Patent · US Expired

Method for bioremediating undetonated explosive device

US7077044B2 · kind B2 · utility

6Cited by
67References
77Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 3, 2003
Grant dateJul 18, 2006
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 19, 2024

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S149/124
  • WIPO fieldBiotechnology
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

Technology for in situ remediation of undetonated explosive device. An explosive device contains an explosive material in close proximity with microorganisms capable of metabolizing the explosive material that are either mobile or temporarily deactivated by freeze drying. Examples include Pseudomonas spp., Escherichia spp., Morganella spp., Rhodococcus spp., Comamonas spp., and denitrifying microorganisms. A self-remediating explosive mixture includes an explosive material intermixed with microorganisms. Joined with an explosive device is a bioremediation apparatus that contains microorganisms and prevents contact between microorganisms and explosive material in the explosive device using a barrier that is actuated to release the microorganisms by mechanical, electrical, or chemical mechanisms. If the explosive device fails to detonate, remediation by microorganisms includes both disabling of the explosive material and detoxification of resulting chemical compositions.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.