Notus – Alumina Beads with 8% Potassium Permanganate

Alumina beads infused with 8% potassium permanganate. Uses the same active oxidiser found in Nevermore Scorch-style media, but on an activated alumina substrate. Nevermore-approved by Ondsk4, creator of the Nevermore project. Made in Canada.

• Optimal Quantity: Each vacuum-sealed 2.15l (~2kg) bag is enough to completely fill a Nevermore StealthMax, two refills when mixed with carbon.
• Customizable Use: Can be mixed 50/50 with activated carbon to extend lifespan while maintaining moderate chemical filtration.
• Shipped in a resealable vacuum bag to extend shelf life and allow partial use.

Typical properties

• H²S Capacity (minimum): 0.10 g H²S/cc
• Moisture: 22 wt%
• Compaction (minimum): 2.7 kg (6 lb.)
• Particle Diameter: 3.2 mm (1/8 in.)
• Apparent Density: 0.88 g/cc (55 lb./ft³)
• Pressure Drop @ 50 fpm (0.25 m/s): 1.0 in. of water/ft. of bed

Notus is better suited than carbon-only media for hotter chambers because its KMnO₄ chemistry does not rely solely on physical adsorption. Performance still depends on airflow, media loading, humidity, chamber conditions and print time.

Why it is a “match in heaven” for 3D-printing

• activated alumina is an engineered micro-lattice structure working with adsorption like charcoal for the VOC it cannot neutralise
• activated alumina is hygroscopic. In a recirculating printer chamber, the same enclosed air repeatedly passes through the media, so the alumina has more opportunity to adsorb some moisture around the filter bed. This may support the KMnO₄ chemistry, but it is not a replacement for properly drying filament before printing.
• The porous alumina substrate helps bring gas molecules into contact with the KMnO₄ (the purple stuff…), allowing adsorption and chemical oxidation to work together.

Indicator when to Change

The pellets are visually indicative of their usage: bright purple when fresh, turning grey as they react and become spent! This visual cue provides a simple and effective way to monitor the lifespan of your filtration media. Make sure to “crush” one pellet to check that they are grey throughout, as they will turn grey on the outside after ~ 1 week of usage but are still good till they are fully grey to the inside.

Safety information

First aid quick reference

• Eyes: flush with plenty of clean water for several minutes, holding eyelids open. Remove contact lenses if easy to do. If irritation persists, consult an ophthalmologist.
• Skin: wash with plenty of water and soap. Remove contaminated clothing. If irritation develops, get medical advice.
• Inhalation: move to fresh air. Seek medical attention if respiratory irritation persists.
• Ingestion: rinse mouth with water (only if the person is conscious). Do not induce vomiting. Seek medical attention.

Disposal

Once KMnO₄ media is fully spent (grey all the way through a crushed bead) and saturated with VOCs from normal 3D-printer use, small domestic quantities can generally go in household waste, subject to your local council’s rules. Unspent material (still bright purple) is reactive and should not go in general waste or down the drain — route it through your local household waste recycling centre as reactive/oxidising chemical waste. Do not allow product to enter surface water or drains; if wetted, potassium permanganate may leach out and turn water pink to purple.