# US 10,307,500 B2 · Method for neutralizing biological organisms

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- Number: US 10,307,500 B2
- Document ID: US10307500B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/877,962
- Filed: 2018-01-23
- Published: 2018-08-30
- Granted: 2019-06-04
- Earliest claimed: 2015-08-21
- Assignees: Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense Company
- Applicants: Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense Company
- Inventors: Richard M. Kellett
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10307500B2

## CPC

- A61L 2/204: Formaldehyde
- A61L 2/06: Hot gas
- A61L 2/26: Accessories
- F42B 12/50: by dispersion
- A61L 2202/16: Mobile applications, e.g. portable devices, trailers, devices mounted on vehicles
- A61L: METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES (preservation of bodies or disinfecting characterised by the agents employed A01N; preserving, e.g. sterilising, food or foodstuffs A23; preparations for medical, dental or toiletry purposes A61K)
- F42B: EXPLOSIVE CHARGES, e.g. FOR BLASTING, FIREWORKS, AMMUNITION (explosive compositions C06B; fuzes F42C; blasting F42D)

## Abstract

A system and method for neutralizing a biological organism is provided. The system includes a first element is made from paraformaldehyde. A second element is configured to generate heat and decompose the paraformaldehyde into formaldehyde gas. In one embodiment, the second element is configured to have an exothermic and self-sustaining alloying reaction in response to being thermally energized by an initiator.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of decontaminating an area having biological organisms, the method comprising:
delivering a decontamination device to the area, the decontamination device having an igniter, a first element made from paraformaldehyde, and a second element;
thermally energizing the second element with the igniter;
forming an exothermic reaction in the second element in response to being thermally energized by the igniter;
transforming the paraformaldehyde into gaseous formaldehyde with the exothermic reaction; and
neutralizing the biological organisms with the gaseous formaldehyde.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the exothermic reaction of the second element is a self-sustaining alloying reaction.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The method of claim 2, wherein the exothermic reaction propagates from a first end of the second element to a second end of the second element.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The method of claim 3, wherein the propagation of the exothermic reaction occurs at a rate sufficient to convert the first element from a solid to a gas.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The method of claim 4, wherein the second element is generally cylindrical and is disposed about the first element.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the decontamination device further includes a pyrotechnic delay element and a pyrotechnic charge between the igniter and the second element.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising delivering the decontamination device via an aerial vehicle selected from a group consisting of a mortar shell, an artillery shell, a rocket propelled grenade, a missile and an unmanned aerial vehicle.