Thin film conductive coatings for surface heating and decontamination

In the present analysis we examine the process of decontamination by heating the plexiglass substrates with imbedded electrically conducting layers. The application of such heating elements for the purpose of deicing is well known. However, little is known about its overall effectiveness for the removal of adsorbed and absorbed contaminants. While the heat input supplies energy to the contaminant molecules and sets them into a free state (gaseous state), it also increases the solubility of the contaminant in the solid substrate. It is therefore necessary to carry out a detailed mathematical analysis to determine the effect of heating on adsorbed and absorbed contaminants. In the current development we first present and overview of adsorption/desorption kinetics and then develop a one-dimensional model for the removal of physically adsorbed contaminants. The mathematical analysis provides information as to what data are needed to predict the performance of such a decontamination system. At the same time some typical cases have been run to simulate such prediction. Also included are cases for which the increased solubility due to heating may cause the contaminant level to increase.