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-12250948-B2
Publication Date
2025-03-18
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 relates to controlling one or more arthropods in an environment by generating hydrogen peroxide gas from atmospheric water vapor and directing the generated hydrogen peroxide gas into the environment. The hydrogen peroxide gas is directed in an amount of about 5 parts per million by weight (ppm) or less for a time period sufficient to control the one or more arthropods, wherein the arthropods do not include molds. The disclosed gas is described as near-ideal gas phase purified hydrogen peroxide gas (PHPG) and is characterized as substantially non-hydrated and substantially free of ozone, plasma species, and optionally organic species.
In one described aspect, the hydrogen peroxide gas is generated by exposing a catalyst to ultraviolet light in the presence of humid ambient air and causing water vapor within the humid ambient air to react to form non-hydrated hydrogen peroxide gas. In another described aspect, hydrogen peroxide gas is generated by either an oxidation reaction in which hydroxyl radicals derived from catalytic oxidation of atmospheric water vapor are reacted to form the hydrogen peroxide gas, or a reduction reaction in which atmospheric oxygen is reacted with protons derived from catalytic oxidation of atmospheric water vapor to form the hydrogen peroxide gas.
The disclosed control includes maintaining impurity and quality characteristics and environmental conditions, including limits on ozone, for example 0.015 ppm or less, and maintaining hydrogen peroxide at 1.0 ppm or less. The invention also constrains the atmospheric water vapor input via ambient air relative humidity ranges, for example 5% to 99%, and includes continuous provision to the environment for at least 1 minute and/or less than 10 days.
The patent content further describes control outcomes and behavioral changes for arthropods in a hydrogen-peroxide-gas-containing environment, including immobilization and cessation of activity, egg laying or egg hatching outcomes, death stages, and searching for or exiting from non-hydrogen-peroxide-air sources.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims are directed to three main inventive aspects: generating hydrogen peroxide gas from atmospheric water vapor and directing it into an environment for arthropod control excluding molds; generating non-hydrated hydrogen peroxide gas using a catalyst exposed to ultraviolet light in humid ambient air; and generating hydrogen peroxide gas via oxidation- or reduction-type reactions using hydroxyl radicals or protons derived from catalytic oxidation of atmospheric water vapor. Each independent claim centers on directing hydrogen peroxide gas at about 5 ppm by weight or less for a time period sufficient to control arthropods, excluding molds.
Hydrogen peroxide gas from atmospheric water vapor at about 5 ppm or less for arthropod control excluding molds
Generating hydrogen peroxide gas from atmospheric water vapor; and directing the generated hydrogen peroxide gas into the environment in an amount of about 5 parts per million by weight (ppm) or less for a time period sufficient to control the one or more arthropods within the environment, wherein said arthropods do not include molds.
Ultraviolet-exposed catalyst in humid ambient air to form non-hydrated hydrogen peroxide gas at about 5 ppm or less in an enclosed environment
Generating hydrogen peroxide gas by exposing a catalyst to ultraviolet light in the presence of humid ambient air, and causing water vapor within the humid ambient air to react to form non-hydrated hydrogen peroxide gas; and directing the non-hydrated hydrogen peroxide gas into the enclosed environment in an amount of about 5 parts per million by weight (ppm) or less for a time period sufficient to control the one or more arthropods within the environment, wherein said arthropods do not include molds.
Catalytic oxidation-derived hydroxyl radicals or protons to form hydrogen peroxide gas at about 5 ppm or less
Generating hydrogen peroxide gas by either an oxidation reaction in which hydroxyl radicals derived from catalytic oxidation of atmospheric water vapor are reacted to form the hydrogen peroxide gas, or a reduction reaction in which atmospheric oxygen is reacted with protons derived from catalytic oxidation of atmospheric water vapor to form the hydrogen peroxide gas; and directing the generated hydrogen peroxide gas into the environment in an amount of about 5 parts per million by weight (ppm) or less for a time period sufficient to control the one or more arthropods within the environment, wherein said arthropods do not include molds.
Across the independent claims, the core inventive subject matter is the controlled delivery of hydrogen peroxide gas generated from atmospheric water vapor, including ultraviolet/catalyst generation or oxidation/reduction reaction pathways, into an environment at about 5 ppm by weight or less for a time period sufficient to control arthropods, with the exclusion of molds and with dependent refinements addressing purity, humidity conditions, and continuous delivery.
Stated Advantages
Controls one or more arthropods within an environment using hydrogen peroxide gas at about 5 parts per million by weight (ppm) or less.
Purified hydrogen peroxide gas is described as substantially free of ozone, plasma species, and optionally organic species.
Described as green breakdown to water and oxygen.
Ozone is stated to be below regulatory limits, for example below 0.015 ppm in the disclosed gas quality.
Documented Applications
Controlling arthropods, including eggs and immature stages, in environments such as houses, greenhouses, storage and food processing facilities, lodging, and agricultural shipping containers.
Termite control in a domestic or facility setting as described in the patent content.
Domestic pet treatment for ticks, fleas, mites, and lice as described in the patent content.
Human lice treatment as described in the patent content.
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