Abstract: A filter is provided for removing contaminants from a gas flow (e.g., an air flow). Multiple panel filters are arranged in a filter housing. The panel filters are arranged parallel or near-parallel to a main gas flow direction and spaced apart to define elongated gas flow channels between adjacent panel filters, each elongated gas flow channel extending generally in the gas flow direction. The elongated gas flow channels include inlet channel(s) and outlet channel(a) arranged in an alternating manner, the inlet channel(s) configured receiving the gas flow at the inlet end and the outlet channel(s) outputting a filtered gas flow from the outlet end. Gas flow redirecting structures are arranged to redirect the gas flow in each inlet channel through adjacent panel filter(s) and into adjacent outlet channel(s). The filter may provide a pressure drop of less than 3 iwg, less than 1 iwg, or less than 0.3 iwg.

Abstract: A process and device for enhancing the chemical protection capability of a collective protection filter whereby the process stream exiting the collective protection filter is passed through an Auxiliary Filter. The auxiliary filter containing an ammonia removal media, such as zirconium hydroxide impregnated with zinc chloride (ZnCl2/Zr(OH)4), an oxidizing media, preferably zirconium hydroxide impregnated with potassium permanganate (KMnO4/Zr(OH)4), and a methyl bromide removal media, preferably activated carbon impregnated with triethylenediamine (TEDA/carbon). The auxiliary filter and process are configured to remove toxic industrial chemicals including NH3, NOx (mixtures of NO and NO2) and CH2O, and CH3Br.

Abstract: A filter is provided for removing contaminants from a gas flow (e.g., an air flow). Multiple panel filters are arranged in a filter housing. The panel filters are arranged parallel or near-parallel to a main gas flow direction and spaced apart to define elongated gas flow channels between adjacent panel filters, each elongated gas flow channel extending generally in the gas flow direction. The elongated gas flow channels include inlet channel(s) and outlet channel(a) arranged in an alternating manner, the inlet channel(s) configured receiving the gas flow at the inlet end and the outlet channel(s) outputting a filtered gas flow from the outlet end. Gas flow redirecting structures are arranged to redirect the gas flow in each inlet channel through adjacent panel filter(s) and into adjacent outlet channel(s). The filter may provide a pressure drop of less than 3 iwg, less than 1 iwg, or less than 0.3 iwg.

Abstract: Various embodiments may include a system for removing contaminants from contaminated water comprising: a distillation still supplying heat to contaminated water to boil the contaminated water; a vent allowing a vapor stream to exit the distillation still; an oxidation unit removing additional contaminants from the vapor stream; an outlet discharging a purified water stream from the oxidation unit; and a heat exchanger transferring heat from the purified water stream leaving the oxidation unit to the vapor stream exiting the distillation still before the vapor stream enters the oxidation unit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a textile composite for the adsorption and breakdown of harmful chemical materials. A support layer and a sorptive and reactive material mounted on the support layer form a protective layer, which is mounted on an inner liner. The protective layer adsorbs and breaks down harmful chemical materials. An outer shell is formed of fabric having an outer surface that is hydrophobic for resisting the passage of harmful chemicals, which may be in the form of vapor, liquid or aerosols. Preferably, the sorptive and reactive material includes zirconium hydroxide, and the support layer includes a fabric material. The zirconium hydroxide is distributed on the fabric material in the amount of at least 20 grams of zirconium hydroxide per square meter. Alternatively, the zirconium hydroxide is distributed in the amount of at least 150 or 200 grams of zirconium hydroxide per square meter.

Abstract: Provided are mixed metal oxy-hydroxides that serve as reactive media to bind, sequester, or alter one or more toxic chemicals such as sulfur dioxide (SO2), hydrogen cyanide (HCN), and others. A reactive media includes: a porous metal oxy-hydroxide including at least one first transition metal that is optionally one or more of copper, zinc, or iron; a second transition metal linked to the first transition metal by a bond that includes an oxygen, the second transition metal selected optionally being one or more of magnesium, calcium, cobalt, titanium, zirconium, aluminum, and silicon; and the metal oxy-hydroxide terminated by at least one hydroxyl group. The resulting media provides for excellent porosity and reactivity for removal of toxic chemicals from the environment or a sample.

Abstract: Various embodiments may include a system for removing contaminants from contaminated water comprising: a distillation still supplying heat to contaminated water to boil the contaminated water; a vent allowing a vapor stream to exit the distillation still; an oxidation unit removing additional contaminants from the vapor stream; an outlet discharging a purified water stream from the oxidation unit; and a heat exchanger transferring heat from the purified water stream leaving the oxidation unit to the vapor stream exiting the distillation still before the vapor stream enters the oxidation unit.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to water purification. The teachings thereof may be embodied in processes for removing contaminants from contaminated water. An example process may include: boiling or evaporating a contaminated water to distill the contaminated water; removing a vapor stream from the boiling or evaporating contaminated water; delivering the vapor stream to an oxidation unit; removing additional contaminants from the vapor stream in the oxidation unit; and discharging a purified water stream from the oxidation unit.

Abstract: Processes for sensing a variety of toxic chemicals and/or processes for determining the residual life of a filter or filtration system are provided. Exemplary process for sensing a toxic chemical include contacting a toxic chemical, or byproduct thereof, with a sorbent that includes a porous metal hydroxide and a transition metal reactant suitable to react with a toxic chemical or byproduct thereof. The sorbent is contacted with the toxic chemical or byproduct thereof for a sampling time. A difference between a post-exposure colorimetric state of the sorbent and a pre-exposure colorimetric state of the sorbent or control is determined to thereby sense exposure to, or the presence of, the toxic chemical or byproduct thereof.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a composition for decontaminating surfaces contaminated with toxic chemicals/substances, comprising at least one type of metal oxyhydroxide such as zirconium hydroxide, Zr(OH)4, optionally with added water for hydration of the solid, mixed into a carrier liquid used for application to a contaminated surface.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a composition for decontaminating surfaces contaminated with toxic chemicals/substances, comprising at least one type of metal oxyhydroxide such as zirconium hydroxide, Zr(OH)4, optionally with added water for hydration of the solid, mixed into a carrier liquid used for application to a contaminated surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides processes for filtering undesired chemicals in streams of contaminated air for supply to confined areas. The processes provide (1) contacting air with a filter comprising by volume from about 5% to about 95% impregnated zirconium hydroxide, from about 5% to about 95% activated impregnated carbon, and optionally, up to about 50% ammonia removal material; and (2) supplying the contacted air to a confined area.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to water purification. The teachings thereof may be embodied in processes for removing contaminants from contaminated water. An example process may include: boiling or evaporating a contaminated water to distill the contaminated water; removing a vapor stream from the boiling or evaporating contaminated water; delivering the vapor stream to an oxidation unit; removing additional contaminants from the vapor stream in the oxidation unit; and discharging a purified water stream from the oxidation unit.

Abstract: Processes for sensing a variety of toxic chemicals and/or processes for determining the residual life of a filter or filtration system are provided. Exemplary process for sensing a toxic chemical include contacting a toxic chemical, or byproduct thereof, with a sorbent that includes a porous metal hydroxide and a transition metal reactant suitable to react with a toxic chemical or byproduct thereof. The sorbent is contacted with the toxic chemical or byproduct thereof for a sampling time. A difference between a post-exposure colorimetric state of the sorbent and a pre-exposure colorimetric state of the sorbent or control is determined to thereby sense exposure to, or the presence of, the toxic chemical or byproduct thereof.

Abstract: A filtration device including a fluid-impermeable housing having a gas inlet and outlet, and containing within the housing first filter media particles of an extended surface area substrate and containing at least one metal impregnant, and second filter media particles of an extended surface area zirconium hydroxide substrate and zinc (hydr)oxide. The device may be used in atmospheres containing various harmful gases, and may provide particularly useful improvements in NOx breakthrough times compared to a device containing only the first filter media particles or only the second filter media particles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for decontaminating surfaces contaminated with one or more toxic agents. The processes include contacting a contaminated surface with a porous metal hydroxide which rapidly absorbs the toxic agent from the surface, then decontaminates the agent via reactions involving surface functional groups.

Abstract: A filtration device including a fluid-impermeable housing having a gas inlet and outlet, and containing within the housing first filter media particles of an extended surface area substrate and containing at least one metal impregnant, and second filter media particles of an extended surface area zirconium hydroxide substrate. The device may be used in atmospheres containing various harmful gases, and may provide particularly useful improvements in NOx breakthrough times compared to a device containing only the first filter media particles or only the second filter media particles.

Abstract: Provided are processes of removing or sequestering a basic or an acid gas from a sample by contacting the sample with a filtration media that includes a porous zirconium hydroxide impregnated with a transition metal reactant. The resulting filtration media has the ability to remove or sequester both acid and basic gases, is stable, and highly functional so as to be useful in protective equipment or other filtration systems.

Abstract: The present invention provides processes for filtering undesired chemicals in streams of contaminated air for supply to confined areas. The processes provide (1) contacting air with a filter comprising by volume from about 5% to about 95% impregnated zirconium hydroxide, from about 5% to about 95% activated impregnated carbon, and optionally, up to about 50% ammonia removal material; and (2) supplying the contacted air to a confined area.

Abstract: Provided are mixed metal oxy-hydroxides that serve as reactive media to bind, sequester, or alter one or more toxic chemicals such as sulfur dioxide (SO2), hydrogen cyanide (HCN), and others. A reactive media includes: a porous metal oxy-hydroxide including at least one first transition metal that is optionally one or more of copper, zinc, or iron; a second transition metal linked to the first transition metal by a bond that includes an oxygen, the second transition metal selected optionally being one or more of magnesium, calcium, cobalt, titanium, zirconium, aluminum, and silicon; and the metal oxy-hydroxide terminated by at least one hydroxyl group. The resulting media provides for excellent porosity and reactivity for removal of toxic chemicals from the environment or a sample.