US 5,004,483 A · Particulate abatement and environmental control system

Abstract

Improved techniques are provided for improving the environment of hazardous material abatement personnel operating within an enclosed working area while conducting, for example, asbestos removal operations. A negative pressure is established within the working area by a portable air moving unit, which exhausts air from the working area to prevent hazardous material leakage. The exhausted air is filtered, a significant portion of the exhausted air is conditioned by a portable refrigeration, heating and dehumidification system, and the temperature controlled air is returned to the working area. An air diverter is provided for regulating the ratio of the discharged air to the returned and conditioned air in response to the sensed pressure level within the working are. The temperature of the working area is regulated, thereby substantially increasing worker productivity and reducing safety risks. The humidity level within the working are may either be lowered to reduce the curing time for hazardous material final encapsulation operations, or increased to reduce the airborne contaminant level during wet abatement operations. Leakage from the working area is preferably minimized, while the efficiency of the portable conditioning unit is maximized.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A method of providing an improved temporary working environment during removal of hazardous particulate material or during the encapsulation of the hazardous particulate material, the method comprising:

defining a working space substantially sealed from space exterior of the working space;
powering a portable air moving unit for exhausting air including hazardous particulate material from the defined working space to maintain a negative pressure within the working space with respect to the space external of the working space;
monitoring the level of negative pressure within the working space:
filtering the exhausted air to remove the hazardous particulate material;
discharging a minority portion of the exhausted air to the space exterior of the working space;
powering a portable conditioning unit to condition a majority portion of the exhausted air, the majority portion of the exhausted air being defined by the exhausted air less the discharged air;
returning the conditioned air to the working space;
and
regulating the ratio of the minority portion of the discharged air to the majority portion of the conditioned air in response to the monitored level of negative pressure.

6 more elements

An apparatus for improving the working environment during hazardous particulate material abatement operations, the apparatus comprising:

area sealing means for defining a working space substantially sealed from space external of the working space:
a portable air moving unit for exhausting air including hazardous particulate material from the working space and maintaining a negative pressure within the working space with respect to the space external of the working space;
pressure sensing means for monitoring the level of negative pressure within the working space;
a filter unit for filtering the exhausted air to remove the hazardous particulate material;
a discharge duct for discharging a minority portion of the filtered exhausted air to the space exterior of the working space:
a portable conditioning unit for conditioning a majority portion of the filtered exhausted air, the majority portion of the exhausted air being defined by the exhausted air less the discharged air;
a return duct for returning the conditioned air to the working space:
and
air diverter means for regulating the ratio of the minority portion of the discharged air to the majority portion of the conditioned air in response to the pressure sensing means.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Particulate abatement and environmental control system

Life of this patent

Particulate abatement and environmental control system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20