Cold Plasma UV Sterilizer for Cold Chain Logistics

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current chemical disinfection methods for pathogens like coronaviruses are ineffective at low temperatures and contain harmful chemicals, posing health risks, especially in cold chain logistics.

Innovation Solution

A sterilizer combining a cold plasma generator and UV light generator with an airflow circulation system, using 222 nm UV light and optimized operating parameters to create a disinfecting airflow that effectively kills coronaviruses without ozone emission, suitable for large-scale logistics and automatic processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If chemical disinfection is used to kill pathogens, then disinfection effectiveness is improved, but harmful chemicals are released which pose health risks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisinfection effectivenessVSAvoidharmful chemical exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces chemical disinfection with a physical disinfection system combining cold plasma and UV light. The cold plasma generator produces reactive species that kill pathogens, while the UV light source provides additional germicidal action, eliminating the need for harmful chemical disinfectants while maintaining high disinfection effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the disinfection mechanism from chemical to physical parameters. By controlling plasma generation parameters (electrode configuration, gas flow) and UV light parameters (wavelength, intensity), the system achieves effective pathogen elimination through physical means rather than chemical reactions, avoiding harmful chemical byproducts

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Temperature

If cold chain logistics are implemented for pathogen control, then temperature-based pathogen suppression is improved, but disinfection efficacy is reduced due to freezing of disinfectants

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelow temperature controlVSAvoiddisinfection efficacy

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces temperature-based pathogen suppression with physical field-based disinfection. The cold plasma and UV light system can effectively kill pathogens at low temperatures without relying on chemical disinfectants that would freeze, making it suitable for cold chain logistics where traditional chemical disinfection fails

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the disinfection approach from chemical reactions to physical field interactions. Cold plasma generates reactive oxygen and nitrogen species that remain effective at low temperatures, and UV light maintains its germicidal properties regardless of temperature, enabling reliable disinfection in cold chain environments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If airflow circulation is increased to improve disinfection coverage, then disinfection efficiency is improved, but ozone emission increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisinfection efficiencyVSAvoidozone emission

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the potentially harmful ozone byproduct into a beneficial disinfectant. The cold plasma process naturally generates ozone, which is then utilized as an additional disinfecting agent in the circulated airflow, turning a harmful emission into a useful component that enhances pathogen elimination while maintaining acceptable ozone levels

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 sterilizer achieves high germicidal activity, reducing pathogen loads efficiently while being safe for human health and environmentally friendly, suitable for cold chain and express logistics scenarios.

Implementation Method 1

The cold plasma generator is configured to generate a cold plasma airflow at 25° C.-35° C.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCold plasma: Plasma

Implementation Method 2

the UV light generator is configured to emit an UV light with a wavelength of 222 nm

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltraviolet light: Light

Implementation Method 3

the UV light generator is disposed in a downstream of the cold plasma airflow of the cold plasma generator, so that the cold plasma airflow is exposed to the UV light

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoionisation: Photoionisation

Data Source

PatentUS20230310677A1Sterilization device and method by combining cold plasma and ultraviolet light

Publication Date: 2023.10.05 NANJING SUMAN PLASMA ENG RES INST CO LTD

AI summary

A sterilizer includes a cold plasma generator; an ultraviolet (UV) light generator; and an airflow circulation system. The cold plasma generator and the UV light generator are disposed in the airflow circulation system. The cold plasma generator is configured to generate a cold plasma airflow; the UV light generator is configured to emit an UV light; the UV light generator is disposed in a downstream of the cold plasma airflow of the cold plasma generator, so that the cold plasma airflow is exposed to the UV light to form a disinfecting airflow that is then sprayed on a surface of a sample contaminated with a pathogen comprising coronavirus.