Plastic Device Disinfection Using Microwave Electrolyte Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for disinfecting large, multiuse plastic devices used in the food industry and security check trays are inadequate, often requiring harmful chemicals, are time-consuming, and fail to effectively eliminate microorganisms, especially in damaged areas, leading to potential health risks and environmental concerns.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the use of an electrolyte solution, comprising salts, alkalis, or acids, combined with microwave radiation to disinfect plastic devices, achieving at least 99.99% reduction of vegetative cells within 5 minutes without the need for strong chemicals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If chemical disinfectants are used to clean and disinfect plastic trays and devices, then microorganisms are removed from surfaces, but the surfaces may be damaged and microorganisms can develop resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces chemical disinfection systems with a microwave radiation-based thermal system. The microwave generator emits electromagnetic radiation that penetrates the plastic material and heats water molecules within the material and on the surface, achieving disinfection through thermal effects rather than chemical agents, thereby avoiding surface damage and resistance development
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the disinfection parameter from chemical concentration to thermal temperature. By controlling the microwave power and treatment time, the system achieves effective disinfection through temperature elevation without requiring chemical substances, thus eliminating the harmful effects of surface damage and microbial resistance associated with chemical disinfectants
2Reliability
If strong chemicals are used for disinfection, then pathogenic microorganisms are eliminated, but environmental pollution and worker exposure risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes chemical disinfection with a physical microwave heating system. The microwave radiation directly heats water molecules in the plastic material and any contaminants, eliminating pathogens through thermal sterilization without releasing harmful chemicals into the environment or requiring worker exposure to chemical agents
Solution Approach 2:
The microwave heating system uses the water content within the plastic material itself as the heating medium. The water molecules absorb microwave energy and generate internal heat, which then kills microorganisms. This self-heating mechanism eliminates the need for external chemical disinfectants, thereby removing environmental pollution and worker exposure risks
3Ease of operation
If normal cleaning routines are used on plastic surfaces, then general cleaning is achieved, but damaged areas with scratches and holes are not sufficiently cleaned
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical cleaning methods with microwave thermal heating. The microwave radiation penetrates the plastic material and heats water molecules throughout the entire structure, including damaged areas with scratches and holes. This thermal penetration capability allows thorough disinfection of areas that are difficult to reach with mechanical cleaning tools
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from surface-level mechanical cleaning to volumetric thermal heating. Microwave radiation penetrates the plastic material in three dimensions, heating water molecules throughout the entire volume including hidden damaged areas. This volumetric heating approach ensures that all areas, including those inaccessible to mechanical cleaners, are thoroughly disinfected
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 method efficiently disinfects plastic devices by rapidly heating microorganisms, reducing chemical usage, and minimizing the risk of resistance development, while ensuring thorough disinfection of both surfaces and hollow spaces, thus preventing the spread of pathogens.
Implementation Method 1
treating the thus wetted plastic device into a microwave oven treatment chamber, in which the plastic device is subjected to microwave radiation treatment in a sufficient time to eliminate essentially all vegetative microorganisms present on the plastic device
Implementation Method 2
The heating is thus slower, and at the same time the droplets may evaporate completely before the temperature becomes high enough to kill the bacteria
Implementation Method 3
contacting and/or washing the plastic device with an electrolyte solution comprising one or more of (a) dissolved salt and/or (b) an alkali or an acid
Data Source
AI summary
Cleaning and disinfection of multi-use plastic materials used in the food industry can be accomplished by using microwave radiation in combination with an electrolyte solution, thereby achieving at least 99.99% killing of microorganisms present on and inside the plastic device. Cleaning and disinfection of plastic trays used in security check screening can also be accomplished using microwave radiation in combination with an aqueous solution, thereby achieving at least 99.9% killing of pathogenic microorganisms present on the plastic tray.