Apparatus and method for neutralizing a contaminated heating element
AssigneesSony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.
InventorsSteven Engelking, Robert R. Sanchez
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Apparatus for neutralizing a heating element contaminated with acid. A housing is provided which receives water and a base material. The water and base material combine within the housing to form a neutralizing agent. The neutralizing agent is then passed through the heating element in order to neutralize the heating element for safe disposal as municipal waste.
Claims20
An apparatus for neutralizing a contaminated heating element, comprising:
- a housing having an inlet port for receiving water;
- a container for holding a material;
- a valve connected between said container and said housing for supplying a predetermined amount of said material to said water in said housing wherein said water and said material form a neutralizing agent;
- and
- a conduit connected to said housing for supplying said neutralizing agent to said heating element for neutralizing said heating element.
An apparatus for neutralizing at least one contaminated element, comprising:
- a housing having an inlet port for receiving water;
- a container for holding a material;
- valve means connected between said container and said housing for supplying a predetermined amount of said material to said water in said housing wherein said water and said material form a neutralizing agent;
- first conduit means connected to said housing for supplying said neutralizing agent to a first element for neutralizing said first element;
- and
- second conduit means connected to said housing for supplying said neutralizing agent to a second element for neutralizing said second element.
An apparatus for neutralizing a contaminated heating element having a tube which includes a wire and a second element, comprising:
- a housing having an inlet port for receiving water, wherein said inlet port is connected to a water supply;
- a container for holding a material;
- a first valve connected between said container and said housing for supplying a predetermined amount of said material to said water in said housing wherein said water and said material form a neutralizing agent;
- a first conduit connected to said housing for providing a first flow of said neutralizing agent to said heating element for neutralizing said heating element;
- a second valve connected to said first conduit for controlling said first flow of said neutralizing agent to said heating element;
- a second conduit connected to said housing for providing a second flow of said neutralizing agent to said second element;
- a third valve connected to said second conduit for controlling said second flow of said neutralizing agent to said second element;
- and
- a fourth valve connected between said water supply and said inlet port for controlling flow of water to said housing.
A method for neutralizing a contaminated heating element, comprising the steps of:
- feeding a material into a container by controlling a valve;
- feeding water into said container;
- mixing said material with said water in said container to form a neutralizing agent;
- discharging said neutralizing agent from said container;
- passing said neutralizing agent through said heating element for approximately 5 minutes to neutralize said heating element;
- and
- passing water through said heating element for approximately 5 minutes to remove residual neutralizing agent from said heating element.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.