Manpower-Free Decon Rain: Proof of Concept
Abstract
The ability to effectively decontaminate chemical warfare agent-contaminated vehicles is hampered by sorption of the agent into the exposed surfaces. The longer the agent resides on the surface, the more agent sorbs into the material, making it more difficult to effectively decontaminate. Decontamination for a rapidly deployable, highly mobile, lethal land force would be more effective if it could be initiated immediately after contamination. The innovation described herein entails the proof of concept for an enhanced decontamination capability whereby vehicle occupants trigger the projection of pre-positioned decontaminant-filled containers via launch tubes mounted on the vehicle exterior immediately following a contamination event. One liter high-density polyethylene bottles filled with sprayable decontamination slurry (DS) and C4-loaded burster tubes were burst over tarps sectioned into quadrants to determine the total coverage area. Material was effectively ejected from the bottle; however, slurry coverage was poor. This was attributed to horizontal dissemination and small droplet size of the DS. Both issues can be resolved by modifying the bottle so the DS is forced to burst downward from the bottom of the bottle.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 20, 2024
- Accession Number
- AD1224179
Entities
People
- Amee L. Polk
- Erica R. Valdes
- Jennifer C. Piesen
- Joseph P. Myers
- Lawrence R. Procell
- Michael F. Kauzlarich
- Nino L. Bonavito
Organizations
- United States Army Combat Capabilities Development Command