System and process for removing or treating harmful biological and organic substances within an enclosure

US 20040028554A1
Filed: 02/20/2003
Published: 02/12/2004
Est. Priority Date: 02/20/2002
Status: Active Grant

First Claim

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1. A process for removing or treating harmful biological and organic substances within an enclosure, comprising the steps of:

heating ambient air within the enclosure to a predetermined temperature to cause the harmful substances in the enclosure to be destroyed or migrate into the ambient air;

monitoring the temperature in the enclosure until the predetermined temperature is achieved;

removing the heated air carrying the harmful substances from the enclosure through a filter; and

recirculating the filtered and heated air into the structure.

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Abstract

A system and process is provided for removing or treating harmful biologic and organic substances within an enclosure, such as a container, building or vehicle. Air within the enclosure is heated to a predetermined temperature to kill organisms and cause harmful substances in the structure to migrate into the ambient air. Boric acid in combination with the heat may be used to kill mold and similar undesirable organisms. Temperature and pressure levels are monitored. The heated air carrying the harmful substances is passed through a filter to remove the harmful substances, and the heated air is re-circulated to enhance efficiency. The system effectively kills insects, molds, viruses and bacteria and reduces the levels of allergens and volatile organic compounds in the structure.

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43 Claims

1. A process for removing or treating harmful biological and organic substances within an enclosure, comprising the steps of:
- heating ambient air within the enclosure to a predetermined temperature to cause the harmful substances in the enclosure to be destroyed or migrate into the ambient air;
  
  monitoring the temperature in the enclosure until the predetermined temperature is achieved;
  
  removing the heated air carrying the harmful substances from the enclosure through a filter; and
  
  recirculating the filtered and heated air into the structure.
- 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)
- - 2. The process of claim 1, including the step of physically cleaning a contaminated portion of the enclosure to prepare the structure.
  - 3. The process of claim 1, including the step of physically cleaning a contaminated portion within the enclosure after determining that adequate treatment has occurred.
  - 4. The process of claim 1, including the step of placing and distributing heated air into the enclosure.
  - 5. The process of claim 4, including the step of introducing moisture into the heated air.
  - 6. The process of claim 4, including introducing a biocide into the heated air.
  - 7. The process of claim 1, including the step of applying borate to selected areas of the enclosure.
  - 8. The process of claim 1, wherein the filter comprises a high or ultra-high efficiency particulate arrestance filter.
  - 9. The process of claim 1, wherein the filter comprises a carbon filter.
  - 10. The process of claim 1, including the step of protecting heat-sensitive articles within the enclosure.
  - 11. The process of claim 10, including the step of covering the articles with an insulated mat.
  - 12. The process of claim 10, including the step of directing the flow of heated air away from the heat sensitive articles.
  - 13. The process of claim 1, including the step of establishing a pressure within the enclosure and monitoring the pressure within the enclosure.
  - 14. The process of claim 13, including the step of positioning a manometer within the structure to measure the pressure within the enclosure.
  - 15. The process of claim 13, including the step of creating a negative pressure within the enclosure and monitoring pressure levels within the enclosure to verify adequate negative pressure.
  - 16. The process of claim 1, including the step of aggressively moving air within the enclosure to aerosolize the biological and organic substances to facilitate their removal.
  - 17. The process of claim 1, including the step of positioning a plurality of temperature probes at predetermined locations relative to the enclosure.
  - 18. The process of claim 1, including the step of directing non-heated ambient air into the enclosure after a predetermined time of directing heated air into the enclosure, while continuing to remove the air through the filter.
  - 19. The process of claim 1, wherein the ambient air within the enclosure is heated to between 110°
    - F. and 400°
      
      F.
  - 20. The process of claim 1, wherein the enclosure comprises at least a portion of a building.
  - 21. The process of claim 1, wherein the enclosure comprises a vehicle.
  - 22. The process of claim 1, wherein the enclosure comprises a portable enclosure.
  - 23. The process of claim 1, including the step or irradiating contents within the enclosure with ultra-violet light.
  - 24. The process of claim 1, including the step of irradiating the heated air with ultra-violet light.

25. A process for removing or treating harmful biological and organic substances within an enclosure, comprising the steps of:
- introducing heated air of a predetermined temperature into the enclosure to cause the harmful substances in the enclosure to be destroyed and/or migrate into the ambient air;
  
  establishing a selected pressure within the enclosure;
  
  monitoring the temperature in the enclosure until the predetermined temperature is achieved;
  
  monitoring the pressure within the enclosure;
  
  aggressively moving air within the enclosure to aerosolize the harmful substances to facilitate their removal;
  
  removing the heated air carrying the harmful substances from the enclosure through a filter; and
  
  recirculating the filtered and heated air into the structure.
- View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
- - 26. The process of claim 25, including the step of physically cleaning a contaminated portion of the enclosure to prepare the structure.
  - 27. The process of claim 25, including the step of physically cleaning a contaminated portion within the enclosure after determining that adequate treatment has occurred.
  - 28. The process of claim 25, including the step of introducing moisture or a biocide into the heated air.
  - 29. The process of claim 25, including the step of applying borate to selected areas within the enclosure.
  - 30. The process of claim 25, including the step of protecting heat-sensitive articles within the enclosure.
  - 31. The process of claim 25, including the step of directing the flow of heated air away from the heat sensitive articles.
  - 32. The process of claim 25, including the step of creating a negative pressure within the enclosure and monitoring pressure levels within the enclosure to verify adequate negative pressure.
  - 33. The process of claim 25, including the step of positioning a plurality of temperature probes at predetermined locations relative to the enclosure.
  - 34. The process of claim 25, including the step of directing non-heated ambient air into the enclosure after a predetermined time of directing heated air into the enclosure, while continuing to remove the air through the filter.
  - 35. The process of claim 25, wherein the ambient air within the enclosure is heated to between 110°
    - F. and 400°
      
      F.
  - 36. The process of claim 25, wherein the enclosure is selected from the group consisting of at least a portion of a building, a vehicle and a portable enclosure.

37. A process for removing or treating harmful biological and organic substances within an enclosed structure, comprising the steps of:
- positioning a plurality of temperature probes at predetermined locations within the structure;
  
  positioning a pressure measuring device within the structure to measure the pressure within the structure;
  
  creating a negative pressure within the structure;
  
  directing heated air into the structure and distributing the heated air until an interior of the structure rises to a predetermined temperature of between 110°
  
  F and 400°
  
  F. to cause the harmful substances in the structure to be destroyed or migrate into the ambient air;
  
  monitoring the temperature of the structure until the predetermined temperature is achieved;
  
  monitoring pressure levels within the structure to verify adequate negative pressure;
  
  aggressively moving the air within the structure to aerosolize the biological and organic substances;
  
  removing the heated air carrying the harmful substances from the structure through a filter;
  
  recirculating the heated and filtered air into the structure;
  
  after a predetermined period of time, directing non-heated air into the structure; and
  
  removing the non-heated air from the structure through the filter.
- View Dependent Claims (38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43)
- - 38. The process of claim 37, including the step of physically cleaning a contaminated portion of the structure to prepare the structure.
  - 39. The process of claim 37, including the step of physically cleaning a contaminated portion of the structure after it is determined that adequate treatment has occurred.
  - 40. The process of claim 37, including the step of protecting heat-sensitive articles within the structure.
  - 41. The process of claim 37, including the step of introducing moisture or a biocide into the heated air.
  - 42. The process of claim 37, including the step of applying borate to selected areas of the enclosure.
  - 43. The process of claim 37, wherein the enclosed structure comprises at least a portion of a building or a vehicle.

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Current Assignee
ThermaPure Incorporated
Original Assignee
David E Hedman
Inventors
Hedman, David E.

Granted Patent

US 8,221,678 B2
Time in Patent Office

Days
Field of Search
US Class Current

422/24
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 an enclosure

First Claim

1 Assignment

0 Petitions

Accused Products

Abstract

124 Citations

43 Claims

Specification

Solutions

Use Cases

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System and process for removing or treating harmful biological and organic substances within an enclosure

First Claim

1 Assignment

Subscription Required

Subscription Required

0 Petitions

Subscription Required

Accused Products

Subscription Required

Abstract

124 Citations

43 Claims

Specification

Subscription Required

Solutions

Use Cases

Quick Links