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THE OXOID ANAEROBIC CATALYST

Code: BR0042

The Oxoid low temperature Catalyst BR0042 is a safer and more efficient version of the cold catalytic devices which may be used to create low oxygen atmospheres within anaerobic gas jars.
Each Oxoid Catalyst contains 4 grams of palladium-coated pellets and is suitable for use in anaerobic jars up to 3.5 litres effective volume. This follows the recommendation of the United Kingdom Department of Health and Social Security¹ that there should be not less than 1 gram of catalyst for each litre volume of anaerobic jar. The extra large charge of activated palladium in the Oxoid Catalyst is wrapped in a special foil and enclosed in a large surface area capsule woven from very fine stainless steel wire.
The graph shows the difference in operating temperature between a conventional catalyst (unprotected pellets enclosed in wire gauze) and the Oxoid Catalyst. The description `safe’ applied to the Oxoid Catalyst refers to the reduction in risk of an explosion in the Oxoid Anaerobic Jar. Explosions in Anaerobic Systems although rare, can occur when hydrogen and oxygen are present in critical proportions. Such explosions are triggered by extremely hot catalyst envelope temperatures or by glowing particles of catalyst which have become detached. The Oxoid Catalyst design protects the customers from both of these possibilities.

How the Oxoid Anaerobic Catalyst BR0042 helps the microbiologist

Features
1 Maximum working temperature is approximately half that of other catalysts.
2 Double wrapped in perforated aluminium foil and fine stainless steel mesh.
3 Four grams of catalyst (more than 1 gram/litre airspace) is provided.

Benefits
1 Safety in use because the maximum operating temperature is lower than the flash point of hydrogen gas.
2 Acts as an efficient heat sink
3 Method of wrapping minimises the likelihood of small particles falling into jars, thus ensuring extra safety in use.
4 Helps to create anaerobic conditions quickly.

References
1 United Kingdom Department of Health and Social Security, February 1979.