Reducing the emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) when 3D printing can be partially achieved by filtering the air inside the printer with activated carbon.
However, if acid is used during carbon manufacturing, it can quickly damage a 3D printer if the filter recirculates the air inside the chamber. Hello rust bucket !
Great information on the consequences of acid-treatment can be found on the Nevermore filter's github
Can't believe that acid-processed carbon is used to filter water in aquariums... Fish must have tough gills !
Since I needed several pounds of activated carbon for a VOC scrubber in development for a 3D printer, sourcing affordable and safe carbon was essential. Fortunately a simple and speedy rust / oxidation test can be devised, as described in this video: Self sourcing activated carbon for your 3D printer and testing whether it has been acid washed
Designing a similar holder as in the video, for a 60mm fan, was pretty simple. The 1st model I designed used 4mm holes, but some of the granulates were spilling out. So a 2nd model was created with 2.5mm holes.
Note
that the smaller the chunks of carbon the more surface area in a given
volume, so the more particules will be caught by the filter within a
given timeframe.
Both the F3D CAD and STEP files are available on github
Instructions: secure the fan with an elastic band or with long M4 bolts+nuts, add the carbon, close the lid, put the doohickey in an airtight box with a few steel-based objects, add a few drops of water, close the box, set it in a temperate location, turn on the fan, wait ~24 hours.
Got 1lb (450g) of activated carbon for $15, and threw in a bunch of steel / brass / stainless / whatev' screws in the box:
24 hours later, no noticeable change:
Sainte Coucourde, looks like it is the right kind of carbon. Great, 5 more pounds (2.2kg) incoming then...
Happy and roses-smelling 3D printing to all !
Hey, couldn't find the CAD/STEP files on Github. Can you add them please?
ReplyDeleteDarn, you're right, completely missed doing that. Sorry.
DeleteUploaded the F3D & Step files just now. Let me know if anything else is needed ?
Hey! Turned out my activated carbon arrived earlier and I designed/printed a holder myself.
DeleteHowever, if it wasn't your post I would probably have added an acid composed carbon (and the seller states "no additives") inside my printer!
This post was a stress/life/money saver to me, thanks a lot for that :)
Oh my, sounds like you dodged a bullet here !
DeleteGlad to hear. That's why i painstakingly publish these posts: in the hope that maybe one day it'll help someone somewhere.
Thanks for the validation, and happy printing to you !