)

The coalescing filter I am using states that it is .3 micron but the representative I spoke with said it was .1 micron, so lets cautiously assume it is .3 micron.

" Eighty percent of aerosol
contaminants are under 2 µm in size. Coalescing filters,
however, are specifically designed to remove submicronic
oil, water and solid contamination from compressed air.
Standard graded-porosity coalescing filters remove over
99.97% of all aerosols in the 0.3 to 0.6 µm range. In
addition, these filters are over 99.98% effective at
removing all aerosols and solid particles larger than 0.3 µm.
Thus, oil aerosols at a 20 ppm contamination level are
reduced to a 0.004 ppm concentration – acceptable for
virtually all pneumatic applications." (http://teamtechnical.com/html/Parker Basics of Coalescing.pdf)

Many of you were worried about the bacteria within the tank. "Bacterial cells are about one-tenth the size of eukaryotic cells and are typically 0.5–5.0 micrometres in length (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bacteria#Morphology) With the coalescing filter effective at .3 micron, I don't see how the bacteria pose a threat.

Other responders have said they would never use their regular oiled compressor to provide oxygen, yet this product was cited in the thread : http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002STR8G/?tag=atomicindus08-20

This seems to be the same approach I am using, and I can't imagine the filter included is as efficient as the two filters I have in my system.

Usually an OSHA grade D breathing air manifold contains general pupose, coalescing, and charcoal filtration with specific efficiencies. Also present is an oxygen and carbon monoxide sensor. Moisture and temperature must be controlled and yes they can be fed by an oil bath compressor. Moisture (dewpoint) requirements are different for compressor fed vs bottle fed systems for grade D compliance, which ensures your health. You are not there yet.

Thank you for confirming the usage of oil bath compressors to provide Grade D air. I know that many dental offices use this approach. My question is why I am not quite there yet. Is it the lack of sensors to confirm the air's compliance with the Grade D standard? What would the introduction of a charcoal filter achieve?

My ultimate question is why does the coalescing filter not protect against the concerns voiced in this thread? Would removing the intake filter from the compressor and piping the intake outside/installing the filter upstream be an acceptable solution?

I came to the forum for advice and understanding, and I'm still not understanding what dangerous contaminants are making their way through my filtration system.

 

[gte718p]

I don't believe osha allows regular piston compressed air for breathing.

Sure they do. All 5 of my SCBA compressors are piston driven compressors. You can use them as normal compressors if you want, though I don't recommend it. They also output 4200 psi so you need a serous regulator.

You need some serious filters for breathing air though. A little oil mist, or contamination can be a very bad thing. You want to test any breathing air you are making. Our compressors are all tested quarterly or any time we complete maintenance.

 

[volleyball]

Melissa, I don't think any of us are air quality experts. But we do know a bad idea when we see it.
We are all for making our own as opposed to buying a commercial overpriced unit, if it is done right.
Let me put it this way. Why don't you construct a filter system to yours and your neighbors septic or sewer pipes, run it though a filter and supply yourself with fresh drinking water?
There are commercial systems out there that do that so why not roll your own?
Of course the commercial systems have gone through extensive testing and have some safety system built in but who needs that. Just get some filters and have at it. And instead of testing, just wing it on when the filter needs replacing. You cannot know because there is no way of knowing without testing.
You add filters to the output but are drawing into the tank virtually unfiltered the air you are trying to avoid breathing. Then you push it through airlines and filters to your face. And at what pressure? With all your research you must have heard that OSHA made mfg put air releases on bow guns because of the danger of high pressure air on your body.
Is this whole setup dedicated to supplied air? Or do you plan on cleaning the whole system each time? Just like I would not use a vacuum to clean the floor and then use it as part of my supplied air system because I could never make it clean enough, yours is even harder to do.

 

[RedRabbit]

Whqt about using a scuba tank and respirator. Movable and easy to get filled. It is also safe unlike this.

 

[geartow]

I believe a scuba system would be demand system only giving air upon breating in. I believe a constant positive pressure type system would be required for use with a hood .

 

[kiatech]

Use a hose and some pipe to get the compressor to pull air from outside.