Ozone Generation via UV Photolysis for Moisture-Phobic Sterilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ozone-based sterilization and deodorization methods face inefficiencies due to humidity dependence, particularly when processing moisture-phobic articles like powdered food and dried goods, as high humidity can impair flavor and fragrance.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing an ozone-containing gas generated by irradiating an ozone material gas with ozone generation light of wavelengths not exceeding 200 nm, specifically using a xenon excimer lamp, is exposed to the articles in a low humidity environment (relative humidity ≤55%) to maintain processing efficiency without humidifying the target objects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high humidity is used in ozone-based sterilization and deodorization processing, then processing efficiency is improved, but quality of moisture-phobic articles deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the key parameter of ozone generation from discharge system to photochemical reaction system, which fundamentally alters the humidity dependence characteristics. The photochemical reaction system using ultraviolet lamps (185nm, 254nm) generates ozone through photolysis of oxygen molecules, achieving high processing efficiency without requiring high humidity conditions, thus preventing quality deterioration of moisture-phobic articles
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical discharge system with a photochemical reaction system using ultraviolet light. This substitution eliminates the need for high humidity that characterizes discharge-based ozone generation, allowing efficient sterilization and deodorization of moisture-phobic articles under low humidity conditions
2Productivity
If discharge-system ozone generation method is used, then processing efficiency is improved under high humidity, but processing efficiency decreases under low humidity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent fundamentally changes the ozone generation mechanism from discharge-based to photochemical reaction-based. The photochemical system using ultraviolet lamps generates ozone through direct photolysis of O2 molecules, making the process adaptable to various humidity conditions without the strong humidity dependence that limits discharge systems
Solution Approach 2:
The photochemical reaction system provides universal applicability across different humidity conditions. The ultraviolet-based ozone generation method maintains high processing efficiency whether the environment is high humidity or low humidity, making it suitable for processing both conventional and moisture-phobic articles
3Productivity
If photochemical reaction-system ozone generation method is used, then processing efficiency is maintained under low humidity, but ozone generation ratio decreases when ozone material gas contains high proportion of moisture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the wavelength parameters of the ultraviolet light source to 185nm and 254nm, which are most effective for ozone generation through photolysis. This parameter optimization ensures high processing efficiency while minimizing the negative impact of moisture in the ozone material gas on ozone generation ratio
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 high-efficiency sterilization and deodorization of moisture-phobic articles without quality deterioration, as the ozone generation light does not decompose the ozone, maintaining processing efficiency across varying humidity conditions.
Implementation Method 1
irradiating an ozone material gas with ozone generation light that does not include light in an ozone decomposition wavelength range and does include light having a wavelength of not more than 200 nm
Implementation Method 2
utilizing an ozone-containing gas that contains ozone generated by a photochemical reaction-system ozone generation method
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention has as its object the provision of a processing method that can perform a sterilization process and a deodorization process utilizing ozone with high efficiency, without humidification of a target object.A processing method of the present invention includes obtaining an ozone-containing gas by irradiating an ozone material gas with ozone generation light that does not include light in an ozone decomposition wavelength range and does include light having a wavelength of not more than 200 nm; and exposing a target object to the obtained ozone-containing gas in a low humidity condition having a relative humidity of not more than 55% to process the target object.