Powder Sterilization via Evacuated Chamber Free Fall
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for sterilizing powders, such as active pharmaceutical ingredients and food powders, face challenges in achieving efficient germ reduction while preserving the material's initial state, as they often result in clumping or require high-energy applications that can lead to thiamin losses and lipid oxidations.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the application of fluid vapor, particularly steam, in an evacuated treatment chamber during the free fall of powder along a vertical drop section, ensuring direct contact and optimized heat transfer to minimize clumping and energy application time, with controlled pressure and temperature conditions to dry the powder effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If saturated vapor is applied to powder material, then sterilization efficiency is improved, but powder particles clump together
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamic motion to powder particles by conveying them through a jet stream or using vibration/agitation during vapor treatment. This continuous motion prevents particles from settling and clumping together while exposing them to sterilizing vapor, thereby maintaining both sterilization efficiency and particle separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a jet stream (pneumatic flow) to convey powder particles through the treatment chamber. The aerodynamic suspension and rapid movement of particles in the gas stream prevent clumping while allowing vapor penetration, resolving the contradiction between effective vapor contact and particle aggregation.
2Productivity
If vapor condensation is used for rapid heat transfer to powder, then sterilization speed is improved, but thiamin losses and lipid oxidations increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the treatment environment by using pressurized inert gas (increasing pressure) and controlling temperature within a specific range (80-150°C). These parameter modifications enable effective sterilization through enhanced heat transfer and vapor penetration without reaching conditions that cause thiamin losses and lipid oxidations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs an inert gas atmosphere (nitrogen or carbon dioxide) at elevated pressure during the sterilization process. This inert environment prevents oxidative reactions (lipid oxidation) while the pressurized conditions enhance heat transfer and vapor penetration for rapid sterilization, avoiding thiamin degradation.
3Reliability
If high-pressure sterilization methods are applied to powder, then germ reduction efficiency is improved, but device complexity and energy requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes pneumatic conveyance systems and pressurized gas flows to achieve effective sterilization. By leveraging fluid dynamics and pressure differentials rather than mechanical high-pressure systems, the method achieves germ reduction with simpler device architecture and lower energy requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent achieves effective sterilization by modifying parameters such as gas pressure (1-20 atm), temperature (80-150°C), and exposure time rather than requiring extreme high-pressure conditions. These moderate parameter changes accomplish germ reduction with less complex equipment and lower energy input.
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 allows for gentle and efficient sterilization of powders, reducing thiamin losses and preventing clumping, while maintaining the powder's quality by ensuring direct vapor contact and short treatment times, resulting in a sterile and dry product.
Implementation Method 1
fluid vapor, particularly steam, in an evacuated treatment chamber during the free fall of powder along a vertical drop section, ensuring direct contact and optimized heat transfer
Implementation Method 2
evacuated treatment chamber, i.e., a treatment chamber to which negative pressure is applied or which is at a negative pressure level
Implementation Method 3
during the free fall of powder along a vertical drop section, ensuring direct contact and optimized heat transfer
Implementation Method 4
controlled pressure and temperature conditions to dry the powder effectively
Data Source
AI summary
A powder sterilization method for sterilizing powder, in particular an active pharmaceutical ingredient in powder form or food in powder form, using fluid vapor, in particular steam. According to the invention, the fluid vapor is applied to the powder in an evacuated treatment chamber (3), in particular it is applied to the powder during its free fall along a drop section (7), in particular in countercurrent.