Vacuumable Terpene Gel for Organic Surface Decontamination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing decontamination methods are inadequate for removing contamination, particularly radioactive contamination, embedded within organic matrices such as paints or epoxy resins, and sticky organic stains like bitumen, generating waste and requiring laborious manual processes.
Innovation Solution
A suctionable gel comprising terpenes as organic solvents, inorganic thickening agents, and optional additives like ethanol, colorants, and pigments, which dissolves and incorporates the organic material and contaminants into vacuumable flakes for easy removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical decontamination methods (cutting, sanding, stripping) are used, then contamination can be removed from surfaces, but the process becomes tedious and laborious while generating dust
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical decontamination methods (cutting, sanding, stripping) with a chemical dissolution process using a gel formulation. The gel contains solvents that chemically dissolve the organic matrix containing contamination, allowing removal without mechanical action. This substitution eliminates dust generation and reduces manual labor while maintaining decontamination effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The gel acts as an intermediary substance between the contamination and the removal process. It is applied to the surface, dissolves the organic matrix containing contamination, and then the entire gel layer with dissolved contaminants is removed together. This intermediary approach simplifies the process by combining dissolution and removal into a single operational step.
2Productivity
If thermal processes (lasers, thermal lances) are used to optimize mechanical decontamination, then decontamination efficiency improves, but implementation cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex thermal processes (lasers, thermal lances) with a simpler chemical dissolution process using a gel. The gel formulation achieves decontamination through chemical action rather than thermal energy, eliminating the need for expensive and complex thermal equipment while maintaining or improving decontamination efficiency.
3Reliability
If aqueous or organic chemical solvents are used for decontamination, then contaminated organic matrices can be decontaminated, but significant production of contaminated effluents occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a gel formulation - a semi-solid material with viscoelastic properties - instead of free-flowing liquid solvents. The gel maintains the beneficial chemical dissolution action of solvents while its semi-solid nature prevents uncontrolled spreading and minimizes effluent generation. The gel stays in place on the surface, dissolves contaminants, and can be removed as a contained layer.
Solution Approach 2:
The gel is a composite material combining solvents with thickening agents and other components. This composite structure provides the dual functionality of chemical dissolution (from the solvent component) and controlled rheology (from the thickening agent), enabling effective decontamination with minimal effluent production.
4Ease of operation
If vacuum systems are used to collect loose dust, then surface cleaning is achieved, but the systems are not suitable for sticky deposits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state and adhesion properties of the cleaning medium by using a gel instead of airborne vacuum particles. The gel's semi-solid state and adhesive properties enable it to effectively contact and dissolve sticky deposits that vacuum systems cannot handle, while still allowing for easy removal after the dissolution process completes.
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
Effectively decontaminates organic surfaces by dissolving and migrating contaminants into the gel, reducing manual labor and waste generation, while being safe for operators due to non-toxic solvents and easy to apply.
Implementation Method 1
a suctionable gel... which dissolves and incorporates the organic material and contaminants into vacuumable flakes
Implementation Method 2
absorb the contaminant species, for example the radioactive contaminant species (so that the contaminant species migrates into the gel)
Implementation Method 3
the gel to dry and form a dry, solid, non-powdery residue containing the organic material of the layer made of an organic material that has been dissolved
Data Source
Figure 1A~2G
Figure 3A~4B
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a vacuumable gel for eliminating a contaminating species, for example a radioactive contaminating species, contained in an organic layer on the surface of a material, made up of a colloidal solution comprising, preferably made up of: 1 wt % to 25 wt %, preferably 5 wt % to 20 wt %, for example 10 wt %, relative to the total weight of the gel, of at least one inorganic viscosifying agent; 13 wt % to 99 wt %, preferably 80 wt % to 95 wt %, for example 90 wt %, relative to the total weight of the gel, of an organic solvent selected among the terpenes and the mixtures thereof; optionally, 0.01 wt % to 10 wt %, relative to the total weight of the gel, of at least one dye and/or pigment; optionally 0.1 wt % to 2 wt %, relative to the total weight of the gel, of at least one surfactant; optionally 0.1 wt % to 10 wt %, preferably 0.1 wt % to 5 wt %, relative to the total weight of the gel, of at least one radionuclide extraction agent, preferably selected among the zeolites and the clays. The invention further relates to a decontamination method using said gel.