Electron Beam Sterilization Chamber Drying System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electron beam sterilization apparatuses face reduced lifespan due to nitric acid generation from nitrogen oxide, leading to increased maintenance and operational costs, and require corrosion-resistant materials, which further increases costs.
Innovation Solution
A vessel sterilization apparatus with an electron beam irradiation device and a sterilization chamber that supplies aseptic dry-air to maintain a dried condition, preventing nitric acid formation by surrounding the irradiation surface and vessel with a gas supply system and controlling pressure in the discharge chamber to enhance drying efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electron beam irradiation is performed in a sterilization apparatus, then sterilization effect is improved, but nitrogen oxide is generated which dissolves into water to form nitric acid, reducing apparatus lifespan
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dried gas supply system that supplies dried nitrogen or other inert gases into the irradiation chamber during electron beam sterilization. This creates an inert atmosphere that prevents nitrogen oxide from dissolving into water to form nitric acid, thereby preventing corrosion of apparatus components and extending apparatus lifespan while maintaining effective sterilization
2Quantity of substance
If dried gas is supplied into a wide irradiation chamber during work piece conveyance, then water content reduction is improved, but dried gas disperses entirely in the space, lowering drying efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the dried gas supply nozzle close to the work piece surface and directs the gas flow locally onto the work piece and surrounding area. This localized gas supply approach ensures that dried gas effectively reduces water content in the critical irradiation zone without dispersing throughout the entire large chamber volume, thereby maintaining high drying efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a gas supply means that acts as an intermediary between the electron beam irradiation process and the moisture control system. By supplying dried gas as a mediating substance, the system effectively controls humidity in the irradiation chamber without requiring the entire chamber to be sealed or vacuumed, thus maintaining drying efficiency in a large space
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
Effectively maintains a dried condition within the irradiation chamber, reducing nitric acid generation and extending the lifespan of the apparatus while minimizing operational costs through efficient sterilization and reduced corrosion.
Implementation Method 1
a vessel sterilization apparatus for performing sterilization of vessels by irradiating them with electron beam during conveyance thereof
Implementation Method 2
gas supply means for supplying aseptic dry-air into the irradiation chamber to thereby maintain a dried condition in the irradiation chamber
Data Source
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AI summary
Nitrogen oxide generated in an irradiation chamber 30 by electron beam irradiation is suppressed from being changed to nitric acid. An irradiation surface (irradiation window 29a to which a window foil 29b is attached) of an electron beam irradiation device 28 is directed toward a vessel 2 conveyed by a vessel conveying device 24 to thereby irradiate the vessel 2 with the electron beam to sterilize the vessel, an irradiation chamber 30 is provided so as to surround the irradiation surface of the electron beam irradiation device 28 and the vessel 2 subjected to the irradiation, a discharge chamber 32 is provided on an outlet side of the irradiation chamber 30, and dry-air supply means 80 for supplying a dried aseptic air is connected to the irradiation chamber 30. By removing moisture within the irradiation chamber 30 which is irradiated with the electron beam, the changing of the nitrogen oxide to the nitric acid is suppressed to thereby prevent metal portions from corroding.