Method for photopyrolitically removing a contaminant
US5656096A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 26, 1995 |
| Grant date | Aug 12, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 26, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA62D2101/22
- WIPO fieldEnvironmental technology
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A method for safely removing even a hazardous contaminant from a substrate surface without either precoating the contaminant or constantly flowing an inert gas thereover is disclosed. A pulsed source of light energy having an output spectrum including an infrared component and a visible component is directed upon the contaminant. The directed energy being sufficient in magnitude to carbonize or to decompose the contaminant. Preferably produced by a flashtube, the energy has a repetition rate ranging from about 0.1 to 12 pulses/second, and a peak energy per pulse exceeding about 3,700 Joules. The sound and/or sound level at the pulsed source of light energy may be monitored as a guide to varying the light source energy characteristics to best effect contaminant removal.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.