US 7,279,129 B2 · Method and apparatus for control of chemical or biological warfare agents

Abstract

Metal oxide area decontamination apparatus (10) is provided which is designed for rapid, emergency situation decontamination of areas contaminated with potentially harmful or lethal chemical and/or biological warfare agents or other hazardous substances. The apparatus (10) preferably includes a pressurizable metallic container (12) equipped with a valve-type delivery nozzle assembly (16), so that upon a manipulation of the assembly (16), a spray of metal oxide and/or metal hydroxide particles is generated; the particles are selected and sized in order to destroy or chemisorb the contaminating agents. The preferred decontamination agent is MgO aggregated to an average aggregate size of from about 50 nm-10 microns. The particles are mixed with a gaseous or liquid propellant within the container (12) allowing rapid and thorough particle cleanout when the nozzle assembly (16) is actuated.

Claims11

Dependent claims

Apparatus for area decontamination, comprising:

a container;
a pressurized, sprayable mixture within said container and including a quantity of MgO and TiO2 particles, and a propellant, the weight ratio of MgO to TiO2 being between about 99:1 to 1:99, said particles being present as aggregates having an average diameter of between about 50 nm-2 microns;
and
a spray nozzle coupled with said container and selectively operable for generating a spray of said particles from the nozzle.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

10/452,650Filed 2 Jun 2003 · continuation in part

Priority

14 May 2002

Published

US 2005/0158207 A121 Jul 2005

Granted

9 Oct 2007

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification27 codes

A61L 2/16
Disinfection or sterilisation of materials or objects, in general; Accessories therefor: using chemical substances
A61L 2/22
Using chemical substances: phase substances, e.g. smokes or aerosols
A61L 2/238
Solid materials, e.g. granules, powders, blocks or tablets: metals or alloys, e.g. oligodynamic metals
A61L 9/12
Using substances evaporated in the air without heating: apparatus, e.g. holders, therefor

Method and apparatus for control of chemical or biological warfare agents

Life of this patent

Method and apparatus for control of chemical or biological warfare agents

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims11