Adjustable Catalyst Assembly for Faster Isolator Decontamination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing decontamination arrangements face challenges in efficiently conveying a larger gas volume flow through a catalytic converter in the first operating state while minimizing degradation of the decontamination agent, often requiring complex mechanisms with multiple moving parts and bypass systems.
Innovation Solution
The catalytic converter is arranged to be adjustable between two relative positions, allowing the entire gas volume flow to pass through in the first state and be bypassed in the second state, eliminating the need for separate bellows and valves, and incorporating a resilient mounting system for automatic adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the gas volume flow is conveyed through the catalyst during the conditioning and exposure phase, then the decontamination agent is broken down efficiently, but the decontamination agent degrades prematurely
Solution Approach 1:
The catalytic converter is made adjustable between different positions relative to the blower. During the conditioning and exposure phases, the catalytic converter is positioned away from the blower to bypass the gas flow. During the flushing phase, the catalytic converter is moved close to the blower to maximize gas flow through the catalyst for efficient decontamination agent breakdown.
2Loss of substance
If a bypass system with valves and bellows is used to control gas flow through the catalyst, then the decontamination agent degradation is minimized, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the complex bypass system with valves and bellows from the decontamination device. Instead, it uses a simplified design where the catalytic converter is directly adjustable relative to the blower, eliminating the need for separate bypass control mechanisms while achieving the same functional outcome of controlling gas flow through the catalyst.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable mounting system allows the catalytic converter to serve multiple functions: it acts as both a decontamination catalyst and a flow control element. By moving the catalytic converter closer to or farther from the blower, the system universally controls both the position and the gas flow path without requiring separate bypass valves.
3Device complexity
If the catalyst is arranged in a stationary position relative to the blower, then the device simplicity is maintained, but the gas flow control flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The catalytic converter is designed with adjustable mounting that allows it to move between different positions relative to the blower. This dynamic positioning enables the system to adapt gas flow control to different operational phases (conditioning, exposure, flushing) while maintaining overall device simplicity through the use of resilient mounting rather than complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms.
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
This configuration simplifies the design, reduces particle introduction, and enhances decontamination efficiency by ensuring maximum gas flow through the catalyst in the first state, thereby minimizing agent degradation and shortening flushing times.
Implementation Method 1
with a catalyst for chemical splitting of the decontamination agent
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a decontamination arrangement (1) for pharmaceutical applications, having a space (3) to be decontaminated, namely an isolator space, and having a decontamination device (13) and having a blower (14) for generating a gas-air volume flow, which is fed back through a return line opening into a Circulating air generator chamber flows and with a catalyst (17) arranged in the circulating air generator chamber (4) arranged above the chamber (3) to be decontaminated for chemically splitting the decontamination agent, wherein in a first operating state a larger proportion of the gas volume flow than in a second operating state through the catalyst ( 17) can be conveyed through. According to the invention it is provided that for adjusting the catalytic converter (17) between the first and the second relative position, an actuator is provided which is mechanically coupled to the catalytic converter (17), and that the catalytic converter (17) relative to the blower (14) between a first and a second relative position, and that in the first relative position a larger proportion of the gas volume flow can be conveyed through the catalytic converter (17) than in the second relative position and that the catalytic converter (17) in the first relative position conducts gas with the intake opening of the blower (14) is arranged in a cooperative manner, and that a sealing surface assigned to the catalytic converter and adjustable together with the catalytic converter in the first relative position rests sealingly against an intake opening of the blower, or is only slightly spaced from the intake opening and thus the gas volume flow from the blower through the catalyst is sucked or that the Katalysato r (17) in the first operating state is arranged in a gas-conducting manner that interacts with the return line opening, through which gas can be pressed by means of the blower, and that the catalytic converter in the first relative position rests against the return line opening with its sealing surface that can be adjusted together with it, or is only slightly spaced .