Portable point source adsorber

Abstract

Disclosed is a portable apparatus which adsorbs trace toxic fumes for a wide diversity of situations. The apparatus consists of a gas-tight enclosure, attached flexible duct and floating support arm, adsorbent filter, exhauster blower and quick disconnect fasteners. The blower sucks the toxic fumes through the filter and discharges the treated air back into the laboratory. The flexible duct/floating arm captures the toxic fumes in a wide range of conditions and the quick disconnect fasteners permit the rapid replacement of spent filters. It is the quick-disconnect fasteners between the cover of the box and between the filter and the cover which permit rapid replacement of the spent filters. This flexible apparatus minimizes interference with visual and hand operations, conserves room energy, removes particulate by both the change in direction designed in the apparatus and the non-woven fabrics used to support the adsorbent particle bed. One embodiment of the portable apparatus includes a table box having a foraminous surface onto which a specimen which emits fumes is placed, with the table box being in communication with the gas-tight enclosure so that fumes which are heavier-than-air are sucked into the table box and then into the gas-tight enclosure, while the placement of the flexible duct above the specimen conducts fumes which are lighter-than-air directly into the gas-tight enclosure.