Abstract: An apparatus for the decontamination of air, the apparatus comprising a housing (1) having an air inlet (4) and an air outlet (6) with an air passage (2) there between, means (20) for directing a stream of air through the housing, the housing containing a non-thermal plasma cell (30), an ultraviolet emitting device (40) and an ozone depletion catalyst (42), the non-thermal plasma comprising an anode (32), a dielectric (32) and a cathode (33), the cathode being in the form of a meshed enclosure which surrounds the ultraviolet emitting device and ozone depletion catalyst to form a reaction chamber and Faraday cage. The non-thermal plasma cell may also be provided as a columnar cell for forming an array of cells and the dielectric may comprise water droplets to improve the efficiency of the device.

Abstract: A non-thermal plasma cell having an annulus of a dielectric material, such as ceramic, formed from a continuous wall of material, the continuous wall having apertures therein, a pair of annular air-permeable electrodes mounted on opposing sides of the wall of the dielectric, and optionally an air gap provided between each electrode and the wall over at a least part of the circumference of the wall. The thickness of the dielectric material is substantially greater than the thickness of the electrodes, which may comprise metal foils.

Abstract: The invention provides a produce decontamination apparatus comprising a chamber 10 for accepting produce to be decontaminated and/or sterilized, and means for producing a free radical saturated atmosphere within the chamber 10 so that, in use, the free radical saturated atmosphere decontaminates and/or sterilizes the produce. Preferably, the means for producing a free radical saturated atmosphere comprises one or more first atomizing sprayheads 30a, a supply 32 of ozonized liquid which is supplied to the first sprayheads 30a, and means for breaking down the ozone forming part of the ozonized liquid once discharged from the first sprayheads 30a. Preferably, the means for breaking down the ozone is in the form of one or more UV light emitting devices 48,50. Produce decontaminated using the apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: An air decontamination device comprises an air stream generator (20), a non-thermal plasma filter (22), an ultraviolet (UV) radiation emitting device (24), an ozone catalyzing device (26), and a hydrocarbon emitter (28). The air stream generator (20) generates and directs an air stream through or across the non-thermal plasma filter (22), the UV radiation emitting device (24), the ozone catalyzing device (26), and the hydrocarbon emitter (28). The plasma filter (22) produces free radicals by which contaminants in the air stream are neutralized. The UV radiation emitting device (24) breaks down ozone in the air stream, catalyzed by the ozone catalyzing device (26). The hydrocarbon emitter (28) discharges an aromatic hydrocarbon into the air stream to preferentially react with residual ozone so that the air stream becomes suitable for human exposure. A method is also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for the decontamination of air, the apparatus comprising a housing (1) having an air inlet (4) and an air outlet (6) with an air passage (2) there between, means (20) for directing a stream of air through the housing, the housing containing a non-thermal plasma cell (30), an ultraviolet emitting device (40) and an ozone depletion catalyst (42), the non-thermal plasma comprising an anode (32), a dielectric (32) and a cathode (33), the cathode being in the form of a meshed enclosure which surrounds the ultraviolet emitting device and ozone depletion catalyst to form a reaction chamber and Faraday cage. The non-thermal plasma cell may also be provided as a columnar cell for forming an array of cells and the dielectric may comprise water droplets to improve the efficiency of the device.

Abstract: An air decontamination device comprises an air stream generator (20), a non-thermal plasma filter (22), an ultraviolet (UV) radiation emitting device (24), an ozone catalysing device (26), and a hydrocarbon emitter (28). The air stream generator (20) generates and directs an air stream through or across the non-thermal plasma filter (22), the UV radiation emitting device (24), the ozone catalysing device (26), and the hydrocarbon emitter (28). The plasma filter (22) produces free radicals by which contaminants in the air stream are neutralised. The UV radiation emitting device (24) breaks down ozone in the air stream, catalysed by the ozone catalysing device (26). The hydrocarbon emitter (28) discharges an aromatic hydrocarbon into the air stream to preferentially react with residual ozone so that the air stream becomes suitable for human exposure. A method is also provided.

Abstract: An air decontamination device comprising an air stream generator (20), a non-thermal plasma filter (22), an ultraviolet (UV) radiation emitting device (24), an ozone catalysing device (26), and a hydrocarbon emitter (28). The air stream generator (20) generates and directs an air stream through or across the non-thermal plasma filter (22), the UV radiation emitting device (24), the ozone catalysing device (26), and the hydrocarbon emitter (28). The plasma filter (22) produces free radicals by which contaminants in the air stream are nuetralised. The UV radiation emitting device (24) breaks down ozone in the air stream, catalysed by the ozone catalysing device (26). The hydrocarbon emitter (28) discharges an aromatic hydrocarbon into the air stream to preferentially react with residual ozone so that the air stream becomes suitable for human exposure. A method is also provided.

Abstract: A method of sterilization and decontamination comprises the steps of producing a humidified environment having a relative humidity which is higher than ambient humidity; discharging ozone into the humidified environment; and then introducing an aromatic hydrocarbon into the humidified environment to preferentially react with the discharged ozone to form hydroxyl radicals. Apparatus is also provided for use with the method.

Abstract: An air decontamination device comprises an air stream generator (20), a nonthermal plasma filter (22), an ultraviolet radiation emitting device (24), an ozone catalysing device (26), and a hydrocarbon emitter (28). The air stream generator (20) generates and directs an air stream through or across the non-thermal plasma filter (22), the UV radiation emitting device (24), the ozone catalysing device (26), and the hydrocarbon emitter (28). The plasma filter (22) produces free radicals by which contaminants in the air stream are neutralised. The UV radiation emitting device (24) beaks down ozone in the air stream, catalysed by the ozone catalysing device (26). The hydrocarbon emitter (28) discharges an aromatic hydrocarbon into the air stream to preferentially react with residual ozone so that the air stream becomes suitable for human exposure. A method is also provided.

Abstract: Produce decontamination apparatus comprises a chamber 10 for accepting produce to be decontaminated and/or sterilised, and means for producing a free radical saturated atmosphere within the chamber 10 so that, in use, the free radical saturated atmosphere decontaminates and/or sterilises the produce. Preferably, the means for producing a free radical saturated atmosphere comprises one or more first atomising sprayheads 30a, a supply 32 of ozonised liquid which is supplied to the first sprayheads 30a, and means for breaking down the ozone forming part of the ozonised liquid once discharged from the first sprayheads 30a. Preferably, the means for breaking down the ozone is in the form of one or more UV light emitting devices 48, 50.

Abstract: A method of sterilisation and decontamination comprises the steps of producing a humidified environment having a relative humidity which is higher than ambient humidity; discharging ozone into the humidified environment; and then introducing an aromatic hydrocarbon into the humidified environment to preferentially react with the discharged ozone to form hydroxyl radicals. Apparatus is also provided for use with the method.

Abstract: A solar energy system for selectively absorbing or reflecting radiant energy entering through a window of a structure, the system comprising a window drape having a decorative side and a back side, and a removable liner adjacent the backside of the window drape. At least one side of the liner or window drape backside is a radiant energy reflecting surface and another of said sides is a radiant energy absorbing surface. Thus, depending upon the season of the year, the system may be arranged to selectively provide the appropriate surface to optimize or minimize the radiant energy maintained within the structure.