A plasma sterilization device and a sterilization method
The plasma sterilization device maintains materials in a fluidized state within the sterilization chamber, addressing incomplete sterilization and pollution issues by enabling all-directional sterilization without surface contact, enhancing efficiency and effectiveness.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202010750779.4
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Patents(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2020-07-30
- Publication Date
- 2024-12-13
- Estimated Expiration
- 2040-07-30
AI Technical Summary
Existing plasma sterilization equipment requires contact with a fixed surface of food, leading to incomplete sterilization and high pollution.
A plasma sterilization device with a sterilization chamber and plasma generator that maintains materials in a fluidized state using air blowing ports, allowing all-directional sterilization without contact, combined with a conveying system and air outlets for continuous or intermittent operation.
Achieves high-efficiency, all-round sterilization with reduced pollution by ensuring materials are sterilized in all directions without dead angles, improving sterilization efficiency and effectiveness.
Smart Images
Figure CN114052160B_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of sterilization equipment, and in particular to a plasma sterilization device and a sterilization method. Background Art
[0002] Sterilization technology is an essential technology in the food industry and the medical field. Sterilization refers to the process of killing or removing all microorganisms in the external environment. The sterilization methods used nowadays are mostly thermal sterilization, radiation sterilization, ethylene oxide sterilization, low-temperature formaldehyde steam sterilization, and long-term immersion methods using various sterilizing agents such as glutaraldehyde, chlorine dioxide, peracetic acid and hydrogen peroxide. These sterilization methods have many restrictions, such as harm to the environment, too long sterilization time, and too high sterilization temperature resulting in loss of food nutrients.
[0003] As a new sterilization technology, plasma sterilization has been increasingly promoted and applied in recent years. In the plasma state, substances undergo a series of physical and chemical changes, such as electron exchange, electron energy conversion, molecular collision, chemical dissociation and recombination, etc. These changes cause the ionized gas cloud to produce charged cloud-like substances composed of electrons, ions and neutrons. These substances contain molecules, excited atoms, metastable atoms, free radicals and other particles, as well as ultraviolet rays, gamma rays, and beta rays. However, existing plasma sterilization equipment needs to contact with the fixed surface of food, which may lead to problems such as incomplete sterilization. Summary of the invention
[0004] The embodiments of the present invention provide a plasma sterilization device and a sterilization method, which are used to solve or partially solve the problems in the prior art that plasma sterilization equipment needs to contact with a fixed surface of food, thus resulting in incomplete sterilization.
[0005] An embodiment of the present invention provides a plasma sterilization device, comprising: a sterilization chamber and a plasma generator; the plasma generator is installed in the sterilization chamber, and a blowing port is opened at the bottom of the sterilization chamber, and the blowing port is used to blow air into the sterilization chamber so that the material inside the sterilization chamber is in a fluidized state.
[0006] On the basis of the above solution, a feed port is provided at the top of the sterilization bin, and a discharge port is provided at the bottom of the sterilization bin.
[0007] On the basis of the above scheme, a conveying device is correspondingly provided above the feed port, and a feed bin is provided above the conveying device.
[0008] On the basis of the above scheme, a door body is respectively provided at the feed inlet and the discharge outlet.
[0009] On the basis of the above scheme, an air outlet is provided on the top of the sterilization chamber, the air outlet is connected to a dust removal device through a pipeline, and a collection box is provided corresponding to the outlet of the dust removal device.
[0010] Based on the above solution, a filter is provided at the air outlet.
[0011] Based on the above scheme, the plasma generating device includes an upper electrode mounting plate, a tungsten needle and a lower electrode plate; the upper electrode mounting plate and the lower electrode plate are fixed on two opposite side walls of the sterilization chamber, and the tungsten needle passes through the upper electrode mounting plate and is inserted into the sterilization chamber.
[0012] On the basis of the above solution, the tungsten needle is fixed to the upper electrode mounting plate through an open screw plug.
[0013] On the basis of the above solution, the upper electrode mounting plate and the lower electrode plate are respectively fixed to the side walls of the sterilization chamber by bolt assemblies.
[0014] An embodiment of the present invention also provides a plasma sterilization method based on the above-mentioned plasma sterilization device, including: turning on the plasma generating device to form a plasma of a preset concentration in the sterilization chamber; feeding the material to be sterilized into the sterilization chamber, and blowing air from the bottom of the sterilization chamber at the same time to fluidize the material for sterilization; continuously feeding the material into the sterilization chamber, and the sterilized material is continuously discharged from the air outlet; or feeding a preset amount of material into the sterilization chamber, and discharging the material from the discharge port after the material is fluidized for sterilization for a preset time.
[0015] A plasma sterilization device and a sterilization method provided in an embodiment of the present invention sterilize materials in a fluidized state by setting an air blowing port. Compared with the existing plasma sterilization equipment in contact with the fixed surface of the material, the material can be sterilized in all directions without dead angles, and has the advantages of high efficiency and all-round sterilization. Moreover, the plasma generating device does not need to contact the material, which solves the problems of high pollution and incomplete sterilization in the existing sterilization and disinfection methods. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying creative work.
[0017] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of a plasma sterilization device provided in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0018] Reference numerals:
[0019] 1. Feed bin; 2. Conveying device; 3. Sterilization bin; 4. Bolt assembly; 5. Lower electrode plate; 6. Opening screw plug; 7. Tungsten needle; 8. Blower; 9. Discharge port; 10. Feed port; 11. Upper electrode mounting plate; 12. Air outlet; 13. Dust removal device; 14. Draft fan; 15. Collection box. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] In order to make the purpose, technical solution and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solution in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.
[0021] refer to Figure 1 An embodiment of the present invention provides a plasma sterilization device, which includes: a sterilization chamber 3 and a plasma generator; the plasma generator is installed in the sterilization chamber 3, and a plurality of blowing ports are opened at the bottom of the sterilization chamber 3, and the blowing ports are used to blow air into the sterilization chamber 3 so that the material inside the sterilization chamber 3 is in a fluidized state.
[0022] The sterilization chamber 3 is used to provide a sterilization accommodation space. The materials to be sterilized are sterilized in the sterilization chamber 3. The plasma generator is used to generate plasma in the sterilization chamber 3, so that a plasma environment is formed inside the sterilization chamber 3. When the materials to be sterilized are sent to the sterilization chamber 3, the blowing port at the bottom of the sterilization chamber 3 blows air to make the materials flow and form a fluidized state; so that the materials are sterilized in the fluidized state.
[0023] A plasma sterilization device provided in this embodiment sterilizes the material in a fluidized state by setting an air blowing port. Compared with the existing plasma sterilization equipment in contact with the fixed surface of the material, the material can be sterilized in all directions without dead angles, and has the advantages of high efficiency and all-round sterilization. Moreover, the plasma generating device does not need to contact the material, which solves the problems of high pollution and incomplete sterilization in the existing sterilization and disinfection methods.
[0024] On the basis of the above embodiment, further, a feed port 10 is provided at the top of the sterilization bin 3, and a discharge port 9 is provided at the bottom of the sterilization bin 3. The material to be sterilized enters from the feed port 10 at the top of the sterilization bin 3, and the sterilized material is discharged from the discharge port 9 at the bottom of the sterilization bin 3. Setting the feed port 10 at the top of the sterilization bin 3 is conducive to the impact of the material with the upward blowing from the bottom when the material falls, which is conducive to forming a fluidized state of the material. Setting the discharge port 9 at the bottom of the sterilization bin 3 can facilitate the discharge of the material by its own gravity.
[0025] Further, refer to Figure 1 The discharge port 9 can be arranged on the bottom wall of the sterilization bin 3; it can also be arranged on the side wall of the bottom of the sterilization bin 3, and can be flexibly arranged according to actual conditions to achieve the purpose of discharging materials, and is not specifically limited. Further, the discharge port 9 can be connected to a power source through a pipeline, such as a fan, to provide power for discharging materials and ensure smooth discharge of materials.
[0026] On the basis of the above embodiment, further, a conveying device 2 is correspondingly provided above the feed port 10, and a feed bin 1 is provided above the conveying device 2. The feed bin 1 is used to store the material to be sterilized. When the material is sterilized, a certain amount of material can be discharged from the feed bin 1, sent to the feed port 10 of the sterilization bin 3 through the conveying device 2, and then enter the sterilization bin 3 for sterilization operation.
[0027] Furthermore, the conveying device 2 may be a conveyor belt, or other devices, such as a screw conveyor, etc., which are not specifically limited, and the purpose is to achieve the conveying of materials. Figure 1 The conveying device 2 can be tilted so that the end of the conveying device 2 is closer to the feed port 10, ensuring that the material can smoothly enter the feed port 10.
[0028] On the basis of the above embodiment, further, a door body is provided at the feed port 10 and the discharge port 9 respectively to realize the opening and closing of the feed port 10 and the discharge port 9. It can be set as an automatic door for easy control.
[0029] On the basis of the above embodiment, further, an air outlet 12 is provided at the top of the sterilization chamber 3; the air outlet 12 is connected to a dust removal device 13 through a pipeline. A collection box 15 is provided at the outlet of the dust removal device 13. Figure 1 , multiple air outlets 12 can be opened on the top of the sterilization bin 3, and the multiple air outlets 12 are connected to an air outlet pipeline, and a dust removal device 13 and an induced draft fan 14 are connected in series on the air outlet pipeline. The induced draft fan 14 is used to provide air outlet power to maintain the pressure inside the sterilization bin stable. And under the drive of the induced draft fan 14, the materials inside the sterilization bin 3 can also be carried out from the air outlet 12, and then separated and collected in the dust removal device 13 in the collection box 15. Therefore, the air outlet 12 can also play the role of discharging materials.
[0030] Furthermore, a filter is provided at the air outlet 12 . The filter may be a filter net, etc., which is used to ensure ventilation while blocking and filtering the materials in the sterilization chamber 3 so that the materials cannot flow into the air outlet 12 .
[0031] When there is no filter at the air outlet 12, the material can be continuously discharged from the air outlet 12, so that the continuous sterilization operation of the material can be realized. That is, the material can be continuously fed into the sterilization chamber 3 for sterilization operation. At this time, the discharge time and speed can be controlled by controlling the operation of the induced draft fan 14 or connecting a valve at the air outlet 14.
[0032] When a filter is provided at the air outlet 12, the material cannot be discharged from the air outlet 12. At this time, intermittent sterilization operation of the material can be realized. That is, a certain amount of material can be sent to the sterilization chamber each time for sterilization operation. When the sterilization is completed, the discharge port 10 can be opened to discharge the material. Therefore, the sterilization device can realize both continuous sterilization operation and intermittent sterilization operation, which can be flexibly selected according to actual needs and has strong adaptability.
[0033] On the basis of the above embodiment, further, the plasma generating device includes an upper electrode mounting plate 11, a tungsten needle 7 and a lower electrode plate 5; the upper electrode mounting plate 11 and the lower electrode plate 5 are fixed on two opposite side walls of the sterilization chamber 3, and the tungsten needle 7 passes through the upper electrode mounting plate 11 and is inserted into the sterilization chamber 3.
[0034] The upper electrode mounting plate 11 and the lower electrode plate 5 are arranged opposite to each other. Specifically, the upper electrode mounting plate 11 can be arranged on the inner side or outer side of the side wall of the sterilization chamber 3; the lower electrode plate 5 can also be arranged on the inner side or outer side of the side wall of the sterilization chamber 3; there is no limitation.
[0035] On the basis of the above embodiment, further, the tungsten needle 7 is fixed to the upper electrode mounting plate 11 through the open screw plug 6. The open screw plug 6 has a through hole therein. The open screw plug 6 is fixed to the upper electrode mounting plate 11 and can be threaded or welded, without limitation. The tungsten needle 7 passes through the through hole inside the open screw plug 6.
[0036] On the basis of the above embodiment, further, the upper electrode mounting plate 11 and the lower electrode plate 5 are fixed to the side wall of the sterilization chamber 3 by bolt assemblies 4 respectively. Figure 1 A long bolt can be set to cross the sterilization chamber 3, with both ends passing through the upper electrode mounting plate 11 and the lower electrode plate 5 respectively; then nuts are connected to both sides of the upper electrode mounting plate 11 and both sides of the lower electrode plate 5 respectively to fix the upper electrode mounting plate 11 and the lower electrode plate 5.
[0037] Furthermore, two independent sets of short bolts may be provided at the upper electrode mounting plate 11 and the lower electrode plate 5 respectively for fixation; the specific form of the bolt assembly 4 is not limited, and the purpose is to achieve fixation of the upper electrode mounting plate 11 and the lower electrode plate 5.
[0038] Furthermore, the plasma generating device is not limited to the electrode type. All devices that can generate low-temperature plasma can be used to generate low-temperature plasma in the sterilization chamber.
[0039] On the basis of the above embodiment, further, a plurality of blowing ports are provided at the bottom of the sterilization chamber. The plurality of blowing ports are connected to an air duct, and a blower 8 is provided on the air duct. The blower 8 blows air to the plurality of blowing ports simultaneously.
[0040] A plurality of blowing ports can be evenly distributed on the bottom wall of the sterilization chamber 3 to improve the uniformity of material fluidization. A door body can also be provided at the blowing port. During sterilization, the door body can be opened to achieve blowing; at the end of sterilization, the door body can be closed to prevent the material from falling into the blowing port.
[0041] Furthermore, the wind blown in from the air outlet is sterilizing gas; it can be sterilized and purified air, or other gases, which can be selected according to the material to be sterilized so as not to affect the sterilization effect.
[0042] On the basis of the above embodiments, further, this embodiment provides a plasma sterilization method based on the plasma sterilization device described in any of the above embodiments, and the plasma sterilization method includes: turning on the plasma generating device to form a plasma of a preset concentration in the sterilization chamber 3; feeding the material to be sterilized into the sterilization chamber 3, and blowing air from the bottom of the sterilization chamber 3 at the same time to fluidize the material for sterilization; continuously feeding the material into the sterilization chamber 3, and the sterilized material is continuously discharged from the air outlet 12; or feeding a preset amount of material into the sterilization chamber 3, and discharging the material from the discharge port 10 after the material is fluidized for sterilization for a preset time.
[0043] That is, the plasma sterilization device has two sterilization modes. It can realize continuous feeding sterilization operation through discharging through the air outlet to improve the sterilization efficiency and increase the sterilization processing capacity; it can also realize intermittent feeding sterilization operation through discharging through the discharge port to enhance the sterilization effect.
[0044] On the basis of the above embodiment, further, according to the physical properties of the material to be sterilized, the air volume and wind speed of the bottom of the sterilization chamber 3 are adjusted. The physical properties of the material to be sterilized specifically include parameters such as the particle size, weight, and viscosity of the material. The air volume and wind speed of the bottom of the sterilization chamber 3 should be controlled and adjusted to adapt to the material to be sterilized and to form a fluidized state of the material.
[0045] Furthermore, a plasma concentration monitoring sensor may be provided inside the sterilization chamber 3 to ensure that the plasma concentration in the sterilization chamber 3 is within a preset concentration range to ensure the sterilization effect. The required plasma concentration range may be determined according to the properties of the material to be sterilized and the specific sterilization requirements.
[0046] On the basis of the above embodiments, further, in view of the shortcomings of the existing technical solutions, this embodiment provides a low-temperature plasma fluidized sterilization device, which can sterilize in all directions without dead angles, has the advantages of high efficiency and all-round sterilization, and solves the problems of high pollution and incomplete sterilization in the existing sterilization and disinfection methods. In order to achieve the above-mentioned high efficiency and all-round sterilization and disinfection effect, this embodiment provides the following technical solutions: a low-temperature plasma fluidized sterilization device, including: a sterilization bin 3, a food or article conveying device 2, a plasma generating device, a feed port 10, a discharge port 9, a blower 8 and a feed bin 1.
[0047] The plasma generator includes a bolt assembly 4, a lower electrode plate 5, an opening screw plug 6, a tungsten needle 7, and an upper electrode mounting plate 11; the feed door and the discharge door of the sterilization chamber 3 that can be opened and closed are automatic doors. The bottom end of the sterilization chamber 3 contains a blower 8 to make the particles to be sterilized fluidized in the atmosphere of generating low-temperature plasma. The sterilization chamber 3 contains a reserved interface for installing the plasma generator.
[0048] The specific operation process of the sterilization device is as follows: placing the food particles to be sterilized in the feed bin 1, turning on the low-temperature plasma generator for a period of time to generate a certain concentration of low-temperature plasma in the sterilization bin 3, turning on the conveyor belt, opening the automatic door of the feed port 10, and turning on the blower 8 at the same time. Under the blowing action of the blower 8, the items to be sterilized are in a fluidized form in the sterilization bin 3 and are in all-round contact with the low-temperature plasma without dead angles for a period of time. After the sterilization work is completed, the automatic door of the discharge port 9 is opened to take out the sterilized items.
[0049] This embodiment utilizes a low-temperature plasma fluidized sterilization device. During the sterilization process, due to the action of the blower 8 and the low-temperature plasma, the food or items to be sterilized can be in contact with the plasma in all directions without dead angles. Compared with the current static material tray, the sterilization effect is more thorough.
[0050] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, rather than to limit it. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the aforementioned embodiments, or make equivalent replacements for some of the technical features therein. However, these modifications or replacements do not deviate the essence of the corresponding technical solutions from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.
Claims
1. A plasma sterilization method using a plasma sterilization device, It is characterized in that The plasma sterilization device comprises: a sterilization chamber and a plasma generator; the plasma generator is installed in the sterilization chamber, a feed inlet is provided at the top of the sterilization chamber, and a discharge port is provided at the bottom of the sterilization chamber; The sterilization bin is provided with an air blowing port at the bottom, and the air blowing port is used to blow air into the sterilization bin so that the material inside the sterilization bin is in a fluidized state, and a plurality of air blowing ports are evenly distributed on the bottom wall of the sterilization bin; the sterilization bin is provided with an air outlet at the top, and the air outlet is connected to a dust removal device through a pipeline, and a collection box is provided at the outlet of the dust removal device; The plasma sterilization method of the plasma sterilization device comprises: Turning on the plasma generating device to form plasma of a preset concentration in the sterilization chamber; Feeding the material to be sterilized into the sterilization bin, and blowing air from the air outlet at the bottom of the sterilization bin, so that the material is sterilized in a fluidized state; When the material needs to be sterilized continuously, the material is continuously fed into the sterilization bin from the feed inlet, and the sterilized material is continuously discharged from the air outlet; When intermittent sterilization of materials is required, a filter is provided at the air outlet, a preset amount of material is fed into the sterilization bin from the feed port, and the material is discharged from the discharge port after fluidized state sterilization for a preset time.
2. The plasma sterilization method of the plasma sterilization device according to claim 1, It is characterized in that A conveying device is correspondingly provided above the feed port, and a feed bin is provided above the conveying device.
3. The plasma sterilization method of the plasma sterilization device according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The feed inlet and the discharge outlet are respectively provided with door bodies.
4. The plasma sterilization method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, It is characterized in that The plasma generating device comprises an upper electrode mounting plate, a tungsten needle and a lower electrode plate; the upper electrode mounting plate and the lower electrode plate are fixed on two opposite side walls of the sterilization chamber, and the tungsten needle passes through the upper electrode mounting plate and is inserted into the sterilization chamber.
5. The plasma sterilization method of the plasma sterilization device according to claim 4, It is characterized in that The tungsten needle is fixed to the upper electrode mounting plate through an open screw plug.
6. The plasma sterilization method of the plasma sterilization device according to claim 4, It is characterized in that The upper electrode mounting plate and the lower electrode plate are respectively fixed to the side walls of the sterilization chamber through bolt assemblies.