Extreme Temperature Aqueous Decontamination Composition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current decontamination systems for chemical and biological warfare agents are ineffective at extreme temperatures, freezing at low temperatures and decomposing or evaporating rapidly at high temperatures, requiring multiple formulations and increasing logistical challenges.
Innovation Solution
A broad-spectrum aqueous decontamination composition comprising dichloro or dibromoisocyanuric acid metal salts, combined with an aqueous solvent system including water and alkyl glycols, and quasi hydrophilic compounds like alkyl lactate, which maintains stability and efficacy from -25°F to 120°F, is non-flammable, and environmentally friendly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If aqueous decontamination systems are used at low temperatures, then they are effective at decontamination, but they freeze or their reactivity decreases to almost zero
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the physical and chemical parameters of the decontamination system by incorporating glycol ethers and non-aqueous solvents, which change the freezing point and reactivity characteristics of the system, allowing it to remain effective at low temperatures without freezing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite decontamination system combining aqueous components with glycol ethers and non-aqueous solvents, forming a multi-phase system that maintains decontamination effectiveness across extreme temperature ranges by leveraging the properties of each component
2Reliability
If aqueous decontamination systems are used at high temperatures, then they are effective at decontamination, but they decompose rapidly or evaporate rapidly from surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the compositional parameters by adding glycol ethers and non-aqueous solvents with higher thermal stability and lower volatility, which raise the decomposition temperature and reduce evaporation rate, thereby extending the effective contact time at high temperatures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces unstable aqueous components with more stable glycol ether and non-aqueous solvent-based components that maintain their effectiveness longer at high temperatures, effectively extending the service life of the decontamination system under thermal stress
3Adaptability or versatility
If a single decontaminant formulation is used across extreme temperature ranges, then logistics are simplified, but the decontaminant must maintain stability and efficacy at both low and high temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent develops a universal decontamination formulation containing glycol ethers and non-aqueous solvents that performs multiple functions: preventing freezing at low temperatures, resisting decomposition at high temperatures, and maintaining decontamination efficacy across the entire extreme temperature range, replacing the need for multiple temperature-specific formulations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a dynamic formulation that adapts to temperature conditions through its composite nature, where the glycol ether and non-aqueous solvent components provide flexible thermal response, allowing the system to maintain stability and effectiveness whether exposed to extreme cold or heat
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 composition achieves log reductions of up to 7 in microorganisms and chemical/bioterrorism agents across a wide temperature range without freezing or substantial evaporation, ensuring effective decontamination while being safe and environmentally friendly.
Implementation Method 1
a metal salt of a dichloroisocyanuric acid or a dibromoisocyanuric acid
Implementation Method 2
When exposed to water, the dichloroisocyanuric acid and the dibromoisocyanuric acid release active halogen
Implementation Method 3
an aqueous solvent system containing polar compounds such as water and a glycol
Implementation Method 4
Microorganism reductions up to log 6 are readily obtained
Data Source
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AI summary
An extreme temperature decontamination composition such as a solution for destroying microorganisms, chemical warfare and bioterrorism agents is utilized that generally does not freeze at low temperatures down to about minus 25 °F and also has no significant evaporation or decomposition at temperatures up to about 120 °F. The solution is effective against nerve agents and vesicants such as VX and HD, and various biological agents. The composition comprises a metallic salt of dichloroisocyanuric acid or dibromoisocyanuric acid, an aqueous solvent system comprising polar compounds such as water and an alkyl glycol, and a quasi hydrophilic compound. The composition can be formulated as a one part system wherein all components are blended together.