SYSTEMS AND STRIPPABLE COATINGS FOR DECONTAMINATING STRUCTURES THAT INCLUDE POROUS MATERIAL

• US 20100206345A1
• Filed: 02/11/2010
• Published: 08/19/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Montana State University
• Original Assignee: Battelle Energy Alliance LLC (Battelle Memorial Institute)
• Inventors: Avci, Recep, Fox, Robert V., Groenewold, Gary S.
• Granted Patent: US 8,070,881 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 134/58.R
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 7/0014 by incorporation in a layer which is removed with the contaminants
• CPC Class Codes: C08G 65/34 from hydroxy compounds or their metallic derivatives C08G65/26 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C08G 79/025 Polyphosphazenes
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 85/02 containing phosphorus

Abstract

Methods of removing contaminant matter from porous materials include applying a polymer material to a contaminated surface, irradiating the contaminated surface to cause redistribution of contaminant matter, and removing at least a portion of the polymer material from the surface. Systems for decontaminating a contaminated structure comprising porous material include a radiation device configured to emit electromagnetic radiation toward a surface of a structure, and at least one spray device configured to apply a capture material onto the surface of the structure. Polymer materials that can be used in such methods and systems include polyphosphazine-based polymer materials having polyphosphazine backbone segments and side chain groups that include selected functional groups. The selected functional groups may include iminos, oximes, carboxylates, sulfonates, β-diketones, phosphine sulfides, phosphates, phosphites, phosphonates, phosphinates, phosphine oxides, monothio phosphinic acids, and dithio phosphinic acids.

Claims

1. A system for decontaminating a contaminated structure comprising porous material, the system comprising:

at least one radiation device configured and oriented to emit electromagnetic radiation towards a surface of a contaminated structure; and

at least one spray device configured and oriented to apply a capture material onto the surface of the contaminated structure.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one radiation device is configured to emit at least one beam of substantially coherent electromagnetic radiation towards the surface of the contaminated structure.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the at least one radiation device comprises at least one laser device.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one spray device is configured to spray a substantially liquid polymer or a substantially liquid polymer precursor material onto the surface of the contaminated structure.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the system further comprises an electrical control device configured to selectively control at least one of the radiation device and the spray device.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a vehicle, at least a portion of the radiation device and at least a portion of the spray device being mounted to the vehicle.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the vehicle is configured to be operated from a remote location.

8. The system of claim 6, further comprising at least one robotic arm mounted to the vehicle.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the at least one radiation device is configured to emit electromagnetic radiation towards a surface of a contaminated structure from at least one radiation port mounted on the at least one robotic arm.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the at least one spray device is configured to spray capture material towards a surface of a contaminated structure from at least one spray port or nozzle mounted on the at least one robotic arm.