Grantee Research Project Results
Final Report: A Safe and Rapid Method for Biological and Chemical Decontamination of Buildings and Equipment Using the TERRACAP™ CB Decon System
EPA Contract Number: EPD08042Title: A Safe and Rapid Method for Biological and Chemical Decontamination of Buildings and Equipment Using the TERRACAP™ CB Decon System
Investigators: Burns, Lyle D.
Small Business: RTA Systems Inc.
EPA Contact: Richards, April
Phase: I
Project Period: March 1, 2008 through August 31, 2008
Project Amount: $69,956
RFA: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - Phase I (2008) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) , SBIR - Homeland Security
Description:
This Executive Summary covers the full 6-month period for the EPA Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I Program RFP # PR-NC-07-10155, entitled “A Safe and Rapid Method for Biological and Chemical Decontamination of Buildings and Equipment Using the TERRACAP™ CB Decon System”, Topic Area: Homeland Security (07-N1). The purpose of this research was to establish proof of concept for: (1) rapidly generating a detox additive in-situ from low level or non-hazardous solid materials that may be (2) incorporated into an existing patented micro encapsulation system known as the TERRACAP™ additives. The research was conducted at RTA Systems laboratory in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, under the direction of Lyle Burns as Principal Investigator.
Summary/Accomplishments (Outputs/Outcomes):
The research focused on in-situ generation of the TERRACAPTM Detox additive from common non-hazardous components. The research involved an evaluation of the reaction parameters such as component solubility, stoichiometry, and finding a method for quantifying the results in terms of the concentrations of the active ingredient generated. The stability of the active ingredient over a 24-hour period and the active ingredients in the TERRACAP Detox additive were evaluated. The research involved using the in-situ generated active ingredient in the TERRACAP CB Decon System with the chemical and biological (CB) agent simulants for anthrax, Sarin, Mustard, and VX agents.
The new system is the TERRACAP™ CB Decon System and the in-situ generated is called the TERRACAP™ Detox additive. The commercial TERRACAP technology is similar to a solidification-immobilization technology in some respects, yet it has very striking similarities to an ultra stable absorbent that will not release or leach hydrocarbons back to the environment. The micro encapsulation formulations (TERRACAP™ CB Part A and Part B) relative to this effort are derived from a revolutionary commercial treatment process for hazardous materials based on advanced surfactant technology. The patented TERRACAP™ 3000 and 4000 additives micro encapsulates hydrocarbons at the molecular level into an inert amorphous silica-polymer matrix. For mundane fuel and lubricant spills, the aqueous TERRACAP 3000 additive is added to the spill first to emulsify the hydrocarbon immediately followed by the TERRACAP 4000 additive to micro encapsulate the spilled material. This process removes the hazardous characteristics of the hydrocarbons, making it easy to clean up the solid waste spill for proper disposal.
The TERRACAP Detox additive serves the purpose for destruction of the CB agents just prior to micro encapsulation of the residual oxidative by-products from the CB agents. The use of TERRACAP Detox additive in the decon system was proven in previous research. The TERRACAP Detox additive is a strong oxidizer carrying transportation restrictions. The ability to generate TERRACAP Detox additive in-situ from safe feedstocks is a major plus for the decon system and is the focus of this research. This technical concept would be useful for safely decontaminating civilian buildings and equipment after a CB threat.
RTA Systems successfully demonstrated proof of concept for rapidly generating TERRACAP Detox additive in-situ from common commercial components. The results were quantified and determined to be of significant concentration to be useful. The detox additive generated was sufficient to completely denature a 107 challenge for Bacillius atrophaeus anthrax simulant in bulk and on surfaces within 5 minutes. The chemical agent simulants for Sarin, Mustard and VX agents were reduced into the 1,000 ppm range within 5 minutes, significantly better than commercial systems. Improvement to lower levels requires minor fine tuning of the core surfactant system. This is a task for a Phase II project.
Conclusions:
This research has special commercial significance for reducing the level of hazard for the detoxification agent in the TERRACAP CB Decon System for civilian use. The commercial components offer low toxicity, a long shelf life, and reduced transportation restrictions. The TERRACAP Detox additive generated for the TERRACAP Decon System is capable of rapid detoxification prior to micro encapsulation of the by-products of the CB agents. The TERRACAP Decon System’s demonstrated capability to date indicates advantages over most if not all competitors with decontamination systems. In particular the system is:
- Highly effective on a broad range of CBW agents to include more than 99.999 percent detoxification of chemical agents, and a log 7 kill of 107 challenge for bioagents (B.a.: Sterne strain)
- Fast with less than 5 minutes for complete decon process restoring the environment to a neutral pH.
- Safe for the operator and for transportation and storage.
- Flexible for active use across wide temperature range.
- Can be used on a wide variety of surfaces, porous/non-porous, vertical or horizontal, with the ability to penetrate painted/varnished surfaces.
- Easy to deploy and use with uncomplicated equipment, and an easily recoverable non-hazardous solid residue.
- Shelf life of greater than 5 years for Part A and Part B.
- Good material compatibility and far less corrosive than other decon systems.
- Less expensive than competing systems (operational costs less than $0.13 per sq. ft.).
- Retains the dual-use capability as an environmental, day-to-day, environmental hydrocarbon and chemical cleanup technology.
The successful generation of the detox additive has significant potential applications not only for the TERRACAP CB Decon System, but as a general oxidation additive approach for detoxification of certain toxic industrial chemicals (TICs) and toxic industrial materials (TIMs) for spills, contaminated surfaces and contaminated soils, both near surface and subsurface. This approach, if proved out, would result in a system that is nonhazardous for transport and storage, has long shelf life stability, and has significant improvements in personnel safety.
While it is difficult to predict the future demand for a chemical/biological decontamination product, we anticipate that the current world political climate and threat of terrorist acts will continue to produce a strong and growing demand for chemical and biological defense technologies well into the next decade. Within that perspective, the primary customers would appear to be the Department of Defense, Homeland Defense, first responders, state agencies, and approved foreign countries.
Supplemental Keywords:
small business, SBIR, EPA, biological warfare, chemical warfare, decontamination, microencapsulation, user safety, detoxification, chemical agents, biological agents, neutral pH, porous surface, non-porous surface, temperature range, solid residue, shelf life, material compatibility, hydrocarbon, chemical, homeland security, sustainable industry/business, scientific discipline, RFA, technology for sustainable environment, sustainable environment, environmental engineering, environmental monitoring, chemical warfare agents, bioterrorism, decontamination, biological warfare defense, chemical warfare decon, biological warfare decon,, RFA, Scientific Discipline, Sustainable Industry/Business, Sustainable Environment, Technology for Sustainable Environment, Environmental Monitoring, Environmental Engineering, decontamination, homeland security, bioterrorism, biowarfare defense, chemical decontaminationThe 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.