Photodecontamination of surfaces
US4867796A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 8, 1987 |
| Grant date | Sep 19, 1989 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 8, 2007 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA62D2101/26
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
As a method of decontaminating a surface covered with a chemical contaminant, a light-absorption agent providing a relatively high neutral density is applied to the surface in intimate contact with the contaminant. Then one or more flashes of high intensity, broad-band frequency, incoherent light is applied to the surface, whereupon, the light-absorption agent converts the absorbed light energy to heat, resulting in vaporization and/or decomposition of the contaminant. The heat generated by the short duration flash is localized at the material on the surface and at a very thin surface layer, and vaporization of the surface material dissipates the heat that is generated, whereby, the surface is substantially unaffected by the process.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.