Hydrate-based decontamination of toxic gases

Apparatus for decontaminating an area in which a toxic, hydrate-forming agent has been released, said apparatus comprising:

• a relatively light-weight, portable containment vessel, said containment vessel being pressurizeable and constructed of waterproof materials;
• a water spray distribution system disposed within said containment vessel for spraying water into the interior of said containment vessel;
• and
• a toxic agent intake system, said toxic agent intake system comprising one or more light-weight, collapsible intake conduits and a pump system configured to draw said toxic agent into said one or more conduits and deliver said toxic agent into said containment vessel.

Integrated air circulation and toxic agent decontamination apparatus, comprising:

• air circulation ducting disposed within a building or other area in which people gather;
• a pressurizeable containment vessel in communication with said air circulation ducting;
• and
• a water spray distribution system disposed within said containment vessel for spraying water into the interior of said containment vessel.

A method for decontaminating an area in which a hydrate-forming toxic agent has been released, the molecular size of said agent being of a large size incapable of forming a stable hydrate of sI or sII type, said method comprising:

• gathering said toxic agent in a containment vessel;
• admixing said toxic agent in a containment vessel with water and a hydrate-forming companion agent, the companion agent being of a molecular size capable of forming a stable hydrate of sI or sII type;
• and
• controlling temperature and pressure conditions in said vessel so as to cause the water, the toxic agent, and the companion agent to form a stable hydrate containing both the toxic agent and the companion agent.