Filter system for treating air and method of use thereof

Abstract

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE Disclosed herein are systems and methods for treating air.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 300,496, filed January 18, 2022, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. [Background technology]

[0002] There is a need for systems and methods for treating air and / or surfaces to reduce the activity (e.g., transmissibility and / or infectivity) and / or transmission of bioaerosols containing infectious microorganisms, such as coronaviruses. The systems and methods discussed herein address these and other needs. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In accordance with the objectives of the disclosed systems and methods, as embodied and broadly described herein, the subject matter of the present disclosure relates to systems and methods for treating air.

[0004] For example, disclosed herein is a filter system for treating air, the filter system comprising a first filter comprising a medium, where air induced to flow through the filter system contacts the first filter, the medium configured to generate a treatment gas from a precursor such that the treatment gas is released into the air flow path, the treatment gas comprising chlorine dioxide (ClO), the precursor comprising a chlorine dioxide precursor, the treatment gas comprising carbon dioxide (CO), the precursor comprising a carbon dioxide precursor, or combinations thereof.

[0005] In some examples, the filter system can further include a second filter disposed adjacent to the first filter along the direction of airflow. In some examples, the second filter includes a coarse filter, a fine filter, a semi-HEPA filter, a HEPA filter, a ULPA filter, or a combination thereof. In some examples, the second filter includes an activated carbon filter.

[0006] In some examples, the process gas comprises chlorine dioxide and the precursor comprises a chlorine dioxide precursor. In some examples, the chlorine dioxide precursor comprises a chlorine dioxide generating compound selected from the group consisting of metal chlorite, metal chlorate, chloric acid, hypochlorous acid, and combinations thereof. In some examples, the metal chlorite comprises sodium chlorite, barium chlorite, calcium chlorite, lithium chlorite, potassium chlorite, magnesium chlorite, or combinations thereof. In some examples, the metal chlorite comprises sodium chlorate, lithium chlorate, potassium chlorate, magnesium chlorate, barium chlorate, or combinations thereof.

[0007] In some examples, the process gas comprises carbon dioxide and the precursor comprises a carbon dioxide precursor. In some examples, the carbon dioxide precursor comprises a carbon-containing compound selected from the group consisting of carbonates, bicarbonates, sesquicarbonates, and combinations thereof. In some examples, the carbon-containing compound is selected from the group consisting of sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, sodium sesquicarbonate, and combinations thereof.

[0008] In some examples, the medium includes dry particles including the precursor. In some examples, the dry particles including the precursor further include a porous support selected from the group consisting of zeolite crystals, silica, pumice, diatomaceous earth, bentonite, and clay, and the precursor is impregnated into the porous support. In some examples, the porous support has an average particle size of 0.5 micrometers (microns, μm) to 25.4 millimeters (mm). In some examples, the dry particles including the precursor include 1% to 100% by weight, 1% to 90% by weight, or 1% to 50% by weight of the precursor.

[0009] In some examples, the medium further comprises a proton-generating species. In some examples, the medium further comprises dry particles comprising the proton-generating species. In some examples, the proton-generating species comprises an organic acid, an inorganic acid, a metal salt, or a combination thereof. In some examples, the proton-generating species comprises an organic acid and / or an inorganic acid selected from the group consisting of acetic acid, citric acid, hydrochloric acid, phosphoric acid, propionic acid, sulfuric acid, and combinations thereof. In some examples, the proton-generating species comprises a metal salt selected from the group consisting of ferric chloride, ferric sulfate, CaCl2, ZnSO4, ZnCl2, CoSO4, CoCl2, MnSO4, MnCl2, CuSO4, CuCl2, MgSO4, sodium acetate, sodium citrate, sodium sulfate, sodium hydrogen sulfate, hydrogen phosphate, disodium hydrogen phosphate, and combinations thereof. In some examples, the dry particles including the proton-generating species further include a porous carrier selected from the group consisting of zeolite crystals, silica, pumice, diatomaceous earth, bentonite, and clay, and the proton-generating species is impregnated into the porous carrier. In some examples, the porous carrier has an average particle size of 0.5 micrometers (microns, μm) to 25.4 millimeters (mm). In some examples, the dry particles including the proton-generating species include 1% to 100% by weight, 1% to 90% by weight, or 1% to 50% by weight of the dry particles of the proton-generating species.

[0010] In some examples, the media is disposed within the first filter at an average total thickness between 1 cm and 50 cm.

[0011] In some examples, the medium is disposed in the first filter as a mixture of dry particles including the precursor and dry particles including the proton-generating species.

[0012] In some examples, the media is disposed in the first filter as a layered bed including two or more alternating layers of dry particles including the precursor and dry particles including the proton-generating species. In some examples, the total number of layers in the layered bed is three or more. In some examples, the average thickness of each layer of dry particles including the precursor and / or each layer of dry particles including the proton-generating species is independently between 1 cm and 50 cm.

[0013] In some examples, the first filter further comprises a grid structure disposed throughout the first filter, hi some examples, the grid structure comprises a plurality of wells, and the medium is disposed within the plurality of wells.

[0014] In some examples, the first filter further comprises a frame defining a perimeter of the first filter.

[0015] In some examples, the first filter further comprises a permeable layer defining a surface of the first filter, the frame and the permeable layer together defining a volume, and the media is at least partially enclosed or contained within the volume. In some examples, the permeable layer is bonded to the frame via an adhesive.

[0016] In some examples, the first filter further comprises a first permeable layer defining a top surface of the first filter and a second permeable layer defining a bottom surface of the first filter, whereby the frame, the first permeable layer, and the second permeable layer together define a volume, and the media is enclosed within the volume. In some examples, the first permeable layer and the second permeable layer are bonded to the frame via an adhesive.

[0017] In some examples, air is induced to flow through the filter system at a flow rate between 1 cfm and 1,000 cfm (e.g., 250-500 cfm).

[0018] In some examples, the medium generates process gas at a rate of 0.1 to 600 milligrams of process gas per gram of precursor initially present per day (eg, 0.1 to 60).

[0019] In some examples, air exits the filter system and flows into a chamber having a volume, and a first filter releases a treatment gas into the air flow path such that the concentration of the treatment gas in the volume of the chamber is 1 ppmv or less.

[0020] In some instances, the medium comprises an electrostatically charged surface.

[0021] In some examples, the air has a humidity of between 20% and 90% or between 50% and 80%.

[0022] In some examples, the air directed through the filter system includes a first amount of the first component prior to entering the filter system. In some examples, the first component includes a toxin, a contaminant, a warfare agent, or a combination thereof. In some examples, the first component includes an organic molecule, a biological agent, or a combination thereof. In some examples, the first component includes a pathogen, such as an infectious microorganism. In some examples, the filter system reduces the amount of the first component in the air such that the air exiting the filter system has a lesser amount of the first component compared to the air entering the filter system. In some examples, the filter system substantially removes the first component from the air. In some examples, the first component includes a pathogen, and the filter system reduces activity of the pathogen. In some examples, the first component includes an organic molecule, and the first filter oxidizes the first component.

[0023] Also disclosed herein are methods of using any of the filter systems disclosed herein, for example, to treat air. In some examples, the methods include reducing the transmission of bioaerosols containing infectious microorganisms. In some examples, the methods include air purification, environmental remediation, or a combination thereof. In some examples, the air exiting the filter system is treated relative to the air entering the filter system. In some examples, the methods include treating ambient air in a chamber having a volume by releasing a treatment gas generated by a medium into the chamber. In some examples, the chamber is located in a building. In some examples, the filter system releases a quantity of the treatment gas into the chamber such that the concentration of the treatment gas in the volume of the chamber is 1 ppmv or less.

[0024] Also disclosed herein are methods for treating a disease or disorder in a subject in need of treatment of the disease or disorder, the methods comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a treated gas generated by any of the filter systems disclosed herein. In some examples, the methods comprise delivering a therapeutically effective amount of the treated gas to at least a portion of the subject's airway. In some examples, the subject inhales a therapeutically effective amount of the treated gas. In some examples, the filter system is part of a respirator or mask configured to deliver a therapeutically effective amount of the treated gas to at least a portion of the subject's airway. In some examples, the methods comprise treating ambient air in a chamber having a volume by releasing a treated gas generated by a medium into the chamber, a subject is located in the chamber, whereby the subject inhales the treated ambient air in the chamber. In some examples, the treated gas delivered to the subject has a concentration of 1 ppmv or less. In some examples, the disease or disorder comprises an infectious disease. In some examples, the disease or disorder comprises a respiratory infection. In some examples, the disease or disorder comprises an infection by a coronavirus, an influenza virus, or a combination thereof.

[0025] Also disclosed herein are articles of manufacture comprising any of the filter systems disclosed herein, the articles of manufacture may include, for example, a respirator, a gas mask, a personal protective device, or a combination thereof. In some examples, the respirator, gas mask, or personal protective device provides protection from exposure to harmful chemical and / or biological agents. In some examples, the respirator, gas mask, or personal protective device is suitable for use by a subject in need of protection, the subject being a human, a service animal, a law enforcement animal, a cadaver animal, a search and rescue animal, a military animal, or a detection animal.

[0026] Additional advantages of the disclosed system and method will be set forth in part in the description that follows, and in part will be apparent from the description. The advantages of the disclosed system and method will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing summary and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the disclosed system and method as claimed.

[0027] The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0028] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate several aspects of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure.

[0029] [Figure 1] 1 is a photograph of an exemplary filter system disclosed herein. [Diagram 2] 1 is a photograph of an exemplary filter system disclosed herein disposed within a chamber. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0030] The systems and methods described herein may be more readily understood by reference to the following detailed description of certain aspects of the presently disclosed subject matter and the examples included therein.

[0031] definition Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the term "comprise" and other forms of that word, such as "comprising" and "comprises," mean "including but not limited to" and are not intended to exclude, for example, other additives, components, integers, or steps.

[0032] As used in this description and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to "a composition" includes mixtures of two or more such compositions, reference to "the compound" includes mixtures of two or more such compounds, reference to "an agent" includes mixtures of two or more such agents, etc.

[0033] "Optional" or "optionally" means that the subsequently described event or circumstance may or may not occur, and the description includes instances in which the event or circumstance occurs and instances in which it does not occur.

[0034] As used herein, ranges may be expressed as from "about" one particular value, and / or to "about" another particular value. "About" means within 5% of the value, for example, within 4, 3, 2, or 1% of the value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and / or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values ​​are expressed as approximations, by using the antecedent "about," it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the other endpoint.

[0035] "Exemplary" means "an example of" and is not intended to convey an indication of a preferred or ideal embodiment. "Etc." is used in a limiting sense, but rather for descriptive purposes.

[0036] Values ​​may be expressed herein as "average" values. "Average" generally refers to a statistical average value.

[0037] By "substantially" is meant within 5%, for example within 4%, 3%, 2%, or 1%.

[0038] It is understood that throughout this specification, the identifiers "first" and "second" are used merely to aid the reader in distinguishing between various components, features, or steps of the subject matter of the present disclosure. The identifiers "first" and "second" are not intended to imply any particular order, quantity, priority, or importance to the components or steps modified by these terms.

[0039] References in this specification and the concluding claims to parts by weight of a particular element or component in a composition indicate the weight relationship between the element or component and any other element or component in the composition or article for which the parts by weight are expressed. Thus, in a compound containing 2 parts by weight of component X and 5 parts by weight of component Y, X and Y are present in a weight ratio of 2:5, and are present in such ratio regardless of whether additional components are contained in the compound.

[0040] Weight percentage (wt.%) of a component is based on the total weight of the formulation or composition in which the component is included, unless specifically stated to the contrary.

[0041] The term "or combinations thereof" as used herein refers to all permutations and combinations of the items listed preceding the term. For example, "A, B, C, or combinations thereof" is intended to include at least one of A, B, C, AB, AC, BC, or ABC, and also at least one of BA, CA, CB, CBA, BCA, ACB, BAC, or CAB, if order is important in a particular context. Continuing with this example, combinations including repeats of one or more items or terms, such as BB, AAA, AB, BBC, AAABCCCC, CBBAAA, CABABB, etc., are expressly included. Those skilled in the art will understand that there is typically no limit to the number of items or terms in any combination, unless otherwise clear from the context.

[0042] As used herein, "subject" refers to an individual. Thus, "subject" can include domestic animals (e.g., cats, dogs, etc.), livestock animals (e.g., cows, horses, pigs, sheep, goats, etc.), laboratory animals (e.g., mice, rabbits, rats, guinea pigs, etc.), and birds. "Subject" can also include mammals, such as primates or humans. Thus, a subject can be a human or veterinary patient. The term "patient" refers to a subject under the care of a clinician, e.g., a physician.

[0043] As used herein, antimicrobial agents include, for example, antibacterial agents, antifungal agents, and antiviral agents. As used herein, "antimicrobial agent" refers to the ability to treat or control (e.g., reduce, prevent, treat, or eliminate) the growth of microorganisms at any concentration. Similarly, the terms "antibacterial," "antifungal," and "antiviral" refer to the ability to treat or control the growth of bacteria, fungi, and viruses, respectively, at any concentration.

[0044] The term "inhibit" refers to a decrease in an activity, response, condition, disease, or other biological parameter. This can include, but is not limited to, the complete elimination of the activity, response, condition, or disease. It can also include, for example, a 10% reduction in the activity, response, condition, or disease compared to native or control levels. Thus, the reduction can be a 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100% reduction, or any amount in between, compared to native or control levels.

[0045] As used herein, "reduce" or other forms of the word, such as "reducing" or "reduction," refers to a decrease in an event or characteristic (e.g., bacterial population / infection). It is understood that the reduction is typically relative to some standard or expected value. For example, "reducing a microbial infection" refers to a reduction in the spread of a microbial infection compared to a standard or control.

[0046] As used herein, "prevent" or other forms of the word, such as "preventing" or "prevention", refers to stopping a particular event or characteristic, stabilizing or slowing the development or progression of a particular event or characteristic, or minimizing the likelihood of a particular event or characteristic occurring. "Prevention" is typically more absolute than, for example, "reduce", and therefore does not require a comparison to a control. As used herein, something can be reduced, but not prevented, but something that is reduced can be prevented. Similarly, something can be prevented, but not reduced, but something that is prevented can be reduced. For example, the term "prevent" or "suppress" can refer to a treatment that prevents or delays the onset of a disease or condition, or reduces the severity of a disease or condition. Thus, if a treatment can treat a disease in a subject who has symptoms of the disease, the treatment can also prevent or suppress the disease in a subject who does not yet suffer from some or all of the symptoms.

[0047] As used herein, "treat" or other forms of the word, such as "treated" or "treatment," refers to the administration of a composition or the implementation of a method to reduce, prevent, inhibit, or eliminate a particular characteristic or event (e.g., bacterial growth or survival). The term "control" is used synonymously with the term "treatment."

[0048] The term "therapeutically effective amount" refers to the amount of the composition used that is sufficient to alleviate one or more causes or symptoms of a disease or disorder. Such alleviation requires only a reduction or alteration, not elimination.

[0049] The term "pharmacologically acceptable" refers to those compounds, materials, compositions, and / or dosage forms that are suitable, within the scope of sound medical judgment, for use in contact with the tissues of human beings and animals without excessive toxicity, irritation, allergic response, or other problem or complication commensurate with a reasonable benefit / risk ratio.

[0050] As used herein, the term "delivery" encompasses both local and systemic delivery.

[0051] Systems and methods SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE Disclosed herein are systems and methods for treating air.

[0052] For example, disclosed herein is a filter system for treating air, the filter system comprising a first filter comprising a medium, the air induced to flow through the filter system contacts the first filter, the medium is configured to generate a treatment gas from a precursor such that the treatment gas is released into the air flow path, the treatment gas comprises chlorine dioxide (ClO2), the precursor comprises a chlorine dioxide precursor, the treatment gas comprises carbon dioxide (CO2), the precursor comprises a carbon dioxide precursor, or combinations thereof. Although the systems and methods herein are described using air, the systems and methods can include the use of other components (e.g., nitrogen). For example, air can include acid gas compounds such as hydrogen cyanide, hydrogen sulfide, hydrochloric acid, hydrogen fluoride, hydrogen iodide, hydrogen bromide, nitric acid vapor, chlorine, carbon disulfide, mercaptans, or combinations thereof.

[0053] In some examples, the filter system can include a second filter (e.g., one or more second filters) arranged in series with the first filter along the direction of airflow. The second filter can include any type of air filter, such as those known in the art. For example, the second filter can include a filter for removing particulates from the air, such as a coarse filter (e.g., a filter for removing coarse particles in glass G1-G4, etc.), a fine filter (e.g., classes M5, M6, F7, F8, F9), a semi-HEPA filter (e.g., classes E10, E11, E12), a HEPA filter (e.g., classes H13, H14), a ULPA filter (e.g., classes U15, U16, U17), or a combination thereof. In some examples, the second filter can include an activated carbon filter.

[0054] The precursor may be provided in any form that allows the precursor to react with protons (e.g., from a proton-generating species) to produce a process gas. In some examples, the medium includes the precursor, and the precursor reacts with protons in the air or in the medium. In some examples, the medium comprises an electrostatically charged surface.

[0055] In some examples, the medium comprises dry particles comprising the precursor. As used herein, the term "dry particles" indicates that the particles have a water content of 20% or less by weight (e.g., 15% or less, 10% or less, 5% or less, 4% or less, 3% or less, 2% or less, or 1% or less by weight).

[0056] In some examples, the dry particles including the precursor are in the form of a powder. In some examples, the dry particles including the precursor can include a porous support in which the precursor is impregnated into the porous support. In some examples, the porous support is inert. In some examples, the porous support has pores, channels, etc. located therein. Exemplary porous supports include, but are not limited to, silica, pumice, diatomaceous earth, bentonite, clay, porous polymers, alumina, zeolites (e.g., zeolite crystals), or mixtures thereof. In some embodiments, the porous support is uniformly impregnated with the precursor throughout the volume of the porous support via pores, channels, etc.

[0057] The porous carrier can have an average particle size. "Average particle size" and "average particle size" are used interchangeably herein and generally refer to the statistical average particle size of particles in a particle population. For example, the average particle size of a plurality of particles having a substantially spherical shape can include the average diameter of the plurality of particles. In the case of anisotropic particles, the average particle size can refer to, for example, the average maximum dimension of the particles (e.g., the length of a rod-shaped particle, the diagonal of a cube-shaped particle, the bisector of a triangular-shaped particle, etc.). The average particle size can be measured using methods known in the art, such as sieving or microscopy.

[0058] In some examples, the porous support can have an average particle size that is 0.5 micrometers (microns, μm) or greater (e.g., 1 μm or greater, 2 μm or greater, 3 μm or greater, 4 μm or greater, 5 μm or greater, 10 μm or greater, 15 μm or greater, 20 μm or greater, 25 μm or greater, 30 μm or greater, 35 μm or greater, 40 μm or greater, 50 μm or greater, 60 μm or greater, 70 μm or greater, 80 μm or greater, 90 μm or greater, 100 μm or greater, 125 μm or greater, 150 μm or greater, 175 μm or greater, 200 μm or greater, 225 μm or greater, 250 μm or greater, 300 μm or greater, 350 μm or greater, 400 μm or greater, 450 μm or greater, 500 μm or greater, 600 μm or greater, 700 μm or greater, 800 μm or greater, 900 μm or greater, 1 millimeter (mm) or greater, 2 mm or greater, 3 mm or greater, 4 mm or greater, 5 mm or greater, 6 mm or greater, 7 mm or greater, 8 mm or greater, 9 mm or greater, 10 mm or greater, 15 mm or greater, or 20 mm or greater) in its largest dimension. In some examples, the porous support can have an average particle size that is 25.4 mm (e.g., 1 inch) or less (e.g., 24 mm or less, 23 mm or less, 22 mm or less, 21 mm or less, 20 mm or less, 19 mm or less, 18 mm or less, 17 mm or less, 16 mm or less, 15 mm or less, 14 mm or less, 13 mm or less, 12 mm or less, 11 mm or less, 10 mm or less, 9 mm or less, 8 mm or less, 7 mm or less, 6 mm or less, 5 mm or less, 4 mm or less, 3 mm or less, 2 mm or less, 1 mm or less, 900 μm or less, 800 μm or less, 700 μm or less, 600 μm or less, 500 μm or less, 450 μm or less, 400 μm or less, 350 μm or less, 300 μm or less, 250 μm or less, 225 μm or less, 200 μm or less, 175 μm or less, 150 μm or less, 125 μm or less, 100 μm or less, 90 μm or less, 80 μm or less, 70 μm or less, 60 μm or less, 50 μm or less, 40 μm or less, 35 μm or less, 30 μm or less, 25 μm or less, 20 μm or less, 15 μm or less, 10 μm or less, or 5 μm or less) in its largest dimension. The average particle size of the porous support in its largest dimension can be in the range from any of the minimum values described above to any of the maximum values described above.For example, the porous carrier can have an average particle size of 0.5 μm to 25.4 mm (e.g., 0.5 μm to 1 mm, 1 mm to 25.4 mm, 0.5 μm to 100 μm, 100 μm to 500 μm, 500 μm to 1 mm, 1 mm to 10 mm, 10 mm to 25.4 mm, 175 μm to 400 μm, or 600 μm to 2 mm).

[0059] In some examples, the dry particles comprising the precursors comprise 1% or more by weight of the precursors (e.g., 2% or more, 3% or more, 4% or more, 5% or more, 6% or more, 7% or more, 8% or more, 9% or more, 10% or more, 15% or more, 20% or more, 25% or more, 30% or more, 35% or more, 40% or more, 45% or more, 50% or more, 60% or more, 70% or more, 80% or more, 90% or more, or 95% or more). In some examples, the dry particles comprising the precursors comprise 100% or less by weight of the precursors (e.g., 95% or less, 90% or less, 85% or less, 80% or less, 75% or less, 70% or less, 65% or less, 60% or less, 55% or less, 50% or less, 40% or less, 30% or less, 20% or less, 15% or less, 10% or less, or 5% or less). In some embodiments, the precursor-containing dry particle comprises a porous support impregnated with the precursor, the porous support comprising 1% or more by weight of the precursor (e.g., the amounts provided above) and / or 50% or less by weight of the precursor (e.g., 40% or less, 30% or less, 20% or less, or 10% or less). The amount of precursor in the precursor-containing dry particle can range from any of the minimum values ​​described above to any of the maximum values ​​described above. For example, the precursor-containing dry particle can comprise 1% to 100% by weight of the precursor (e.g., 1% to 50%, 50% to 100%, 1% to 25%, 25% to 50%, 50% to 75%, 75% to 100%, 1% to 90%, or 1% to 50%).

[0060] In some examples, the porous support is impregnated with the precursor by using a porous support having a low moisture (e.g., water) content. In some examples, the low moisture content is 20% or less by weight (e.g., 15% or less by weight, 10% or less by weight, 5% or less by weight, 4% or less by weight, 3% or less by weight, 2% or less by weight, or 1% or less by weight). In some examples, the porous support has an initial moisture content of greater than 5% and can therefore be dehydrated to produce a moisture content of 5% or less. In some examples, the dehydrated porous support is then immersed or sprayed with an aqueous solution of the precursor at an elevated temperature (e.g., in the range of 120°F to 190°F) and the resulting slurry is thoroughly mixed. In some examples, the mixed slurry is then air-dried to a moisture level of 20% or less by weight (e.g., 15% or less by weight, 10% or less by weight, 5% or less by weight, 4% or less by weight, 3% or less by weight, 2% or less by weight, or 1% or less by weight) to produce the impregnating agent (i.e., the precursor impregnated in the porous support) disclosed herein. In some examples, the impregnating agents disclosed herein can be prepared without a drying step by calculating the amount of aqueous solution of the precursor needed to achieve a desired final moisture level (e.g., 20% or less, 15% or less, 10% or less, 5% or less, 4% or less, 3% or less, 2% or less, or 1% or less) and adding this amount of aqueous solution to the dehydrated porous support to impregnate the porous support, thereby forming dry particles comprising the precursor.

[0061] In some examples, the precursor is impregnated into the porous support and treated with a base. In some examples, the base is any suitable base that can reduce available protons and inhibit the reaction until the proton-generating species overcomes the base and reacts with the precursor, increasing shelf stability and slowing the reaction rate when the mixture is activated. Exemplary bases include, but are not limited to, potassium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, or blends thereof. In some examples, the amount of base can be selected taking into account various factors, such as the desired amount of treatment gas to be produced and / or the desired rate at which the treatment gas is produced.

[0062] In some embodiments, the precursor may include, for example, a chlorine dioxide precursor, the treatment gas may include chlorine dioxide, the precursor may include a carbon dioxide precursor, the treatment gas may include carbon dioxide, or combinations thereof.

[0063] The chlorine dioxide precursor can be selected from any composition that can generate chlorine dioxide gas.The chlorine dioxide precursor can include, for example, a chlorine dioxide generating compound selected from the group consisting of metal chlorite, metal chlorate, chloric acid, hypochlorous acid, and combinations thereof.Examples of metal chlorite include, but are not limited to, sodium chlorite, barium chlorite, calcium chlorite, lithium chlorite, potassium chlorite, magnesium chlorite, and combinations thereof.Examples of metal chlorite include, but are not limited to, sodium chlorite, lithium chlorate, potassium chlorate, magnesium chlorate, and combinations thereof. In some examples, the chlorine dioxide precursor is impregnated into a porous support such as a zeolite crystal, as described above and in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,567,405, 5,573,743, 5,730,948, 5,776,850, 5,853,689, 5,885,543, 6,174,508, 6,379,643, 6,423,289, 7,347,994, 7,922,992, and 9,382,116, which are incorporated by reference in their entireties.

[0064] The carbon dioxide precursor can be selected from any composition that can generate carbon dioxide gas. The carbon dioxide precursor can include, for example, a carbon-containing compound selected from the group consisting of carbonates, bicarbonates, sesquicarbonates, and combinations thereof. Examples of carbon-containing compounds include, but are not limited to, sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, sodium sesquicarbonate, and combinations thereof. In some examples, the carbon dioxide precursor is impregnated into a porous support such as a zeolite crystal, as described above and in U.S. Patent Nos. 7,992,992 and 8,709,396, the entireties of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0065] In some examples, the medium can further include a proton-generating species. The proton-generating species as disclosed herein can be any composition capable of generating protons to react with the precursor and generate a process gas. The proton-generating species can include, for example, an organic acid, an inorganic acid, a metal salt, or a combination thereof. In some examples, the organic acid and / or the inorganic acid can be selected from the group consisting of acetic acid, citric acid, hydrochloric acid, phosphoric acid, propionic acid, sulfuric acid, and combinations thereof. Examples of metal salts include, but are not limited to, ferric chloride, ferric sulfate, CaCl2, ZnSO4, ZnCl2, CoSO4, CoCl2, MnSO4, MnCl2, CuSO4, CuCl2, MgSO4, sodium acetate, sodium citrate, sodium sulfate, sodium hydrogen sulfate, hydrogen phosphate, disodium hydrogen phosphate, and combinations thereof. In some examples, the proton-generating species can include a volatile acid. In some examples, the proton-generating species is a metal salt that can also act as a water-retaining material (e.g., CaCl2, MgSO4). In some instances, the proton-generating species may be part of the porous support.

[0066] In some examples, the proton-generating species is activated to generate protons by contacting the proton-generating species with a moisture-containing (or water-containing) fluid. In some embodiments, the metal salt is ferric chloride, ferric sulfate, or a mixture thereof, and these iron salts can absorb water in addition to functioning as a proton-generating species. In some embodiments, the moisture-containing fluid is liquid water or an aqueous solution. In some embodiments, the moisture-containing fluid is a moisture-containing gas, such as air or water vapor. In some embodiments, the protons generated by the proton-generating species react with a precursor of the process gas. The proton-generating species can also be activated in ways other than exposure to a moisture-containing fluid. In some embodiments, the proton-generating species can be activated and release protons when exposed to water in a powder or impregnated porous carrier containing the precursor.

[0067] The proton-generating species can be provided in any form that allows for the release of a proton.

[0068] In some examples, the medium further comprises dry particles comprising the proton-generating species. As used herein, the term "dry particles" indicates that the particles have a water content of 20% or less by weight (e.g., 15% or less, 10% or less, 5% or less, 4% or less, 3% or less, 2% or less, or 1% or less by weight).

[0069] In some examples, the dry particles including the proton-generating species are in the form of a powder. In some examples, the dry particles including the proton-generating species can include a porous carrier, and the proton-generating species is impregnated into the porous carrier. In some examples, the porous carrier is inert. In some examples, the porous carrier has pores, channels, etc. located therein. Exemplary porous carriers include, but are not limited to, silica, pumice, diatomaceous earth, bentonite, clay, porous polymers, alumina, zeolites (e.g., zeolite crystals), or mixtures thereof. In some embodiments, the porous carrier is uniformly impregnated with the proton-generating species throughout the volume of the porous carrier via pores, channels, etc. In some examples, the porous supports are 0.5 micrometers (microns, μm) or more in their largest dimension (e.g., 1 μm or more, 2 μm or more, 3 μm or more, 4 μm or more, 5 μm or more, 10 μm or more, 15 μm or more, 20 μm or more, 25 μm or more, 30 μm or more, 35 μm or more, 40 μm or more, 50 μm or more, 60 μm or more, 70 μm or more, 80 μm or more, 90 μm or more, 100 μm or more, 125 μm or more, 150 μm or more, 175 μm or more). or greater, 200 μm or greater, 225 μm or greater, 250 μm or greater, 300 μm or greater, 350 μm or greater, 400 μm or greater, 450 μm or greater, 500 μm or greater, 600 μm or greater, 700 μm or greater, 800 μm or greater, 900 μm or greater, 1 millimeter (mm) or greater, 2 mm or greater, 3 mm or greater, 4 mm or greater, 5 mm or greater, 6 mm or greater, 7 mm or greater, 8 mm or greater, 9 mm or greater, 10 mm or greater, 15 mm or greater, or 20 mm or greater.In some examples, the porous carrier can have an average particle size that is 25.4 mm (e.g., 1 inch) or less (e.g., 24 mm or less, 23 mm or less, 22 mm or less, 21 mm or less, 20 mm or less, 19 mm or less, 18 mm or less, 17 mm or less, 16 mm or less, 15 mm or less, 14 mm or less, 13 mm or less, 12 mm or less, 11 mm or less, 10 mm or less, 9 mm or less, 8 mm or less, 7 mm or less, 6 mm or less, 5 mm or less, 4 mm or less, 3 mm or less, 2 mm or less, 1 mm or less, 900 μm or less, 800 μm or less, 700 μm or less, 600 μm or less, 500 μm or less, 450 μm or less, 400 μm or less, 350 μm or less, 300 μm or less, 250 μm or less, 225 μm or less, 200 μm or less, 175 μm or less, 150 μm or less, 125 μm or less, 100 μm or less, 90 μm or less, 80 μm or less, 70 μm or less, 60 μm or less, 50 μm or less, 40 μm or less, 35 μm or less, 30 μm or less, 25 μm or less, 20 μm or less, 15 μm or less, 10 μm or less, or 5 μm or less) in their maximum dimension. The average particle size of the porous carrier in their maximum dimension can be in the range from any of the minimum values described above to any of the maximum values described above. For example, the porous carrier can have an average particle size of 0.5 μm to 25.4 mm (e.g., 0.5 μm to 1 mm, 1 mm to 25.4 mm, 0.5 μm to 100 μm, 100 μm to 500 μm, 500 μm to 1 mm, 1 mm to 10 mm, 10 mm to 25.4 mm, 175 μm to 400 μm, or 600 μm to 2 mm).

[0070] In some examples, the dry particles containing the proton-generating species contain 1% or more by weight (e.g., 2% or more, 3% or more, 4% or more, 5% or more, 6% or more, 7% or more, 8% or more, 9% or more, 10% or more, 15% or more, 20% or more, 25% or more, 30% or more, 35% or more, 40% or more, 45% or more, 50% or more, 60% or more, 70% or more, 80% or more, 90% or more, or 95% or more). In some examples, the dry particles containing the proton-generating species contain 100% or less by weight (e.g., 95% or less, 90% or less, 85% or less, 80% or less, 75% or less, 70% or less, 65% or less, 60% or less, 55% or less, 50% or less, 40% or less, 30% or less, 20% or less, 15% or less, 10% or less, or 5% or less). In some embodiments, the dry particle containing the proton-generating species comprises a porous carrier impregnated with the proton-generating species, the porous carrier comprising 1% by weight or more (e.g., the amounts provided above) of the proton-generating species and / or 50% by weight or less of the proton-generating species (e.g., 40% or less, 30% or less, 20% or less, or 10% or less). The amount of the proton-generating species in the dry particle containing the proton-generating species can range from any of the minimum values ​​described above to any of the maximum values ​​described above. For example, the dry particle containing the proton-generating species can comprise 1% by weight to 100% by weight (e.g., 1% to 50%, 50% to 100%, 1% to 25%, 25% to 50%, 50% to 75%, 75% to 100%, 1% to 90%, or 1% to 50%) of the proton-generating species.

[0071] In some examples, the porous support is impregnated with the proton-generating species by using a porous support having a low moisture (e.g., water) content. In some embodiments, the low moisture content is 20% or less by weight (e.g., 15% or less, 10% or less, 5% or less, 4% or less, 3% or less, 2% or less, or 1% or less by weight). In some embodiments, the porous support has an initial moisture content of greater than 5% and can therefore be dehydrated to produce a moisture content of 5% or less. In some embodiments, the dehydrated porous support is then immersed in or sprayed with an aqueous solution of the proton-generating species at an elevated temperature (e.g., in the range of 120° F. to 190° F.) and the resulting slurry is thoroughly mixed. In some embodiments, the mixed slurry is then air dried to a moisture level of 0% to 20% by weight (e.g., 20% or less, 15% or less, 10% or less, 5% or less, 4% or less, 3% or less, 2% or less, or 1% or less) to produce an impregnating agent (i.e., proton-generating species impregnated into the porous support). In some embodiments, the impregnating agents disclosed herein can be prepared without a drying step by calculating the amount of aqueous solution of the proton-generating species required to achieve a desired final moisture level (e.g., 20% or less, 15% or less, 10% or less, 5% or less, 4% or less, 3% or less, 2% or less, or 1% or less) and adding this amount of aqueous solution to the dehydrated porous support to impregnate the porous support, thereby forming dry particles comprising the proton-generating species.

[0072] In some examples, the medium can further include a deliquescent agent. Examples of deliquescent agents include, but are not limited to, aluminum chloride, aluminum nitrate, ammonium acid fluoride, cadmium nitrate, cesium hydroxide, calcium chloride, calcium iodide, cobalt (II) chloride, gold (III) chloride, iron (III) chloride, iron (III) nitrate, lithium iodide, lithium nitrate, magnesium chloride, magnesium iodide, manganese (II) sulfate, methoxalic acid, potassium carbonate, potassium oxide, silver perchlorate, sodium formate, sodium nitrate, tachyhydrite, taurocholic acid, tellurium tetrachloride, tin (II) chloride, tin (II) sulfate, yttrium (III) chloride, zinc chloride, and combinations thereof. In some examples, the deliquescent agent is in the form of a powder. In some examples, the deliquescent agent can be impregnated into a porous carrier. In some examples, the porous carrier is inert. In some examples, the porous carrier has pores, channels, etc. located therein. In some examples, the porous support is uniformly impregnated with the deliquescent agent throughout the volume of the porous support via pores, channels, etc. In some examples, the deliquescent agent impregnated porous support is separate from the precursor impregnated porous support and / or the proton generating species impregnated porous support.

[0073] In some examples, the medium can further include a desiccant. Examples of desiccants include, but are not limited to, activated alumina, benzophenone, bentonite clay, calcium oxide, calcium sulfate (Drierite), calcium sulfonate, copper (II) sulfate, lithium chloride, lithium bromide, magnesium sulfate, magnesium perchlorate, molecular sieves, potassium carbonate, potassium hydroxide, silica gel, sodium, sodium chlorate, sodium chloride, sodium hydroxide, sodium sulfate, sucrose, and combinations thereof. In some examples, the desiccant is in the form of a powder. In some examples, the desiccant can be impregnated into the porous carrier. In some examples, the porous carrier is inert. In some examples, the porous carrier has pores, channels, etc. located therein. In some examples, the porous carrier is uniformly impregnated with the desiccant throughout the volume of the porous carrier via the pores, channels, etc. In some examples, the porous carrier impregnated with the desiccant is separate from the porous carrier impregnated with the precursor and / or the porous carrier impregnated with the proton generating species.

[0074] In some examples, the media can be disposed in a first filter having an average total thickness of 1 centimeter (cm) or more (e.g., 1.5 cm or more, 2 cm or more, 2.5 cm or more, 3 cm or more, 3.5 cm or more, 4 cm or more, 4.5 cm or more, 5 cm or more, 6 cm or more, 7 cm or more, 8 cm or more, 9 cm or more, 10 cm or more, 15 cm or more, 20 cm or more, 25 cm or more, 30 cm or more, 35 cm or more, or 40 cm or more). In some examples, the average total thickness of the media in the first filter can be 50 cm or less (e.g., 45 cm or less, 40 cm or less, 35 cm or less, 30 cm or less, 25 cm or less, 20 cm or less, 15 cm or less, 10 cm or less, 9 cm or less, 8 cm or less, 7 cm or less, 6 cm or less, 5 cm or less, 4.5 cm or less, 4 cm or less, 3.5 cm or less, 3 cm or less, or 2.5 cm or less). The average total thickness of the media in the first filter can range from any of the minimum values ​​listed above to any of the maximum values ​​listed above. For example, the average total thickness of the media in the first filter can be between 1 cm and 50 cm (e.g., between 1 cm and 25 cm, between 25 cm and 50 cm, between 1 cm and 40 cm, between 1 cm and 30 cm, between 1 cm and 20 cm, or between 2.5 cm and 10 cm).

[0075] In some examples, the medium includes dry particles that include a precursor and dry particles that include a proton-generating species.

[0076] In some examples, the medium is disposed in the first filter as a mixture of dry particles including the precursor and dry particles including the proton-generating species.

[0077] In some examples, the media is disposed in the first filter as a layered bed including two or more alternating layers of dry particles including the precursor and dry particles including the proton-generating species. In some examples, the first layer in the bed in contact with the air is a layer of dry particles including the proton-generating species. In some examples, the layered bed includes alternating layers and further includes at least one layer including a mixture of dry particles including the precursor and dry particles including the proton-generating species.

[0078] In some examples, the total number of layers in the layered bed is 3 or more (e.g., 4 or more, 5 or more, 6 or more, 7 or more, 8 or more, 9 or more, 10 or more, 11 or more, 12 or more, 13 or more, 14 or more, 15 or more, 16 or more, 17 or more, 18 or more, 19 or more, 20 or more, 22 or more, 24 or more, 26 or more, 28 or more, 30 or more, 35 or more, or 40 or more). In some examples, the total number of layers in the layered bed is 48 layers or less (e.g., 46 layers or less, 44 layers or less, 42 layers or less, 40 layers or less, 38 layers or less, 36 layers or less, 34 layers or less, 32 layers or less, 30 layers or less, 28 layers or less, 26 layers or less, 24 layers or less, 22 layers or less, 20 layers or less, 19 layers or less, 18 layers or less, 17 layers or less, 16 layers or less, 15 layers or less, 14 layers or less, 13 layers or less, 12 layers or less, 11 layers or less, 10 layers or less, 9 layers or less, 8 layers or less, 7 layers or less, 6 layers or less, or 5 layers or less). The total number of layers in the layered bed can range from any of the minimum values ​​listed above to any of the maximum values ​​listed above. For example, the total number of layers in the layered bed can be 3 layers to 48 layers (e.g., 3 layers to 24 layers, 24 layers to 48 layers, 3 layers to 30 layers, 3 layers to 20 layers, or 4 layers to 16 layers).

[0079] In some examples, the bed can further include a porous woven or nonwoven layer before, after, and / or between one or more of the layers to separate the layers. The woven or nonwoven layer can be formed from a polymeric material such as polyethylene, polypropylene, or polyester (e.g., polyethylene terephthalate (PET)). For example, the porous separator layer can be a spunbond nonwoven polyester layer.

[0080] Each layer of the layered bed can have an average thickness, the thickness of the layer being the dimension of the layer through which air passes during fluid flow. For example, the average thickness of each layer of dry particles containing precursor in the layered bed can be 1 centimeter (cm) or more (e.g., 1.5 cm or more, 2 cm or more, 2.5 cm or more, 3 cm or more, 3.5 cm or more, 4 cm or more, 4.5 cm or more, 5 cm or more, 6 cm or more, 7 cm or more, 8 cm or more, 9 cm or more, 10 cm or more, 15 cm or more, 20 cm or more, 25 cm or more, 30 cm or more, 35 cm or more, 40 cm or more). In some examples, the average thickness of each layer of the dry particles including the precursor in the layered bed can be 50 cm or less (e.g., 45 cm or less, 40 cm or less, 35 cm or less, 30 cm or less, 25 cm or less, 20 cm or less, 15 cm or less, 10 cm or less, 9 cm or less, 8 cm or less, 7 cm or less, 6 cm or less, 5 cm or less, 4.5 cm or less, 4 cm or less, 3.5 cm or less, 3 cm or less, or 2.5 cm or less). The average thickness of each layer of the dry particles including the precursor in the layered bed can range from any of the minimum values ​​listed above to any of the maximum values ​​listed above. For example, the average thickness of each layer of the dry particles including the precursor in the layered bed can be 1 cm to 50 cm (e.g., 1 cm to 25 cm, 25 cm to 50 cm, 1 cm to 40 cm, 1 cm to 30 cm, 1 cm to 20 cm, or 2.5 cm to 10 cm).

[0081] The average thickness of each layer of the dry particles containing the proton-generating species in the layered bed can be 1 centimeter (cm) or more (e.g., 1.5 cm or more, 2 cm or more, 2.5 cm or more, 3 cm or more, 3.5 cm or more, 4 cm or more, 4.5 cm or more, 5 cm or more, 6 cm or more, 7 cm or more, 8 cm or more, 9 cm or more, 10 cm or more, 15 cm or more, 20 cm or more, 25 cm or more, 30 cm or more, 35 cm or more, or 40 cm or more). In some examples, the average thickness of each layer of the dry particles containing the proton-generating species in the layered bed can be 50 cm or less (e.g., 45 cm or less, 40 cm or less, 35 cm or less, 30 cm or less, 25 cm or less, 20 cm or less, 15 cm or less, 10 cm or less, 9 cm or less, 8 cm or less, 7 cm or less, 6 cm or less, 5 cm or less, 4.5 cm or less, 4 cm or less, 3.5 cm or less, 3 cm or less, or 2.5 cm or less). The average thickness of each layer of dry particles containing a proton-generating species in the layered bed can range from any of the minimum values ​​described above to any of the maximum values ​​described above. For example, the average thickness of each layer of dry particles containing a proton-generating species in the layered bed can be 1 cm to 50 cm (e.g., 1 cm to 25 cm, 25 cm to 50 cm, 1 cm to 40 cm, 1 cm to 30 cm, 1 cm to 20 cm, or 2.5 cm to 10 cm).

[0082] In some examples, the average thickness of each of the layers of dry particles comprising the precursor in the layered bed can be substantially the same as the average thickness of each of the layers of dry particles comprising the proton-generating species in the layered bed. For example, the average thickness of each layer in the layered bed can be 1 centimeter (cm) or more (e.g., 1.5 cm or more, 2 cm or more, 2.5 cm or more, 3 cm or more, 3.5 cm or more, 4 cm or more, 4.5 cm or more, 5 cm or more, 6 cm or more, 7 cm or more, 8 cm or more, 9 cm or more, 10 cm or more, 15 cm or more, 20 cm or more, 25 cm or more, 30 cm or more, 35 cm or more, or 40 cm or more). In some examples, the average thickness of each layer in the layered bed can be 50 cm or less (e.g., 45 cm or less, 40 cm or less, 35 cm or less, 30 cm or less, 25 cm or less, 20 cm or less, 15 cm or less, 10 cm or less, 9 cm or less, 8 cm or less, 7 cm or less, 6 cm or less, 5 cm or less, 4.5 cm or less, 4 cm or less, 3.5 cm or less, 3 cm or less, or 2.5 cm or less). The average thickness of each layer in the layered bed can range from any of the minimum values ​​listed above to any of the maximum values ​​listed above. For example, the average thickness of each layer in the layered bed can be 1 cm to 50 cm (e.g., 1 cm to 25 cm, 25 cm to 50 cm, 1 cm to 40 cm, 1 cm to 30 cm, 1 cm to 20 cm, or 2.5 cm to 10 cm).

[0083] The media is generally stable and can be assembled into a primary filter prior to use in an application, and the primary filter can be stored and shipped separately under humidity and / or airflow conditions designed to maintain stability.

[0084] For example, the dry particles containing precursors and the dry particles containing proton-generating species are generally stable and can be assembled into a layered bed and / or a first filter before use in an application. The dry particles containing precursors and the dry particles containing proton-generating species can be stored and shipped separately with minimal humidity. For example, the dry particles containing precursors and the dry particles containing proton-generating species can each be provided in a separate sealed cylindrical container. The cylindrical container can be opened and the layered bed and / or the first filter can be prepared immediately before use. In some examples, such as those exemplified in U.S. Pat. No. 9,382,116, the layered bed can be prepared before shipping. Methods for maintaining the stability of layered beds during storage are described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,382,116, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0085] In some examples, the first filter can further comprise a support structure. The support structure can include a rigid material such as, for example, a polymer (e.g., polyethylene), a metal (e.g., aluminum, galvanized steel, titanium, tantalum), or a combination thereof.

[0086] The support structure can help retain the media within the first filter and / or provide a desired stiffness to the first filter. The support structure can include, for example, a frame that defines a perimeter of the first filter. The frame can have any shape (e.g., rectangular, square, circular, etc.). In some examples, the support structure can include a grid structure (e.g., a square grid, a honeycomb grid, etc.) disposed across the first filter. In some examples, the support structure can include a grid structure including a plurality of wells, and the media is disposed within the plurality of wells.

[0087] The frame can include any suitable material. In some examples, the frame can be compatible with a process gas, such as an oxidizing gas. For example, the frame can be substantially resistant to oxidation (e.g., by a process gas). The frame can be formed, for example, from a metal (e.g., aluminum, galvanized steel, titanium, tantalum) and / or a polymeric material, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester (e.g., polyethylene terephthalate (PET)), cellulose (e.g., paper), or a combination thereof.

[0088] In some examples, the first filter comprises a frame defining a perimeter of the filter and further comprises a permeable layer defining a surface of the first filter, whereby the frame and the permeable layer together define a volume and the media is at least partially enclosed or contained within the volume. In some examples, the first filter comprises a frame defining a perimeter of the filter and further comprises a first permeable layer defining a top surface of the first filter and a second permeable layer defining a bottom surface of the first filter, whereby the frame, the first permeable layer, and the second permeable layer together define a volume and the media is enclosed within the volume.

[0089] In some examples, the permeable layer can be bonded to the frame. For example, the permeable layer can be bonded to the frame by any suitable method, such as adhesive bonding (e.g., via a suitable glue or other adhesive, such as a polyurethane adhesive). In some examples, the adhesive and / or the permeable layer can be compatible with a process gas, such as an oxidizing gas. For example, the adhesive and / or the permeable layer can be substantially resistant to oxidation (e.g., by a process gas).

[0090] The permeable layer, in some instances, can be substantially impermeable to water, but allows gases (eg, air, process gases, etc.) to pass through.

[0091] The permeable layer, in some examples, can include a porous woven or nonwoven layer. The woven or nonwoven layer can be formed from a polymeric material such as polyethylene, polypropylene, or polyester (e.g., polyethylene terephthalate (PET)), cellulose (e.g., paper), or a combination thereof. For example, the porous separator layer can be a spunbond nonwoven polyester layer.

[0092] In some examples, the permeable layer can include a screen. The screen can include, for example, a metal (e.g., aluminum, galvanized steel, titanium, tantalum).

[0093] The permeable layer comprises a plurality of pores having an average characteristic dimension. As used herein, the term "characteristic dimension" refers to the maximum linear distance between two points in the plane of the permeable layer. "Average characteristic dimension" and "average characteristic dimension" are used interchangeably herein and generally refer to the statistical mean characteristic dimension of a plurality of pores in a population of pores. For example, in the case of a set of cylindrical pores, the average characteristic dimension can refer to the average diameter.

[0094] The average characteristic dimension of the plurality of pores of the permeable layer can be selected taking into consideration, for example, the average particle size of the dry particles comprising the precursor, the average particle size of the dry particles comprising the proton-generating species, or a combination thereof. For example, the average characteristic dimension of the plurality of pores of the permeable layer can be selected to be smaller than, for example, the average particle size of the dry particles comprising the precursor, the average particle size of the dry particles comprising the proton-generating species, or a combination thereof, such that, for example, the dry particles comprising the precursor and / or the dry particles comprising the proton-generating species do not leak through the first filter.

[0095] In some examples, the permeable layer can be further configured to remove particulates from the air. For example, the first filter can further include a coarse filter (e.g., a filter for removing coarse particles such as glass G1-G4), a fine filter (e.g., classes M5, M6, F7, F8, F9), a semi-HEPA filter (e.g., classes E10, E11, E12), a HEPA filter (e.g., classes H13, H14), a ULPA filter (e.g., classes U15, U16, U17), or a combination thereof.

[0096] The first filter may have an average thickness, the thickness being a dimension along the direction of airflow. In some examples, the average thickness of the first filter may be 1 centimeter (cm) or more (e.g., 1.5 cm or more, 2 cm or more, 2.5 cm or more, 3 cm or more, 3.5 cm or more, 4 cm or more, 4.5 cm or more, 5 cm or more, 6 cm or more, 7 cm or more, 8 cm or more, 9 cm or more, 10 cm or more, 15 cm or more, 20 cm or more, 25 cm or more, 30 cm or more, 35 cm or more, or 40 cm or more). In some examples, the average thickness of the first filter may be 50 cm or less (e.g., 45 cm or less, 40 cm or less, 35 cm or less, 30 cm or less, 25 cm or less, 20 cm or less, 15 cm or less, 10 cm or less, 9 cm or less, 8 cm or less, 7 cm or less, 6 cm or less, 5 cm or less, 4.5 cm or less, 4 cm or less, 3.5 cm or less, 3 cm or less, or 2.5 cm or less). The average thickness of the first filter can range from any of the minimum values ​​listed above to any of the maximum values ​​listed above. For example, the average thickness of the first filter can be 1 cm to 50 cm (e.g., 1 cm to 25 cm, 25 cm to 50 cm, 1 cm to 40 cm, 1 cm to 30 cm, 1 cm to 20 cm, or 2.5 cm to 10 cm).

[0097] Air is directed to flow through the filter system at a constant flow rate. For example, the air may be directed to flow at a rate of 1 cubic foot per minute (cfm) or greater (e.g., 2 cfm or greater, 3 cfm or greater, 4 cfm or greater, 5 cfm or greater, 6 cfm or greater, 7 cfm or greater, 8 cfm or greater, 9 cfm or greater, 10 cfm or greater, 15 cfm or greater, 20 cfm or greater, 25 cfm or greater, 30 cfm or greater, 35 cfm or greater, 40 cfm or greater, 45 cfm or greater, 50 cfm or greater, 55 cfm or greater, 60 cfm or greater, 65 cfm or greater, 70 cfm or greater, 75 cfm or greater, 80 cfm or greater, 85 cfm or greater, 90 cfm or greater, 95 cfm or greater, 100 cfm or greater, 110 cfm or greater, 120 cfm or greater, 130 cfm or greater, 140 cfm or greater, 150 cfm or greater, 160 cfm or greater, 170 cfm or greater, 180 cfm or greater, 190 cfm or greater, 200 cfm or greater, 210 cfm or greater, 220 cfm or greater, 230 cfm or greater, 240 cfm or greater, 250 cfm or greater, 260 cfm or greater, 270 cfm or greater, 280 cfm or greater, 290 cfm or greater, 300 cfm or greater, 310 cfm or greater, 320 cfm or greater, 330 cf The suction may be induced to flow through the filter system at a flow rate of at least 0 cfm, at least 160 cfm, at least 170 cfm, at least 180 cfm, at least 190 cfm, at least 200 cfm, at least 225 cfm, at least 250 cfm, at least 275 cfm, at least 300 cfm, at least 325 cfm, at least 350 cfm, at least 375 cfm, at least 400 cfm, at least 425 cfm, at least 450 cfm, at least 475 cfm, at least 500 cfm, at least 550 cfm, at least 600 cfm, at least 650 cfm, at least 700 cfm, at least 750 cfm, at least 800 cfm, at least 850 cfm, at least 900 cfm, or at least 950 cfm.In some examples, the air is at or below 1,000 cubic feet per minute (cfm) (e.g., 950 cfm or less, 900 cfm or less, 850 cfm or less, 800 cfm or less, 750 cfm or less, 700 cfm or less, 650 cfm or less, 600 cfm or less, 550 cfm or less, 500 cfm or less, 475 cfm or less, 450 cfm or less, 425 cfm or less, 400 cfm or less, 375 cfm or less, 350 cfm or less, 325 cfm or less, 300 cfm or less, 275 cfm or less, 250 cfm or less, 225 cfm or less, 200 cfm or less, 190 cfm or less, 180 cfm or less, 170 cfm or less, 160 cfm or less, The air may be induced to flow through the filter system at a flow rate of 150 cfm or less, 140 cfm or less, 130 cfm or less, 120 cfm or less, 110 cfm or less, 100 cfm or less, 95 cfm or less, 90 cfm or less, 85 cfm or less, 80 cfm or less, 75 cfm or less, 70 cfm or less, 65 cfm or less, 60 cfm or less, 55 cfm or less, 50 cfm or less, 45 cfm or less, 40 cfm or less, 35 cfm or less, 30 cfm or less, 25 cfm or less, 20 cfm or less, 15 cfm or less, 10 cfm or less, 9 cfm or less, 8 cfm or less, 7 cfm or less, 6 cfm or less, or 5 cfm or less. The flow rate at which the air is induced to flow through the filter system may range from any of the minimum values ​​listed above to any of the maximum values ​​listed above. For example, air can be induced to flow through the filter system at a flow rate of 1 cfm to 1,000 cfm (e.g., 1 cfm to 500 cfm, 500 cfm to 1000 cfm, 1 cfm to 200 cfm, 200 cfm to 400 cfm, 400 cfm to 600 cfm, 600 cfm to 800 cfm, 800 cfm to 1000 cfm, 10 cfm to 1000 cfm, 1 cfm to 950 cfm, 10 cfm to 950 cfm, 50 cfm to 900 cfm, 100 cfm to 750 cfm, 200 cfm to 600 cfm, or 250 cfm to 500 cfm). Airflow across the filter system can be created naturally or by a fan, pump, or any other device capable of creating a pressure differential across the filter system to cause air movement.

[0098] In some examples, the pressure drop across the filter system can be low or negligible. For example, the pressure drop can be 400 Pascals (Pa) or less (e.g., 375 Pa or less, 350 Pa or less, 325 Pa or less, 300 Pa or less, 275 Pa or less, 250 Pa or less, 225 Pa or less, 200 Pa or less, 175 Pa or less, 150 Pa or less, 125 Pa or less, 100 Pa or less, 90 Pa or less, 80 Pa or less, 70 Pa or less, 60 Pa or less, 50 Pa or less, 45 Pa or less, 40 Pa or less, 35 Pa or less, 30 Pa or less, 25 Pa or less, 20 Pa or less, 15 Pa or less, 10 Pa or less, 9 Pa or less, 8 Pa or less, 7 Pa or less, 6 Pa or less, 5 Pa or less, 4 Pa ​​or less, 3 Pa or less, 2 Pa or less, or 1 Pa or less). In some examples, the pressure drop can be 0 Pa or more (e.g., 1 Pa or more, 2 Pa or more, 3 Pa or more, 4 Pa ​​or more, 5 Pa or more, 6 Pa or more, 7 Pa or more, 8 Pa or more, 9 Pa or more, 10 Pa or more, 15 Pa or more, 20 Pa or more, 25 Pa or more, 30 Pa or more, 35 Pa or more, 40 Pa or more, 45 Pa or more, 50 Pa or more, 60 Pa or more, 70 Pa or more, 80 Pa or more, 90 Pa or more, 100 Pa or more, 125 Pa or more, 150 Pa or more, 175 Pa or more, 200 Pa or more, 225 Pa or more, 250 Pa or more, 275 Pa or more, 300 Pa or more, 325 Pa or more, 350 Pa or more, or 375 Pa or more). The pressure drop can range from any of the minimum values ​​listed above to any of the maximum values ​​listed above. For example, the pressure drop can be 0 to 400 Pa (e.g., 0 to 200 Pa, 200 to 400 Pa, 0 to 100 Pa, 100 to 200 Pa, 200 to 300 Pa, 300 to 400 Pa, 0 to 350 Pa, 0 to 300 Pa, 0 to 250 Pa, 0 to 150 Pa, 0 to 50 Pa, 0 to 25 Pa, 0 to 10 Pa, or 0 to 5 Pa).

[0099] In some examples, the treatment gas is at least 0.1 milligrams (mg) of treatment gas per day per gram (g) of precursor initially present (e.g., at least 0.5 mg gas / day / g precursor, at least 1 mg gas / day / g precursor, at least 2 mg gas / day / g precursor, at least 3 mg gas / day / g precursor, at least 4 mg gas / day / g precursor, at least 5 mg gas / day / g precursor, at least 10 mg gas / day / g precursor, at least 15 mg gas / day / g precursor, at least 20 mg gas / day / g precursor, at least 25 mg gas / day / g precursor, at least 30 mg gas / day / g precursor, at least 35 mg gas / day / g precursor, at least 40 mg gas / day / g precursor, or greater than 45 mg gas / day / g precursors, 50 mg gas / day / g precursors, 60 mg gas / day / g precursors, 70 mg gas / day / g precursors, 80 mg gas / day / g precursors, 90 mg gas / day / g precursors, 100 mg gas / day / g precursors, 150 mg gas / day / g precursors, 200 mg gas / day / g precursors, 250 mg gas / day / g precursors, 300 mg gas / day / g precursors, 350 mg gas / day / g precursors, 400 mg gas / day / g precursors, 450 mg gas / day / g precursors, or 500 mg gas / day / g precursors).In some examples, the treatment gas is at or below 600 mg of gas per day per gram of precursor initially present (e.g., at or below 550 mg of gas / day / g of precursor, at or below 500 mg of gas / day / g of precursor, at or below 450 mg of gas / day / g of precursor, at or below 400 mg of gas / day / g of precursor, at or below 350 mg of gas / day / g of precursor, at or below 300 mg of gas / day / g of precursor, at or below 250 mg of gas / day / g of precursor, at or below 200 mg of gas / day / g of precursor, at or below 150 mg of gas / day / g of precursor, at or below 100 mg of gas / day / g of precursor, at or below 90 mg of gas / day / g of precursor, at or below 80 mg of gas / day / g of precursor, at or below 70 mg of gas / day). / g precursor, 60 mg gas / day / g precursor, 50 mg gas / day / g precursor, 45 mg gas / day / g precursor, 40 mg gas / day / g precursor, 35 mg gas / day / g precursor, 30 mg gas / day / g precursor, 25 mg gas / day / g precursor, 20 mg gas / day / g precursor, 15 mg gas / day / g precursor, 10 mg gas / day / g precursor, 5 mg gas / day / g precursor, 4 mg gas / day / g precursor, 3 mg gas / day / g precursor, 2 mg gas / day / g precursor, or 1 mg gas / day / g precursor. The rate at which the process gas is produced can range from any of the minimum values ​​listed above to any of the maximum values ​​listed above. For example, the treatment gas may be from 0.1 milligrams of gas per day per gram of precursor initially present to 600 milligrams of gas per day per gram of precursor (e.g., 0.1 mg gas / day / g precursor to 300 mg gas / day / g precursor, 300 mg gas / day / g precursor to 600 mg gas / day / g precursor, 0.1 mg gas / day / g precursor to 200 mg gas / day / g precursor, 200 mg gas / day / g precursor, 300 mg gas / day / g precursor to 6 ... g gas / day / g precursor to 400 mg gas / day / g precursor, 400 mg gas / day / g precursor to 600 mg gas / day / g precursor, 0.1 mg gas / day / g precursor to 500 mg gas / day / g precursor, 0.1 mg gas / day / g precursor to 100 mg gas / day / g precursor, or 0.1 mg gas / day / g precursor to 60 mg gas / day / g precursor).

[0100] In some examples, the air can have a humidity of 20% or more, and the humidity is non-condensing (e.g., 25% or more, 30% or more, 35% or more, 40% or more, 45% or more, 50% or more, 60% or more, 70% or more, 80% or more, or 90% or more). In some examples, the air can have a humidity of 100% or less, and the humidity is non-condensing (e.g., 95% or less, 90% or less, 85% or less, 80% or less, 75% or less, 70% or less, 60% or less, 50% or less, 40% or less, or 30% or less). The amount of humidity in the air flowing through the filter system can range from any of the minimum values ​​listed above to any of the maximum values ​​listed above. For example, the air can have a humidity between 20% and 100%, where the humidity is non-condensing (e.g., 20% to 60%, 60% to 100%, 20% to 40%, 40% to 60%, 60% to 80%, 80% to 100%, or 50% to 80%).

[0101] In some examples, the air exits the filter system and flows into a chamber having a volume, hi some examples, the chamber can be provided within a building (e.g., a room, a garage, a laboratory, a fume hood, etc.).

[0102] In some examples, the first filter detects a concentration of the process gas within the volume of the chamber that is equal to or less than 1 part per million by volume (ppmv) (e.g., 0.95 ppmv or less, 0.9 ppmv or less, 0.85 ppmv or less, 0.8 ppmv or less, 0.75 ppmv or less, 0.7 ppmv or less, 0.65 ppmv or less, 0.6 ppmv or less, 0.55 ppmv or less, 0.5 ppmv or less, 0.45 ppmv or less, 0.4 ppmv or less, the process gas is discharged into the air flow path such that the concentration of the processed gas in the air stream is less than or equal to 0.35 ppmv, less than or equal to 0.3 ppmv, less than or equal to 0.25 ppmv, less than or equal to 0.2 ppmv, less than or equal to 0.15 ppmv, less than or equal to 0.1 ppmv, less than or equal to 0.09 ppmv, less than or equal to 0.08 ppmv, less than or equal to 0.07 ppmv, less than or equal to 0.06 ppmv, less than or equal to 0.05 ppmv, less than or equal to 0.04 ppmv, less than or equal to 0.03 ppmv, or less than or equal to 0.02 ppmv). In some examples, the air exits the filter system and flows into a chamber having a volume, and the first filter detects whether the concentration of the process gas in the volume of the chamber is 0.01 ppmv or more (e.g., 0.02 ppmv or more, 0.03 ppmv or more, 0.04 ppmv or more, 0.05 ppmv or more, 0.06 ppmv or more, 0.07 ppmv or more, 0.08 ppmv or more, 0.09 ppmv or more, 0.1 ppmv or more, 0.15 ppmv or more, 0.1 ... The process gas is released into the air flow path such that the concentration of the process gas within the chamber volume is 0.2 ppmv or greater, 0.25 ppmv or greater, 0.3 ppmv or greater, 0.35 ppmv or greater, 0.4 ppmv or greater, 0.45 ppmv or greater, 0.5 ppmv or greater, 0.55 ppmv or greater, 0.6 ppmv or greater, 0.65 ppmv or greater, 0.7 ppmv or greater, 0.75 ppmv or greater, 0.8 ppmv or greater, 0.85 ppmv or greater, 0.9 ppmv or greater, or 0.95 ppmv or greater). The concentration of the process gas within the chamber volume can range from any of the minimum values ​​listed above to any of the maximum values ​​listed above.For example, air may exit the filter system and flow into a chamber having a volume, and a first filter may release process gas into the air flow path such that the concentration of process gas within the volume of the chamber is between 0.01 ppmv and 1 ppmv (e.g., 0.01 ppmv to 0.1 ppmv, 0.1 ppmv to 1 ppmv, 0.01 ppmv to 0.05 ppmv, 0.05 ppmv to 0.1 ppmv, 0.1 ppmv to 0.5 ppmv, 0.5 ppmv to 1 ppmv, 0.02 ppmv to 1 ppmv, 0.01 ppmv to 0.9 ppmv, or 0.02 ppmv to 0.9 ppmv).

[0103] In some examples, the air flows through the filter system for an amount of time of 1 minute or more (e.g., 5 minutes or more, 10 minutes or more, 15 minutes or more, 30 minutes or more, 45 minutes or more, 1 hour or more, 2 hours or more, 3 hours or more, 4 hours or more, 6 hours or more, 8 hours or more, 10 hours or more, 12 hours or more, 16 hours or more, 20 hours or more, 1 day or more, 1.5 days or more, 2 days or more, 2.5 days or more, 3 days or more, 4 days or more, 5 days or more, 6 days or more, 7 days or more, 14 days or more, 21 days or more, 35 days or more, 42 days or more, 49 days or more, 56 days or more, 63 days or more, 70 days or more, 77 days or more, or 84 days or more). In some examples, the air flows through the filter system for an amount of time of 90 days or less (e.g., 84 days or less, 77 days or less, 70 days or less, 63 days or less, 56 days or less, 49 days or less, 42 days or less, 35 days or less, 21 days or less, 14 days or less, 7 days or less, 6 days or less, 5 days or less, 4 days or less, 3 days or less, 2.5 days or less, 2 days or less, 1.5 days or less, 1 day or less, 20 hours or less, 16 hours or less, 12 hours or less, 10 hours or less, 8 hours or less, 6 hours or less, 4 hours or less, 3 hours or less, 2 hours or less, 1 hour or less, 45 minutes or less, 30 minutes or less, 15 minutes or less, 10 minutes or less). The amount of time that the air flows through the filter system can range from any of the minimum values ​​listed above to any of the maximum values ​​listed above. For example, air can flow through the filter system for an amount of time between 1 minute and 90 days (e.g., between 1 minute and 45 days, between 45 days and 90 days, between 1 minute and 1 hour, between 1 hour and 1 day, between 1 day and 7 days, between 7 days and 30 days, between 30 days and 60 days, between 60 days and 90 days, between 1 minute and 66 days, or between 5 minutes and 45 days).

[0104] In some examples, air flows through the filter system for a first amount of time, and then the flow of air through the filter system is stopped for a second amount of time, which can be, for example, 1 minute or more (e.g., 5 minutes or more, 10 minutes or more, 15 minutes or more, 30 minutes or more, 45 minutes or more, 1 hour or more, 2 hours or more, 3 hours or more, 4 hours or more, 6 hours or more, 8 hours or more, 10 hours or more, 12 hours or more, 16 hours or more, 20 hours or more, 1 day or more, 1.5 days or more, 2 days or more, 2.5 days or more, 3 days or more, 4 days or more, 5 days or more, 6 days or more, 7 days or more, 14 days or more, 21 days or more, 35 days or more, 42 days or more, 49 days or more, 56 days or more, 63 days or more, 70 days or more, 77 days or more, or 84 days or more). In some examples, the second amount of time can be 90 days or less (e.g., 84 days or less, 77 days or less, 70 days or less, 63 days or less, 56 days or less, 49 days or less, 42 days or less, 35 days or less, 21 days or less, 14 days or less, 7 days or less, 6 days or less, 5 days or less, 4 days or less, 3 days or less, 2.5 days or less, 2 days or less, 1.5 days or less, 1 day or less, 20 hours or less, 16 hours or less, 12 hours or less, 10 hours or less, 8 hours or less, 6 hours or less, 4 hours or less, 3 hours or less, 2 hours or less, 1 hour or less, 45 minutes or less, 30 minutes or less, 15 minutes or less, 10 minutes or less). The second amount of time can range from any of the minimum values ​​listed above to any of the maximum values ​​listed above. For example, the second amount of time can be between 1 minute and 90 days (e.g., between 1 minute and 45 days, between 45 days and 90 days, between 1 minute and 1 hour, between 1 hour and 1 day, between 1 day and 7 days, between 7 days and 30 days, between 30 days and 60 days, between 60 days and 90 days, between 1 minute and 66 days, or between 5 minutes and 45 days).

[0105] In some examples, after the second amount of time, the air flows through the filter system for a third amount of time, which can be, for example, 1 minute or more (e.g., 5 minutes or more, 10 minutes or more, 15 minutes or more, 30 minutes or more, 45 minutes or more, 1 hour or more, 2 hours or more, 3 hours or more, 4 hours or more, 6 hours or more, 8 hours or more, 10 hours or more, 12 hours or more, 16 hours or more, 20 hours or more, 1 day or more, 1.5 days or more, 2 days or more, 2.5 days or more, 3 days or more, 4 days or more, 5 days or more, 6 days or more, 7 days or more, 14 days or more, 21 days or more, 35 days or more, 42 days or more, 49 days or more, 56 days or more, 63 days or more, 70 days or more, 77 days or more, or 84 days or more). In some examples, the third amount of time can be 90 days or less (e.g., 84 days or less, 77 days or less, 70 days or less, 63 days or less, 56 days or less, 49 days or less, 42 days or less, 35 days or less, 21 days or less, 14 days or less, 7 days or less, 6 days or less, 5 days or less, 4 days or less, 3 days or less, 2.5 days or less, 2 days or less, 1.5 days or less, 1 day or less, 20 hours or less, 16 hours or less, 12 hours or less, 10 hours or less, 8 hours or less, 6 hours or less, 4 hours or less, 3 hours or less, 2 hours or less, 1 hour or less, 45 minutes or less, 30 minutes or less, 15 minutes or less, 10 minutes or less). The third amount of time can range from any of the minimum values ​​listed above to any of the maximum values ​​listed above. For example, the third amount of time can be 1 minute to 90 days (e.g., 1 minute to 45 days, 45 days to 66 days, 1 minute to 1 hour, 1 hour to 1 day, 1 day to 7 days, 7 days to 30 days, 30 days to 60 days, 60 days to 90 days, 1 minute to 66 days, or 5 minutes to 45 days).

[0106] In some examples, similarly, after the third amount of time, the flow of air through the filter system stops for a fourth amount of time, and after the fourth amount of time, air flows through the filter system for a fifth amount of time. Thus, the flow of air through the filter system can be pulsed any desired number of times, and the amount of time that air flows through the filter system and the amount of time that air stops flowing through the filter system can be independently selected in consideration of various factors, such as the desired amount of process gas production and / or the desired rate at which process gas is produced.

[0107] In some examples, the temperature of the air can be -25°C or higher (e.g., -20°C or higher, -19°C or higher, -18°C or higher, -17°C or higher, -16°C or higher, -15°C or higher, -10°C or higher, -5°C or higher, 0°C or higher, 5°C or higher, 10°C or higher, 15°C or higher, 20°C or higher, 25°C or higher, 30°C or higher, 31°C or higher, 32°C or higher, 33°C or higher, 34°C or higher, 35°C or higher, 36°C or higher, 37°C or higher, 38°C or higher, 39°C or higher, or 40°C or higher). In some examples, the temperature of the air may be 50°C or less (e.g., 45°C or less, 40°C or less, 39°C or less, 38°C or less, 37°C or less, 36°C or less, 35°C or less, 34°C or less, 33°C or less, 32°C or less, 31°C or less, 30°C or less, 25°C or less, 20°C or less, 15°C or less, 10°C or less, 5°C or less, 0°C or less, -5°C or less, -10°C or less, -15°C or less, -16°C or less, or -17°C or less). The temperature of the air may range from any of the minimum values ​​listed above to any of the maximum values ​​listed above. For example, the temperature of the air may be a temperature of -25°C to 50°C (e.g., -25°C to 15°C, 15°C to 50°C, -25°C to -15°C, -15°C to 0°C, 0°C to 25°C, 25°C to 50°C, 0°C to 30°C, or 32°C to 38°C).

[0108] The average particle size of the dry particles comprising the precursor, the average particle size of the dry particles comprising the proton generating species, the presence or absence of air flowing through the filter system, the amount of time that air flows through the filter system, the amount of humidity in the air, the amount of precursor in the dry particles comprising the precursor, the amount of proton generating species in the dry particles comprising the proton generating species, the identity of the precursor, the proton generating species, the amount of dry particles comprising the precursor, the amount of dry particles comprising the proton generating species, the total number of layers in the layered bed, the average thickness of each of the layers of the dry particles comprising the precursor in the layered bed, the average thickness of each of the layers of the dry particles comprising the proton generating species in the layered bed, the temperature of the air, the amount of base used to treat the porous support impregnated with the precursor, or combinations thereof can be selected to control the total amount of treatment gas produced and / or the rate at which the treatment gas is produced.

[0109] In some examples, the air guided through the filter system includes a first amount of the first component prior to entering the filter system. The filter system can reduce the amount of the first component in the air, e.g., such that the air exiting the filter system has a lesser amount of the first component compared to the air entering the filter system. In some examples, the filter system substantially removes the first component from the air. In some examples, the first component includes a pathogen and the filter system reduces the activity (e.g., transmissibility and / or infectiousness) of the pathogen. In some examples, the first component includes an organic molecule and the first filter oxidizes the first component.

[0110] The first component can include, for example, a toxin, a contaminant, a warfare agent (e.g., a chemical or biological warfare agent), or a combination thereof. In some examples, the first component includes an organic molecule, a biological agent (e.g., a bacterium, a virus, a protozoan, a parasite, a fungus, a biological warfare agent, or a combination thereof), or a combination thereof. In some examples, the first component includes a pathogen, such as an infectious microorganism (e.g., a bacterium, a virus, a fungus, a protozoan, etc.).

[0111] Exemplary viruses include both DNA and RNA viruses. Exemplary viruses include the following: Adenoviridae, Arenaviridae, Astroviridae, Baculoviridae, Barnaviridae, Betaherpesviridae, Birnaviridae, Bromoviridae, Bunyaviridae, Caliciviridae, Chordopoxviridae, Circoviridae, Comoviridae, Coronaviridae, Cystoviridae, Corticoviridae, Entomopoxviridae, Filoviridae, Flaviviridae, Fuselloviridae, Geminiviridae, Hepadnaviridae, Herpesviridae, Gammaherpesviridae, Inoviridae, Iridoviridae, Leviviridae, Lipotrichviridae, and the like. In one embodiment, the virus may belong to the following non-exclusive list of families: Sviridae, Microviridae, Myoviridae, Nodaviridae, Orthomyxoviridae, Papovaviridae, Paramyxoviridae, Paramyxoviridae, Partiviridae, Parvoviridae, Phycodnaviridae, Picornaviridae, Plasmaviridae, Pneumoviridae, Podoviridae, Polydnaviridae, Potyviridae, Poxviridae, Reoviridae, Retroviridae, Rhabdoviridae, Sequiviridae, Siphoviridae, Tectiviridae, Tetraviridae, Togaviridae, Tombusviridae, and Totiviridae.

[0112] Specific examples of viruses include mastadenovirus, adenovirus, human adenovirus 2, avian adenovirus, African swine fever virus, hog cholera virus, arenavirus, lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus, yippie virus, Lassa fever virus, arterivirus, human astrovirus 1, nuclear polyhedrosis virus, Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus, granulovirus, Plodia interpunctella granulovirus, badnavirus, dayflower yellow mottle virus, rice tungrobacillus-like virus, and barnavirus. , Mycobacillus-like virus, Aquabirnavirnavirus, Infectious pancreatic necrosis virus, Avibirnavirnavirus, Infectious bursal disease virus, Entomovirnavirus, Drosophila X virus, Alphamovirus, Alfalfa mosaic virus, Iraluvirus, Iraluvirus subgroups 1-10, Tobacco streak virus, Bromovirus, Brome mosaic virus, Cucumovirus, Cucumber mosaic virus, Banjavirus group, Kaisodyvirus, Maputtavirus, Okolavirus, Resistenciavirus, Upoluvirus Viruses, Yogu virus, Bunya virus, Anopheles A virus, Anopheles B virus, Bakau virus, Bunyamwera virus, Buwamba virus, C virus, California encephalitis virus, Capim virus, Gamboa virus, Guama virus, Kungol virus, Minatitlan virus, Nyando virus, Olifantsvlei virus, Patois virus, Simbu virus, Tete virus, Turlock virus, Hantavirus, Hantaan virus, Nairo virus, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus, Dera Ghazi Khan virus, Hughes virus, Nairobi sheep disease virus, Caribbean virus, Sakhalin virus, Thiafolavirus, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus, Phlebovirus, Satfly fever virus, Bujar complex, Kandil complex, Chilibre complex, Frijoles complex, Punta Toro complex, Rift Valley fever complex, Salehbad complex, Satfly fever Sicily virus, Uukuniemi virus, Uukuniemi virus, Tospovirus, Tomato spotted wilt virus, Calicivirus, Swine vesicular exanthema virus, Capillovirus, Apple stem groove virus, Carlavirus,Carnation latent virus, Caulimovirus, Cauliflower mosaic virus, Circovirus, Chicken anemia virus, Closterovirus, Beet yellows virus, Comovirus, Cowpea mosaic virus, Fabavirus, Broad bean wilt virus 1, Nepovirus, Tobacco ringspot virus, Coronavirus, Avian infectious bronchitis virus, Bovine coronavirus, Canine coronavirus, Feline infectious peritonitis virus, Human coronavirus 299E, Human coronavirus OC43, Mouse hepatitis virus, Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus, Porcine hemagglutinating encephalomyelitis virus rus, porcine transmissible gastroenteritis virus, porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus, rat coronavirus, turkey coronavirus, rabbit coronavirus, torovirus, Bern virus, Breda virus, corticovirus, Alteromonas phage PM2, Pseudomonas phage phi6, delta virus, hepatitis delta virus, hepatitis D virus, hepatitis E virus, dianthovirus, carnation ringspot virus, red clover necrotic mosaic virus, sweet clover necrotic mosaic virus, enamovirus, pea enemic virus sion mosaic virus, filovirus, Marburg virus, Ebola virus, Zaire ebola virus, flavivirus, yellow fever virus, tick-borne encephalitis virus, Rio Bravo group, Japanese encephalitis, Tylenii group, Ntaya group, Uganda S group, Dengue group, Modoc group, pestivirus, bovine diarrhea virus, hepatitis C virus, furovirus, soil-transmitted wheat mosaic virus, beet necrotic yellow vein virus, fusellovirus, sulphophorus virus 1, subgroup I, II, III geminivirus , Corn streak virus, Beet curly top virus, Bean golden mosaic virus, Orthohepadnavirus, Hepatitis B virus, Avihepadnavirus, Alphaherpesviridae, Simplex virus, Human herpesvirus 1, Herpes simplex virus 1, Herpes simplex virus 2, Varicella virus, Varicella zoster virus, Epstein-Barr virus, Human herpesvirus 3, Cytomegalovirus, Human herpesvirus 5, Muromegalovirus, Murine cytomegalovirus 1, Roseolovirus, Human herpesvirus 6,Lymphocryptovirus, Human herpesvirus 4, Rhadinovirus, Atherin herpesvirus 2, Hordeivirus, Barley stripe mosaic virus, Hypoviridae, Hypovirus, Cryphonectria hypovirus 1-EP713, Ideovirus, Raspberry bush dwarf virus, Inovirus, Coliphage fd, Plectrovirus, Acholeplasma phage L51, Iridovirus, Chiroiridescent virus, Chloriridescent virus, Mosquito irridescent virus, Ranavirus, Frog virus 3, Lymphocystivirus Virus, Lymphocystis disease virus flounder isolate, Goldfish virus 1, Levivirus, Enterobacteriaceae phage MS2, Alorvirus, Enterobacteriaceae phage Qbeta, Liposthrixvirus, Thermoproteusvirus 1, Luteovirus, Barley yellow dwarf virus, Macromovirus, Maize chlorotic mottle virus, Marafivirus, Maize rayado finovirus, Microvirus, Coliphage phiX174, Spiromicrovirus, Spiroplasma phage 4, Bedelomicrovirus, Bedelovibrio phage MAC1 , Chlamydia microvirus, Chlamydia phage 1, T4-like phage, coliphage T4, Necrovirus, Tobacco necrosis virus, Nodavirus, Nodamura virus, Influenza virus A, B, C, Thogotovirus, Polyomavirus, Mouse polyomavirus, Papillomavirus, Rabbit (Shope) papillomavirus, Paramyxovirus, Human parainfluenza virus 1, Morbillivirus, Measles virus, Rubulavirus, Mumps virus, Pneumovirus, Human respiratory syncytial virus, Partitivirus, Ga Eumanomyces graminis virus 019 / 6-A, Chrysovirus, Penicillium chrysogenum virus, Alphacryptovirus, White clover cryptic virus 1 and 2, Betacryptovirus, Parvoviridae, Parvovirus, Minute mouse virus, Erythrovirus, B19 virus, Dependovirus, Adeno-associated virus 1, Densoviridae, Densovirus, Junoniacoenia densovirus, Iteravirus, Silkworm virus, Contravirus, Aedes aegypti densovirus, Phycodnavirus,1- Paramecium sclerotium NC64A virus group, Paramecium sclerotium virus 1, 2- Paramecium sclerotium Pbi virus, 3- Hydraviridis sclerotium virus, Enterovirus, Poliovirus, Human poliovirus 1, Rhinovirus, Human rhinovirus 1A, Hepatovirus, Human hepatitis A virus, Cardiovirus, Encephalomyocarditis virus, Aphthovirus, Foot and mouth disease virus, Plasmavirus, Acholeplasma phage L2, Podovirus, Coliphage T7, Ichnovirus, Campoletis sonorensis virus, Bracovirus, Viruses, Cotesia melanosellavirus, Potexvirus, Potato virus X, Potyvirus, Potato virus Y, Rymovirus, Ryegrass mosaic virus, Bymovirus, Barley yellow mosaic virus, Orthopoxvirus, Vaccinia virus, Parapoxvirus, Orf virus, Avipoxvirus, Fowlpox virus, Capripox virus, Sheeppox virus, Leporipoxvirus, Myxoma virus, Suipox virus, Swinepox virus, Molluscum contagiosum virus, Molluscum contagiosum virus, Yatapox virus , Yabasa Tumor Virus, Insect Pox Virus A, B, C, Meloronta Meloronta Insect Pox Virus, Amsakta Moulay Insect Pox Virus, Chironomid Insect Pox Virus, Orthoreovirus, Mammalian Orthoreovirus, Reovirus 3, Avian Orthoreovirus, Orbivirus, African Horse Sickness Virus 1, Bluetongue Virus 1, Changuinola Virus, Coliparta Virus, Epidemic Hemorrhagic Disease Virus 1, Equine Encephalopathy Virus, Euvenangivirus Group, Lebombovirus, Orungovirus, Paliamvirus, Umatillavirus, Wallar Virus , Waregovirus, Chemerovovirus, Rotavirus, Group AF Rotavirus, Simian Rotavirus SA11, Coltivirus, Colorado Tick Fever Virus, Aquareovirus, Group AE Aquareovirus, Golden Shiner Virus, Cypovirus, Cypovirus types 1-12, Silkworm Cypovirus 1, Fijivirus, Fijivirus groups 1-3, Fiji disease virus, Fijivirus groups 2-3, Phytreovirus, Wound Tumor Virus, Oryzavirus, Rice Ragged Stunt, Mammalian Type B Retrovirus,Mouse mammary tumor virus, Mammalian type C retrovirus, Murine leukemia virus, Reptile type C oncovirus, Viper retrovirus, Reticuloendotheliosis virus, Avian type C retrovirus, Avian leukemia virus, Type D retrovirus, Mason-Pfizer monkey virus, BLV-HTLV retrovirus, Bovine leukemia virus, Lentivirus, Bovine lentivirus, Bovine immunodeficiency virus, Equine lentivirus, Equine infectious anemia virus, Feline lentivirus, Feline immunodeficiency virus, Canine immunodeficiency virus Ovine / goat lentivirus, Caprine arthritis encephalitis virus, Visna / Maedivirus, Primate lentivirus group, Human immunodeficiency virus 1, Human immunodeficiency virus 2, Human immunodeficiency virus 3, Simian immunodeficiency virus, Spumavirus, Human spumavirus, Vesiculovirus, Vesicular stomatitis virus, Vesicular stomatitis Indiana virus, Lyssavirus, Rabies virus, Ephemerovirus, Bovine ephemeral fever virus, Cytorhabdovirus, Lettuce necrotic yellows virus, Nucleorhabdovirus, Potato yellow dwarf virus, Rigidiovirus, Rigidiomyces virus, Secchivirus, Parsnip yellow spot virus , Waikavirus, Rice tungro spherical virus, Lambda-like phage, Coliphage lambda, Sobemovirus, Southern bean mosaic virus, Tectivirus, Enterobacteriaceae phage PRD1, Tenuivirus, Rice stripe virus, Noudaurelia capensis beta-like virus, Noudaurelia betavirus, Noudaurelia capensis omega-like virus, Noudaurelia omegavirus, Tobamovirus, Tobacco mosaic virus (strain vulgare, ssp. NC82), Tobravirus, Tobacco rattle virus, Alphavirus, Sindbivirus S. virus, Rubivirus, Rubella virus, Tombus virus, Tomato bushy stunt virus, Carmovirus, Carnation mottle virus, Turnip crinkle virus, Totivirus, Saccharomyces cerevisiae virus, Giardia virus, Giardia lamblia virus, Leishmania virus, Leishmania braziliensis virus 1-1, Trichovirus, Apple chlorotic leaf spot virus, Tymovirus, Turnip yellow mosaic virus, Umbra virus, Carrot mottle virus, Smallpox virus,Coxsackievirus, Dengue virus, Rous sarcoma virus, Zika virus, Lassa fever virus, Eastern equine encephalitis virus, Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus, Western equine encephalitis virus, St. Louis encephalitis virus, Murray Valley fever virus, West Nile virus, human T-cell leukemia virus type 1, echovirus, norovirus, and feline calicivirus (FCV). These include, but are not limited to:

[0113] In some examples, the virus may include an influenza virus, a coronavirus, or a combination thereof. Examples of influenza viruses include, but are not limited to, influenza virus A (including H1N1, H2N2, H3N2, H5N1, H7N7, H1N2, H9N2, H7N2, H7N3, H10N7, H7N9, and H6N1 serotypes), influenza virus B, influenza virus C, and influenza virus D. Examples of coronaviruses include avian coronavirus (IBV), porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV), porcine respiratory coronavirus (PRCV), porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) virus, transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV), feline coronavirus (FCoV), feline infectious peritonitis virus (FIPV), feline enteric coronavirus (FECV), canine coronavirus (CCoV), rabbit coronavirus (RaCoV), mouse hepatitis virus (MHV), murine coronavirus (RCoV), rat salivary gland dacryoadenitis virus (SDAV), bovine coronavirus (BCoV), bovine enterovirus (BEV), porcine coronavirus HKU15 (PorCoV), and porcine coronavirus HKU15 (PorCoV). Examples of viruses that may be present include, but are not limited to, HKU15, porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV), porcine hemagglutinating encephalomyelitis virus (HEV), turkey bluecomb coronavirus (TCoV), human coronavirus (HCoV)-229E, HCoV-OC43, HCoV-HKU1, HCoV-NL63, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-coronavirus (CoV) (SARS-CoV), severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-coronavirus (CoV)-2 (SARS-CoV-2), and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) coronavirus (CoV) (MERS-CoV). In some examples, the virus may include severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-coronavirus (CoV)-2 (SARS-CoV-2).

[0114] The active ingredients of the drug include Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Mycobacterium bovis, Mycobacterium bovis, BCG, BCG, Mycobacterium avium, Mycobacterium intracellular Mycobacterium africanum , Mycobacterium kansasii , Mycobacterium marinum , Mycobacterium ulcerans , Mycobacterium avium , paratuberculosis , Nocardia asteroides , a Nocardia strain , Legionella pneumophila, some Legionella species, Acetinobacter baumanii, Salmonella typhi, Salmonella enterica, Salmonella Typhimurium, some Salmonella species, Shigella boydii, Shigella dysenteriae, Shigella sonnei, Shigella flexneri, some Shigella, Yersinia pestis, Pasteurella haemolytica, Pasteurella multocida, some Pasteurella, Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae, Listeria monocytogenes, Listeria ivanovii, Brucella abortus, Brucella suis, Brucella melitensis, and other Brucella species, Cowdria ruminantium, Borrelia burgdorferi, Bordetella avium, Bordetella pertussis, Bordetella bronchiseptica, Bordetella trematum, Bordetella hinzii, Bordetella pteri, Bordetella parapertussis, Bordetella ansorpiipsuedomallei, Burkholderia cepacian, Chlamydia pneumoniae, Chlamydia trachomatis, Chlamydia psittaci, Coxiella burnetii, rickettsia rickettsia, rickettsia prowazekii, rickettsia typhi, other Rickettsial species, Ehrlichia species, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus agalactiae, Streptococcus uberis, Escherichia coli, Vibrio cholerae, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Campylobacter species, Neiserria meningitidis, Neiserria gonorrhea, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, other Pseudomonas species, Haemophilus influenzae, Haemophilus ducreyi, other Hemophilus species, Clostridium tetani, Clostridium difficile, Clostridium botulinum, Clostridium perfringens, other Clostridium species, Yersinia enterolitica, yersinia pestis, other Yersinia species, Mycoplasma species, Bacillus anthracis, Bacillus abortus, other Bacillus species, Corynebacterium diptheriae, Corynebacterium bovis, Francisella tularensis, Chlamydophila psittaci, Campylobacter jejuni, Enterobacter aerogenes, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Klebsiella oxytoca, Proteus species, Serratia marcescens, TrueperellaExamples of pathogenic bacteria include, but are not limited to, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus pyogenes, and Vibria vulnificus.

[0115] Specific examples of fungi include, but are not limited to, Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans, Histoplasma capsulatum, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus oryzae, Aspergillus fumigatus, Coccidiodes immitis, Paracoccidiodes brasiliensis, Blastomyces dermititidis, Pneumocystis carinii, Penicillium marneffi, Alternaria alternata, Coccidioides immitis, Fusarium oxysporum, Diotrichium candida, and Histoplasma capsulatum.

[0116] Specific examples of parasites include Toxoplasma gondii, Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium malariae, other Plasmodium species, Entamoeba histolytica, Naegleria fowleri, Rhinosporidium seeberi, Giardia lamblia, Enterobius vermicularis, Enterobius gregorii, Ascaris lumbricoides, Ancylostoma duodenale, Necator americanus, Cryptosporidium species, Trypanosoma brucei, Trypanosoma cruzi, Leishmania major, other Leishmania species, Diphyllobothrium latum, Hymenolepis nana, Hymenolepis diminuta, Echinococcus granulosus, Echinococcus multilocularis, Echinococcus vogeli, Echinococcus oligarthrus, Diphyllobothrium latum, Clonorchis sinensis;Examples include, but are not limited to, Clonorchis viverrini, Fasciola hepatica, Fasciola gigantica, Dicrocoelium dendriticum, Fasciolopsis buski, Metagonimus yokogawai, Opisthorchis viverrini, Opisthorchis felineus, Clonorchis sinensis, Trichomonas vaginalis, Acanthamoeba species, Schistosoma intercalatum, Schistosoma haematobium, Schistosoma japonicum, Schistosoma mansoni, other Schistosoma species, Trichobilharzia regenti, Trichinella spiralis, Trichinella britovi, Trichinella nelsoni, Trichinella nativa, or Entamoeba histolytica;

[0117] In some examples, the first component can include a chemical or biological warfare agent. Examples of chemical warfare agents include nerve agents (e.g., sarin, soman, cyclosarin, tabun, ethyl({2-[bis(propan-2-yl)amino]ethyl}sulfanyl)(methyl)phosphinate (VX), O-pinacolylmethylphosphonofluoridate), vesicating or blistering agents (e.g., mustard, lewisite), respiratory agents (e.g., chlorine, phosgene, diphosgene), cyanide, antimiscalin agents (e.g., anticholinergic compounds), opioid agents, lacrimal agents (e.g., a-colotrile), and the like. These include, but are not limited to, bromoacetone (BA), bromobenzyl cyanide (CA), capsaicin (OC), chloracetophenone (MACE), chlormethyl colloformate, denoxazepine (CR), ethyl iodoacetate, or trochlorobenzenesulfonyltrile (CS), trichloromethyl chloroformate, xylyl bromide, and emetics (such as adamsite (DM), diphenylchloroarsine (DA), and diphenylcanoarsine (DC)). Biological warfare agents include, but are not limited to, bacteria (e.g., Bacillus anthracis, B. abortus, Brucella suis, Vibrio cholerae, Corynebacterium diphtheriae, Shigella, Escherichia coli, Bacillus mallei, Listeria monocytogenes, Bacillus malariae, Yersinia pestis, Francisella tularensis, Chlamydophila psittacosis, Coxiella burnetii, Rickettsia, Rickettsia prowazekii, Salmonella typhi), viruses (e.g., Eastern equine encephalitis virus, Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus, Western equine encephalitis virus, Japanese encephalitis virus, Rift Valley fever virus, smallpox virus, yellow fever virus, Ebola virus, Marburg virus, coronavirus), protozoa, parasites, fungi (Coccidioides immitis), pathogens, toxins, biological toxins (abrin, botulinum toxin, ricin, saxitoxin, Staphylococcal enterotoxin B, tetrodotoxin, trichothecene mycotoxins).

[0118] Methods of using any of the filter systems disclosed herein are also disclosed herein.

[0119] Also disclosed herein are methods of using any of the filter systems disclosed herein to treat air, e.g., air exiting the filter system is treated relative to air entering the filter system.

[0120] In some examples, the air directed through the filter system includes a first amount of the first component prior to entering the filter system. The method can reduce the amount of the first component in the air, for example, such that the air exiting the filter system has a lesser amount of the first component compared to the air entering the filter system. In some examples, the method can substantially remove the first component from the air. In some examples, the first component includes a pathogen, and the method can reduce the activity (e.g., transmissibility and / or infectivity) of the pathogen. In some examples, the first component includes an organic molecule, and the method can include oxidizing the first component. The first component can include, for example, a toxin, a contaminant, a warfare agent (e.g., a chemical or biological warfare agent), or a combination thereof. In some examples, the first component includes an organic molecule, a biological agent (e.g., a bacterium, a virus, a protozoan, a parasite, a fungus, a biological warfare agent, or a combination thereof), or a combination thereof. In some examples, the first component includes a pathogen, such as an infectious microorganism (e.g., a bacterium, a virus, a fungus, a protozoan, etc.).

[0121] In some examples, the method can include reducing the transmission of bioaerosols containing infectious microorganisms, hi some examples, the method can include air purification, environmental remediation, or a combination thereof.

[0122] In some examples, the method includes treating ambient air in a chamber having a volume by releasing a treatment gas generated by a medium into the chamber. The chamber can be, for example, in a building (e.g., a room, a garage, a laboratory, a fume hood, etc.). In some examples, the filter system releases a quantity of the treatment gas into the chamber such that a concentration of the treatment gas within the volume of the chamber is 1 ppmv or less.

[0123] The filter systems described herein can be used, for example, in various breathing and filtering applications, for example, for military and / or industrial applications. In some examples, the filter systems can be used in gas masks, respirators, and / or other personal protective devices. For example, the personal protective devices can further include materials such as fabrics. The personal protective devices can include, for example, masks, head covers, face shields, breathing scarves, respirator systems, overguards (e.g., coats, pants, suits, gloves, foot covers, etc.), or combinations thereof. Suitable fabrics that can be combined with the filter systems disclosed herein include, but are not limited to, cotton, polyester, nylon, rayon, wool, and silk.

[0124] Also disclosed herein are articles of manufacture that include any of the filter systems disclosed herein, such as respirators, gas masks, personal protective devices, or combinations thereof.

[0125] The filter systems, respirators, gas masks, and / or personal protective devices described herein can be used, for example, in military, homeland security, first responder, civilian, and / or industrial applications. The filter systems, respirators, gas masks, and / or personal protective devices described herein can provide protection, for example, from exposure to harmful chemical and / or biological agents.

[0126] The filter systems, respirators, gas masks, and / or personal protective devices described herein are suitable for use with subjects in need of protection, such as humans, service animals, working animals (e.g., law enforcement animals, cadaver animals, search and rescue animals, military animals, detection animals), etc.

[0127] In some examples, the filter systems, respirators, gas masks, and / or personal protection devices described herein are suitable for use in animal industry or veterinary industry applications.

[0128] Also disclosed herein are methods for treating, preventing, or ameliorating a disease or disorder in a subject in need thereof, the methods comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of treated gas generated by any of the filter systems disclosed herein.

[0129] For example, disclosed herein are methods for treating a disease or disorder in a subject in need of treatment, the methods comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of treated gas generated by any of the filter systems disclosed herein.

[0130] For example, the treatment gases described herein can be useful for treating diseases or disorders in humans, e.g., pediatric and geriatric populations, and animals, e.g., veterinary applications. The disclosed methods can optionally include identifying a patient who is or may be in need of treatment for a disease or disorder.

[0131] In some examples, the method includes delivering a therapeutically effective amount of the treatment gas to at least a portion of the airway of the subject, e.g., the subject can inhale the therapeutically effective amount of the treatment gas.

[0132] In some examples, the filter system is part of a respirator or mask configured to deliver a therapeutically effective amount of treated gas to at least a portion of the subject's airway.

[0133] In some examples, the method includes treating ambient air in a chamber having a volume by releasing a treatment gas generated by a medium into the chamber, and a subject is positioned within the chamber, whereby the subject inhales the treated ambient air in the chamber.

[0134] In some examples, the disease or disorder includes an infection with an infectious microorganism (e.g., a bacterium, a virus, a fungus, a protozoan, etc.), etc. In some examples, the disease or disorder includes a respiratory infection, in some examples, the disease or disorder includes an infection with a coronavirus, an influenza virus, or a combination thereof.

[0135] The method of treating a disease or disorder described herein can further include treatment with one or more additional agents. The one or more additional agents and treatment gases described herein can be administered in any order, including simultaneous administration and time-spaced orders up to several days apart. The method can also include one or more administrations of one or more additional agents and / or treatment gases as described herein. The administration of one or more additional agents and treatment gases described herein can be by the same or different routes. When treating with one or more additional agents, the treatment gases described herein can be combined into a pharmaceutical composition that includes one or more additional agents.

[0136] In some examples, the treatment gas delivered or administered to a subject can have a concentration of 1 ppmv or less.

[0137] However, it is understood that the specific dose level of any particular subject depends on various factors. Such factors include the subject's age, weight, general health, sex, and diet. Other factors include administration time and route, excretion rate, drug combination, and the type and severity of specific disease or disorder.

[0138] The methods and treatment gases described herein are useful for both prophylactic and therapeutic treatments. As used herein, the term "treating" or "treatment" includes prevention, delaying onset, reducing, eradicating, or delaying the worsening of signs or symptoms after onset, and preventing recurrence. For prophylactic use, a therapeutically effective amount of a treatment gas described herein is administered to a subject before onset (e.g., before overt signs of a disease or disorder), during early onset (e.g., at early signs and symptoms of a disease or disorder), or after established onset of a disease or disorder. Prophylactic administration can occur days to years before signs of symptoms of a disease or disorder. Therapeutic treatment involves administering a therapeutically effective amount of a treatment gas described herein to a subject after a disease or disorder has been diagnosed.

[0139] In vivo application of the disclosed treatment gases and compositions containing them can be accomplished by any suitable method and technique now or in the future known to one of skill in the art. For example, the disclosed treatment gases can be formulated in a physiologically or pharma- ceutically acceptable form and administered by any suitable route known in the art, including, for example, oral and nasal routes of administration. Administration of the disclosed treatment gases can be a single dose, or can be continuous or at discrete intervals, as can be readily determined by one of skill in the art.

[0140] The compounds disclosed herein can be formulated according to known methods for preparing pharma-ceutically acceptable compositions. Formulations are described in detail in several sources that are well known and readily available to those skilled in the art. For example, Remington's Pharmaceutical Science by EW Martin (1995) describes the formulations that can be used in conjunction with the disclosed methods. In general, the compounds disclosed herein can be formulated so that an effective amount of the compound is combined with a suitable excipient to facilitate effective administration of the compound.

[0141] The composition may also contain conventional pharma- ceutically acceptable carriers and diluents known to those skilled in the art. The pharmaceutical carrier used may be, for example, a gas. Examples of gaseous carriers include carbon dioxide and nitrogen.

[0142] Useful dosages of the compounds and agents, and pharmaceutical compositions disclosed herein can be determined by comparing their in vitro activity with in vivo activity in animal models. Methods for the extrapolation of effective dosages in mice, and other animals, to humans are known to those of skill in the art.

[0143] The dosage range for administration of the composition is large enough to produce the desired effect of affecting the symptoms of the disorder. The dosage should not be so large as to cause adverse side effects, such as undesirable cross-reactions, anaphylactic reactions, etc. In general, dosage will vary according to the age, condition, sex, and extent of disease of the patient, which can be determined by those skilled in the art. Dosage can be adjusted by the individual physician in the event of any contraindications. Dosage can vary and can be administered in one or more doses daily for one or several days.

[0144] Also disclosed are kits comprising the filter system disclosed herein in one or more containers. The disclosed kits can optionally comprise a pharma- ceutically acceptable carrier and / or diluent. In one embodiment, the kit comprises one or more other components, supplements, or adjuvants described herein. In one embodiment, the kit comprises instructions or packaging material that describes how to administer the compound or composition of the kit. The containers of the kit can be any suitable material, e.g., glass, plastic, metal, etc., and can be any suitable size, shape, or configuration.

[0145] The kits can also include compounds and / or products that are co-packaged, co-formulated, and / or co-delivered with other ingredients. For example, a pharmaceutical manufacturer, pharmaceutical reseller, physician, compounding store, or pharmacist can provide a kit that includes the disclosed compounds and / or products and other ingredients for delivery to a patient.

[0146] It is contemplated that the disclosed kits can be used in connection with the disclosed methods of making, the disclosed methods of using, and / or the disclosed compositions.

[0147] Additionally, the following examples are intended to further illustrate certain aspects of the methods and compounds described herein, and are not intended to limit the scope of the claims. EXAMPLES

[0148] The following examples are described below to illustrate the methods and results according to the subject matter of the present disclosure. These examples are not intended to be inclusive of all aspects of the subject matter disclosed herein, but rather to illustrate representative methods, compositions, and results. These examples are not intended to exclude equivalents and variations of the present invention, which are obvious to those skilled in the art.

[0149] Efforts have been made to ensure accuracy with respect to numbers (e.g., amounts, temperatures, etc.), but some errors and deviations should be accounted for. Unless otherwise specified, parts are parts by weight, temperature is in °C or is ambient temperature, and pressure is at or near atmospheric. There are many variations and combinations of reaction conditions, e.g., component concentrations, temperatures, pressures, and other reaction ranges, and conditions that can be used to optimize purity and yield of products obtained from the described processes. Only reasonable and routine experimentation is required to optimize such process conditions.

[0150] Example 1 A study to determine the virucidal efficacy of chlorine dioxide media filter treatment against aerosolized and surface-deposited bacteriophage MS2 (ATCC:15597-B1) was conducted in a temperature- and humidity-controlled 742 cubic foot enclosed chamber, with temperature maintained at 24-26°C and humidity maintained at 40-50%.

[0151] Three Petri dishes open to sterile air were placed in three separate locations near the self-closing sampling port in the room. The Petri dishes were accessible through the self-closing sampling port to allow for collection without entering the room. In addition, one Petri dish open to sterile air was placed in three separate locations on the floor in the room. These Petri dishes were collected from the room at the time point after the last exposure.

[0152] The chlorine dioxide media filter (Figure 1) was placed in the center of the chamber (Figure 2), the chamber was sealed, and the unit was run for 16 hours. MS2 (ATCC:15597-B1) was used as a conservative surrogate for human viruses. MS2 (ATCC:15597-B1) was diluted in sterile phosphate buffered saline (PBS) and added to a single jet atomizer 9302 (TSI Incorporated, USA). The atomizer was pressurized to 35.0 PSI to inject the virus into the room atmosphere. A NIST traceable timer was started. After 75 minutes of aerosolization, the atomizer was turned off. The chlorine dioxide media filter remained on throughout the aerosolization process and for the following 180 minutes after aerosolization had stopped.

[0153] 120 liters of chamber air was sampled through an air sampling port located midway along the side of the chamber using a BioSampler liquid impinger (SKC Ltd.) containing 20 mL of sterile PBS and sodium thiosulfate (final concentration 0.01%). Petri dishes from each of the three self-closing sampling ports were also collected at the indicated times after aerosolization ceased. The collected samples represent the T=0 event samples. The Petri dish sample collection procedure was repeated again at each of the indicated time points. In addition, chamber air was sampled for 30 minutes at a flow rate of 1 LPM through an air sampling port located on the front side of the chamber using an AirChek Sampler (SKC Inc.) connected to two Midget Impingers with Frit (SKC Inc.), each containing 25 mL of 0.02% KI solution. The potassium iodide solution was then transferred to two separate sterile containers and analyzed for chlorine dioxide concentration. After recovery of each Petri dish open to air, 20 mL of PBS containing sodium thiosulfate (final concentration 0.01%) was added to each dish, and the solution was homogenized by gentle swirling for 5 min and then poured into a sterile 50 mL centrifuge tube containing 0.1 mL of 10X TSB. A positive control consisting of a directly inoculated Petri plate and a negative control consisting of an unexposed Petri plate were treated similarly. Positive and negative controls were performed to provide quality control and reference data according to the methodology of ISO17025:2017, which is certified by laboratory standards. All collected samples were analyzed in at least two replicates, undiluted and at various dilutions on the day of testing. MS2 (ATCC:15597-B1) virus was analyzed and counted as plaque forming units (PFU) according to EPA1602. Based on the recovery of the control and test samples, the respective percent disintegration rates were determined. All equipment and consumables were verified or calibrated according to NIST traceable standards. All QCs were within the acceptable limits of the method. General environmental conditions that may affect the test results or measurements are not specified or identified in the standard.

[0154] The results of the tests are shown in Tables 1 and 2 below.

[0155] Additional testing was performed using an air filtration system as disclosed herein, which can be integrated into standard housings for existing fans and blowers, for example, and the results are summarized in Table 3. [Table 1] [Table 2] [Table 3]

[0156] The systems and methods of the appended claims are not limited in scope by the specific systems and methods described herein, which are intended as illustrations of some aspects of the claims, and any systems and methods that are functionally equivalent are within the scope of the present disclosure. Various modifications of the systems and methods in addition to those shown and described herein are intended to be within the scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, only certain representative systems and methods, and aspects of these systems and methods, are specifically described, but other systems and methods, and combinations of various features of the systems and methods, even if not specifically described, are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims. Thus, although combinations of steps, elements, components, or compositions may be explicitly described herein, all other combinations of steps, elements, components, and compositions are included, even if not explicitly described.

Claims

1. 1. A filter system for treating air, said filter system comprising: a first filter comprising a media; air induced to flow through the filter system contacts the first filter; the medium is configured to generate a process gas from a precursor such that the process gas is released into the air flow path; The process gas is chlorine dioxide (ClO ２ ), wherein the precursor comprises a chlorine dioxide precursor, and the process gas comprises carbon dioxide (CO ２ ), wherein the precursor comprises a carbon dioxide precursor, or a combination thereof.

2. a second filter disposed adjacent to the first filter along the direction of airflow; The filter system of claim 1 , wherein the second filter comprises a coarse filter, a fine filter, a quasi-HEPA filter, a HEPA filter, a ULPA filter, or a combination thereof.

3. The process gas comprises chlorine dioxide and the precursor comprises a chlorine dioxide precursor; or the process gas comprises carbon dioxide and the precursor comprises a carbon dioxide precursor; or The filter system of claim 1 comprising a combination of these two.

4. The filter system of claim 1 , wherein the media further comprises a proton-generating species.

5. 10. The filter system of claim 1, wherein the media is disposed within the first filter at an average total thickness of between 1 cm and 50 cm.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the medium comprises dry particles including the precursor and dry particles including the proton-generating species; and 5. The filter system of claim 4, wherein the media is disposed in the first filter as a mixture of the dry particles comprising the precursor and the dry particles comprising the proton-generating species, or the media is disposed in the first filter as a layered bed comprising two or more alternating layers of the dry particles comprising the precursor and the dry particles comprising the proton-generating species.

7. The filter system of claim 1 , wherein the first filter further comprises a grid structure disposed throughout the first filter.

8. The filter system of claim 7 , wherein the grid structure comprises a plurality of wells, and the media is disposed within the plurality of wells.

9. The filter system of claim 1 , wherein the first filter further comprises a frame defining a perimeter of the first filter.

10. 10. The filter system of claim 9, wherein the first filter further includes a permeable layer defining a surface of the first filter, the frame and the permeable layer together defining a volume, and the media being at least partially enclosed or contained within the volume.

11. The filter system of claim 10 , wherein the permeable layer is bonded to the frame via an adhesive.

12. 10. The filter system of claim 9, wherein the first filter further comprises a first permeable layer defining a top surface of the first filter and a second permeable layer defining a bottom surface of the first filter, whereby the frame, the first permeable layer, and the second permeable layer together define a volume, and the media is enclosed within the volume.

13. The filter system of claim 12 , wherein the first and second permeable layers are bonded to the frame via an adhesive.

14. 2. The filter system of claim 1, wherein the air exits the filter system and flows into a chamber having a volume, and the first filter releases the treatment gas into the air flow path such that the concentration of the treatment gas within the volume of the chamber is 1 ppmv or less.

15. The filter system of claim 1 , wherein the media comprises an electrostatically charged surface.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the air guided through the filter system comprises a first amount of a first component before entering the filter system; and 10. The filter system of claim 1, wherein the first component comprises a toxin, a pollutant, a warfare agent, an organic molecule, a biological agent, a pathogen, or a combination thereof.

17. The filter system reduces the amount of the first component in the air such that the air exiting the filter system has a lower amount of the first component compared to the air entering the filter system; or the first component comprises a pathogen and the filter system reduces the activity of the pathogen; or 17. The filter system of claim 16, wherein the first component comprises an organic molecule, the first filter oxidizes the first component, or a combination thereof.

18. Use of a filter system according to any one of claims 1 to 17 for treating air.

19. 18. A method for treating a disease or disorder in a subject in need thereof, said method comprising administering to said subject a therapeutically effective amount of treated gas generated by the filter system of any one of claims 1 to 17.

20. 18. An article of manufacture comprising the filter system of any one of claims 1 to 17, said article of manufacture comprising a respirator, a gas mask, a personal protective device, or a combination thereof.

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