Portable Decontamination Unit Using Vaporized Hydrogen Peroxide
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for decontaminating biosafety cabinets, particularly those using formaldehyde, result in residue formation and difficulty in decontaminating HEPA filters, leading to potential clogging and incomplete decontamination of the enclosure and air passages.
Innovation Solution
A vapor-phase decontamination system utilizing a closed-loop recirculation of vaporized hydrogen peroxide, which includes a conduit with a blower, nozzle, and movable tubular chambers with heating and destroyer elements, ensuring thorough decontamination of the biosafety cabinet and HEPA filter without residue formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If formaldehyde is used for decontamination, then decontamination effectiveness is improved, but residue formation occurs and HEPA filters become clogged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameter from formaldehyde to hydrogen peroxide, which decomposes into water and oxygen without forming harmful residues. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by maintaining decontamination effectiveness while eliminating residue formation that clogs HEPA filters
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs hydrogen peroxide, a strong oxidant, as the sterilant. The oxidizing action of hydrogen peroxide provides effective decontamination similar to formaldehyde, but unlike formaldehyde, it decomposes cleanly without leaving residues, thus resolving the contradiction between decontamination effectiveness and residue formation
2Object-generated harmful factors
If blower operates for short interval with formaldehyde, then residue collection in HEPA filter is reduced, but complete decontamination of enclosure and air passages is not assured
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous recirculation of hydrogen peroxide vapor through the enclosure and HEPA filter over an extended period. This continuous action ensures complete decontamination of all surfaces and air passages while the hydrogen peroxide decomposes cleanly, avoiding residue accumulation in the filter even during prolonged operation
3Reliability
If formaldehyde vapor is circulated through HEPA filter, then filter decontamination is achieved, but filter clogging occurs due to residue
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the sterilant parameter from formaldehyde to hydrogen peroxide, which has the critical advantage of decomposing into water and oxygen without forming residues. This allows the HEPA filter to be decontaminated in place through vapor circulation without clogging, eliminating the need for filter replacement and reducing device complexity
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 system effectively decontaminates the entire biosafety cabinet and HEPA filter, ensuring complete decontamination without residue, utilizing continuous recirculation of vaporized hydrogen peroxide, thus addressing the limitations of traditional formaldehyde-based methods.
Implementation Method 1
A heating element disposed in one of the tubular chambers and operable to heat the carrier gas flowing therethrough
Implementation Method 2
a blower for conveying a carrier gas from said inlet, through said chamber and to said outlet of said housing
Implementation Method 3
A destroyer disposed in another of the tubular chambers and operable to destroy sterilant in the carrier gas
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An apparatus for decontaminating a region within an enclosure. The apparatus comprises a conduit having a passageway therethrough that defines a path for a carrier gas. A plurality of tube sections, each of the tube sections having an opening extending therethrough, is selectively movable into and out of a gap in the conduit. A heating element is disposed in one of the tube sections and is operable to heat the carrier gas flowing therethrough. A destroyer is disposed in another of the tube sections and is operable to destroy sterilant in the carrier gas. A controller controls movement of the tube sections into and out of the gap.