| abstract |
Areas in which toxic material has been released, particularly in gaseous form but also in liquid form, are decontaminated by forming gas hydrate of the toxic agent. Smaller-molecule toxic agents form sI or sII type hydrates, whereas larger-molecule toxic agents for sH type hydrates. A “companion gas” or “companion agent” is supplied to fill the smaller voids of the sH hydrate, thereby enabling larger-molecule toxic agents to form hydrates by filling the larger voids of the sH hydrate which, but for the presence of the smaller-molecule agent in the smaller voids, would be unstable and not form. Portable as well as fixed, permanently installed apparatus for conducting hydrate-based decontamination is also disclosed. |