Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for vapour decontamination of an enclosed space. The apparatus comprises: (a) a reservoir comprising a supply of a liquid decontaminant; and (b) a vaporiser unit in fluid communication with the reservoir. The vaporiser unit comprises: a body that defines a lumen that passes along the length of the body, the lumen comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end receives liquid decontaminant from the reservoir; and a heating element that is configured to deliver sufficient thermal energy to effect rapid boiling of the liquid decontaminant within the lumen so that it exits the lumen via an exit port at the second end of the lumen as a vapour. The exit port is configured to deliver the vapour into a flow of a non-heated carrier gas, thereby facilitating distribution of the decontaminant vapour within the enclosed space. The invention also relates to a method for decontaminating surfaces within an enclosed space.

Abstract: A method of rendering harmless chemical and/or biological warfare agents on a surface, comprising: (i) exposing the agents to an atmosphere comprising peroxide vapour, and causing the peroxide vapour to condense on the surface having the chemical and/or biological agents thereon; (ii) after step (i) exposing the agents to an atmosphere comprising further peroxide vapour, and causing the further peroxide vapour to condense on the surface having the chemical and/or biological agents thereon; and (iv) optionally repeating step (ii).

Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus for use with a sterilant vapour generator used for sterilising an enclosure, said apparatus providing means for enhancing the distribution of the sterilant vapour in the enclosure during a gassing phase of the sterilisation process and for removing the sterilant vapour from the air in the enclosure during a subsequent aeration phase. The apparatus can optionally be configured to provide humidification, if required. The invention therefore comprises means for the distribution of sterilant vapour in the enclosure during a gassing phase of the sterilisation process and means for removing the sterilant from the air in the enclosure during an aeration phase.

Abstract: A method of detecting bacterial kill using a vaporized sterilant includes the steps of generating a sterilant/water vapour and supplying the vapour to a sealed space to be sterilized. The supply of sterilant/water vapour is continued to raise the concentration of the sterilant in the sealed space, and the concentration of the sterilant in the vapour is monitored to determine when the rate of change of the concentration falls to a predetermined minimal level indicating that condensation has occurred resulting in kill of any bacteria present in the space. Supply of sterilant/water vapour to the space is then terminated.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a portable apparatus for decontaminating an enclosed room or other space which includes a passageway having an air inlet at one end and an outlet at the other end. A pump causes a flow of air through the passageway from the inlet to the outlet. A heater heats the air flowing through the passageway to a predetermined temperature, a flash evaporator being in communication with the passageway. Liquid decontaminant is pumped from a supply of decontaminant to the evaporator to be evaporated and for the evaporant to be delivered to the air flow in the passage to flow in the air flow from the outlet to the rooms to be decontaminated. A universally rotating nozzle is provided at the outlet to distribute the decontaminant containing air throughout the enclosure.

Abstract: A method of detecting bacterial kill using a vaporized sterilant includes the steps of generating a sterilant/water vapour and supplying the vapour to a sealed space to be sterilized. The supply of sterilant/water vapour is continued to raise the concentration of the sterilant in the sealed space, and the concentration of the sterilant in the vapour is monitored to determine when the rate of change of the concentration falls to a predetermined minimal level indicating that condensation has occurred resulting in kill of any bacteria present in the space. Supply of sterilant/water vapour to the space is then terminated.

Abstract: A portable apparatus for decontaminating an enclosed room or other space includes a passageway having an air inlet at one end and an outlet at the other end. A pump causes a flow of air through the passageway from the inlet to the outlet. A heater heats the air flowing through the passageway to a predetermined temperature, a evaporator being in communication with the passageway. Liquid decontaminant is pumped from a supply of decontaminant to the evaporator to be evaporated and for the evaporant to be delivered to the air flow in the passage to flow in the air flow from the outlet to the rooms to be decontaminated. A universally rotating nozzle is provided at the outlet to distribute the decontaminant containing air throughout the enclosure.