Methods and apparatus for decontaminating enclosed spaces

Abstract

A portable apparatus for decontaminating an enclosed room or other space includes a passageway having an air inlet at one end and an outlet at the other end. A pump causes a flow of air through the passageway from the inlet to the outlet. A heater heats the air flowing through the passageway to a predetermined temperature, a evaporator being in communication with the passageway. Liquid decontaminant is pumped from a supply of decontaminant to the evaporator to be evaporated and for the evaporant to be delivered to the air flow in the passage to flow in the air flow from the outlet to the rooms to be decontaminated. A universally rotating nozzle is provided at the outlet to distribute the decontaminant containing air throughout the enclosure.

1 . An apparatus for decontaminating an enclosed space comprising:
 means for providing a flow of heated air;   means for delivering a liquid decontaminant to the heated air to be evaporated into the heated air to produce an air stream containing a vapor of the decontaminant for delivery to a space to be decontaminated; and   a self contained unit comprising a duct to be positioned within the enclosed space having an inlet end and an outlet end, a fan for causing air to flow from the enclosed space through the duct, a filter for filtering air at the inlet end of the duct, means for holding a supply of aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution, means for delivering aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution from the means for holding to a heater to evaporate the aqueous hydrogen peroxide to produce hydrogen peroxide/water vapor which is entrained in the air flow passing through the duct, and a nozzle at the outlet end of the duct, all internal and external surfaces of the apparatus open to the enclosure being exposed to the hydrogen peroxide/water vapor carrying air in the enclosure to decontaminate the surfaces.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the components of the apparatus are mounted to a support for transport of the apparatus. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the self-contained unit is a mobile or portable unit for movement from location to location where it is to be used. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the supply of hydrogen peroxide/water vapor and/or the nozzle are readily removable for transport of the apparatus. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising a control box for controlling operation of the apparatus, wherein means are provided for delivering air causing hydrogen peroxide/water vapor from the atmosphere in the enclosure through the control box to decontaminate inner surfaces of the control box. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising a separate monitoring unit for monitoring the temperature of the atmosphere in the enclosure and the concentration of hydrogen peroxide/water vapor in the atmosphere, wherein means are provided for delivering a flow of air carrying hydrogen peroxide/water vapor through the enclosure of the monitoring unit to decontaminate interior surfaces of the monitoring unit. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising means for rotating the nozzle universally to deliver hydrogen peroxide/water vapor throughout the enclosure. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising means for continuously rotating the nozzle while the hydrogen peroxide/water vapor is dispersed therethrough. 
     
     
         9 . An apparatus for decontaminating a space comprising:
 an elongated duct having a first end with an inlet opening formed thereat for receiving air from the environment surrounding the duct and having an opposing second end with a nozzle formed thereat for dispensing the air within the duct into the environment surrounding the duct;   a fan coupled with the duct, the fan being configured to draw air from the environment into the duct through the inlet opening and to blow the air out of the duct through the nozzle into the environment;   a heater coupled with the duct, the heater being configured to heat the air traveling through the duct;   a container housing a supply of an aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution;   an evaporator coupled with the duct downstream of the heater so that the heated air passes through the evaporator, the evaporator also being in fluid communication with the container so that when the aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution is delivered from the container to the evaporator, the aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution is evaporated by the evaporator to produce a hydrogen peroxide/water vapor that is entrained into the heated air flowing through the duct; and   a pump configured to deliver the aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution from the container to the evaporator.   
     
     
         10 . The apparatus for decontaminating a space as recited in  claim 9 , further comprising a support frame that supports the duct. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus for decontaminating a space as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the nozzle is freely exposed at the second end of the duct so that the air having the hydrogen peroxide/water vapor entrained therein can be dispensed therefrom into the environment surrounding the duct. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus for decontaminating a space as recited in  claim 9 , further comprising means for continuously rotating the nozzle while the air having the hydrogen peroxide/water vapor entrained therein is dispensed therefrom. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus for decontaminating a space as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the duct, fan, heater, container, evaporator and pump from a manually transportable unit. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus for decontaminating a space as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the evaporator is configured to perform flash evaporation of the aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution.