Decontamination of surfaces that have been exposed to biological or chemical agents must be accomplished quickly under battlefield conditions. Extensive time periods for biological and chemical decontamination can result in long periods of equipment inaccessibility which negatively affects quick response forces. A simple fast-acting, and safe method for equipment decontamination would minimize equipment downtime and minimize the number of personnel needed. It has been demonstrated that exposure of chemicals and microorganisms to gas discharge plasmas leads to their destruction. In particular, the One Atmosphere Uniform Glow Discharge Plasma (OAUGDP) has been shown to completely destroy microbial agents in a time frame of tens of seconds. It has similarly been shown to remove surface films, such as photoresist and machine oil, from solid surfaces.The objective of this proposed work will be to demonstrate that the OAUGDP can be an effective portable unit capable of battlefield chemical and biological decontamination. Simulants of chemical and biological agents coating surfaces mimicing military equipment will be exposed to the OAUGDP under various operating parameters. Power levels and exposure times will be the principal variables. The operating conditions needed for complete agent destruction will then be determined and used for the design of a commercial unit.
Keywords: DISCHARGE DECONTAMINATION STERILIZATION PLASMA
