Abstract: The present invention is an improved method for decontamination of a space and an integrated device that completes the decontamination cycle extremely fast while still being compact, lightweight, simple to operate and easy to move as a single unit. The method of the present invention delivers less biocide than is used in prior art methods at a very high rate of flux, allows the biocide to reside in the space being decontaminated to achieve a predetermined kill level, and then aerates the space. Because a nominal amount of biocide is used, there is less biocide to remove from the space than in prior art methods thereby reducing the time required for aeration and shortening the downtime for safe entry of the facility.

Abstract: A mist generator is used to deliver a high throughput extremely fine mist comprising a biocide. Flows of evaporating hot gas mix turbulently and enhance forced heat and mass transfer between the very fine droplets and the hot gas to form a well-mixed premixed evaporator, resulting in high humidity vapor formation well inside a tube. The high relative humidity vapor with elevated temperature is then condensed as it exits the tube and disperses into the volume to be decontaminated as a condensed vapor cloud, but neither as a mist nor as a pure vapor depending on temperature and humidity of room environment. The condensed vapor cloud may evaporate or settle on the volume surfaces and contents, whereby both dry vapor and condensed vapor are applied into the volume for the killing process.

Abstract: A method and device is presented for separating liquid mixtures using ultrasonic atomization and without subjecting the mixture to heat or thermal distillation. The process of ultrasonic separation does not involve liquid heating and saves up to 75% of the energy required as compared to thermal distillation. The method involves high throughput fixed bed atomizers with a specially designed carrier gas flow for aerosolization, extraction, and transport of mist. The mist richer in the desired component is then collected and condensed by electrostatic or other de-misting means. Repeated processes can achieve high separation efficiency. The efficiency of separation can be controlled by varying the ultrasonic frequency, power, and number of arrays, liquid surface tension and interfacial tension of mixtures.

Abstract: A method and device for suppression of fires related to heating appliances, vent hoods and work benches through deployment of very fine mist droplets, preferably less 100 micron diameter, into the firebase. A low momentum, high mist loading fine mist stream is introduced about the firebase. Mist is discharged to the firebase through diffusers or swirl channels so that the mist surrounding the firebase will be entrained into the firebase to secure and suppress the fire. After the fire is suppressed, the fine mist is further discharged to the hot oil surface for cooling.

Abstract: A method and device for manufacturing extremely fine particles and porous materials by controlled low temperature drying. An ambient-pressure and ambient-temperature atomizer atomizes a particle precursor solution to create a precursor mist. The precursor mist and dryer gas are fed into a dryer tube through a tangential inlet (swirl generating inlet). The mixed stream forms a helical flow structure within the dryer tube. The swirling mist undergoes drying and particle formation at a relatively low temperature. The flow continues to swirl and drying process continues with repeated passes until the required drying duration is reached. This dryer structure allows for a compact dryer with full control of residence time.

Abstract: A method and device for manufacturing extremely fine particles and porous materials by controlled low temperature drying. An ambient-pressure and ambient-temperature atomizer atomizes a particle precursor solution to create a precursor mist. The precursor mist and dryer gas are fed into a dryer tube through a tangential inlet (swirl generating inlet). The mixed stream forms a helical flow structure within the dryer tube. The swirling mist undergoes drying and particle formation at a relatively low temperature. The flow continues to swirl and drying process continues with repeated passes until the required drying duration is reached. This dryer structure allows for a compact dryer with full control of residence time.

Abstract: A method and device for manufacturing extremely fine particles and porous materials by controlled low temperature drying. An ambient-pressure and ambient-temperature atomizer atomizes a particle precursor solution to create a precursor mist. The precursor mist and dryer gas are fed into a dryer tube through a tangential inlet (swirl generating inlet). The mixed stream forms a helical flow structure within the dryer tube. The swirling mist undergoes drying and particle formation at a relatively low temperature. The flow continues to swirl and drying process continues with repeated passes until the required drying duration is reached. This dryer structure allows for a compact dryer with full control of residence time.

Abstract: A method of sterilizing a site or contained volume includes providing an aqueous biocide solution containing a biocide agent such as hydrogen peroxide. A mist of reactive biocide droplets is generated by atomization at ambient pressure from the biocide solution and a flow of carrier medium or air is provided in communication with the mist. The flow of carrier medium is controlled to generate a biocide mist comprising a concentration of stable mist droplets within the carrier medium. By controlling aersolization, extraction and delivery of the stable mist droplets, a sufficient portion of the stable mist droplets for a sterilizing treatment of a designated site do not coalesce prior to treatment interaction with the treatment site. The process of formation, stabilization and extraction are done in-situ so that droplets do not coalesce during transport.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for generating a homogeneous aqueous mist solution containing a solvent such as water and a biocide agent such as chlorine dioxide, which would otherwise be unstable. The unstable biocide agent or chlorine dioxide is quickly dissolved or mixed with a mist of solvent causing the biocide agent to co-exist or co-mist therewith. The mist microencapsulates the biocide gas so that it does not decompose in the fumigation volume or space. The resulting homogenous mist solution provides a mist for delivering the biocide agent in a chemically stable form. Methods for mixing the separately generated mist and biocide gas include combining the mists in a Y-tube and then mixing the combination in a baffled mixing chamber, combining the mists in an area above their points of generation and then further mixing, and providing a series of mist generation units connected by a conduit for a carrier medium to pass to and connect the units and cause the mists to combine.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for producing an extremely fine micron and sub-micron size water mist using an electronic ultrasonic device that produces the mist at ambient-pressure and delivering the mist for application in suppressing fire. A piezoelectric transducer is arranged to produce a water mist having at least a portion of sub-micron size droplets. The water mist is produced by high frequency pressure waves or ultrasonic waves of predetermined or variable frequency, including frequencies which may exceed 2.5 MHz. The water mist is directed to a firebase to be self-entrained by the fire's flame. The momentum provided the water mist in directing the mist is minimized to enhance the ability of the fire to entrain the mist, and the flow of the carrier medium is usually directed tangentially about the water fountain creating the mist. Further, the throughput and concentration of the mist is controlled to ensure that the entrained mist will be sufficient to cool and suppress the fire.

Abstract: A fire suppressant, fire suppressant mist, and method of atomizing a water mist for suppressing a fire are provided by in-situ atomization of water droplets within a fire using water-in-oil microemulsions. The discrete phase of emulsion is a low boiling point oil or water immiscible fluid additive combined with water and a surfactant or cosurfactant. Each dropet provides a microemulsion. During the heating of the microemulsion droplet inside the flame, the water immiscible fluid vaporizes and causes fragmentation of the water droplet, producing extremely small droplets useful in fire suppression.

Abstract: A cooling method and apparatus including a mist-generating device is configured to generate a mist of droplets from water, dielectric liquids or any cooling liquids. The mist is produced having such volume, momentum, concentration and quality of scale so as to deter or avoid impingement or deposition of the mist droplets on a surface to be cooled or on surfaces within a heat dissipating system to be cooled. Effective cooling is provided by the high latent heat of vaporization of water or other suitable fluid, while surfaces normally subject to possible damage by wetting are protected from harmful contact from the fluid. Tangential flow technology and electronic ultrasonic atomizing devices may be used as one possible means to generate the required mist and control mist volume, momentum, concentration and quality. Other variables may be controlled to enhance the cooling of the mist, such as flow patterns and flow directions of the mist. Vaporized mist may be condensed and recovered.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and device for production, extraction and delivery of an aerosol mist with ultrafine droplets. A high frequency wave generating device or other process generates very small particles or droplets from a reservoir of liquid or material to be atomized. A helical flow of a carrier gas medium such as air is directed into a container and creates a high throughput aerosol of air and fine droplets. The aerosol is delivered through a suitable outlet such as by deflecting the aerosol upwards and providing a tube centrally situated with respect to the helical flow such that the aerosol will discharge through the tube in high quantity of throughput and high quality of stable aerosol of very fine mist droplets. The methods described utilize in-situ extraction of fine mist droplets using helical flow behavior as opposed to forced convection ejection of mist or inertial separation of droplets by separators.