Activated oxidizing vapor treatment system and method

Abstract

An oxidizing liquid ( 20 ), such as hydrogen peroxide, is vaporized ( 18 ) and the vapor is used to deactivate nerve gas, blistering gas, or other biologically active substances such as pathogens, biotoxins, and prions. A second chemical compound ( 42 ) in vapor, mist, or fog form is used in conjunction with the oxidizing vapor. In one embodiment, the second chemical preconditions the biologically active substances to be deactivated more efficiently by the oxidizing vapor. In another embodiment, the second chemical boosts the reactivity of the oxidizing vapor. In another embodiment, the other chemical reacts with the oxidizing vapor to form an intermediate compound that deactivates at least some of the biologically active substances.

1 - 17 . (canceled)  
     
     
         18 . An apparatus for deactivating biologically active substances including: 
 a means for subjecting the biologically active substances in an enclosure to a strong oxidant in a vapor phase.    
     
     
         19 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 18  wherein the biologically active substances are biological or chemical warfare agents including one or more of chemical agents, pathogens, prions, and biotoxins.  
     
     
         20 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 19  wherein the chemical agents include at least one of nerve gas and blistering gas.  
     
     
         21 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 18  wherein the oxidant includes at least one of peroxy compounds, hypochlorates, and ozone.  
     
     
         22 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 21  wherein the peroxy compounds include hydrogen peroxide.  
     
     
         23 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 18  further including: 
 a means for adding a second chemical in vapor, mist, or fog form to the enclosure.    
     
     
         24 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 23  wherein the second chemical does at least one of: 
 raises the oxidation potential of the oxidant vapor rendering the oxidant vapor more reactive against the biologically active substance;    preconditions the biologically active substance;    reacts with the oxidant vapor to generate an intermediate compound that deactivates at least some of the biologically active substances;    increases a number and variety of free radical species in the oxidant vapors; and,    adjusts pH.    
     
     
         25 . An apparatus for deactivating biologically active substances including at least one of nerve gas, blistering gas, pathogens, prions, and biotoxins, the apparatus including: 
 a chamber means for receiving an object that has been contaminated with biologically active substance and isolating the biologically active substances from escaping to the ambient atmosphere, the chamber means including at least one inlet and at least one outlet;    filters mounted to the inlet and the outlet to block the biologically active substance from exiting the chamber;    a source of liquid oxidant;    a vaporizer which vaporizes the liquid oxidant from the source and supplies the oxidant vapor to the inlet.    
     
     
         26 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 25  further including: 
 a source of a chemical vapor, mist, or fog which at least one of:    raises the oxidation potential of the oxidant vapor rendering the oxidant vapor more reactive against the biologically active substance;    preconditions the biologically active substance;    reacts with the oxidant vapor to generate an intermediate compound that deactivates at least some of the biologically active substances;    increases a number and variety of free radical species in the oxidant vapors; and,    adjusts pH.    
     
     
         27 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 25  further including: 
 a source of a chemical vapor, mist, or fog which at least one of:    raises the oxidation potential of the oxidant vapor rendering the oxidant vapor more reactive against the biologically active substance;    preconditions the biologically active substance;    reacts with the oxidant vapor to generate an intermediate compound that deactivates at least some of the biologically active substances;    increases a number and variety of free radical species in the oxidant vapors; and,    adjusts pH,    the chemical vapor, mist, or fog source being connected to a second inlet to the chamber means.    
     
     
         28 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 25  further including: 
 a source of a liquid chemical which at least one of:    raises the oxidation potential of the oxidant vapor rendering the oxidant vapor more reactive against the biologically active substance;    preconditions the biologically active substance;    reacts with the oxidant vapor to generate an intermediate compound that deactivates at least some of the biologically active substances;    increases a number and variety of free radical species in the oxidant vapors; and,    adjusts pH,    the liquid chemical source being connected with the vaporizer.    
     
     
         29 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 18  further including: 
 a means for supplying ammonia vapor to the enclosure means.    
     
     
         30 . The apparatus as set forth in  claim 25 , wherein the chamber means preheats the object to about 70° C. to allow extraction of the biologically active substances from the object to facilitate reaction between the biologically active substances and the vaporized oxidant when it is introduced into the chamber means.