Chromium Gasifier Surface for Hydrogen Peroxide Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing gasifiers for sterilizers in aseptic filling and packaging machines face issues with decomposition of hydrogen peroxide due to high temperatures and deposition of stabilizers, leading to reduced sterilization efficiency and increased energy consumption, particularly when the gasification process is prolonged.

Innovation Solution

A gasifier with a chromium heating surface having an arithmetic mean roughness of 1.0 µm or less and a ten-point mean roughness of 2.0 µm or less, combined with a sterilizer supplying portion and a heated air supplying device, which reduces hydrogen peroxide decomposition and stabilizer deposition, maintaining high concentration and efficiency of the sterilizing gas.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the temperature of the heating element is raised to improve gasification efficiency, then the gasification efficiency is improved, but the sterilizing constituent is decomposed and the concentration of sterilizing constituent decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegasification efficiencyVSAvoidconcentration of sterilizing constituent
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter of the heating element from conventional metal to ceramic material. This material parameter change allows the heating element to achieve high gasification efficiency while maintaining the concentration of sterilizing constituents, as ceramic materials provide different thermal properties that prevent excessive decomposition

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses ceramic material for the heating element, which can be considered a composite or advanced material approach. Ceramic materials combine high heat resistance with controlled thermal conductivity, enabling efficient gasification while preserving the sterilizing constituents through prolonged contact time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If the gasification process is prolonged to increase sterilization effectiveness, then the sterilization effectiveness is improved, but the stabilizer is deposited and accumulated on the heating body and the gasification efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesterilization effectivenessVSAvoidgasification efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The ceramic heating element resists stabilizer deposition and accumulation, allowing prolonged gasification processes to maintain high efficiency. The ceramic material's surface properties prevent stabilizer adhesion, enabling extended operation without performance degradation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent describes that the heating element can be easily replaced when worn out. This disposable approach with ceramic materials provides a cost-effective solution, as the simple replacement mechanism outweighs the benefits of complex cleaning or regeneration systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Device complexity

If a metal heating element is used for gasification, then the gasification process is simple, but the stabilizer is deposited on the heating element and the sterilization efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of gasification processVSAvoidsterilization efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces metal heating elements with ceramic materials. This material substitution maintains the simplicity of the gasification process while eliminating stabilizer deposition issues, as ceramic surfaces do not promote stabilizer accumulation like metal surfaces do

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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

The solution efficiently produces a gas with a high concentration of hydrogen peroxide for extended periods, enhancing the sterilization power of aseptic filling and packaging machines while minimizing energy consumption and maintaining productivity by preventing stabilizer accumulation.

Implementation Method 1

a gasifier that makes a sterilizer containing at least hydrogen peroxide come into contact with a heating surface to gasify the sterilizer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

the stabilizer can be deposited and accumulated on the surface of the heating body that causes the gasification

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 3

a surface of the chromium has an arithmetic mean roughness (Ra) of 1.0 μm or less and a ten-point mean roughness of 2.0 μm or less

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSurface tension: Surface Tension

Implementation Method 4

makes a sterilizer containing at least hydrogen peroxide come into contact with a heating surface to gasify the sterilizer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentEP3542643B1Sanitizer gasification apparatus
Publication Date: 2022.02.02 DAI NIPPON PRINTING CO LTD
  • EP3542643B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3542643B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3542643B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

To provide an apparatus that can gasify a sterilizer containing hydrogen peroxide to produce a gas having a high hydrogen peroxide concentration. The apparatus can stably produce a gas of the sterilizer containing hydrogen peroxide for a long time. A heating surface of a heating body that gasifies the sterilizer is made of chromium. Alternatively, the heating surface of the heating body that gasifies the sterilizer may be made of polytetrafluoroethylene or perfluoroalkoxy fluorocarbon resin, or a chromium plating impregnated with chromium polytetrafluoroethylene or perfluoroalkoxy fluorocarbon resin.