How does the palladium catalyst work?
The DWS range of anaerobic workstations utilises a palladium catalyst for removal of oxygen from the incubation atmosphere. In the presence of palladium catalyst, residual oxygen is reduced by hydrogen with the production of water. The water is automatically removed from the workstation. Under normal in-use conditions the catalyst will remain effective for up to 6 months. At 6 months it is recommended that the catalyst sachet is replaced by a new sachet . It is the practice of some laboratories to “recharge” the catalyst by heating at temperatures of 160°C. This will indeed improve the catalyst life by driving off moisture and freeing up active sites on the catalyst but it will not fully recharge the catalyst. DWS cannot guarantee maintenance of anaerobiosis within a workstation after 6 months unless new catalyst sachets are being used. Catalyst sachets will remain active and viable for a minimum of 2 years when kept dry within the supplied polythene bag.
