Ozone containing fluid system for chemical and/or biological warfare agents

• US 7,186,375 B2
• Filed: 10/07/2005
• Issued: 03/06/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/22/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: American Sterilizer Company (Steris Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Steris Corporation
• Inventors: Centanni, Michael A., McVey, Iain F., Subach, Daniel J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Johnson; Edward M.
• Application Number:
  US11/245,553
• Publication Number:
  US 20060233684A1
• Time in Patent Office: 515 Days
• Field of Search: 422/28, 422/29, 422/33, 588/300, 588/313, 588/317, 588/318, 588/400, 588/401, 588/405, 588/410, 588/900
• US Class Current: 422/29
• 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:

a self-charging storage container for storing an ozone-containing solution near a potential site for chemical or biological attack, wherein said ozone-containing solution includes an ozone vehicle selected from;

a glycol-containing chemical compound, an alcohol, or a mixture thereof;

recharging means for recharging said ozone-containing solution within said self-charging storage container in accordance with a predetermined criteria to increase ozone content of the ozone-containing solution stored in said self-charging storage container, wherein said predetermined criteria includes at least one of the following;

(a) elapsed time, and (b) ozone content of the ozone-containing solution within said self-charging storage container,

wherein said recharging means comprises;

(1) an ozone generator for generating ozone inside said self-charging storage container, wherein said ozone generator is initiated by the self-charging storage container, and

(2) mixing means initiated by the self-charging storage container to mix the generated ozone with said ozone-containing solution inside said self-charging storage container to recharge said ozone-containing solution; and

means for releasing the ozone-containing solution from the self-charging storage container.

2. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said ozone generator produces an e-beam.

3. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said ozone-containing solution further includes water.

4. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said glycol-containing chemical compound is selected from:

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

5. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said alcohol is a tertiary alcohol.

6. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said glycol-containing chemical compound is propylene glycol.

7. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said ozone-containing solution is atomized as it is released from the self-charging storage container.

8. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said ozone-containing solution further includes additives selected from:

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

9. An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said self-charging storage container is selected from:

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

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

a self-charging storage container for storing an ozone-containing foaming composition near a potential site for chemical or biological attack, wherein said ozone-containing foaming composition includes an ozone vehicle selected from;

a glycol-containing chemical compound, an alcohol, or a mixture thereof;

recharging means for recharging said ozone-containing foaming composition within said self-charging storage container in accordance with a predetermined criteria to increase ozone content of the ozone-containing foaming composition stored in said self-charging storage container, wherein said predetermined criteria includes at least one of the following;

(a) elapsed time, and (b) ozone content of the ozone-containing foaming composition within said self-charging storage container, wherein said recharging means comprises;

(1) an ozone generator for generating ozone inside said self-charging storage container, wherein said ozone generator is initiated by the self-charging storage container, and

(2) mixing means initiated by the self-charging storage container to mix the generated ozone with said ozone-containing foaming composition inside said self-charging storage container to recharge said ozone-containing foaming composition; and

means for releasing the ozone-containing foaming composition from the self-charging storage container.