SBIR-STTR Award

Ozonation of military warfare agents is an innovative decontamination option using a proven oxidation technology. Ozone decontamination technology shall be tested on agent simulants in a laboratory breadboard system as the overall objective of this research proposal. Ozone can decontaminate both biological and chemical agents. The biological inactivation mechanism by ozone is directly applicable to the necrosis of biological agents. Ozone lyses pathogen cell walls, releasing the cytoplasm into solution, destroying the cell in one step. Ozone can also oxidize chemicals rapidly and effectively, due to its high oxidation potential. In reaction with many organics, oxone adds to teh double or triple bond site to yield unstable ozonides. The unstable ozonides may continue propogation steps dioxide and water. This general mechanism is the predicted mechanism for ozone reactions with agents such as HD, VX, GD, GB and GA. The development and control of a means for applying ozone for the emergency decontamination of field personnel, equipment and water supplies will provide the Department of Defense a versatile decontamination method with widespread utility. Ozone decontamination technology could be further applied commercially in emergency Haz-mat responses and in agricultural chemical control.

Keywords:
OZONE DECONTAMINATION OXIDATION CHEMICAL WARFARE BIOLOGICAL WARFARE

Ozone, among the strongest oxidizers known, is commonly used, worldwide, for disinfection and decontamination. International EcoScience, Inc. (IES) clearly demonstrated in Phase I of the subject SBIR program the feasibility of utilizing ozonation for chemical decontamination. All known chemical warfare agents will react with and be destroyed by contact with ozone. In addition, no known bacteria or virus can survive an ozone disinfection process. IES effectiveness of ozone in the destruction of two chemical simulants. The use of ozone is an innovative decontamination option using a well-proven technology. A Phase II SBIR program is proposed to perform a more in-depth study of both aqueous and gaseous ozone to counter simulants and actual chemical warfare agents. Chemical kenttics and compositions of products and by-products as a function of decontamination process parameters will be determined. The effort of surface conditions such as porosity will be examined. A brassboard system will be designed, fabricated and delivered to the AF for extensive laboratory/field trial of warfare agent decontamination. This system will be capable of decontaminating military equipment such as small arms and radios as well as aircraft and vehicle interiors.

Keywords:
WARFARE DESTRUCTION DECONTAMINATION AGENT CHEMICAL INTERIORS EQUIPMENT OZONE