Grantee Research Project Results
Final Report: Radio Frequency Catalytic Decontamination
EPA Contract Number: EPD17014Title: Radio Frequency Catalytic Decontamination
Investigators: McCreery, Thomas P
Small Business: Zeteo Tech LLC
EPA Contact: Richards, April
Phase: I
Project Period: November 1, 2016 through April 30, 2017
Project Amount: $100,000
RFA: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - Phase I (2016) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) , SBIR - Homeland Security
Description:
Zeteo Tech LLC has demonstrated an innovative Radio Frequency Catalyzed Decontamination (RFCAT) system in this project. The focus of the effort has been to decontaminate railroad and subway cars as called for in the EPA solicitation.
The RFCAT system uses low cost, environmentally safe chemical solutions and activates them using RF microwave irradiation to activate these dilute solutions into a highly effective decontaminant. Tests of this RFCAT system effective decontamination in a matter of seconds.
Summary/Accomplishments (Outputs/Outcomes):
Zeteo Tech LLC has used benign chemicals to kill bacteria and mold on samples of flooring from the New York City Subway system. Subway flooring was chosen as the material for testing as it was a surface found in rail and subway cars on which Zeteo Tech LLC had no existing performance data. Zeteo Tech LLC and our partner Tucson Microwave Innovations tested 2.1 GHz and 2.45 GHz radio frequency energy application and chose 2.45 GHz as the most effective frequency.
The system effectiveness was demonstrated with Bacillus thuringiensis and with Penicillium roqueforti. The bacteria growth was monitored using 3M Petrifilm. Bacterial growth was monitored using the 3M Petrifilm Aerobic Count Plates and mold growth was monitored using 3M Rapid Yeast and Mold Count Plates.
Zeteo Tech LLC has designed three systems to be used for decontamination with Tucson Microwave Innovations. An External Decontamination System designed to decontaminate all external surfaces of a railroad car as the car is rolled through the decontamination system arch.
The second system designed during the project is the Internal Decontamination System. This system is designed to roll down the aisle of a subway or railroad car and decontaminate the car. The system will be robotic and will be controlled from outside the car.
The final system that Zeteo Tech LLC and Tucson Microwave Innovations has designed is for the decontamination of the inside of ducts. This system has been named as the “Duct Runner”. The Duct Runner is a small robot carrying sprayers and RF antennas. The system will be supplied with power and decontamination solution via an umbilical and controlled remotely.
Conclusions:
Zeteo Tech LLC has demonstrated an effective decontamination system that can be used to decontaminate railroad and subway cars. This system uses benign decontamination solutions and external RF energy to safely decontaminate without causing environmental concerns.
During the Zeteo Tech LLC Phase I EPA SBIR a new market for the decontamination system has been identified in discussions with EPA technical personnel. This market is duct decontamination and is the key focus of our commercialization plan.
Commercialization
Zeteo Tech will continue the development of the External Decontamination System and the Interior Decontamination System to address the EPA program goals. These systems will be available for demonstration to railroad and subway system personnel. However, this emergency system does not provide a large commercial market. The technology will also be marketed to the Department of Defense for military applications.
The key commercialization focus will be to focus on the duct decontamination market. The market opportunity is significant. The current U.S. market for air duct cleaning has been estimated to be $5.5 billion, with the worldwide market perhaps 2.5X that size. There no EPA or NADCA approved solution to address mold, fungi, bacteria and other contamination in air ducts. Based on this our lowest barrier to entry is the duct decontamination market. Zeteo Tech LLC will contact key organizations in the duct cleaning industry to find partners or develop marketing relationships for the RF Catalyzed Decontamination Technology.
The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.