Sterilizer Using Segmented Hydrogen Peroxide and Ozone Injection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing sterilizing method using hydrogen peroxide and ozone gas is inefficient, leading to increased operating costs and environmental impact, with ozone gas not significantly enhancing sterilization efficiency when used in conjunction with hydrogen peroxide.
Innovation Solution
A sterilizing method that involves injecting vapor from a first aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide, followed by ozone gas, and then vapor from a second aqueous solution with reduced hydrogen peroxide content, to improve overall sterilization efficiency while minimizing hydrogen peroxide usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If additional gas (ozone) is used to improve sterilization efficiency, then sterilization efficiency is improved, but operating costs increase and environmental impact worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The sterilization process is segmented into three distinct phases: first vapor injection (hydrogen peroxide), ozone injection, and second vapor injection (reduced hydrogen peroxide). This segmentation allows each gas to perform its optimal function at the appropriate stage, improving overall sterilization efficiency while reducing total hydrogen peroxide consumption by leveraging ozone's sterilization capability during the middle phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The concentration and amount of hydrogen peroxide are dynamically changed across different phases. The first aqueous solution contains a higher amount of hydrogen peroxide for initial sterilization, while the second aqueous solution contains a reduced amount for post-ozone treatment. This parameter change strategy optimizes the synergistic effect between hydrogen peroxide and ozone while minimizing chemical consumption.
2Reliability
If the amount of sterilization gas is increased to improve sterilization efficiency, then sterilization efficiency is improved, but operating costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sterilization treatment is divided into three sequential steps with different gas compositions. By segmenting the process, the patent avoids the need to use large amounts of a single sterilization gas throughout the entire process. Instead, hydrogen peroxide and ozone are used in alternating phases, each at optimized concentrations, achieving high sterilization efficiency with reduced total gas consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the sterilization effects of hydrogen peroxide and ozone in a coordinated sequence. The first hydrogen peroxide vapor provides initial sterilization, ozone gas provides intermediate sterilization and activates remaining hydrogen peroxide, and the second reduced hydrogen peroxide vapor provides final sterilization. This merging of multiple sterilization mechanisms achieves superior efficiency without requiring excessive amounts of any single gas.
3Reliability
If ozone gas is injected to enhance sterilization, then sterilization effect is enhanced, but the amount of hydrogen peroxide required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The first hydrogen peroxide vapor injection serves as a preliminary sterilization action that prepares the sterilization field before ozone injection. This preliminary action ensures that surfaces are pre-treated with hydrogen peroxide, creating a foundation for enhanced ozone sterilization effectiveness in the subsequent phase, while avoiding the need for excessive hydrogen peroxide in later stages.
Solution Approach 2:
The sterilization action continues seamlessly across all three phases without interruption. The first hydrogen peroxide vapor, ozone gas, and second hydrogen peroxide vapor each contribute to the continuous sterilization process. This continuity ensures that sterilization effectiveness is maintained throughout the entire treatment cycle while optimizing the amount of each chemical used at each stage.
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 method enhances sterilization efficiency while reducing the amount of hydrogen peroxide used, thereby decreasing costs and environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
an evaporator configured to communicate with the chamber and evaporate a first aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide or a second aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide
Implementation Method 2
an ozone generator configured to communicate with the chamber and produce ozone gas
Data Source
AI summary
A sterilizing method for sterilizing a sterilization object housed in a chamber 11 includes a first vapor injection step S502 for injecting vapor produced from a first aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide to an inside of the chamber 11, an ozone injection step S505 for injecting ozone gas to the inside of the chamber 11 after the first vapor injection step S502, and a second vapor injection step S507 for injecting vapor produced from a second aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide to the inside of the chamber 11 after the ozone injection step S505. A total amount of the hydrogen peroxide included in the second aqueous solution is smaller than or equal to a total amount of the hydrogen peroxide included in the first aqueous solution.