Gautam Pillay

Chemical and biological warfare materials create difficulties when designing or retrofitting high value targets such as buildings to withstand terrorist attack. The gas-phase corona reactor (GPCR) is a synergistic combination of plasma (or ionized gas) and catalyst technologies to produce an air purification system. The GPCR has demonstrated both chemical agent decomposition and biological material deactivation creating a universal air purification system. The benefits of GPCR include: (1) low temperature and atmospheric pressure operation; (2) small capital and operating costs; (3) minimal energy requirements; (4) NOx removal; (5) potential for low maintenance due to limited catalyst fouling; (6) straightforward operation with high, non-specific destruction efficiency; (7) treatment of bioaerosols and toxic chemicals; (8) compliance with federal and state indoor air regulations; (9) instant operation. The GPCR can be utilized for the protection of high value targets whether the attacks occur on the exterior or interior of a building. Overpressure operation of the building with the make-up air channeled through the GPCR can create a safe zone when the attack is external to the building. The damage and fatalities of a terrorist chemical and biological material dissemination within a building can be minimized with retrofitted GPCRs incorporated into the recirculation of the ventilation system.

Effective design of in situ remediation technologies often requires an understanding of the mass transfer limitations that control the removal of contaminants from the soil. In addition, the presence of nonaqueous phase liquids (NAPLs) in soils will affect the ultimate success or failure of remediation processes. Knowing the location of NAPLs within the subsurface is critical to designing the most