Chemical contamination monitor

• US 4,655,235 A
• Filed: 10/18/1984
• Issued: 04/07/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/1984
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ralph A. Scott Jr
• Original Assignee: Ralph A. Scott Jr
• Inventors: Scott, Ralph A. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Coe, Philip R.
• Application Number:
  US06/661,986
• Time in Patent Office: 901 Days
• Field of Search: 134/95, 134/99, 134/113, 134/166 R, 134/170, 134/171, 134/199, 134/200, 68/13 R, 68/20, 68/205 R, 252/626, 128/1 R, 128/1 B, 34/89, 15/302, 422/62, 422/119, 73/432 SD, 73/432 R
• US Class Current: 134/99.1
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 43/00 Dry-cleaning apparatus or methods using volatile solvents D06F9/00 - D06F41/00 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 1/1277 Shelters for decontamination

Abstract

A chemical contamination monitoring system is provided for monitoring and decontaminating protective clothing that has been exposed to toxic chemicals. The system includes a decontamination chamber in which the clothing is supported and a spray assembly, including a plurality of suitably directed spray nozzles, for spraying the clothing with a wash-solvent. Hot air is directed over the clothing to volitalize the contaminates and, after passing over the clothing, the hot air is withdrawn for analysis using gas chromatography or other known techniques. The used solvent can also be analyzed.

Claims

1. A chemical decontamination monitoring system comprising:

a decontamination chamber;

a means for supporting protective clothing suspected of contamination within said chamber;

decontamination solvent spray means for spraying a decontamination solvent onto the protective clothing supported within said chamber;

means for recirculating solvent spray through said decontamination chamber;

means for withdrawing used solvent from the chamber;

means for analyzing the withdrawn used solvent to determine the contaminate content thereof;

means for directing air over the protective clothing;

means for withdrawing the air from the chamber after the air has passed over the protective clothing; and

means for analyzing the air withdrawn from said chamber to determine the contaminate content thereof.

2. A chemical decontamination monitoring system comprising:

a decontamination chamber;

means for supporting protective clothing suspected of contamination within said chamber;

said clothing supporting means including means for supporting a protective suit, outer gloves, and outer boots, wherein said suit is infated prior to being supported by said supporting means, and said suit supporting means comprises a pair of elongate supports adapted to fit under the armpits of the inflated suit;

decontamination solvent spray means for spraying a decontamination solvent onto protective clothing supported within said chamber;

means for directing air over said protective clothing;

means for withdrawing the air from the chamber after the air has passed over said protective clothing; and

means for analyzing the air withdrawn from said chamber to determine the contaminate content thereof.

7. A system as claimed in claim 2 wherein said glove and boot supporting means include air inlets for filling with air the gloves and boots supported thereby.

8. A system as claimed in claim 7 wherein said boot supporting means includes support clips for supporting a portion of the boot.

3. A chemical decontamination monitoring system comprising:

a decontamination chamber;

means for supporting protecting cloth suspected of contamination within said chamber;

said clothing supporting means including means for supporting a protective suit, outer gloves, and outer boots, wherein said supporting means comprises suit support means suspended from the ceiling of the chamber;

decontamination solvent spray means for spraying a decontamination solvent onto protective clothing supported within said chamber;

means for directing air over said protective clothing;

means for withdrawing the air from the chamber after the air has passed over said protective clothing; and

means for analyzing the air withdrawn from said chamber to determine the contaminate content thereof.

4. A system as claimed in claim 3 wherein said suit support means includes a pair of hooks.

5. A system as claimed in claim 3 wherein said suit support means comprises fasteners for connection to the suit.

6. A system as claimed in claim 3 wherein said suit support means comprises loops for encircling the arms of the suit.

10. A system as claimed in claim 3 wherein said glove and boot supporting means include air inlets for filling with air the gloves and boots supported thereby.

11. A system as claimed in claim 10 wherein said boot supporting means includes support clips for supporting a portion of the boot.

9. A chemical decontamination monitoring system comprising:

a decontamination chamber which is shaped to provide drainage thereof and which includes a door opening and a pneumaticlly sealed door for providing access to the chamber, said door extending a substantially extent beyond the door opening around the entire periphery thereof, there being at least one seal on the door and on the adjacent chamber wall for providing sealing of said decontamination chamber;

a means for supporting protective clothing suspected of contamination within said chamber;

a plurality of spray nozzles equally spaced around said decontamination chamber at upper, intermediate and lower locations;

a reservoir for solvent located at the top of said decontamintion chamber;

a recirculation pump for pumping used solvent at the bottom of said decontamination chamber into said reservoir;

valve means for withdrawing used solvent spray from said decontamination chamber;

liquid chromatographic means for analyzing said used solvent spray to determine the contaminant content thereof

a fan for directing air over said protective clothing;

mean for heating the air;

an outside air inlet with filters thereover for preventing migration of toxic effluents from said decontamination chamber to the external atmosphere;

means for withdrawing air from said decontamination chamber fter the air has passed over said protective clothing;

means for analyzing the air withdrawn from said chamber to determine the contaminate content thereof; and

two paths as part of said air analyzing means, one of said path including a fluid collection reservoir and gas chromatographic means.