Conductive Electrode Electrical Field Gradient VHP Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing decontamination systems face challenges in quickly reducing the concentration of vaporous chemical sterilants like VHP to below 1 ppm, as molecules often pass through destroyers without contact and are re-injected, and are adsorbed to surfaces, making it difficult to efficiently remove them from air and surfaces.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method using a chemically active and conductive electrode to create an electrical field gradient that forces chemical sterilant molecules with induced or permanent dipole moments towards the electrode for removal, reducing re-injection and adsorption by accelerating diffusion and desorption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a catalytic destroyer is used to reduce VHP concentration, then the destruction of VHP molecules is enhanced, but many VHP molecules still pass through without contact and are re-injected, failing to achieve rapid reduction to below 1 ppm
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the purely mechanical/catalytic system with an electrical field-based system. An electric field is applied to the carrier gas stream, which exerts a force on VHP molecules (which have permanent or induced dipole moments) to force them toward the catalytic destroyer surface, dramatically increasing the contact probability and destruction efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state or property of the gas stream by introducing an electrical field parameter. This electric field parameter interacts with the dipole moment of VHP molecules to alter their trajectory and increase their interaction with the catalytic surface, thereby improving removal efficiency.
2Quantity of substance
If VHP molecules are adsorbed to surfaces during decontamination, then some VHP is removed from the air, but the molecules must diffuse back into the air before being circulated through the destroyer, slowing the reduction process
Solution Approach 1:
The electric field is applied preliminarily to the carrier gas stream before the VHP molecules can adsorb to surfaces or be re-injected. This preliminary action forces the VHP molecules toward the destroyer, preventing adsorption and ensuring they are processed immediately, thereby eliminating the diffusion delay.
3Reliability
If the concentration of VHP is reduced slowly, then the destroyer has time to process molecules, but the time required to reduce concentration to below 1 ppm becomes unreasonably long
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the passive mechanical circulation system with an active electrical field-driven system. The electric field continuously forces VHP molecules toward the destroyer, ensuring complete removal without requiring prolonged aeration phases, thus reducing the time to achieve below 1 ppm concentration.
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 effectively reduces the time required to remove chemical sterilant molecules from carrier gases and surfaces, minimizing re-injection and adsorption, thereby facilitating faster decontamination and safer re-entry into treated areas.
Implementation Method 1
The electrode is connected to a source of an electrical charge such that an electrical field gradient is formed in a region of space surrounding the electrode. The electrical field gradient is operable to force the chemical sterilant molecules toward the electrode.
Implementation Method 2
chemical sterilant molecules that have an induced electrical dipole moment or a permanent electrical dipole moment
Implementation Method 3
The electrode is made of a material that is chemically active with respect to molecules of a chemical sterilant
Implementation Method 4
The VHP molecules that are disposed on or in the surfaces must first diffuse into the air before they can be circulated through the destroyer. It would be advantageous to have a method and apparatus that exerts a force on the VHP molecules on or in the surfaces to accelerate their diffusion into the air.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for removing chemical sterilant molecules from a medium, such as a carrier gas. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a housing that defines an internal cavity. The housing has an inlet and an outlet fluidly communicating with the internal cavity. An electrode is dimensioned to be received in the internal cavity of the housing. The electrode is made of a material that is chemically active with respect to molecules of a chemical sterilant and conductive to electricity. The electrode is connected to a source of an electrical charge such that an electrical field gradient is formed in a region of space surrounding the electrode. The electrical field gradient is operable to force the chemical sterilant molecule toward the electrode.