Contained Surface Decontamination With Vacuum Aerosol Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional decontamination methods release contaminants into the environment as aerosols, posing health risks to operators and contaminating the surroundings, especially when dealing with toxic or hazardous materials.
Innovation Solution
A decontamination apparatus with a containment structure and a decontamination device that forms a sealed working volume around the external surface, using inner and outer barriers to contain waste within the structure, and a vacuum system to apply suction force for containment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If intensive decontamination operations are used to remove fixed contamination, then decontamination effectiveness is improved, but hazardous aerosol production increases
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful aerosols are extracted and separated from the decontamination process by using a vacuum system to remove airborne contaminants from the working volume, directing them through filtration systems to prevent environmental release
Solution Approach 2:
A containment structure acts as an intermediary barrier between the decontamination device and the environment, enclosing the working volume and preventing aerosols from escaping while allowing the decontamination process to proceed effectively
2Object-affected harmful factors
If containment structure is introduced to prevent aerosol release, then environmental safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The containment structure utilizes flexible barriers and sealing elements that can conform to the working volume requirements, providing effective containment without requiring overly complex rigid structures
Solution Approach 2:
The containment structure is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: enclosing the working volume, directing aerosol flow to vacuum systems, providing structural support, and enabling safe operator access, thereby reducing the need for separate specialized components
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The apparatus effectively contains contaminants within the sealed working volume, preventing their release into the environment and protecting operators from inhalation hazards, while ensuring safe and efficient decontamination of surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum system to contain and remove contaminants, preventing their release into the environment
Data Source
AI summary
A decontamination apparatus for decontaminating an external surface is provided. The decontamination apparatus has a moveable platform and a containment structure mounted on the moveable platform. The containment structure has at least one aperture and a respective contact surface arranged around the perimeter of the aperture. The contact surface is arranged to make contact with the external surface to define a working volume, when the containment structure is positioned proximal to the external surface. The decontamination apparatus includes a decontamination device arranged to decontaminate the external surface. The decontamination device is arranged within the working volume and arranged to access the external surface through the at least one aperture. There is also a vacuum system for generating a partial vacuum in the containment structure to apply a suction force to the external surface.