Atmospheric Plasma Jet for Non-Thermal Surface Disinfection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing disinfection methods are either too aggressive, pose health risks, or are ineffective and complex, particularly when dealing with sensitive surfaces and three-dimensional structures.
Innovation Solution
The method employs an atmospheric plasma jet generated by an electrical discharge in a volume through which a working gas flows, using a non-thermal plasma nozzle to transfer energy to the surface, effectively disinfecting without thermal damage and residue, and can be enhanced by mixing disinfecting substances into the plasma jet.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If liquid disinfectants are applied in high concentration, then disinfection effectiveness is improved, but health risks and aggressiveness increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical state of the disinfectant from liquid to plasma, and controls the concentration through gas flow rate and power density rather than liquid concentration. This allows effective disinfection without the health risks associated with high-concentration liquid disinfectants.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces liquid application methods with plasma generation using electrical discharge in a gas medium. This substitution eliminates the need for handling concentrated liquid disinfectants, thereby reducing health risks while maintaining disinfection effectiveness.
2Reliability
If aggressive disinfectants are used, then disinfection effectiveness is improved, but special precautions and protective equipment are required
Solution Approach 1:
By changing from liquid to plasma state and controlling power density, the invention achieves effective disinfection without the corrosiveness and toxicity of aggressive liquid disinfectants, eliminating the need for protective gloves and special handling procedures.
3Reliability
If UV radiation or radioactive radiation is used, then disinfection capability is provided, but effectiveness is low or technical complexity is high
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces UV or radioactive radiation systems with a plasma generation system using electrical discharge in atmospheric pressure gas. This provides superior disinfection effectiveness while simplifying the technical requirements compared to radiation-based methods.
4Reliability
If thermal disinfection methods are used, then disinfection effectiveness is improved, but thermal damage to sensitive surfaces occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the energy delivery mechanism from thermal to non-thermal plasma. By controlling the gas temperature and power density, effective disinfection is achieved without the thermal damage that occurs with traditional thermal methods.
5Reliability
If liquid disinfectants are applied to three-dimensional structures, then surface disinfection is achieved, but residues remain in edges and corners
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a gas flow-based plasma jet that can penetrate and wrap around three-dimensional structures. The gaseous plasma naturally reaches edges and corners without leaving residues, unlike liquid disinfectants that pool and remain in crevices.
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 approach provides a safe, effective disinfection method for both smooth and complex surfaces, reducing health risks and achieving high reactivity with minimal thermal load, while allowing for precise disinfection of sensitive areas without leaving residues.
Implementation Method 1
an atmospheric plasma jet is generated using an electrical discharge in a volume through which a working gas flows
Implementation Method 2
The plasma jet emerges from the nozzle opening... the non-thermal plasma jet preferably has no electrical streamers outside the plasma nozzle
Implementation Method 3
a reactive medium is brought into contact with the surface of the object, which on the one hand has high reactivity due to higher electron excitation and on the other hand has a low gas temperature
Implementation Method 4
by means of a non-thermal discharge... the non-thermal plasma jet preferably has no electrical streamers outside the plasma nozzle
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for disinfecting objects, in which an atmospheric plasma jet is generated by means of an electrical discharge in a volume that is penetrated by a working gas while the surface of the object is impinged upon at least in part by the plasma jet, the disinfectant effect being produced by the energy transfer from the plasma jet to the surface. The inventive method allows surfaces to be disinfected effectively without increasing the amount of disinfectant to be used.