Real-time detection system for volatile chemical compounds in protective equipment
A real-time detection system in protective equipment addresses the issue of untested glove permeability by using a gas collection device and detector to alert operators of chemical exposure, ensuring effective protection against volatile compounds.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- FR2022010480
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2022-10-12
- Publication Date
- 2025-05-16
- Estimated Expiration
- 2042-10-12
AI Technical Summary
Existing protective equipment, such as gloves, are chosen without thorough testing for permeability to harmful substances, leading to potential exposure of operators to allergenic or carcinogenic compounds, and their impermeability can vary with factors like contact time, mechanical tension, temperature, and humidity, with gloves not necessarily resistant to compound mixtures.
A real-time detection system is integrated into protective equipment, comprising a gas collection device and a gas detector connected by a main circuit, with an air supply circuit and a gas collection ring on a finger, using photoionization detectors and semiconductor sensors to alert operators of permeation.
Ensures real-time detection of volatile chemical compounds, protecting operators by alerting them to protection flaws and preventing exposure, with the system being transportable and resistant to ambient pollution.
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: System for real-time detection of volatile chemical compounds in protective equipment Technical field
[0001] The present invention relates to the safety of operators handling products harmful to the health of said operators.
[0002] In particular, the present invention relates to the detection of volatile chemical compounds in protective equipment, for example protective gloves, so as to verify and guarantee the good sealing provided by said protective equipment.
[0003] Generally speaking, the invention applies to all gas detection systems positioned behind a protective element in order to verify the effectiveness of said protective element. Previous techniques
[0004] Protective equipment, and in particular protective gloves used by operators to protect themselves from chemical products, for example volatile organic compounds, are generally chosen and used without any tests other than those of the manufacturer being systematically carried out to check the permeation of said protective gloves before handling harmful compounds.
[0005] Thus, an operator may be required to use protective gloves that are unsuitable and may be permeable to certain allergenic or carcinogenic substances, for example acetone, toluene or benzene.
[0006] Furthermore, the impermeability of a glove, even if compatible with a chemical product being handled, may depend on the contact time between the glove and said chemical product, the mechanical tensions exerted on the glove by the movements of the fingers (stretching of the material for example), the temperature, the humidity of the hand, etc.
[0007] Similarly, a glove does not behave the same way towards a sum of substances as it does towards each of the substances taken independently. That is to say, a glove resistant to a compound A and a compound B will not necessarily be resistant to a mixture composed of A and B.
[0008] The passage of the chemical through the glove can be done slowly without the operator noticing it. During the permeation of a volatile chemical, the gas phase of said product is present with the liquid phase in the glove and the operator is then exposed. Statement of the invention
[0009] The present invention therefore aims to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks and to provide a real-time detection system for the vapor phase of a volatile chemical compound in order to alert an operator during their work phases of the presence of a protection flaw in their protective equipment.
[0010] The present invention relates to a system for real-time detection of at least one volatile chemical compound, and / or at least one mixture of several volatile chemical compounds, comprising a gas collection device configured to be arranged in protective equipment, a gas detector, and a main circuit configured to fluidically connect the gas collection device and the gas detector.
[0011] Thus, the positioning of a gas collection device directly in the protective equipment and connected to a gas detector allows an operator to know if the products he is handling pass through the wall of his protective equipment, thus allowing him to better protect himself.
[0012] Advantageously, the protective equipment comprises a protective glove.
[0013] In one embodiment, the detection system further comprises an air supply circuit for the gas collection device, the main circuit comprising a main tube and a pump configured to circulate a fluid from the air supply circuit to the gas detector through an internal passage of the gas collection device, said gas collection device comprising at least one perforation configured to connect the internal passage to the external environment of the gas collection device, such that the circulation of fluid in the internal passage creates a suction in the at least one perforation from the external environment to the internal passage.
[0014] Advantageously, the air supply circuit comprises an air purification system and a supply tube connecting the air purification system and the gas collection device.
[0015] Advantageously, the air purification system comprises activated carbon.
[0016] In one embodiment, the gas collection device is configured to be arranged in a protective glove of the protective equipment, the gas collection device comprising a ring configured to be inserted around a finger of a hand inserted into the protective glove, the ring comprising a first end piece connected to the supply circuit and a second end piece connected to the main circuit, the first and second end pieces being connected by the internal passage made in the ring.
[0017] Advantageously, the ring comprises a first annular face comprising the first end piece and the second end piece, and a second annular face comprising a plurality of regularly spaced perforations, the perforations having a diameter of between 0.1 and 2 millimeters.
[0018] In a particular embodiment, the main tube and the feed tube are chemically resistant, are made of a material comprising a fluoropolymer, and have a length greater than 40 centimeters.
[0019] Advantageously, the gas detector comprises a photoionization detector and / or a semiconductor gas sensor, the gas detector being configured to emit a signal when a volatile chemical compound harmful to human skin is detected.
[0020] The invention also relates to protective equipment comprising the system for real-time detection of a volatile chemical compound as defined above.
[0021] The invention also relates to a method of using the detection system as defined previously and / or the protection equipment as defined previously, the method comprising the following steps:
[0022] - Verification of the proper functioning of the gas detector and calibration of said detector of gas depending on the volatile chemical compound to be detected;
[0023] - Installation of the gas collection device in a protective glove protective equipment;
[0024] - Sealing the wrist of the protective glove and checking for the absence of signal emitted by the gas detector;
[0025] - Manipulation of chemical compounds;
[0026] - Stopping the chemical compound handling step when the gas detector emits a signal or when no signal is emitted by the gas detector (8) at the end of the manipulation;
[0027] - Removing the gas collection device from the protective glove in a remote environment of chemical compounds; and
[0028] - Cleaning the detection system. Brief description of the drawings
[0029] Other aims, characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the appended drawings in which:
[0030] [Fig.l] is a schematic view of a system for real-time detection of volatile chemical compounds according to the invention;
[0031] [Fig.2] is a schematic perspective view of a ring of a system of detection according to the invention;
[0032] [Fig.3] is a schematic perspective view of a first annular part of the ring according to [Fig.2];
[0033] [Fig.4] is a schematic perspective view of a second annular part of the ring according to [Fig.2]; and
[0034] [Fig.5] is a schematic representation of the steps of the method of using the system for real-time detection of volatile chemical compounds according to the invention. Detailed description of at least one embodiment
[0035] [Fig.l] schematically shows a system 2 for detecting volatile chemical compounds in real time according to the invention.
[0036] Volatile chemical compounds are understood to mean any compound having a gaseous phase, also called vapor phase, in equilibrium with the liquid phase of the compound. In particular, the vapor phase of a volatile organic compound in protective equipment, a sign of the permeation of the liquid phase through said protective equipment, must be detected by the detection system in order to best protect the operator. In the embodiment shown, the protective equipment comprises a protective glove 4. It may also comprise a suit, and / or boots. Only the protective glove 4 is shown.
[0037] The detection system 2 comprises a gas collection device 6, a real-time gas detector 8 and a main circuit 10 configured to fluidically connect the gas collection device 6 and the gas detector 8.
[0038] The gas collection device 6 is configured to be arranged in a protective glove 4 and comprises an internal passage 12 and at least one perforation (not shown in [Fig.l]) opening on the one hand onto the internal passage 12 and on the other hand into the protective glove 4. Preferably, the gas collection device 6 comprises several perforations configured to recover a gas present in the external environment of the gas collection device 6, for example the interior of the protective glove 4, the gas being able to circulate to the gas detector 8 via the internal passage 12 then via the main circuit 10.
[0039] In particular, the main circuit 10 comprises a main tube 13 configured to contain the gas circulating between the gas collection device 6 and the gas detector 8, and a pump 14 configured to circulate a gas in said main tube 13.
[0040] The gas detector 8 comprises, for example, a photoionization detector and / or a semiconductor gas sensor. These technologies allow the detection of several types of harmful compounds.
[0041] The gas detector 8 is for example configured to emit a signal, for example light or sound, when a volatile chemical compound considered harmful to human skin is detected above a predefined concentration threshold. Additionally, the gas detector 8 comprises a computer configured to record the measurements made by the gas detector 8.
[0042] In some embodiments, the gas detector 8 includes the pump 14.
[0043] The detection system 2 further comprises an air supply circuit 16 for the gas collection device 6. This air supply circuit 16 comprises a tube supply tube 18 connecting the gas collection device 6, and in particular the internal passage 12, with the ambient air. The internal passage thus connects the supply tube 18 and the main tube 13.
[0044] The pump 14 is configured to draw in ambient air, circulate it from the air supply circuit 16 to the internal passage 12 of the gas collection device 6, then from the internal passage 12 to the main tube 13 to the gas detector 8. For example, the pump 14 and the tubes 13 and 18 are configured to deliver a flow rate of 0.1 to 0.5 liters per minute.
[0045] The circulation of air in the internal passage 12 creates a slight depression at the junction of the perforations with the internal passage 12, thus promoting the suction and collection of gas present in the protective glove 4. The gases sucked in by the perforations then circulate to the gas detector 8.
[0046] Optionally, the air supply circuit 16 comprises an ambient air purification system 20. The supply tube 18 is configured to connect the purification system 20 and the internal passage 12.
[0047] In this embodiment, the gas detector 8 is less subject to ambient air pollution, which allows better detection of harmful gases. In particular, the purification system 20 is sized according to the ambient air pollution, polluted air meaning air likely to disturb the gas detector 8.
[0048] In one embodiment, the air purification system 20 comprises activated carbon.
[0049] Advantageously, the main tube 13 and the feed tube 18 are chemically resistant. For example, they are made and / or covered with a material comprising a fluoropolymer.
[0050] Preferably, the main tube 13 and the supply tube 18 have a length greater than 40 centimeters so as to supply the detection system 2 with air sufficiently distant from the area of handling of harmful substances. More generally, the tubes 13 and 18 have a sufficient length to position the purification system 20, the pump 14 and the gas detector 8 on the arm, on the strap of a bag or on the back of the operator. Thus, the real-time detection system 2 is easily transportable and allows the detection in the field of harmful volatile chemical compounds.
[0051] In the embodiment illustrated in [Fig. 1], the gas collection device 6 comprises a ring 22 configured to be inserted around a finger of a hand 24 inserted into the protective glove 4. Thus, the ring 22 does not hinder the operator in his movements.
[0052] In various embodiments, the hand 24 is the hand of an operator when handling chemical substances, or a dummy hand or a robotic hand. in the case of tests carried out without an operator.
[0053] [Fig.2] schematically shows an embodiment of a ring 22 of a detection system 2 according to the invention.
[0054] The ring 22 comprises a first end piece 26, also illustrated in [Fig.l], connected to the supply tube 18 of the supply circuit 16. The ring 22 also comprises a second end piece 28 connected to the main tube 13 of the main circuit 10. The first end piece 26 and the second end piece 28 are hollow and fluidly connected by the internal passage 12 made in the ring 22. The end pieces 26 and 28 are preferably positioned so as to be, when the ring 22 is slipped onto a finger, on the back of said finger.
[0055] In one embodiment, the ring 22 comprises a first annular face 30 on which the first end piece 26 and the second end piece 28 are positioned. During use of the detection system 2, the first face 30 is preferably positioned towards the operator's wrist in order to facilitate the positioning of the main tube 13 and the supply tube 18.
[0056] The ring 22 also comprises a second annular face 32 onto which the perforations 34 open. The second face 32 is preferably positioned towards the operator's fingertips when using the detection system 2 so as to orient the perforations 34 towards an area where the probability of infiltration of a vapor phase is high.
[0057] Advantageously, the perforations 34 are regularly spaced over the entire second face 32 of the ring 22 so that gas detection can be carried out for a vapor phase all around a finger.
[0058] In one embodiment, the perforations 34 have a diameter between 0.1 and 2 millimeters.
[0059] Advantageously, the number of perforations 34 is greater than five.
[0060] In various embodiments, the ring 22 is produced using a three-dimensional additive manufacturing method. Alternatively, and as illustrated in [Fig. 2], the ring 22 is produced by bonding or welding a first annular part 36 with a second annular part 38. The ring 22 is, for example, made of a plastic material.
[0061] [Fig. 3] schematically shows a first annular part 36 of the ring 22. The first annular part 36 comprises, for example, the first annular face 30, the first and second end pieces 26 and 28, as well as a positioning rail 40 configured to cooperate with the second annular part 38 to form the internal passage 12.
[0062] [Fig. 4] schematically shows a second annular part 38 of the ring 22 configured to cooperate with the first annular part 36 illustrated in [Fig.3] to form the ring 22 illustrated in [Fig.2].
[0063] The second annular part 38 comprises the second annular face 32, an open conduit 42 formed along the second annular part 38 and configured to form the internal passage 12, and the perforations 34 opening on the one hand onto the second annular face 32 and on the other hand into the open conduit 42.
[0064] The positioning rail 40 is less thick than the depth of the open conduit 42. Furthermore, the positioning rail 40 cooperates with the open conduit 42 so that the positioning rail 40, in the assembled configuration of the ring 22, is inserted into the open conduit 42, thereby forming the internal passage 12.
[0065] [Fig. 5] schematically shows the steps of a method of using the detection system 2 according to the invention.
[0066] Firstly, a step 44 is carried out to verify the correct operation of the gas detector 8 as a function of the volatile chemical compound(s) to be detected. Optionally, a parameterization and / or a calibration is carried out so as to take into account the measurement conditions, for example pressure conditions, temperature conditions, or the presence of sweat, these parameters being able to influence the detection.
[0067] Then, a step 46 is carried out of placing the gas collection device 6 in the protective glove 4. Beforehand, if the glove is put around an operator's hand, the operator washes his hands with soapy water, hydroalcoholic gel not being indicated because it could distort the detection.
[0068] A step 48 of sealing the wrist of the protective glove is then carried out so as to prevent direct infiltration of chemical compound.
[0069] Then, the operator performs a step 50 of handling chemical compounds until a signal is emitted by the gas detector 8 during a step 52, or until the end of the handling if no signal is emitted by the gas detector 8.
[0070] A step 54 is then carried out of removing the gas collection device 6 from the protective glove 4 in a clean environment away from the chemical compounds.
[0071] Finally, a step 56 of cleaning the detection system 2 is carried out, for example by passing it through an oven.
Claims
Claims
1. Real-time detection system (2) of at least one volatile chemical compound, and / or at least one mixture of several volatile chemical compounds, characterized in that it comprises a gas collection device (6) configured to be arranged in protective equipment, a gas detector (8), a main circuit (10) configured to fluidically connect the gas collection device (6) and the gas detector (8), and an air supply circuit (16) for the gas collection device (6), the main circuit (10) comprising a main tube (13) and a pump (14) configured to circulate a fluid from the air supply circuit (16) to the gas detector (8) via an internal passage (12) of the gas collection device (6), said gas collection device (6) comprising at least one perforation (34) configured to connect the internal passage (12) to the external environment of the gas collection device (6),such that the circulation of fluid in the internal passage (12) creates a suction in the at least one perforation (34) from the external environment towards the internal passage (12).,
2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the air supply circuit (16) comprises an air cleaning system (20) and a supply tube (18) connecting the air cleaning system (20) and the gas collection device (6).
3. The system of claim 2, wherein the air purification system (20) comprises activated carbon.
4. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the gas collection device (6) is configured to be arranged in a protective glove (4) of the protective equipment, and wherein the gas collection device (6) comprises a ring (22) configured to be inserted around a finger of a hand inserted into the protective glove (4), the ring (22) comprising a first end piece (26) connected to the supply circuit (16) and a second end piece (28) connected to the main circuit (10), the first and second end pieces (26; 28) being connected by the internal passage (12) made in the ring (22).
5. The system of claim 4, wherein the ring (22) comprises a first annular face (30) comprising the first end piece (26) and the second end piece (28), and a second annular face (32) comprising a plurality of regularly spaced perforations (34), the perforations (34) having a diameter between 0.1 and 2 millimeters.
6. A system according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the main tube (13) and the feed tube (18) are chemically resistant, are made of a material comprising a fluoropolymer, and have a length greater than 40 centimeters.
7. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the gas detector (8) comprises a photoionization detector and / or a solid-state gas sensor, the gas detector (8) being configured to emit a signal when a volatile chemical compound harmful to human skin is detected.
8. Protective equipment, characterized in that it comprises the real-time detection system (2) of a volatile chemical compound according to any one of claims 1 to 7.
9. Method of using the detection system (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 7 and / or the protective equipment according to claim 8, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: - Verification of the correct operation (step 44) of the gas detector (8) and calibration of said gas detector (8) as a function of the volatile chemical compound and / or the mixture of compound to be detected; - Placement of the gas collection device (6) in a protective glove (4) of the protective equipment (step 46); - Sealing of the wrist (step 48) of the protective glove (4) and verification of the absence of a signal emitted by the gas detector (8); - Handling of chemical compounds (step 50); - Stopping the step (50) of handling chemical compounds when the gas detector (8) emits a signal (step 52) or when no signal is emitted by the gas detector (8) at the end of the handling;- Removing the gas collection device (6) from the protective glove (4) in an environment away from chemical compounds (step 54); and - Cleaning (step 56) of the detection system (2).;