Method and apparatus for photosensitized ultraviolet decontamination of surfaces and aerosol clouds

• US 20040219057A1
• Filed: 12/31/2003
• Published: 11/04/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/09/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: BioMed Protect, LLC
• Original Assignee: Clean Earth Technologies LLC
• Inventors: Golden, Jeffry
• Granted Patent: US 7,569,181 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 422/24
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/088 using a photocatalyst or photosensitiser
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/10 Ultraviolet radiation
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/14 Plasma, i.e. ionised gases
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/186 Peroxide solutions
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/22 Phase substances, e.g. smokes, aerosols or sprayed or atomised substances
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2202/16 Mobile applications, e.g. portable devices, trailers, devices mounted on vehicles

Abstract

A method of deactivating chemical contaminants and biological agents from a target surface by and aerosol spraying the target surface with a electrostatically charged, photosensitizer solution, and then illuminating the surface with ultraviolet light.

Claims

59. A method of decontaminating a contaminated non-conducting surface, the method comprising:

providing a conducting backing for the non-conducting surface;

spraying photosensitizer onto the contaminated surface, the photosensitizer being electrically charged so that it is attracted to the contaminated surface; and

illuminating the sprayed surface with light.

60. The method according to claim 59 wherein the light includes light of wavelengths between about 200 nm and about 320 nm.

61. A system for decontaminating a contaminated surface, the system comprising:

an apparatus for spraying a photosensitizer on the surface;

a light source for illuminating the sprayed contaminated surface; and

a temperature control system for heating said photosensitizer with waste heat from said light source.

62. A method for decontaminating the surface of a contaminated object, the method comprising:

surrounding the contaminated object with a portable barrier;

spraying an electrically charged photosensitizer onto the object, the photosensitizer being charged so that excess photosensitizer is attracted to and deposits upon said portable barrier;

illuminating the sprayed surfaces of the object with light.

63. The method according to claim 62 wherein the barrier is electrically charged to attract the electrically charged photosensitizer.

64. The method according to claim 62 wherein the barrier is grounded to attract the electrically charged photosensitizer.

65. The method according to claim 62 wherein the light includes UV light.

66. The method according to claim 65 wherein the barrier is substantially opaque to UV light.

67. A method of decontaminating the surface of a contaminated object, the method comprising:

surrounding the contaminated object with a barrier having an entrance and an exit therein;

establishing an air flow into the exit and out of the entrance;

spraying a photosensitizer onto the surfaces of the object; and

illuminating the sprayed surfaces of the object with light.

68. The method according to claim 67 wherein the light includes light of a wavelength of between about 200 nm and about 320 nm.