Low-Concentration Sterilizing Agent Atomization for Surface Disinfection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for sterilizing surfaces in production environments, such as those for medicine and aseptic beverage containers, face challenges including ineffective sterilization of spore-forming bacteria, high labor costs, equipment expenses, and inefficiencies in sterilization time, especially with high-concentration hydrogen peroxide solutions which pose safety risks and require costly shielding and waste gas treatment.
Innovation Solution
Atomizing a low-concentration sterilizing agent, such as hydrogen peroxide, peracetic acid, or hypochlorous acid, to adhere to surfaces and then air-drying it under positive pressure, reducing the need for expensive equipment and shielding, while maintaining bactericidal effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high-concentration hydrogen peroxide solution (35%) is sprayed for sterilization, then bactericidal effectiveness against spore-forming bacteria is improved, but safety risks increase and costly shielding equipment is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the concentration parameter of hydrogen peroxide from high-concentration (35%) to low-concentration (3-10%), fundamentally altering the safety profile while maintaining sterilization effectiveness through complementary mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces air as an intermediary carrier to transport sterilizing agents, replacing direct contact of high-concentration chemical solutions with aerosolized delivery that disperses the agent more safely while maintaining contact effectiveness
2Reliability
If high-concentration hydrogen peroxide solution is sprayed for sterilization, then bactericidal effectiveness is improved, but equipment costs increase due to shielding and waste gas treatment requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for expensive, complex shielding equipment and waste gas treatment systems by using low-concentration solutions that do not require such protective infrastructure, making the sterilization process more economically viable
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the costly shielding and waste gas treatment components from the sterilization system by demonstrating that low-concentration hydrogen peroxide aerosols do not generate hazardous waste gases requiring special treatment infrastructure
3Device complexity
If low-concentration sterilizing agent is atomized and air-dried, then equipment costs and labor are reduced, but sterilization time may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains continuous sterilization action through the drying process where the aerosolized low-concentration solution progressively dries and adheres to surfaces, ensuring uninterrupted bactericidal activity throughout the drying period rather than requiring separate application and drying steps
4Reliability
If aqueous solution of sterilizing agent is directly injected or sprayed and then washed with aseptic water, then sterilization is achieved, but large amounts of sterilizing agent and washing water are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the phase transition from liquid aerosol to solid adherent layer through evaporation of water, allowing the sterilizing agent to remain concentrated on surfaces without requiring additional washing, thereby reducing overall substance consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The aerosolized low-concentration solution self-concentrates on surfaces through evaporation during the drying process, eliminating the need for external washing operations and reducing the total amount of water and sterilizing agent required
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 achieves safe, efficient, and cost-effective sterilization with reduced labor and equipment costs, providing a high bactericidal effect at lower concentrations than traditional methods, suitable for spore-forming bacteria, and minimizing environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
atomizing a sterilizing agent adjusted to a low concentration, spraying the atomized sterilizing agent into the space-to-be-sterilized
Implementation Method 2
spraying the atomized sterilizing agent into the space-to-be-sterilized, making the sterilizing agent adhere to the surface thereof
Implementation Method 3
drying the sterilizing agent
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a method and a device for sterilizing the surface of a space-to-be-sterilized which are safe to the human body, which are effective even for sterilizing spore-forming bacteria, which do not require the space-to-be-sterilized to be highly shielded, and which can sterilize the surface of the space efficiently with inexpensive equipment. The disclosed method involves: spraying a low-concentration sterilizing agent in the form of fine particles into the space-to-be-sterilized and making the sterilizing agent adhere to the surface thereof, the low-concentration sterilizing agent being any one of a 1-10 wt % aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide, a 0.1-1 wt % aqueous solution of peracetic acid, or a 0.01-0.1 wt % aqueous solution of hypochlorous acid; adjusting the humidity in the space-to-be-sterilized; and air-drying the sterilizing agent. Thus, a high level of sterilization can be achieved in a short time and at low cost.