soda lime

[kiwidiver]

aqualung nz have told us that divesorb is not available in nz and are supplying there own sodalime with a price increase.
we are looking at other alternatives and have found a product called spherasorb used in the medical field,has anyone used this or is it usable and safe.

[skifanatic]

Yeah, we have the same problem here in Oz. Aqualung are selling soda lime at a stupidly high price.

Please post if you get any good answers. My supply of DiveSorb is running out shortly...

[roakey]

I'm not a rebreather diver, so all I'm doing is giving you a pointer to a product called "Sofnolime" that I've heard about...

http://www.nwdesigns.com/rebreathers/sofnolime.htm

This is the first of over 250 hits you get if you use http://www.altavista.com/ to search on Sofnolime.

Roak

[Gorji]

Originally posted by skifanatic
Yeah, we have the same problem here in Oz. Aqualung are selling soda lime at a stupidly high price.

Please post if you get any good answers. My supply of DiveSorb is running out shortly...

Hi:

I am an anesthesiologist and as you may know in anesthesia we use soda lime and barlyme in anesthesia circuits to conserve anesthesia gas and oxygen. We alsop use a semiclose circuit most of the time. I am not rebreather certified yet but I will look into the price of soda lime and perhaps barlyme (can this be used in Rebreathers?) and will post here as soon as I know.

May take a day or 2.

[devjr]

Baralyme was used in rebreathers during the early days of diving. Like during WWII. Price looks about the same as "sofnolime". That would have to be checked against granularity and activity, or duration.

[skifanatic]

A friend of mine (rebreather instructor) got a tip from a well experienced rebreather diver to try out a product called SodaSorb, used in medical applications. We've been diving on this for 8-10 dives now, and it has performed just as well as DiveSorb.
We're buying it from a medical supply company, so you just might be 100% correct, Gorji.
SodaSorb comes in 5L containers, which are good for 2 full Dolphin scrubbers, and costs about AUD30.

[padiscubapro]

If the sodasorb you are talking about is from GRACE it an acceptable product... Diving grade scrubber should be at least a 4-8 mesh (8-12 is better) and should have no KOH if possible, under 1% is acceptable...
There is a company - Atlantis submarines that operates tourist subs in many parts of the world they import large quantities of scrubber for their use (grace - sodasorb), if you have one near you you might be able to arrange to have them buy scrubber for you...

a 38lb keg generally sells for around $75 us

sofnalime is a product from a company called molecular products in the uk their 4-8 mesh sells for around $100 in quantity and their 8-12 mesh (about 50lb keg) sells for about $150 in quantity

[Gorji]

Sorry for being so late but the the cost are no better for what I posted earlier. Medical mark up I guess.

[pescador775]

Confirming the above remarks concerning Sodasorb and Sofnolime. The following are Authorized for Navy Use (ANU) by the Sup Diving and Salvage:

WR GRACE, SODASORB 4-8 mesh

MOLECULER PRODUCTS LTD, SOFNOLIME 4-8 MESH, 10-14 MESH
(dist: OC Lugo)

Pesky

[Goldminer]

I am a diver but I also used to work in the mining industry and spent 6 years on a mine rescue team. We used Draeger BG 174 rebreathers and trained with them weekly. This is a pure O2 CC rebreather for fire and rescue work. We would go through large amounts of soda lime each month and bought it in jugs about 30 or 35 litres in size, 10 to 20 at a time.

My point here is that the BG174 is a common device in the underground mining industry throughout the world so, if there are industrial supply places where you live that service mining clients they may have soda lime (sometimes called cardoxide (sp?) for the BG 174).

Price it, but I think you may find it cheaper than something sold by Aqualung.

[noeck]

I use spherasorb since two years. I had never any problems with this kind of scrubber. It contains fewer dust and is cheaper then divesorb (here in Germany) and the 1kg packing are very handy.
Regrads
noeck

[Carlson]

If you are in South East Asia, and in particular the Singapore area, I have a large stock of Draeger DiveSorb for sale at reasonable prices. We are a rebreather centre with many units for training and rental. Before Draeger decided to screw everyone one we were exclusive distributors in Indonesia and China. We offer a full service centre and training and rental facilities for interested rebreather divers and potential rebreather divers.

If you need Draeger DiveSorb then give me a return e-mail and we can get your order out within 24hrs.

[jbennet1]

Hi,

I may be able to help. Divers Supply, a commercial diving supply company near New Orleans, Louisiana, sells HP (or high performance) SodaSorb. It is specially formulated for diving applications. They sell 40lb plastic drums for $59.95. You still have to pay for shipping, but for me at least, it is still cheaper than Divesorb. Their website is: www.diverssupplyinc.com and their toll-free number is: 888-221-8120

I also highly recommend Jeff Bozanic's new book: "Mastering Rebreathers" published by Best Publishing Company (www.bestpub.com). It has an excellent section about CO2 absorbents used for diving.

John Bennett
Columbus, Ohio

[SCUBAMedic]

I run a medical supply company, so I will look into the cost from my end as well. But it will be a few days away, as it's a long weekend - diving the Rainbow Warrior and other stuff - weather dependent !!!

I should have some idea next week

[Ian]

As a sodalime manufacturer, we would not recommend the use of medical grade sodalime for diving applications. The granular size of medical grade material is larger than that for diving grade, hence reduced duration. Also the dye content is usually much higher and the user may experience problems with relatively high levels of ammonia. This was the reason the US Navy stopped using sodalimes with the (ethyl violet) dye. The medical grades will absorb CO2 but will not be as efficient as the diving grades, especially the spherical sodalime, which has a capacity some 30% less than the irregular granular material.

I would strongly recommend against the use of Baralyme in a rebreather due to the use of barium hydroxide, a very strong alkali. A "caustic cocktail" with barium hydroxide would not be a pleasant experience.

The grade or size of sodalime to be used does depend on the type of rebreather being used. The AP Valves (Buddy) Inspiration recommends 1.0to2.5mm (8-12 mesh), as does Carleton and most of the other high-end manufacturers. Draeger equipment has to use 2.0to5.0mm sodalime due to the design of the scrubber canister.

Some of our distributors are as follows:
UK - AP Valves (Ambient Pressure Diving) +44 1326 561040
US - OC Lugo +1 845 708 7080
Australia - Chem-Supply - +61 (8) 8440 2000

If you need a supplier in another country then please contact me.

[Wazee Diver]

Ian
sometimes when I dump my Sofnolime after @180 minn ,I get a strong ammonia smell ????????????

Any info would be great


Al

[Ian]

Hi Al,

A strong ammonia smell is undoubtedly caused by indicator dye, as it is the only possible source of ammonia in soda lime. The dye, ethyl violet, is an amine, or an ammonia derivative.

In sodalime dye is their as an indication only. It is not an accurate representation of usage nor is it a permanent colour change. Medical grade soda limes tend to have a higher dye content and therefore increase the potential for the ammonia smell.

You need to ask yourself whether you actually need the indicator dye. Most navies that operate rebreathers now specify non indicating grades especially because of the problems caused by ammonia.

I have an interesting paper, in acrobat format, issued by the Naval Medical Research Institute titled "Chemical Safety of US Naval Fleet Soda Lime", which fully explains the US Navy's experience and their solution. I will happily send to you by e-mail if required.

Best Regards

Ian

[Wazee Diver]

Thanks, Ian

Yes ,I would love that info.

Petersen_allen@hotmail.com

Thanks again

Al

[microbubble]

If you are in South East Asia, and in particular the Singapore area, I have a large stock of Draeger DiveSorb for sale at reasonable prices. We are a rebreather centre with many units for training and rental. Before Draeger decided to screw everyone one we were exclusive distributors in Indonesia and China. We offer a full service centre and training and rental facilities for interested rebreather divers and potential rebreather divers.

If you need Draeger DiveSorb then give me a return e-mail and we can get your order out within 24hrs.

Hi I am from Singapore. Where is your location if I want to get Divesorb from you?

[Pawel]

On easy dives I use Medisorb, which is cheap as chips (but admittedly less tasty). It is medical-grade soda lime, which can be used for diving with some conservatism. On more demanding dives I use Drager DiveSorb Pro.

Cheers,

Pawel

[FLTEKDIVER]

On easy dives I use Medisorb, which is cheap as chips (but admittedly less tasty). It is medical-grade soda lime, which can be used for diving with some conservatism. On more demanding dives I use Drager DiveSorb Pro.

Cheers,

Pawel

Any place i can look up the Drager DiveSorb Pro ? As i have a Draeger Dolphin, and am in need of sorb as i am running out

[Pawel]

Any place i can look up the Drager DiveSorb Pro ? As i have a Draeger Dolphin, and am in need of sorb as i am running out
In Florida? Dunno.

Cheers,

Pawel