Methods and systems for advanced disinfection and decontamination
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surface and air disinfectants face challenges in effectively decontaminating challenging pathogens and refractory contaminants, often requiring high concentrations and long contact times, which can be hazardous and damaging to surfaces, and fail to prevent reemergence of pathogens in treated spaces.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the catalytic activation of aqueous-based oxidizer solutions, such as peroxyacid mixtures, using catalysts or UV photons near the surface, combined with ozone gas, to create short-lived, highly oxidizing mixtures for simultaneous surface and air decontamination, with residual oxidizers neutralized during the process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high concentrations of oxidizing biocides are used to achieve sufficient pathogen kill performance, then antimicrobial effectiveness is improved, but surface material damage and user safety hazards worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the oxidizing biocide by combining it with hydrogen peroxide and activating it with UV-C irradiation. This transformation converts the biocide into a more potent form that achieves effective pathogen kill at lower concentrations, thereby reducing surface material damage while maintaining antimicrobial effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/chemical approach of simply applying high-concentration oxidizing biocide with a photochemical activation system. UV-C irradiation activates the biocide-hydrogen peroxide mixture to generate highly reactive oxygen species that are more effective at lower concentrations, thus resolving the contradiction between effectiveness and surface damage
2Reliability
If high concentrations of oxidizing biocides are used to achieve sufficient pathogen kill performance, then antimicrobial effectiveness is improved, but user safety hazards and environmental hazards worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the oxidizing biocide through chemical parameter changes by combining it with hydrogen peroxide and activating it with UV-C light. This generates highly reactive oxygen species that achieve pathogen kill at lower concentrations, reducing user exposure risks while maintaining effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces UV-C irradiation as an intermediary activation mechanism. The UV-C light activates the oxidizing biocide-hydrogen peroxide mixture to produce highly reactive oxygen species, enabling effective disinfection at lower chemical concentrations and thus reducing user safety hazards
3Reliability
If long contact times are used with oxidizing biocides to achieve required log-kill performance, then antimicrobial effectiveness is improved, but productivity worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the activation state of the oxidizing biocide by combining it with hydrogen peroxide and activating with UV-C irradiation. This photochemical activation generates highly reactive oxygen species that achieve required log-kill performance much faster, thus improving productivity while maintaining effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic UV-C irradiation to activate the biocide-hydrogen peroxide mixture in cycles. This periodic activation generates bursts of highly reactive oxygen species that rapidly achieve pathogen kill, significantly reducing contact time and improving disinfection productivity
4Reliability
If oxidizing biocides are used for airborne disinfection in the form of fog or vapor, then airspace decontamination is improved, but user safety exposure limits are exceeded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical dispersion of oxidizing biocide as fog or vapor with a photochemical activation system. UV-C irradiation activates the biocide-hydrogen peroxide mixture in the air, generating highly reactive oxygen species that effectively decontaminate airspace at lower concentrations, thus avoiding user safety exposure limits
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical state of the oxidizing biocide by activating it with UV-C light in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. This generates highly reactive oxygen species that achieve effective airborne disinfection at lower concentrations, reducing airborne oxidizer exposure to safe levels while maintaining airspace decontamination effectiveness
5Reliability
If high concentrations of oxidizing biocides are used to achieve sufficient pathogen kill performance, then antimicrobial effectiveness is improved, but contact time requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the activation state of the oxidizing biocide by combining it with hydrogen peroxide and activating with UV-C irradiation. This photochemical activation generates highly reactive oxygen species that achieve sufficient pathogen kill in much shorter contact times, thus reducing time loss while maintaining effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies UV-C irradiation preliminarily to activate the oxidizing biocide-hydrogen peroxide mixture before it contacts the pathogen. This preliminary activation creates highly reactive oxygen species that immediately begin destroying pathogens, significantly reducing the required contact time while maintaining kill performance
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances antimicrobial performance with lower concentrations and shorter contact times, ensuring safety for users and surfaces while continuously neutralizing airborne residues for rapid room re-entry.
Implementation Method 1
activating the aqueous-based oxidizer solution with an activator comprising at least one of a catalyst or UV photons near the surface to be decontaminated
Implementation Method 2
providing the activator comprising a stream of ozone containing gas, wherein the stream of ozone containing gas mixes with the stream of the aqueous-based oxidizer solution
Implementation Method 3
Oxidizing biocides work by non-specific oxidation of chemical bonds, causing destruction of critical cell components
Implementation Method 4
activating the aqueous-based oxidizer solution with an activator comprising at least one of a catalyst or UV photons
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments described herein relate to methods and systems for the simultaneous decontamination and disinfection of surface and airborne contaminants. In particular, catalytically boosting the performance of a class of oxidizing biocides for improved antimicrobial performance and shorter contact times is disclosed.