Dynamic disinfection method for a vehicle drinking water tank

Abstract

A method for disinfecting a vehicle drinking water tank is disclosed, wherein the method is designed for dynamic disinfection. By providing a vehicle drinking water tank with a spray diffuser, which is arranged inside the vehicle drinking water tank, the disinfecting liquid can be sprayed over substantially the entire inner surface of the tank. Partial filling of the drinking water tank with a disinfecting liquid starts the disinfection method. The dynamics of the disinfection method are achieved by spraying the disinfecting liquid in such a way that a moved film of disinfecting liquid is formed and wets an inner surface of the drinking water tank. Material transport at the inner wall of the tank is improved and mechanical shear forces act on the biofilm, which is to be removed and / or disinfected, in combination with the biochemical disinfection forces.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]The present application is a continuation of International Application No. PCT / EP2012 / 058791, filed May 11, 2012, which claims priority from German Patent Application No. 10 2011 101 471.7 filed May 13, 2011 and claims the benefit of the filing date of United States Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 485,776 filed May 13, 2011, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The invention relates to the disinfection of a drinking water tank. In particular, the invention relates to a vehicle drinking water tank, an aircraft comprising a drinking water tank, and a dynamic disinfection method for a vehicle drinking water tank.TECHNICAL BACKGROUND[0003]In known methods, a static disinfection process is used for mobile water tanks. A disinfecting liquid is fed into the containers and lines to be disinfected so that the entire water system is filled completely with disinfecting liquid. The dis...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008]It may thus be possible, by means of the spray diffuser, to provide continuous wetting of the inner surface, which is to be disinfected, of the vehicle drinking water tank by means of a moving liquid film. The disinfecting liquid can be fed into the vehicle drinking water tank through the spray diffuser. For example, this may take place at normal operating pressure in the feed line to the vehicle drinking water tank and at normal operating pressure in the tank. Other pressures are also possible, however. By means of the vehicle drinking water tank according to an embodiment of the invention, it is not necessary to fill the entire tank with disinfecting liquid during the disinfection method. In other words, the vehicle drinking water tank according to an embodiment of the invention enables dynamic disinfection of the contaminated surfaces of the tank, but without having to fill the tank completely with disinfecting liquid. Accelerated disinfection of a vehicle drinking water tank can thus be enabled.

[0035]The advantage of a quicker, more cost effective and more environmentally compatible disinfection operation can thus be utilised advantageously in the entire drinking water system. Areas which are located in separate line branches and which are designed for the supply or delivery of drinking water to a consumer can also be disinfected.

Problems solved by technology

Due to different standards, demands are placed on the reaction time, which leads to long maintenance intervals of the vehicles which contain the drinking water tank.

These known disinfection methods can only be carried out if the vehicle is stopped for a sufficiently long period, which complicates fleet scheduling within the scope of fleet management.

Furthermore, long periods of downtime mean that high economical costs are incurred for the vehicle operator.

Since the disinfection methods already known require the drinking water system to be filled completely, these methods also have a considerable effect on the environment in addition to high costs for the disinfecting active ingredient.

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