Chlorine gas generating candle

• US 7,300,625 B1
• Filed: 03/18/2004
• Issued: 11/27/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/18/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The United States of America As Represented By The Secretary of Agriculture
• Original Assignee: the united states of america as represented by the secretary of the navy
• Inventors: Gotzmer, Carl, Hlavacek, Vladimir
• Primary Examiner(s): MCKANE, ELIZABETH L
• Application Number:
  US10/807,584
• Time in Patent Office: 1,349 Days
• Field of Search: 423/504, 252/187.1
• US Class Current: 422/33
• CPC Class Codes: A01M 13/00 Fumigators; Apparatus for distributing gases poisoning or narcotising insects by vaporising an insecticide A01M1/2022
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/20 Gaseous substances, e.g. vapours
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/763 Devices for the addition of such compounds in gaseous form
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2103/42 from bathing facilities, e.g. swimming pools

Abstract

A chlorine gas generating candle in a vented container which serves as a portable means to generate heated chlorine gas for killing insects, bacteria, viruses and other dangerous biological agents. The device has application in sanitizing dwellings, swimming pools and the like, and is effective in case of accidental release and/or biological attack. The chlorine gas generating candle disinfects an enclosed space with a quantity of heated chlorine gas. The chlorine gas generator is a self contained unit including an igniter which can be activated to initiate a self propagating burn of the entire candle and a resultant distribution of toxic chlorine gas. The use of one or a plurality of chlorine generators described in this application can provide any desired concentration of the killing gas. The chlorine gas generating candle can be safely and easily transported and does not require a source of power to operate.

Claims

1. A chorine gas generator for disinfecting, comprising:

vented container;

a solid chemical candle being disposed within said vented container, said candle comprising an ignition layer and a chlorine generating segment, said chlorine generating segment including metal powder as fuel, an oxygen source including at least one of an alkali metal chlorates and an alkali metal perchlorate, and a metal chloride as a chlorine source; and

an igniter igniting the chemical candle from an outside of the container.

2. The chlorine gas generator as in claim 1, wherein said ignition layer further comprises metal powder, cobalt oxide, metal oxide and an alkali metal chlorate.

3. The chlorine gas generator as in claim 1, further comprising an insulating material within the container, which surrounds the chemical candle.

4. The chlorine gas generator as in claim 1, wherein the igniter further comprises a thermal igniter coil connected by wires to the outside of the container.

5. The chlorine gas generator as in claim 1, wherein said chlorine generating segment of the chemical candle is comprised of at least two layers of varying composition such that a first layer, which is substantially adjacent to the ignition layer, is relatively richer in fuel, and a second layer of said at least two layers is disposed at a greater distance from the ignition layer where said second layer is relatively richer in chlorine generating compound compared to said first layer.

6. The chlorine gas generator as in claim 1, where the chlorine generating segment includes a binder.

7. The chlorine gas generator according to claim 1, further comprising a tube structure being partially disposed within said vented container for venting a gas generated by ignition of said solid chemical candle to an environment.

8. The chlorine gas generator according to claim 1, wherein said chlorine generating segment further comprises a catalyst.

9. The chlorine gas generator according to claim 1, wherein said ignition layer contacts said chlorine generating segment.

10. A process for generating chlorine gas, comprising:

igniting an ignition segment comprising metal power, cobalt oxide, metal oxide and an alkali metal chlorate resulting in products of combustion; and

containing the products of combustion in a container, which is adjacent to a chlorine generation segment comprising metal chloride as a chlorine source and a metal oxide catalyst for propagation of the products of the combustion to the chlorine generation segment and complete burning thereof.

11. A process of using a chlorine gas generator for sanitizing swimming pools, small water supplies and sewage tanks, comprising

placing said chlorine gas generator at least substantially near one of a swimming pool, small water supply and sewage tank environment;

igniting an ignition segment of said chlorine gas generator, said ignition segment comprising metal power, cobalt oxide, metal oxide and an alkali metal chlorate resulting in products of combustion;

containing said products of combustion in a container portion, which is adjacent to a chlorine generation segment comprising metal chloride as a chlorine source and a metal oxide catalyst;

propagating the products of the combustion to the chlorine generation segment for ignition of the chlorine generation segment and complete burning thereof for producing a chlorine gas;

venting said chlorine gas into said one of said swimming pool, small water supply and sewage tank environment for producing a sanitizing effect.

12. A process of using a chlorine gas generator for destroying biological warfare agents, comprising

placing said chlorine gas generator at least substantially near an environment including biological warfare agents;

igniting an ignition segment of said chlorine gas generator, said ignition segment comprising metal power, cobalt oxide, metal oxide and an alkali metal chlorate resulting in products of combustion;

containing said products of combustion in a container portion, which is adjacent to a chlorine generation segment comprising metal chloride as a chlorine source and a metal oxide catalyst;

propagating the products of the combustion to the chlorine generation segment for ignition of the chlorine generation segment and complete burning thereof for producing a chlorine gas;

venting said chlorine gas into said environment for producing a destruction effect on said biological warfare agents.