Decontamination Apparatus Without Dehumidification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing decontamination systems face challenges in preventing condensation of hydrogen peroxide vapor in large volumes without the use of dryers, which can lead to ineffective decontamination and hazardous conditions.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that control the hydrogen peroxide concentration within a region by monitoring humidity and temperature, using a system controller to adjust the injection rate of hydrogen peroxide and air flow, preventing condensation through a dew point margin calculation, and continuously monitoring bioburden reduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a dryer is used to remove water vapor from the region, then the saturation concentration of hydrogen peroxide is increased and condensation is prevented, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the dryer component from the decontamination system. By using real-time monitoring of water vapor concentration and hydrogen peroxide vapor concentration with dynamic feedback control, the system achieves condensation prevention without requiring the complex drying apparatus, thereby simplifying the overall system while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention implements a feedback control system where sensors continuously monitor water vapor concentration and hydrogen peroxide vapor concentration, and the controller dynamically adjusts the vaporization rate based on these measurements. This closed-loop feedback mechanism maintains concentrations below saturation limits without requiring a dryer, resolving the contradiction between reliability and device complexity
2Reliability
If the concentration of hydrogen peroxide vapor is increased to achieve effective decontamination, then the decontamination effectiveness is improved, but the risk of condensation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses real-time feedback control where sensors monitor both water vapor concentration and hydrogen peroxide vapor concentration simultaneously. The controller dynamically adjusts the vaporization rate based on these measurements, allowing the system to maintain high effective concentrations of hydrogen peroxide while preventing condensation by keeping the product of concentrations below the saturation threshold
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the control parameter from fixed concentration to dynamic concentration adjustment. By continuously monitoring environmental conditions (temperature, water vapor concentration) and adjusting hydrogen peroxide vapor concentration in real-time, the system optimizes decontamination effectiveness while avoiding condensation conditions
3Reliability
If dehumidification is used to prevent condensation, then condensation is avoided, but the productivity and treatment time increase due to additional drying phase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the separate drying phase and dryer equipment from the treatment cycle. By implementing preventive control that monitors and regulates hydrogen peroxide vapor concentration in real-time, the system prevents condensation during the decontamination phase itself, eliminating the need for extended drying time and improving productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary monitoring of water vapor and hydrogen peroxide concentrations before condensation can occur. By proactively adjusting the vaporization rate based on real-time measurements, the system prevents condensation from forming in the first place, avoiding the need for subsequent drying phases and reducing total treatment time
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
Enables effective decontamination without the need for dehumidification or dryers, maintaining a stable hydrogen peroxide concentration to prevent condensation and ensure thorough bioburden reduction.
Implementation Method 1
The vaporizer vaporizes the aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide, thereby generating a hydrogen peroxide vapor
Implementation Method 2
condensation of hydrogen peroxide occurs when the concentration of hydrogen peroxide vapor exceeds a saturation concentration (also referred to herein as a 'dew point' concentration) for a given temperature
Data Source
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AI summary
A method and apparatus for decontaminating a region with a gaseous or vaporous decontaminant (e.g., vaporized hydrogen peroxide) without dehumidification (e.g., without the use of a dryer). The saturation concentration of the decontaminant inside the region is monitored, and the concentration of the decontaminant inside the region is regulated to prevent condensation of the decontaminant. The bioburden reduction is continuously monitored during a decontamination phase to ascertain successful completion of a decontamination process in accordance with a target bioburden reduction.