System and process for removing or treating harmful biological and organic substances within structures and enclosures

US 8,272,143 B1
Filed: 08/19/2003
Issued: 09/25/2012
Est. Priority Date: 02/20/2002
Status: Expired due to Fees

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1. A process for removing or treating a human occupiable vehicle or building structure at least partially contaminated with harmful biological and organic substances, comprising the steps of:

substantially enclosing at least a selected area of the human occupiable structure to be treated;

heating ambient air within the enclosed area to a temperature between 110 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit to cause harmful biological or organic substances to be destroyed or migrate into the ambient air;

monitoring the temperature in the enclosed area until the temperature is achieved; and

removing moisture from the air within the enclosed area.

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Abstract

A process for removing or treating harmful biological and organic substances within an enclosure includes heating the ambient air within the enclosed area to a predetermined temperature over time to cause harmful biological or organic substances to be destroyed or migrate into the ambient air. Temperature and pressure levels are monitored through the treatment process. Contaminated objects or areas may be subjected to biocides, irradiation, or even freezing as part of the treatment process. The air removed from the enclosure is preferably passed through an incinerator, a filter or an irradiation device and the heated air is re-circulated to enhance efficiency.

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43 Claims

1. A process for removing or treating a human occupiable vehicle or building structure at least partially contaminated with harmful biological and organic substances, comprising the steps of:
- substantially enclosing at least a selected area of the human occupiable structure to be treated;
  
  heating ambient air within the enclosed area to a temperature between 110 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit to cause harmful biological or organic substances to be destroyed or migrate into the ambient air;
  
  monitoring the temperature in the enclosed area until the temperature is achieved; and
  
  removing moisture from the air within the enclosed area.
- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
- - 2. The process of claim 1, including the step of providing an air inlet and an air outlet duct to the selected area.
  - 3. The process of claim 1, depressurizing the enclosed area;
    - monitoring the enclosed area to determine that sufficient depressurization has been established.
  - 4. The process of claim 1, including the step of physically cleaning the contaminated area.
  - 5. The process of claim 1, including the step of placing and distributing heated air into the enclosed area.
  - 6. The process of claim 1, including the step of applying a biocide to the contaminated area.
  - 7. The process of claim 1, wherein the applying step includes the step of introducing a biocide into the heated air.
  - 8. The process of claim 6, wherein the biocide comprises a borate-based compound.
  - 9. The process of claim 1, including the step of protecting heat-sensitive articles within the enclosed area.
  - 10. The process of claim 1, including the step of passing the heated air from the enclosed area through an incinerator.
  - 11. The process of claim 1, including the step of recirculating the heated air from the enclosed area either into an inlet duct or a heater attached to the inlet duct.
  - 12. The process of claim 1, including the step of monitoring the temperature with a sensor disposed outside of the enclosed area.
  - 13. The process of claim 1, including the step of monitoring the temperature at the air inlet or outlet duct.
  - 14. The process of claim 1, including the step of monitoring the temperature by inserting a temperature probe into a component within the enclosure.
  - 15. The process of claim 1, including the step of irradiating the contaminated area or air with electromagnetic waves or electron beams.
  - 16. The process of claim 1, including the step of freezing the contaminated area after it is determined that sufficient heat treatment has occurred.
  - 17. The process of claim 16, including the step of removing moisture from the contaminated area after the freezing step.
  - 18. The process of claim 1, including the step of aggressively moving air within the enclosed area to aerosolize the biological and organic substances to facilitate their removal.
  - 19. The process of claim 18, including the use of air scrubbers within the enclosed area having fans to move the air through filters for trapping particles therein.
  - 20. The process of claim 1, including the step of directing non-heated ambient air into the enclosed area after a predetermined time of directing heated air into the enclosure.
  - 21. The process of claim 20, including the step of passing the air through a filter, an incinerator, or an irradiation device.
  - 22. The process of claim 1, including the step of entering the enclosed area using protective gear to inspect the contaminated areas during treatment.
  - 23. The process of claim 22, wherein the protective gear includes protective cool suits or respirators.
  - 24. The process of claim 1, including the step of containing the contaminated area.
  - 25. The process of claim 1, including the step of heating building materials of a structure, vehicle or device and removing moisture therefrom prior to construction of the structure, vehicle or device.

26. A process for removing or treating a human occupiable vehicle or building structure at least partially contaminated with harmful biological and organic substances, comprising the steps of:
- substantially enclosing a selected area comprising at least a portion of the contaminated building or a vehicle;
  
  providing an air inlet and an air outlet duct to the enclosed area;
  
  containing a contaminated area within the enclosed area;
  
  placing and distributing heated air into the enclosed area to a temperature between 110 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit to cause harmful biological or organic substances to be destroyed or migrate into the ambient air;
  
  monitoring the temperature in the enclosed area until the temperature is achieved, wherein the temperature monitoring is performed by a sensor disposed outside of the enclosed area or at the air inlet or outlet duct;
  
  aggressively moving air within the enclosed area to aerosolize the biological and organic substances to facilitate their removal; and
  
  directing non-heated ambient air into the enclosed area after a predetermined time of directing heated air into the enclosure.
- View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
- - 27. The process of claim 26, including the step of passing the air through a filter, an incinerator, or an irradiation device.
  - 28. The process of claim 26, including the step of depressurizing the enclosed area, and monitoring the enclosed area to determine that sufficient depressurization has been established.
  - 29. The process of claim 26, including the step of physically cleaning the contaminated area.
  - 30. The process of claim 26, including the step of removing moisture from the air within the enclosed area.
  - 31. The process of claim 26, including the step of applying a biocide to the contaminated area.
  - 32. The process of claim 26, including the step of recirculating the heated air from the enclosed area into an inlet duct or a heater associated with the inlet duct.
  - 33. The process of claim 26, including the step of irradiating the contaminated area or ambient air within the enclosure with electromagnetic waves or electron beams.
  - 34. The process of claim 26, including the step of freezing the contaminated area after it is determined that sufficient heat treatment has occurred, and then removing moisture from the contaminated area.
  - 35. The process of claim 26, including the step of entering the building or vehicle using protective gear including protective suits or respirators to inspect the contaminated areas during treatment.

36. A process for removing or treating a human occupiable vehicle or building structure at least partially contaminated with harmful biological and organic substances, comprising the steps of:
- substantially enclosing a selected area comprising at least a portion of the contaminated building or a vehicle;
  
  providing an air inlet and an air outlet duct to the enclosed area;
  
  placing and distributing heated air into the enclosed area to a temperature between 110 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit to cause harmful biological or organic substances to be destroyed or migrate into the ambient air;
  
  monitoring the temperature in the enclosed area until the temperature is achieved, wherein the temperature monitoring is performed by a sensor disposed outside of the enclosed area or at the air inlet or outlet duct;
  
  aggressively moving air within the enclosed area to aerosolize the biological and organic substances to facilitate their removal;
  
  removing moisture from the air within the enclosed area;
  
  passing the air through a filter, an incinerator, or an irradiation device; and
  
  directing non-heated ambient air into the enclosed area after a predetermined time of directing heated air into the enclosure.
- View Dependent Claims (37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43)
- - 37. The process of claim 36, including the step of depressurizing the enclosed area, and monitoring the enclosed area to determine that sufficient depressurization has been established.
  - 38. The process of claim 36, including the step of physically cleaning the contaminated area.
  - 39. The process of claim 36, including the step of applying a biocide to the contaminated area.
  - 40. The process of claim 36, including the step of recirculating the heated air from the enclosed area into an inlet duct or a heater associated with the inlet duct.
  - 41. The process of claim 36, including the step of irradiating the contaminated area or ambient air within the enclosure with electromagnetic waves or electron beams.
  - 42. The process of claim 36, including the step of freezing the contaminated area after it is determined that sufficient heat treatment has occurred, and then removing moisture from the contaminated area.
  - 43. The process of claim 36, including the step of entering the building or vehicle using protective gear including protective suits or respirators to inspect the contaminated areas during treatment.

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Litigation Data

Current Assignee
ThermaPure Incorporated
Original Assignee
David E Hedman
Inventors
Hedman, David
Primary Examiner(s)
Warden, Jill
Assistant Examiner(s)
Chorbaji, Monzer

Application Number

US10/644,553
Time in Patent Office

3,325 Days
Field of Search

422/1, 422 3- 5, 422/28, 422/119, 422/125, 422/292, 422/305, 431/24, 431/44, 343/80, 341/00, 342/01, 454/156, 454/159, 454/160
US Class Current

34/201
CPC Class Codes

A61L 2/06   Hot gas

A61L 2/10   Ultraviolet radiation

A61L 2/16   using chemical substances

A61L 2/202   Ozone

A61L 2/26   Accessories or devices or c...

A61L 2202/25   Rooms in buildings, passeng...

A61L 9/14   using sprayed or atomised s...

A61L 9/16   using physical phenomena

System and process for removing or treating harmful biological and organic substances within structures and enclosures

First Claim

1 Assignment

Litigations

0 Petitions

Accused Products

Abstract

99 Citations

43 Claims

Specification

Use Cases

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Others

System and process for removing or treating harmful biological and organic substances within structures and enclosures

First Claim

1 Assignment

Subscription Required

Subscription Required

Litigations

0 Petitions

Subscription Required

Accused Products

Subscription Required

Abstract

99 Citations

43 Claims

Specification

Subscription Required

Use Cases

Quick Links

Others