Use of an ozone containing fluid to neutralize chemical and/or biological warfare agents

• US 20060233684A1
• Filed: 10/07/2005
• Published: 10/19/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/22/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: American Sterilizer Company (Steris Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Steris Corporation
• Inventors: Centanni, Michael A., McVey, Iain F., Subach, Daniel J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,186,375 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 422/186.120
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/0088 Liquid substances
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/183 Ozone dissolved in a liquid
• 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 2202/11 Apparatus for generating biocidal substances, e.g. vaporisers, UV lamps
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2202/16 Mobile applications, e.g. portable devices, trailers, devices mounted on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2202/18 Aseptic storing means
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2209/212 Use of ozone, e.g. generated by UV radiation or electrical discharge
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/145 air-liquid contact processes, e.g. scrubbing
• CPC Class Codes: A62D 2101/02 Chemical warfare substances, e.g. cholinesterase inhibitors
• CPC Class Codes: A62D 2101/26 containing nitrogen or phosphorus
• CPC Class Codes: A62D 2101/28 containing oxygen, sulfur, selenium or tellurium, i.e. chalcogen
• CPC Class Codes: A62D 2203/10 Apparatus specially adapted for treating harmful chemical agents; Details thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A62D 3/38 by oxidation; by combustion
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 588/90 Apparatus

Abstract

A method and apparatus for neutralizing biological and/or chemical warfare agents using an ozone-containing solution. The ozone-containing solution is produced by combining ozone-containing gas with an ozone vehicle, such as an organic solution. The ozone-vehicle prolongs the shelf life of the ozone to allow for extended periods of storage. A storage container is used to store the ozone-containing solution and facilitate its transportation to an environment contaminated by the biological and/or chemical warfare agents, or near a potential site for biological or chemical attack. The ozone-containing solution is drawn out of the storage container to apply it to a contaminated environment.

Claims

1. An apparatus for neutralizing a biological or chemical warfare agent, comprising:

solution generating means for generating an ozone-containing solution;

storage means for storing said ozone-containing solution; and

applicator means for releasing the ozone-containing solution from the storage container and applying the ozone-containing solution to the biological or chemical warfare agent.

2. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said solution generating means includes:

ozone generating means for generating an ozone-containing gas; and

mixing means for mixing the ozone-containing gas with an organic solution to produce said ozone-containing solution.

3. An apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said ozone generating means includes means for generating an e-beam, wherein oxygen is exposed to the e-beam to produce ozone.

4. An apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said mixing means mixes said ozone-containing gas with said organic solution, under pressure.

5. An apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said mixing means includes bubbling means for bubbling said ozone-containing gas through the organic solution while said organic solution is undergoing agitation.

6. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said ozone-containing solution includes an organic solution selected from the group consisting of:

a glycol-containing chemical compound, an alcohol and a mixture thereof.

7. An apparatus as defined in claim 6, wherein said ozone-containing solution further includes water.

8. An apparatus as defined in claim 6, wherein said glycol-containing chemical compound is selected from the group consisting of:

polyethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, glycol ethers, polypropylene glycol, propylene glycol and combinations thereof.

9. An apparatus as defined in claim 6, wherein said alcohol is a tertiary alcohol.

10. An apparatus as defined in claim 6, wherein said glycol-containing chemical compound is propylene glycol.

11. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said apparatus further comprises an atomizer means for atomizing said ozone-containing solution as it is released from said storage container by said applicator means.

12. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said ozone-containing solution includes additives selected from the group consisting of:

hydrogen peroxide, acetic acid, t-butanol and combinations thereof.

13. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said storage container is selected from the group consisting of:

a handheld portable container, a drum container, a tanker truck, and a tanker railcar.

14. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said storage container is recharged according to a predetermined schedule.

15. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said applicator means includes a sprayer unit.

16. An apparatus as defined in claim 15, wherein said sprayer unit is selected from the group consisting of:

a jet sprayer, an aerosol sprayer, and an atomizer sprayer.