METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ENCAPSULATING PARTICULATES

摘要

An improved method and device for decontamination of a contaminated process area is provided whereby a fine aerosol of an encapsulant for use in encapsulating the contaminants within the contaminated environment is generated. The aerosol is generated by a plurality of ultrasonic transducers located below the surface of a reservoir containing a capture liquid. The output of the transducers is focused to a point near the surface of the liquid to cause a surface disturbance which results in the formation of an aerosol of encapsulant from the capture liquid. A pressurization fan is used to force ambient air through the pressurization chamber to transport the aerosol to the process area to be treated. The aerosol forms a thin coating of encapsulant over the hazardous material thereby allowing the hazardous material to be safely removed from the process area or permanently adhered to the walls of the process area. If a chemically hazardous material is found in the process area, a capture liquid can be selected to neutralize the hazardous material. The process is especially effective at recovering radioactive dust from a contaminated process area.