Methods for the control of arthropods using near-ideal gas phase hydrogen peroxide
Inventors
Lee, James D. • Bosma, Douglas J.
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-10842154-B2
Publication Date
2020-11-24
Expiration Date
Abstract
The present disclosure relates to methods and devices for controlling arthropods, including insects and arachnids in an environment. The methods generally comprise: generating a near-ideal gas Purified Hydrogen Peroxide Gas (PHPG) that is substantially non-hydrated (e.g., in the form of water in solution or water in solution or water molecules bonded by covalence, van der Waals forces, or London forces) and substantially free of, e.g., ozone, plasma species, and/or organic species; and directing the gas comprising primarily PHPG into the environment such that the PHPG acts to control arachnids in the environment. In certain aspects, the arachnids may be totally or partially killed.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a method of arthropod control using Purified Hydrogen Peroxide Gas (PHPG) that is free of hydration and substantially free of ozone. The PHPG is directed into an enclosed environment to maintain a PHPG concentration between 0.005 parts per million (ppm) and 1.5 ppm while keeping ozone less than 0.015 ppm. The approach is positioned as controlling arthropods in lodging facilities and other enclosed settings.
The invention further describes generating PHPG using a reactor that enables rapid removal of produced H2O2, thereby preventing back-reduction. The described generation is associated with photocatalytic plasma reactor and photocatalysis, including ultraviolet light and a photocatalyst morphology configured for rapid removal of produced H2O2. The disclosed gas is characterized as near-ideal, non-hydrated hydrogen peroxide with low ozone content.
The disclosed PHPG is described as penetrating air-exchange systems such as tracheae and book lungs of arthropods, causing tissue damage, death, or behavioral disruption. The document describes effects including repellency, disorientation, and loss of feeding and mating, and also includes effects on eggs, larvae, nymphs, and pupae.
Claims Coverage
The provided independent claims are two methods of controlling arthropods using hydration-free Purified Hydrogen Peroxide Gas (PHPG) with stringent ozone limits. Together, they include core inventive features: hydration-free PHPG delivery to a target enclosed location, maintenance of a defined PHPG concentration window, and control of ozone below a specified threshold; the second independent claim further narrows to bed bugs in a hotel and specifies very low ozone for that context.
Hydration-free PHPG-directed arthropod control in a lodging facility
Providing a lodging facility with Purified Hydrogen Peroxide Gas (PHPG) free of hydration, directing said PHPG into said lodging facility, and controlling said arthropods using a maintained PHPG concentration between 0.005 ppm and 1.5 ppm while keeping ozone less than 0.015 ppm.
Hydration-free PHPG bed bug control in a hotel with low ozone
Providing a hotel with Purified Hydrogen Peroxide Gas (PHPG) free of hydration and comprising less than 0.1 ppm ozone, directing said PHPG into said hotel to maintain a PHPG concentration between 0.005 ppm and 1.5 ppm and less than 0.015 ppm ozone to control bed bugs.
Across the two independent claims, the core coverage centers on controlled delivery of hydration-free PHPG into enclosed lodging settings with maintenance of a specified PHPG concentration range and ozone limitation (below 0.015 ppm), with a bed-bug-specific hotel method further requiring ozone below 0.1 ppm.
Stated Advantages
Breakdown to water and oxygen is described as “green pesticide” behavior.
Human, pet, and plant safety at low concentrations is described.
Control of arthropods is described through knockdown and mortality, including developmental-stage effects and behavioral disruption.
Documented Applications
Arthropod control in enclosed environments, including lodging facilities.
Controlling bed bugs in a hotel.
Application settings explicitly described include homes/hotels/lodging facilities, storage facilities, greenhouses, animal treatment, food processing, and agricultural shipping.
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