Parallel Buffer Containers for Sterilization Medium Conveyance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for conveying sterilization media, such as peristaltic pumps and ring circuit systems, face issues with high maintenance, pulsation, reduced precision in flow control, and increased outgassing, leading to inefficiencies and interruptions in the sterilization process.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising parallel buffer containers, a fluid flow controller, and a pressure media supply device that allows for continuous and uninterrupted metering of sterilization medium through a pressure cushion, eliminating the need for pumps and reducing pulsation, with the ability to adjust flow rates and avoid complex filter systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If peristaltic pumps are used to convey sterilization medium, then the sterilization medium can be delivered, but high maintenance is required due to contact with aggressive sterilization media
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful interaction between the sterilization medium and the pump is eliminated by extracting the pump from the sterilization medium pathway. The patent uses a peristaltic pump that handles only water or neutral fluid, while the sterilization medium flows through a separate channel driven by a roller mechanism that does not require direct contact with the aggressive medium, thus avoiding maintenance issues.
Solution Approach 2:
A neutral intermediary fluid (water) is introduced to convey the sterilization medium indirectly. The peristaltic pump pumps water through a flexible tube that transmits the motion to move the sterilization medium, allowing the pump to remain isolated from direct contact with the aggressive sterilization medium.
2Ease of operation
If peristaltic pumps are used to convey sterilization medium, then the sterilization medium can be delivered, but pulsation occurs which increases outgassing and prevents even flow
Solution Approach 1:
Water serves as an intermediary fluid that is pumped continuously without pulsation, and this continuous motion is transmitted through a flexible tube to move the sterilization medium evenly, eliminating the pulsation effect that would otherwise occur with direct peristaltic pumping of the sterilization medium.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a continuous, uniform flow field by using the flexible tube to transmit motion smoothly, ensuring that the sterilization medium flows at a constant rate without the pressure variations and pulsations characteristic of direct peristaltic pumping.
3Quantity of substance
If buffer tanks are used to store sterilization medium, then storage is provided, but additional interruptions occur when buffer tanks need refilling
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables continuous operation by using a large reservoir that can be refilled without interrupting the sterilization process. The reservoir is designed to allow refilling while the sterilization medium continues to flow, eliminating downtime and maintaining continuous useful action.
4Productivity
If ring circuit systems are used to recover sterilization medium, then the sterilization medium can be reused, but complex filter devices are required to ensure predetermined concentration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sterilization medium from the ring circuit recovery system and uses it directly in a single-pass application. By eliminating the ring circuit topology, the system removes the need for complex filter devices and concentration monitoring, while still achieving productive sterilization through direct application.
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
This solution enhances operational efficiency, reduces outgassing, and improves precision in flow control by providing a continuous and even flow of sterilization medium, allowing for flexible flow rate adjustments and minimizing interruptions, while avoiding the need for high-maintenance pumps and complex filter devices.
Implementation Method 1
The pressure media supply device couples a pressure medium source to the buffer containers and is adapted to act upon the buffer containers with a pressure medium
Data Source
AI summary
A system for conveying a sterilization medium comprises at least two buffer containers for sterilization medium which are arranged so as to be connected in parallel, at least one fluid flow controller, to which each of the buffer containers is fluidically coupled, and a pressure media supply device, which couples a pressure medium source to the buffer containers and is adapted to act upon the buffer containers with a pressure medium. The system is configured such that for each buffer container a fill mode and a spray mode can be set. In the fill mode the correspondingly switched buffer container is adapted to be filled with the sterilization medium from a supply device, and in the spray mode the correspondingly switched buffer container is fluidically coupled to the fluid flow controller and the sterilization medium can be conveyed from this buffer container toward the fluid flow controller based on a pressure applied by the pressure medium. The buffer containers are adapted to be switched alternately.