One part, solids containing decontamination blend composition
Inventors
Kaiser, Herbert J. • Thanavaro, Anchalee • Dell'Aringa, Brandon W. • Tienes, Bryan M. • Klein, Daniel A. • Wagner, George W.
Assignees
American Sterilizer Co • United States Department of the Army
Publication Number
US-9700644-B2
Publication Date
2017-07-11
Expiration Date
2026-08-15
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Abstract
A one part, solids containing decontamination blend composition comprises a solid acetyl donor coated with a compound that protects it from hydrolysis, a peroxygen source, optionally a catalyst, optionally a surfactant, and optionally a buffer. The decontamination blend composition is generally in a dry powder, particle, etc form or in a tablet, pill, etc form and is complete in and of itself in that no additional compounds are required prior to use and is readily distributed as a one package system. Upon the addition of water, a peroxygen compound such as hydrogen peroxide is formed, and peracetic acid is generated under alkaline conditions. The decontamination blend composition is particularly suitable for oxidizing various chemical and biological compounds thereby eradicating the same in situ as on surfaces, clothes, articles, and the like. Representative contaminants include mustard gas, nerve gas, bacterial toxins, anthrax, bird flu, and the like.
Core Innovation
The invention is a one part, solids containing decontamination blend composition that, upon the addition of water, generates peracetic acid and various peroxygen compounds. These compounds effectively oxidize and eradicate chemical and biological warfare agents, toxic industrial chemicals and materials, and various infectious diseases. The composition is a complete unitary system available as dry powders, particles, or solid tablets that require no additional compounds before use and can be readily distributed and transported as a single package. When mixed with water, the composition forms solutions with sufficient concentrations of peracetic acid and peroxygen compounds to achieve rapid decontamination of surfaces, clothes, and articles contaminated with harmful agents such as mustard gas, nerve gas, anthrax, bird flu, and bacterial toxins.
The composition incorporates a solid acetyl donor coated with an alkaline hydrolysis resistant coating compound that protects it from premature hydrolysis when combined with other solid components. This coating also helps adjust and buffer the pH upon dilution. A solid peroxygen source, preferably sodium percarbonate, is included as the source of hydrogen peroxide generated in situ. Optional catalysts, surfactants, and buffers maintain stability, promote oxidation reactions, improve wetting, and control pH, respectively. The composition benefits from solid components that provide enhanced stability and safer shipping compared to liquid peroxygen or bleach solutions, which are corrosive, unstable at high temperatures, and have logistical challenges.
The problem being solved addresses limitations of prior decontaminants such as liquid hypochlorite (bleach) and hydrogen peroxide-based products. These liquid solutions are corrosive, moderately effective, incompatible with many materials, require multiple components to be combined accurately, are hazardous to store and transport due to instability and high reactivity, and may produce undesirable by-products. The invention provides a stable, ready-to-use solid formulation that can be safely handled and shipped without liquid carriers, eliminates the need for multiple component blending at use, and produces effective oxidizing agents on-site for rapid and thorough decontamination of chemical and biological agents.
Claims Coverage
The patent discloses eight main inventive features derived from its independent claims focusing on a one part solid blend decontamination composition and its key components and functionalities.
One part solid blend composition with coated acetyl donor and peroxygen source
The composition consists of a solid acetyl donor blend of acetylsalicylic acid and tetraacetylethylenediamine coated with an alkaline hydrolysis resistant water-soluble coating of citric acid and succinic acid. The solid peroxygen source includes sodium or potassium percarbonate or perborate or combinations thereof. The blend proportions are from about 5% to 50% acetyl donor, 1% to 40% coating compound, and 10% to 70% peroxygen source by weight. It forms a complete, single package product that, when mixed with water, forms a solution with between 0.5% and 15% peracetic acid and peroxygen concentration.
Concentration range refinements for acetyl donor, coating, and peroxygen source
The amounts are refined to acetyl donor from 6% to 40%, coating compound from 1.25% to 35%, and peroxygen source from 20% to 65% by weight, based on the composition weight.
Preferred peroxygen source as sodium percarbonate
Specifies sodium percarbonate as the preferred peroxygen source enabling hydrogen peroxide generation in situ.
Optimized composition ranges with defined peracetic acid and peroxygen solution concentrations
Specifies the acetyl donor at 8% to 35%, coating compound 5% to 30%, and peroxygen source 30% to 65% by weight. When mixed with water, it forms a solution having 1% to 3% peracetic acid and 1% to 3% peroxygen concentration.
Physical form as free-flowing powder or integral solid
States that the composition can be provided as a free-flowing powder or as an integral solid such as tablets or pellets.
Oxidation efficacy against specified chemical and biological agents
When reacted with water, the composition oxidizes chemical and biological warfare agents including, but not limited to, mustard gas, nerve agents, soman, blister agents, thioanisole, toxic industrial materials, anthrax, various pathogens, prions, viruses, toxins like ricin, T-2-mycotoxin, bird flu, and C. difficile.
Buffer and surfactant inclusion in the composition
Claims compositions including buffers (carbonate, bicarbonate salts, borate, phosphate, weak organic acids) and surfactants (anionic, nonionic, amphoteric) to maintain alkalinity and promote wetting and dispersion during use.
Catalyst inclusion comprising transition or non-metal catalysts
Incorporates optional catalysts such as molybdate or tungsten compounds to enhance oxidation reactions and stability of the decontamination composition.
The independent claims collectively cover a complete one part solid decontamination composition comprising coated acetyl donors and solid peroxygen sources, optionally including catalyst, surfactant, and buffer, provided in powder or solid form that is mixed with water at the site of use to generate effective oxidizing agents for rapid and thorough decontamination of a broad spectrum of chemical and biological hazards.
Stated Advantages
The composition is stable and safer than liquid peracetic acid or hydrogen peroxide solutions because it contains harmless solid precursors rather than reactive liquids.
The one part solid system eliminates the need for multiple component blending at the point of use, simplifying logistics and reducing errors.
The solid composition is lightweight and does not require transporting water, reducing shipping costs and increasing convenience.
The alkaline hydrolysis resistant coating on the acetyl donor enhances storage stability and reduces premature degradation.
Upon addition of water, the composition rapidly forms high concentrations of peracetic acid and peroxygen compounds, providing quick and effective eradication of chemical and biological agents.
The fizzing effect from reaction between the coating and buffer improves mixing and dissolution of the components during use.
Documented Applications
Decontamination of chemical warfare agents such as mustard gas (HD), nerve gas (VX, soman), blister agents, and simulants like thioanisole.
Eradication of biological agents including anthrax and various spores (e.g., Bacillus subtilis), fungi, bacteria (including mycobacteria and vegetative bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli), protozoa, prions, viruses (including bird flu, polio virus, HIV, smallpox), and bacterial toxins (ricin, T-2 mycotoxin).
Neutralization and reduction of toxicity of toxic industrial materials and toxic industrial chemicals (TIMS and TICS).
Decontamination of surfaces, clothes, and articles contaminated with chemical and biological warfare agents or infectious diseases.
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