Preform Sterilization Chamber Gas Recirculation to Cut H2O2 Use
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The high consumption of sterilization agents, particularly hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), is a significant issue in existing sterilization methods for plastic preforms and containers, leading to increased costs and potential environmental harm.
Innovation Solution
A system is introduced that recirculates and recycles the sterilization agent by removing gas from the treatment chamber, mixing it with freshly generated sterilization agent, and controlling the mixture ratio to reduce overall consumption, utilizing existing gas streams within the system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If flowable sterilization agents such as hydrogen peroxide are used to sterilize plastic preforms, then sterilization effectiveness is achieved, but the consumption of sterilization agents becomes comparatively high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a recovery system that captures the exhaust gas containing sterilization agents from the treatment chamber and returns it to the chamber. This recovering mechanism prevents the sterilization agents from being discarded, thereby reducing consumption while maintaining sterilization effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a feedback loop where the exhaust gas is continuously monitored and returned to the treatment chamber. This feedback mechanism ensures that sterilization agents are reused efficiently, reducing overall consumption while maintaining the required sterilization effectiveness.
2Reliability
If a large amount of sterilization agent is provided to ensure efficient disinfection, then sterilization effectiveness is improved, but the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system recovers and reuses sterilization agents from the exhaust gas, significantly reducing the amount of fresh agent needed. This recovery mechanism directly lowers the quantity of substance required while maintaining sterilization effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent ensures continuous reuse of sterilization agents through a continuous recovery and return system. This continuous action maximizes the utilization of each unit of sterilization agent, reducing overall consumption while maintaining effective sterilization.
3Reliability
If sterilization agents are continuously supplied to maintain effective sterilization, then sterilization effectiveness is maintained, but the consumption rate increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system recovers sterilization agents from the exhaust stream and returns them to the treatment chamber, creating a closed-loop system that reduces the net consumption rate while maintaining continuous sterilization effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The feedback mechanism continuously monitors and adjusts the sterilization agent supply based on actual consumption, reducing the overall consumption rate while maintaining the required sterilization effectiveness through optimized replenishment.
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 achieves cost savings of up to 66% by reducing the consumption of sterilization agents and allows for easier sealing of the treatment chamber, while maintaining effective sterilization efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a generating device (6) which is suitable and intended to generate a flowable sterilization agent, in particular hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) gas
Implementation Method 2
the treatment agent is a sterilization agent... hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) gas
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus for treating and in particular sterilizing plastic preforms and/or containers, including a transport device configured for transporting the plastic preforms during their treatment, a housing forming a treatment chamber within which the transport device is arranged, a generating device for generating a flowable treatment agent, and a supply device configured for supplying the sterilization agent generated by the generating device to the treatment chamber. The apparatus has a first discharge device configured for removing a flowable medium enriched with the sterilization agent from the treatment chamber, and a return device configured for returning at least part of the medium removed from the treatment chamber back to this treatment chamber.