Large-Area Chemical and Biological Decontamination Using a High Energy Arc Lamp (HEAL) System.

Conference · Mon Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 2007

OSTI ID:1036542

Duty, Chad E ^[1]; Smith, Rob R ^[1]; Vass, Arpad Alexander ^[1]; Ilgner, Ralph H ^[1]; Brown, Gilbert M ^[1]

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1. ORNL

Methods for quickly decontaminating large areas exposed to chemical and biological (CB) warfare agents can present significant logistical, manpower, and waste management challenges. Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is pursuing an alternate method to decompose CB agents without the use of toxic chemicals or other potentially harmful substances. This process uses a high energy arc lamp (HEAL) system to photochemically decompose CB agents over large areas (12 m2). Preliminary tests indicate that more than 5 decades (99.999%) of an Anthrax spore simulant (Bacillus globigii) were killed in less than 7 seconds of exposure to the HEAL system. When combined with a catalyst material (TiO2) the HEAL system was also effective against a chemical agent simulant, diisopropyl methyl phosphonate (DIMP). These results demonstrate the feasibility of a rapid, large-area chemical and biological decontamination method that does not require toxic or corrosive reagents or generate hazardous wastes.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL)
• Sponsoring Organization: ORNL Program Development
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-00OR22725
• OSTI ID: 1036542
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English