In 1994, the UN General Assembly proclaimed 16 September the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer, commemorating the date of the signing, in 1987, of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. States were invited to devote the Day to promote activities in accordance with the objectives of the Protocol and its amendments. The ozone layer, a fragile shield of gas, protects the Earth from the harmful portion of the rays of the sun, thus helping preserve life on the planet.
Loss of protective ozone in the stratosphere in recent years has resulted in increased penetration of harmful ultraviolet radiation to the earth’s surface. Such losses have resulted in the creation of a large “ozone hole” in the Antarctic. Generation of a similar ozone hole or holes in the Arctic have also been projected.
Anticipated health effects in regions beneath an ozone hole are expected to include an increase in cataracts, skin cancer and immune system damage in humans, along with similar effects in animals. It is possible that the growth of phytoplankton in the oceans, as well as crop yields on land, may be adversely affected.
Ozone destruction has been accelerated by increased amounts of Cl and ClO radicals originating from man-made chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) by reactions.
This patent discloses a meathod to scavenge ozone destroying chlorine, chlorine monoxide radicals and reservoir compounds from which they are derived, one embodiment of the present invention comprises a method wherein these entities are reacted with a finely divided solid phase comprising at least one compound which is chlorine-reactive. The chlorine-reactive compounds are delivered to the stratosphere in a container and are then dispensed from the container into the stratosphere. For example, a high-flying aircraft equipped with one or more storage tanks can be utilized. Alternatively, other methods of delivering active compounds to the stratosphere such as rockets or high-flying balloons may be utilized. In this manner, the Cl/ClO ozone destroying radicals together with the reservoir compounds from which they are generated are bound within an irradiation-stable inorganic crystalline lattice or a solution of a high stability inorganic salt. In either case, the potential for these radicals and reservoir compounds to destroy ozone is substantially reduced.
Patent Information
Patent Number: US5376346 A
Patent Title: Method of reducing the destruction of ozone in the earth’s stratosphere by the removal of chlorine, chlorine monoxide radicals, and catalytic aerosols
Publication number: US5376346 A
Publication type: Grant
Application number: US 07/927,956
Publication date: 27 Dec 1994
Filing date: 11 Aug 1992
Priority date: 11 Aug 1992
Fee status: Lapsed
Inventors: Richard M. Powers
Original Assignee: Powers; Richard M.
Abstract: By reaction of Cl and ClO radicals with alkaline cations, such as K2 O2, Na2 O2, CaO, CaO . MgO, Ca(OH)2, CaCO3, (Ca Mg) (CO3)3, Na2 CO3, NaHCO3 and NaHCO3 . Na2 CO3 . 2 H2 O, these radicals are either bound in ultraviolet radiation stable crystalline inorganic lattices or in high stability alkaline salt solutions. Since most of these salts are hygroscopic, they are able to pick up water vapor from the atmosphere, increase in size, and fall through the stratosphere and troposphere resulting in a faster removal rate than would otherwise occur.