Process Stream Decontamination Systems and Methods with Recirculation of Decontaminant

Abstract

A decontamination system for decontaminating at least one contaminant in a process stream. Decontaminant liquid is dispersed into the process stream using atomization. A controller detects contaminant levels in the process stream and adjusts the flow of decontaminant fluid into the process stream in response.

1 - 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . A system for decontaminating a process stream containing at least one contaminant, the system comprising:
 a supply of decontaminant;   a controller associated with the supply of decontaminant and operable to introduce a controlled amount of decontaminant to the process stream; and   a recirculation mechanism to collect an amount of used decontaminant, determine its reuseability as decontaminant, and reintroduce said amount of used decontaminant into the process stream if said amount is determined to be reusable.   
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 20  wherein the recirculation mechanism further comprises a chemical sensor to monitor the amount of used decontaminant to determine its reusability. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 20  wherein the recirculation mechanism further comprises:
 a recirculation tank to collect used decontaminant; and 
 a recirculation pump to flow used decontaminant from the recirculation tank. 
 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 21  wherein the recirculation mechanism further comprises a controller to dump the amount of used decontaminant to waste upon receipt of a signal from the chemical sensor indicating that the amount of used decontaminant is no longer usable as decontaminant. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 22  wherein fresh decontaminant is flowed into recirculation tank when needed. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 21  wherein the chemical sensor comprises a fluorometer. 
     
     
         26 . A method of decontaminating at least one contaminant in a process stream comprising the steps of:
 Injecting decontaminant into the process stream, the decontaminant being used for decontamination of the process stream;   collecting an amount of used decontaminant;   determining whether the amount of used decontaminant may be reused as decontaminant for the process stream; and   recirculating the amount of used decontaminant to the process stream if said amount is determined to be reuseable.   
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26  wherein the step of collecting an amount of used decontaminant further comprises flowing an amount of used decontaminant into a recirculation tank. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27  wherein the step of determining whether the amount of used decontaminant may be reused for decontamination of the process stream further comprises:
 monitoring the amount of used decontaminant within the recirculation tank with a chemical sensor. 
 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 26  wherein the step of determining whether the amount of used decontaminant may be reused for decontamination of the process stream comprises determining whether the spent decontaminant is completely saturated with hydrogen sulfide. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 26  further comprising the step of dumping the amount of used decontaminant to waste if said amount is determined to not be reusable. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 27  further comprising the step of adding fresh decontaminant to the recirculation tank.