Method for decontaminating hazardous material containers
AssigneeParsons Infrastructure & Technology Group, Inc.
InventorJohn A. Scott
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A process is provided for decontaminating metal objects, such as warhead components having hazardous materials adherent thereto. In the process, the objects are contacted with steam at a temperature above about 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit for a period of at least about 15 minutes under sub-atmospheric conditions. Thereafter, the steam used in the process is condensed to form a condensate and the condensate is used as a makeup component for an aqueous pacifying solution for pacification hazardous materials.
Claims12
In a combination process for pacifying hazardous materials and for decontaminating objects having hazardous materials adhered thereto, wherein the combination process comprises the step of contacting the hazardous materials within a first reactor vessel with an aqueous pacifying solution, the improvement comprising the steps of:
- (a) supplying steam at a temperature above about 1,000 degree Fahrenheit;
- (b) contacting the objects with said steam;
- (c) thereafter condensing the steam to form condensate;
- and
- (d) delivering the condensate to the reactor vessel for use as a component in the pacifying solution.
The combination process of claim No. 1 wherein the objects are contacted with steam for at least about 15 minutes.
The combination process of claim No. 1 wherein the objects are contacted with steam within an enclosed vessel.
The combination process of claim No. 3 further comprising the initial steps of loading the objects within the enclosed vessel through an airlock and immediately thereafter purging the airlock with an inert gas to purge all non-steam gasses from the enclosed vessel.
The combination process of claim No. 3 wherein the objects are contacted with steam within the enclosed vessel while the vessel is at a pressure less than atmospheric pressure.
The combination process of claim No. 1 wherein the aqueous pacifying solution has a pH greater than about 7.
The combination process of claim No. 1 wherein the aqueous pacifying solution has a pH greater than 11.
The process of claim No. 1 wherein the objects are portions of a military shell or warhead.
The process of claim No. 1 wherein the hazardous materials comprise explosives or chemical warfare agents.
In a combination process for pacifying hazardous materials and for decontaminating objects having hazardous materials adhered thereto, wherein the combination process comprises the step of contacting the hazardous materials within a first reactor vessel with an aqueous pacifying solution, the improvement comprising the steps of:
- (a) supplying superheated steam at a temperature above about 1,000 degree Fahrenheit
- (b) contacting the objects with said super-heated steam for at least about 15 minutes, at a pressure less than atmospheric;
- (b) thereafter condensing the steam to form condensate;
- and
- (c) using the condensate to the reactor vessel for use as a component in the pacification solution has been substituted therefor.
The process of claim No. 10 where the objects are portions of a military shell or warhead.
The process of claim No. 10 wherein the hazardous materials comprise explosives or chemical warfare agents.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.