Know more about the Polyalphaolefin (PAO) used in HEPA filter integrity test during HVAC system qualification including their molecular structure.
Poly Alpha Olefin (PAO) is used for HVAC qualification in pharmaceuticals. PAO is used as a replacement of the DOP (Dioctyl Phthalate) that was used for this purpose from a long time.
Dioctyl
Phthalate is found as a carcinogen (cause cancer) for human. Scientists were trying to find a material to replace the DOP from a long time. Finally in 2001 Japan Air Cleaning Association (JACA) published a guideline to replace the DOP with PAO. It gives the equal performance to the DOP and doesn’t have any harmful effect on health. FDA also clearly says that alternative aerosols are also acceptable but they should not promote the microbial growth in area. Therefore, it is recommended to replace the DioctylPhthalate with Poly Alpha Olefin (CAS #68649-12-7). The size of PAO generated aerosol ranges from 0.1 to 1.0 μm. The PAO aerosols are generated by aerosol generator and passed through the HEPA filter then the integrity is checked using a photometer. 99.97% particles having size larger than 0.3 μm should not be passed through HEPA filters.
Molecular Structure of Alpha OlefinPoly alpha olefin is a polymer of alpha olefin. Alpha olefin is a class of olefins those have double bond between first and second carbons of the polymer chains. PAO is a mixture of the dimers, trimers and tetramers of the 1-octene, 1-decene and 1-dodecene. Poly alpha olefins have good lubrication properties and greater viscosity than mineral oils. Poly alpha olefins are also used as synthetic lubricants and as a coolant in radiators.
Shelf life of the poly alpha olefin is 10 years in sealed container but for opened container it is one year. It should be protected from UV lightand direct sunlight.
Poly Alpha Olefin (PAO) is used for HVAC qualification in pharmaceuticals. PAO is used as a replacement of the DOP (Dioctyl Phthalate) that was used for this purpose from a long time.
Dioctyl
Phthalate is found as a carcinogen (cause cancer) for human. Scientists were trying to find a material to replace the DOP from a long time. Finally in 2001 Japan Air Cleaning Association (JACA) published a guideline to replace the DOP with PAO. It gives the equal performance to the DOP and doesn’t have any harmful effect on health. FDA also clearly says that alternative aerosols are also acceptable but they should not promote the microbial growth in area. Therefore, it is recommended to replace the DioctylPhthalate with Poly Alpha Olefin (CAS #68649-12-7). The size of PAO generated aerosol ranges from 0.1 to 1.0 μm. The PAO aerosols are generated by aerosol generator and passed through the HEPA filter then the integrity is checked using a photometer. 99.97% particles having size larger than 0.3 μm should not be passed through HEPA filters.
Molecular Structure of Alpha OlefinPoly alpha olefin is a polymer of alpha olefin. Alpha olefin is a class of olefins those have double bond between first and second carbons of the polymer chains. PAO is a mixture of the dimers, trimers and tetramers of the 1-octene, 1-decene and 1-dodecene. Poly alpha olefins have good lubrication properties and greater viscosity than mineral oils. Poly alpha olefins are also used as synthetic lubricants and as a coolant in radiators.
Shelf life of the poly alpha olefin is 10 years in sealed container but for opened container it is one year. It should be protected from UV lightand direct sunlight.
