Oxygen Absorbers - Ageless ZPT

The original intent of this product was to prevent mold and insect growth within food containers by creating an oxygen free environment. This concept was adapted to the conservation field in the form of non-destructive fumigation. Typical fumigation treatments usually entail the exposure of a valuable object to harsh and toxic chemicals to eradicate living organisms living within it. With the introduction of Ageless oxygen absorber, one can now treat a valuable object without any risk of possible damage.

Ageless works on the simple principle that without oxygen, living organisms cannot thrive. Ageless is comprised of powdered iron and salts. When exposed to oxygen, these ingredients chemically react forming iron oxides and hydroxides (better known as rust). During this chemical reaction the oxygen is absorbed, thus producing an oxygen free environment.

Ageless is commonly used in conjunction with heat sealable bags made from oxygen barrier films such as Marvelseal and Aclar. You will need to make or buy a bag that is the proper size to fit the artifact that is to be treated such as a painting, frame, book, etc. The artifact is placed inside the bag with the proper amount of Ageless packets and several Ageless Eye oxygen indicators. Before sealing the bag closed with a tacking iron, remove as much air/volume as practical. After 12-24 hours, the Ageless Eye, which will have turned blue when first placed in the bag, should have returned to a bright pink color. This change in color indicates that the Ageless has succeeded in removing the oxygen within the bag. As a general rule, the bag is left sealed for a period of 10-14 days to assure complete pest eradication.

Some precautions should be taken when using any Ageless product. Keep in mind that when Ageless and oxygen come in contact with each other it produces an exothermic reaction. That is, heat is produced. Never place Ageless packets on top of each other and space them evenly throughout your treatment enclosure. Never place Ageless in direct contact with an artifact. Relative humidity can increase within a closed environment when using Ageless. When Ageless has fully depleted the oxygen from the enclosure, the total volume of the enclosure will have been reduced by 20%.

Each Ageless ZPT-500 packet will absorb the oxygen content of 500 ml or 1/2 liter. Because oxygen makes up only 20% of any given air volume, one single ZPT-500 packet can absorb the oxygen from a volume of 2.5 liters of air. To convert volumes using liters and cubic feet; one liter equals 0.035 cu ft. or one cu ft. equals 28.32 liters. To convert volumes using liters and cubic inches; one liter equals 61.02 cu in. or one cu in. equals 0.016 liters. Once you calculate the proper amount of Ageless needed an additional amount of approx. 25-50% should be added to make up for any enclosure leakage. It is recommended that the air within the enclosure be at a minimum of 55% RH when using Ageless ZPT. Each Ageless ZPT-500 packet measures 2-1/2" x 2-3/4" x 1/8". Ageless ZPT-500 comes packaged 50 packets per bag, each case contains 20 bags of 50 packets for a total 1,000 packets.

Each Ageless ZPT-2000 packet will remove the oxygen content of 2000 ml or 2 liters. Because oxygen makes up only 20% of any given air volume, one single ZPT-2000 packet can absorb the oxygen from a volume of 10 liters of air. To convert volumes using liters and cubic feet; one liter equals 0.035 cu ft. or one cu ft. equals 28.32 liters. To convert volumes using liters and cubic inches; one liter equals 61.02 cu in. or one cu in. equals 0.016 liters. Once you calculate the proper amount of Ageless needed an additional amount of approx. 50% should be added to make up for any enclosure leakage. It is recommended that the air within the enclosure be at a minimum of 55% RH when using Ageless ZPT. Each Ageless ZPT-2000 packet measures 4" x 4" x 1/4". Ageless ZPT-2000 comes packaged 25 packets per bag, each case contains 10 bags of 25 packets for a total 250 packets.

Each Ageless ZPT-3000 packet will remove the oxygen content of 3000 ml or 3 liters. Because oxygen makes up only 20% of any given air volume, one single ZPT-3000 packet can absorb the oxygen from a volume of 15 liters of air. To convert volumes using liters and cubic feet; one liter equals 0.035 cu ft. or one cu ft. equals 28.32 liters. To convert volumes using liters and cubic inches; one liter equals 61.02 cu in. or one cu in. equals 0.016 liters. Once you calculate the proper amount of Ageless needed an additional amount of approx. 50% should be added to make up for any enclosure leakage. It is recommended that the air within the enclosure be at a minimum of 55% RH when using Ageless-Z. Each Ageless ZPT-3000 packet measures 4" x 4" x 1/4". Ageless ZPT-3000 comes packaged 20 packets per bag, each case contains 10 bags of 20 packets for a total 200 packets.

Please Note: Oxygen Indicator Tablets no longer are supplied with any of the Ageless products. Oxygen Indicator Tablets must be purchased separately (part no. AM-24120).