My primary research interest is the assessment of activated carbon fibers (ACFs) for improved design of respirators. In my previous research prior to coming to East Carolina University (ECU), I investigated the potential of different ACF types to serve as alternative adsorbents to granular activated carbon (GAC) in respirators for protection against airborne toluene. This research has demonstrated that ACF makes a good candidate for developing thinner, lighter and more efficient respirators. My ultimate research goal is to design and test the actual respirator using different types of ACF as the adsorbent. I have found that certain ACF types and dimensions resulted to acceptable pressure drop across ACF respirator cartridges and promising adsorption characteristics (i.e., breakthrough, adsorption capacity) of ACF respirator cartridges for toluene and, potentially, other volatile organic compounds. My further investigations will involve the effects of humidity and respiration rate on ACF adsorption for toluene and other volatile organic compounds.
Related Publications
Book Chapter
Balanay JG (2017). Application of Activated Carbon Fibers in Respiratory Protection for Volatile Organic Compounds (Chapter 15). In DP Yamamoto, RM Eninger and L Racz (Eds.), Handbook of Protection: Safeguarding against Current and Emerging Hazards (pp. 293-331). Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press. (ISBN 9781498781145)
Journal Articles
Balanay JG and Lungu CT (2016). Determination of Pressure Drop across Activated Carbon Fiber Respirator Cartridges. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene 13(2): 141-147.
Balanay JG, Floyd EL and Lungu CT (2015). Breakthrough Curves for Toluene Adsorption of Different Types of Activated Carbon Fibers: Application in Respiratory Protection. Annals of Occupational Hygiene 59(4): 481-490.
Balanay JG, Bartolucci AA and Lungu CT (2014). Adsorption Characteristics of Activated Carbon Fibers (ACFs) for Toluene: Application in Respiratory Protection. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene 11(3): 133-143.
Balanay JG and Lungu CT (2012). Morphologic and Surface Characterization of Different Types of Activated Carbon Fibers. Adsorption Science and Technology 30 (4): 355-367.
Balanay JG, Crawford SA and Lungu CT (2011). Comparison of Toluene Adsorption among Granular Activated Carbon and Different Types of Activated Carbon Fibers (ACFs). Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene 8 (10): 573-579.
Related Presentations
Balanay JG (2021). Adsorption Characteristics of Activated Carbon Fibers in Respirator Cartridges for Toluene. American Industrial Hygiene Conference and Exposition (AIHce), Dallas, TX, May 24-26, 2021 (accepted).
Balanay JG (2020). Adsorption Characteristics of Activated Carbon Fibers in Respirator Cartridges for Toluene. American Industrial Hygiene Conference and Exposition (AIHce), Atlanta, GA, June 3, 2020 (accepted but cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic).
Balanay JG (2019). Adsorption Characteristics of Activated Carbon Fibers in Respirator Cartridges for Toluene. American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) Carolinas Spring Conference 2019, Concord, NC, March 8, 2019.
Balanay JG (2016). Application of Activated Carbon Fibers in Respiratory Protection for Volatile Organic Compounds. 24th Annual Joint Safety and Environmental Professional Development Symposium (Webinar), March 17, 2016.
Balanay JG and Lungu CT (2015). Determination of Pressure Drop Across Activated Carbon Fiber Respirator Cartridges. American Industrial Hygiene Conference and Exposition (AIHce), Salt Lake City, UT, June 1, 2015.
Balanay JG (2014). Determination of Pressure Drop Across Activated Carbon Fiber Respirator Cartridges and Filters. Deep South Center for Occupational Health and Safety Research Symposium, Birmingham, Alabama, April 11, 2014.
Balanay JG and Lungu CT (2013). Breakthrough Curves for Toluene Adsorption on Different Types of Activated Carbon Fibers: Application on Respiratory Protection. American Industrial Hygiene Conference and Exposition (AIHce), Montreal, Quebec, Canada, May 2013.
Balanay JG and Lungu CT (2011). Adsorption Characteristics of Activated Carbon Fibers for Toluene: Application on Respiratory Protection. American Industrial Hygiene Conference and Exposition (AIHce), Portland, Oregon, May 2011.
Balanay JG (2011). Can Activated Carbon Fibers Replace Chemical Cartridges in Respirators in the Future? Deep South Center for Occupational Health and Safety Research Symposium, Opelika, Alabama, April 8, 2011.
Hemphill C, Balanay J, Lungu C and Oestenstad K (2011). Characterization of Activated Carbon Fiber Cloth and Felt. American Industrial Hygiene Conference and Exposition (AIHce), Portland, Oregon, May 2011.
Balanay JG, Crawford SA and Lungu CT (2010). Testing Activated Carbon Fibers for Respiratory Protection Use. 8th International Scientific Conference of the International Occupational Hygiene Association, Rome, Italy, September 2010.
Balanay JG, Crawford SA and Lungu CT (2010). Adsorption Characteristics of Various Types of Activated Carbon Fibers (ACFs) for Toluene. American Industrial Hygiene Conference and Exposition (AIHce), Denver, Colorado, May 2010.
Balanay JG, Lungu CT and Crawford SA (2009). Toluene Adsorption on Various Types of Activated Carbon Fibers. American Industrial Hygiene Conference and Exposition (AIHce), Toronto, Canada, June 2009.
Balanay JG, Crawford SA and Lungu CT (2008). Comparison of Adsorption Characteristics between Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) and Activated Carbon Fibers (ACF) for Toluene. American Industrial Hygiene Conference and Exposition (AIHce), Minneapolis, Minnesota, June 2008.
