Ozone Storage Tank with Feedback Control for Sterilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ozone generation systems produce ozone as needed at the point of use due to its short half-life, limiting the availability of ozone gas for applications requiring periodic or intermittent use, especially in batch sterilization processes where filling a sterilization chamber with ozone can take several minutes.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising an ozone generator and a tank in fluid communication, with a circulating pump and sensors for maintaining ozone concentration, allowing for the generation, storage, and on-demand supply of ozone gas, using feedback control to replenish ozone levels as needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ozone gas is produced at the point of use, then the concentration of ozone can be maintained, but the availability of ozone gas for periodic or intermittent use is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by generating and storing ozone in advance in a storage tank before it is needed. The system produces ozone continuously or in batches and accumulates it in pressurized storage vessels, so that when periodic or intermittent use is required, the pre-stored ozone can be immediately supplied without waiting for on-site generation. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining reliability through advance preparation while enabling adaptability for periodic usage patterns.
2Quantity of substance
If a large quantity of ozone gas is stored, then immediate supply is possible, but the half-life of ozone limits storage duration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by storing ozone under pressurized conditions in sealed tanks. By increasing the pressure parameter, the system can store larger quantities of ozone gas in compact volumes and maintain higher concentrations. The pressurized storage extends the effective storage duration by reducing the rate of ozone decomposition and allowing for faster dispensing when needed, thus resolving the contradiction between quantity and storage duration limitations imposed by ozone's short half-life.
3Productivity
If conventional ozone generators are used, then ozone can be produced, but the backfill time for sterilization chambers is several minutes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-generating and storing ozone in pressurized tanks before the sterilization process begins. When the sterilization chamber needs to be backfilled, the system can rapidly dispense the pre-stored ozone from the pressurized storage, reducing the backfill time from several minutes to a much shorter duration. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining productivity through continuous ozone generation capability while minimizing the time loss during chamber backfilling operations.
4Quantity of substance
If ozone is stored in conventional tanks, then quantity can be maintained, but the concentration decays rapidly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by implementing pressurized storage conditions and controlling temperature parameters to slow ozone decomposition. The system maintains higher ozone concentrations during storage by optimizing pressure and temperature parameters, and includes monitoring systems to track concentration levels. This resolves the contradiction by preserving both the quantity of stored ozone and maintaining higher concentration levels for longer periods through controlled parameter management.
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 immediate and sufficient ozone supply to the point of use, reducing operational time in sterilization processes by allowing ozone storage and continuous regeneration, thus overcoming the limitations of traditional ozone generation systems.
Implementation Method 1
an ozone generator for generating ozone and communicating the ozone with the tank
Implementation Method 2
Ozone (O3) is a form of oxygen that has three atoms per molecule rather than two atoms as found in bimolecular oxygen
Implementation Method 3
a circulating pump and sensors for maintaining ozone concentration
Data Source
AI summary
Devices for generating and storing ozone. The device includes a tank for containing gas therein; an ozone generator for generating ozone and communicating the ozone with the tank; and at least one valve for admitting gas into the device, holding gas in the device, and discharging gas from the device.