Modular Ozone Generator for Scalable Sterilization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current sterilization systems for industrial, medical, and consumer applications are often expensive, unsustainable, and not scalable for effective disinfection of various items contaminated with SARS-COV-2, particularly due to their reliance on chemical feedstocks and high-throughput designs.
Innovation Solution
A modular ozone generation system using a low-cost, scalable design that produces ozone through corona discharge from atmospheric air, suitable for industrial, medical, and consumer applications, utilizing silicone-insulated conductors and a high-voltage power source to ionize oxygen, with a controller and transformer configuration to ensure reliable ozone production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If chemical feedstocks are used for sterilization, then effective disinfection can be achieved, but cost and environmental sustainability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses atmospheric air as the oxygen source, eliminating the need for external chemical feedstocks. The corona discharge process converts ambient oxygen into ozone in-situ, making the system self-sufficient and removing dependency on purchased chemical sterilants.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical-chemical state of atmospheric oxygen through corona discharge, transforming O2 into O3 (ozone). This parameter change enables effective sterilization without introducing external chemical substances, thereby reducing cost and environmental impact.
2Productivity
If high-throughput sterilization systems are deployed, then disinfection capability is improved, but scalability and adaptability worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The sterilization system is designed as a modular unit that can be replicated and scaled. Each module operates independently, allowing the system to be expanded from small-scale consumer applications to large-scale industrial operations by simply adding more units rather than redesigning the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is designed to handle multiple types of materials and applications (medical supplies, PPE, consumer goods, space sterilization) using the same fundamental technology, enhancing its versatility and scalability across different sectors.
3Reliability
If conventional sterilization systems are used, then sterilization function is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts the essential function of sterilization from complex chemical delivery mechanisms and simplifies it to a pure physical process (corona discharge). By removing the need for chemical storage, handling, and delivery systems, the overall device complexity is significantly reduced.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces mechanical/chemical sterilization mechanisms with an electrical field-based corona discharge process. This substitution eliminates moving parts, chemical reservoirs, and complex delivery systems, resulting in a simpler device architecture.
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 system effectively sterilizes medical supplies and personal protective equipment by maintaining consistent ozone concentrations, achieving 99.9% to 99.999% viral inactivation, reducing the need for chemical feedstocks and minimizing environmental impact while being cost-effective and adaptable to different usage scenarios.
Implementation Method 1
the ozone generator ionizes atmospheric oxygen through the application of corona discharge
Data Source
AI summary
A sterilization system includes a controller, a transformer including a primary side in communication with the controller and secondary side, an ozone generator in communication with the secondary side of the transformer and the controller, and a power source in communication with the controller, wherein the ozone generator ionizes atmospheric oxygen through the application of corona discharge.