IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
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국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
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출원번호 |
US-0700272
(2003-11-03)
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발명자
/ 주소 |
- Badger,Farrell G.
- Welch,Brendan M.
- Thomas,Ronald D.
- Bahr,Lyman G.
- Richards,Dean F.
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출원인 / 주소 |
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대리인 / 주소 |
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인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
6 인용 특허 :
64 |
초록
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Technology for in situ remediation of undetonated explosive device. An explosive device contains an explosive material in close proximity with microorganisms capable of metabolizing the explosive material that are either mobile or temporarily deactivated by freeze drying. Examples include Pseudomona
Technology for in situ remediation of undetonated explosive device. An explosive device contains an explosive material in close proximity with microorganisms capable of metabolizing the explosive material that are either mobile or temporarily deactivated by freeze drying. Examples include Pseudomonas spp., Escherichia spp., Morganella spp., Rhodococcus spp., Comamonas spp., and denitrifying microorganisms. A self-remediating explosive mixture includes an explosive material intermixed with microorganisms. Joined with an explosive device is a bioremediation apparatus that contains microorganisms and prevents contact between microorganisms and explosive material in the explosive device using a barrier that is actuated to release the microorganisms by mechanical, electrical, or chemical mechanisms. If the explosive device fails to detonate, remediation by microorganisms includes both disabling of the explosive material and detoxification of resulting chemical compositions.
대표청구항
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What is claimed is: 1. A method for remediating an explosive device, if the explosive device once installed at a predetermined detonation site fails to detonate as intended, said method comprising the steps: (a) forming a quantity of an explosive material into an explosive device; (b) identifying m
What is claimed is: 1. A method for remediating an explosive device, if the explosive device once installed at a predetermined detonation site fails to detonate as intended, said method comprising the steps: (a) forming a quantity of an explosive material into an explosive device; (b) identifying microorganisms capable of bioremediating said explosive material; (c) shaping a quantity of said microorganisms into an aggregation; (d) positioning said aggregation in such proximity to said quantity of said explosive material that, when said quantity of said microorganisms in said aggregation is mobilized, said microorganisms in said quantity thereof commence bioremediation of said quantity of said explosive material; and (e) placing said explosive device at the predetermined detonation site, whereby if said explosive device fails to detonate as intended, when said quantity of said microorganisms is mobilized, said microorganisms therein deactivate said explosive device by bioremediating said quantity of said explosive material in situ at said detonation site. 2. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein said step of forming occurs before said step of positioning. 3. A method as recited in claim 2, wherein said step of positioning comprises the step of depositing said aggregation on a surface of said explosive material exposed in said explosive device. 4. A method as recited in claim 2, wherein said step of forming comprises the step of disposing said quantity of said explosive material in a shell, and said shell enables water from the exterior of said shell to flow into said shell and contact said quantity of said explosive material disposed therein. 5. A method as recited in claim 4, wherein said step of positioning comprises the step of depositing said aggregation on an exposed surface of said quantity of said explosive material disposed in said shell. 6. A method as recited in claim 4, wherein said shell is porous. 7. A method as recited in claim 6, wherein said step of positioning comprises the step of embedding said aggregation in said shell. 8. A method as recited in claim 4, wherein said step of positioning comprises the step of locating said aggregation in a recess in an exposed surface of said quantity of said explosive material disposed in said shell. 9. A method as recited in claim 8, wherein said step of positioning comprises the step of embedding said aggregation in said quantity of said explosive material deposited in said shell. 10. A method as recited in claim 4, wherein said shell has an open end. 11. A method as recited in claim 4, wherein a hole is formed through said shell. 12. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein said quantity of said explosive material in said explosive device is porous. 13. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the step of mixing a surfactant with said quantity of said explosive material. 14. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein said step of positioning occurs before said step of forming. 15. A method as recited in claim 14, wherein said step of positioning comprises the step of embedding said aggregation in said quantity of said explosive material. 16. A method as recited in claim 14, further comprising the step of introducing a thermal protective additive into said aggregation. 17. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein said aggregations have a form selected from the group of forms consisting of a pellet, a capsule, a shard, a flake, a granule, a powder, and a clump. 18. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein said microorganisms are among a microorganism consortion identified at the American Type Culture Collection by ATTCC Designation No. 55784. 19. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the step of mixing a surfactant with said quantity of said explosive material. 20. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein said microorganisms are selected from a group of microorganisms consisting of Pseudomonas spp., Escherichia Coli, Morganella Morganii, Rhodococcus spp., Comamonas spp., and dentrifying bacteria. 21. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein said microorganisms are selected from a group of microorganisms consisting of microorganisms in Pseudomonas spp. consisting of aeruginosa, fluorescens, acidovorans, mendocina, and cepacia. 22. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein said explosive material is selected from a group of explosive materials consisting of trinitrotoluene, hexanitrostilbene, hexanitroazobenzene, diaminotrinitrobenzene and triaminotrinitrobenzene, cyclotrimethylene trinitramine, cyclotetramethylene tetranitramine, nitroguanidine, 2,4,6-trinitrophenylmethylnitramine, pentaerythritol tetranitrate, nitroglycerine, and ethylene glycol dinitrate. 23. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the step of dehydrating said quantity of said microorganisms. 24. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the step of freeze drying said quantity of said microorganisms. 25. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein said step of positioning comprises the steps: (a) housing said quantity of said microorganisms in a bioremediation apparatus; and (b) coupling said bioremediation apparatus to said explosive device. 26. A method as recited in claim 25, further comprising the step of shaping said quantity of said microorganisms into an aggregation having the shape of a doughnut. 27. A method as recited in claim 25, further comprising the step of shaping said quantity of said microorganisms into an aggregation having the shape of a block. 28. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein as a result of said step of forming and said step of positioning, said aggregation comes to be located in proximity to the portion of said explosive device configured to receive a detonator for said explosive device. 29. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the step of introducing a thermal protective additive into said aggregation. 30. A method for remediating an explosive device, if the explosive device once installed at a predetermined detonation site fails to detonate as intended, said method comprising the steps: (a) forming a quantity of an explosive material into an explosive device; (b) identifying microorganisms capable when mobilized of bioremediating said explosive material; (c) housing a quantity of said microorganisms in a bioremediation apparatus; (d) coupling said bioremediation apparatus to said explosive device; and (e) placing the explosive device with said bioremediation apparatus coupled thereto at the predetermined detonation site, whereby if said explosive device fails to detonate as intended, when said quantity of said microorganisms is mobilized, said microorganisms therein deactivate said explosive device by bioremediating said quantity of said explosive material in situ at said detonation site. 31. A method as recited in claim 30, wherein said step of forming comprises the step of disposing said quantity of said explosive material in a shell, and wherein said step of coupling affords access by said quantity of said microorganisms in said bioremediation apparatus to the interior of said shell and said quantity of said explosive material disposed therein. 32. A method as recited in claim 31, wherein said shell comprises: (a) an open end, said bioremediation apparatus becoming secured in said open end of said shell in said step of coupling: (b) a capwell at said open, end of said shell; and (c) a bioremediation portal formed through said capwell communicating between said explosive material in said shell and said bioremediation apparatus, when said bioremediation apparatus is coupled to said explosive device. 33. A method as recited in claim 30, wherein said bioremediation apparatus comprises: (a) storage means for releasably containing said quantity of said microorganisms; and (b) divider means for selectively releasing said quantity of said microorganisms from said storage means into contact with said quantity of said explosive material in said explosive device, when said bioremediation apparatus is coupled to said explosive device. 34. A method as recited in claim 33, wherein said divider means comprises a removable barrier. 35. A method as recited in claim 34, wherein said barrier is removable mechanically. 36. A method as recited in claim 34, wherein said barrier is removable electrically. 37. A method as recited in claim 34, wherein said barrier is removable chemically. 38. A method as recited in claim 33, wherein said bioremediation apparatus further comprises: (a) reservoir means for releasably containing a quantity of a liquid capable of mobilizing said quantity of said microorganisms; and (b) separation means for selectively releasing said quantity of said liquid from said reservoir means into said storage means. 39. A method as recited in claim 30, wherein said bioremediation apparatus comprises: (a) reservoir means for releasably containing a quantity of a liquid capable of mobilizing said quantity of said microorganisms; (b) storage means for releasably containing said quantity of said microorganisms, said storage means being in selective communication with said reservoir means; (c) first valve means for releasing said quantity of said liquid from said reservoir means into said storage means in an open condition of said first valve means; and (d) second valve means for releasing said quantity of said microorganisms from said storage means with said quantity of said liquid into contact with said quantity of said explosive material in said explosive device when said bioremediation apparatus is coupled to said explosive device. 40. A method as recited in claim 39, wherein said first valve means and said second valve means are operably interconnected. 41. A method as recited in claim 30, wherein said microorganisms are selected from a group of microorganisms consisting of microorganisms in Pseudomonas spp. consisting of aeruginosa, fluorescens, acidovorans, mendocina, and cepacia. 42. A method as recited in claim 30, further comprising the step of shaping said quantity of said microorganisms into an aggregation having the shape of a doughnut. 43. A method as recited in claim 30, further comprising the step of shaping said quantity of said microorganisms into an aggregation having the shape of a block. 44. A method as recited in claim 30, wherein said quantity of said microorganisms is suspended in a liquid. 45. A method for remediating an explosive device, if the explosive device once installed at a predetermined detonation site fails to detonate as intended, said method comprising the steps: (a) selecting an explosive material from which to form an explosive device; (b) identifying microorganisms capable of bioremediating said explosive material; (c) dispersing a quantity of said microorganisms in a quantity of said explosive material, thereby producing a quantity of an explosive mixture with bioremediating capacity; (d) forming said quantity of said explosive mixture into an explosive device; and (e) placing said explosive device at the predetermined detonation site, whereby if said explosive device fails to detonate as intended, when said quantity of said microorganisms is mobilized, said microorganisms therein deactivate said explosive device by bioremediating said quantity of said explosive material in situ at said detonation site. 46. A method as recited in claim 45, further comprising the step of shaping said quantity of said microorganisms into aggregations. 47. A method as recited in claim 46, further comprising the step of introducing a thermal protection additive into said aggregations. 48. A method as recited in claim 46, wherein said aggregations have a form selected from the group of forms consisting of a pellet, a capsule, a shard, a flake, a granule, a powder, and a clump. 49. A method as recited in claim 45, further comprising the step of dehydrating said quantity of said microorganism. 50. A method as recited in claim 45, further comprising the step of freeze drying said quantity of said microorganisms. 51. A method as recited in claim 45, wherein said quantity of said explosive mixture in said explosive device is porous. 52. A method as recited in claim 45, wherein said step of forming comprises the step of disposing said quantity of said explosive mixture in a shell, and said shell enables water from the exterior of said shell to flow into said shell and contact said quantity of said explosive mixture disposed therein. 53. A method as recited in claim 52, wherein said shell is porous. 54. A method as recited in claim 52, wherein said shell has an open end. 55. A method as recited in claim 52, wherein a hole is formed through said shell. 56. A method as recited in claim 45, wherein said microorganisms are among a microorganism consortium identified at the American Type Culture Collection by ATCC Designation No. 55894. 57. A method as recited in claim 45, further comprising the step of mixing a surfactant with said quantity of said explosive material. 58. A method as recited in claim 45, wherein said microorganisms are selected from a group of microorganisms consisting of Pseudomonas spp., Escherichia Coli, Morganella Morganii, Rhodococcus spp., Comamonas spp., and dentrifying bacteria. 59. A method as recited in claim 45, wherein said microorganisms are selected from a group of microorganisms consisting of microorganisms in Pseudomonas spp. consisting of aeruginosa, fluorescens, acidovorans, mendocina, and cepacia. 60. A method as recited in claim 45, wherein said explosive material is selected from a group of explosive materials consisting of organic nitroaromatic explosives, organic nitramine explosives, and organic nitric ester explosives. 61. A method as recited in claim 45, wherein said explosive material is selected from a group of explosive materials consisting of trinitrotoluene, hexanitrostilbene, hexanitroazobenzene, diaminotrinitrobenzene and triaminotrinitrobenzene, cyclotrimethylene trinitramine, cyclotetramethylene tetranitramine, nitroguanidine, 2,4,6-trinitrophenylmethylnitramine, pentaerythritol tetranitrate, nitroglycerine, and ethylene glycol dinitrate. 62. A method for remediating an explosive device, if the explosive device once installed in a predetermined detonation site fails to detonate as intended, said method comprising the steps: (a) forming a quantity of an explosive material into an explosive device; (b) identifying microorganisms capable of bioremediating said explosive material; (c) positioning a quantity of said microorganisms in such proximity to said quantity of said explosive material that, when said microorganisms are mobilized, said microorganisms in said quantity thereof commence bioremediation of said quantity of said explosive material; and (d) placing said explosive device at the predetermined detonation site, whereby if said explosive device fails to detonate as intended, when said quantity of said microorganisms is mobilized, said microorganisms therein deactivate said explosive device by bioremediating said quantity of said explosive material in situ at said detonation site. 63. A method as recited in claim 62, further comprising the step of shaping said quantity of microorganisms into aggregations. 64. A method as recited in claim 63, wherein said aggregations have a form selected from the group of forms consisting of a pellet, a capsule, a shard, a flake, a granule, a powder, and a clump. 65. A method as recited in claim 62, wherein said step of positioning comprises the step of depositing said aggregations on a surface of said explosive material exposed in said explosive device. 66. A method as recited in claim 62, wherein said step of forming comprises the step of disposing said quantity of said explosive material in a shell, and said shell enables water from the exterior of said shell to flow into said shell and contact said quantity of said explosive material disposed therein. 67. A method as recited in claim 66, wherein said shell is porous, and said step of positioning comprises the step of embedding said aggregations in said shell. 68. A method as recited in claim 66, wherein said shell has an open end. 69. A method as recited in claim 66, wherein a hole is formed through said shell. 70. A method as recited in claim 66, wherein said step of positioning comprises the step of inserting said aggregations into a recess in an exposed surface of said quantity of said explosive material disposed in said shell. 71. A method as recited in claim 62, wherein as a result of said step of forming and said step of positioning, said aggregations come to be located in proximity to the portion of said explosive device configured to receive a detonator for said explosive device. 72. A method as recited in claim 62, wherein said step of positioning comprises the step of dispersing said quantity of said microorganisms in said quantity of said explosive material, thereby producing a quantity of an explosive mixture with bioremediating capacity. 73. A method as recited in claim 62, further comprising the step of dehydrating said quantity of said microorganisms. 74. A method as recited in claim 62, further comprising the step of freeze drying said quantity of said microorganisms. 75. A method as recited in claim 62, further comprising the step of mixing a surfactant with said quantity of said explosive material. 76. A method as recited in claim 62, wherein said microorganisms are selected from a group of microorganisms consisting of Pseudomonas spp., Escherichia Coli, Morganella Morganii, Rhodococcus spp., Comamonas spp., and dentrifying bacteria. 77. A method as recited in claim 62, wherein said microorganisms are selected from a group of microorganisms consisting of microorganisms in Pseudomonas spp. consisting of aeruginosa, fluorescens, acidovorans, mendocina, and cepacia.
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