Decontamination system and method of decontamination

Abstract

In one embodiment, a pad is provided for wiping a contaminant from a contaminated surface. The pad includes a layer of non-adsorptive fabric having a first surface configured to directly contact the contaminated surface, and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The pad further includes a layer of activated-carbon fabric attached to the second surface of the layer of non-adsorptive fabric. A decontamination liquid that is a solvent for the contaminant saturates the layer of non-adsorptive fabric and the layer of activated-carbon fabric. Such decontamination liquid is configured to adsorb the contaminant. The layer of activated-carbon fabric is configured to adsorb the contaminant from the decontamination liquid, and the layer of non-adsorptive fabric is configured to prevent direct contact of the activated-carbon fabric and any adsorbed contaminant in the activated-carbon fabric with the contaminated surface.

1 . A pad for wiping a contaminant from a contaminated surface, the pad comprising:
 a layer of non-adsorptive fabric having a first surface configured to directly contact the contaminated surface, and a second surface opposite to the first surface;   a layer of adsorptive activated-carbon fabric attached to the second surface of the layer of non-adsorptive fabric;   a decontamination liquid that is a solvent for the contaminant, the decontamination liquid saturating the layer of non-adsorptive fabric and the layer of activated-carbon fabric, the decontamination liquid configured to dissolve the contaminant,   wherein the layer of activated-carbon fabric is configured to adsorb the contaminant from the decontamination liquid, and the layer of non-adsorptive fabric is configured to prevent direct contact of the activated-carbon fabric and any adsorbed contaminant in the activated-carbon fabric with the contaminated surface.   
   
   
       2 . The pad as defined  claim 1  further comprising:
 an impermeable, non-porous layer attached to the layer of activated-carbon fabric on a surface of the layer of activated-carbon fabric opposite the layer of non-adsorptive fabric.   
   
   
       3 . The pad as defined  claim 2  wherein the impermeable, non-porous layer comprises a plastic film. 
   
   
       4 . The pad as defined in  claim 1  wherein the layer of non-adsorptive fabric includes only fabric other than activated-carbon fabric. 
   
   
       5 . The pad as defined in  claim 1  wherein the layer of non-adsorptive fabric comprises a layer of polyester fabric. 
   
   
       6 . The pad as defined in  claim 5  wherein the polyester fabric is Dacron. 
   
   
       7 . The pad as defined in  claim 1  wherein the layer of non-adsorptive fabric comprises a layer of cotton fabric. 
   
   
       8 . The pad as defined in  claim 1  wherein the layer of activated-carbon comprises a woven activated-carbon fabric. 
   
   
       9 . The pad as defined in  claim 1  wherein the layer of activated-carbon comprises a knitted activated-carbon fabric. 
   
   
       10 . The pad as defined in  claim 1  wherein the layer of activated-carbon comprises a needle punched activated-carbon felt. 
   
   
       11 . The pad as defined in  claim 1  in which the decontamination liquid comprises a hydrofluoroether (HFE). 
   
   
       12 . The pad as defined in  claim 11  wherein the HFE is selected from the group consisting of: an HFE with chemical formula C 5 F 9 H 3 O, an HFE with chemical formula C 6 F 9 H 5 O, and an HFE with chemical formula C 9 F 15 H 5 O. 
   
   
       13 . The pad as defined in  claim 1  in which the decontamination liquid comprises a hydrofluocarbon (HFC). 
   
   
       14 . A pad for wiping a contaminant from a contaminated surface, the pad comprising:
 a transfer layer having a first surface configured to directly contact the contaminated surface, and a second surface opposite to the first surface, the transfer layer made from fabric other than activated-carbon fabric;   an adsorbent layer made from activated-carbon fabric attached to the second surface of the transfer layer; and   a decontamination liquid that is a solvent for the contaminant, the decontamination liquid saturating the transfer layer and the adsorbent layer, the decontamination liquid configured to dissolve the contaminant,   wherein the adsorbent layer is configured to adsorb the contaminant from the decontamination liquid, and the layer of non-adsorptive fabric is configured to prevent direct contact of the adsorbent layer with the contaminated surface.   
   
   
       15 . The pad as defined  claim 14  further comprising:
 a barrier layer attached to the adsorbent layer on a surface of the adsorbent layer opposite the transfer layer   
   
   
       16 . The pad as defined in  claim 14  wherein the transfer layer comprises a layer of Dacron fabric. 
   
   
       17 . The pad as defined in  claim 14  wherein the transfer layer comprises a layer of cotton fabric. 
   
   
       18 . The pad as defined in  claim 14  in which the decontamination liquid comprises a hydrofluoroether (HFE). 
   
   
       19 . The pad as defined in  claim 18  wherein the HFE is selected from the group consisting of: an HFE with chemical formula C 5 F 9 H 3 O, an HFE with chemical formula C 6 F 9 H 5 O, and an HFE with chemical formula C 9 F 15 H 5 O. 
   
   
       20 . The pad as defined in  claim 14  in which the decontamination liquid comprises a hydrofluocarbon (HFC).