UV Sterilization of Fermentation Containers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for sterilizing fermentation containers, such as those used in the wine industry, rely on toxic and carcinogenic chemicals or ozone, which pose occupational hazards and environmental concerns, and lack effective protocols for verifying sterilization levels.
Innovation Solution
The use of UV sterilization systems that involve movably inserting germicidal UV light sources into containers and activating them to inhibit the growth of microorganisms, with detectors ensuring adequate UV intensity is achieved, providing a non-toxic and verifiable method for container disinfection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If chemical sanitization methods (hypochlorite, sodium hydroxide, citric acid) are used to sterilize containers, then sterilization effectiveness is achieved, but toxic and carcinogenic residues remain, creating occupational hazards and environmental contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces chemical sanitization methods with a physical UV-C irradiation system. The UV-C light source (200-280 nm wavelength) directly inactivates microorganisms through photodamage to DNA without introducing toxic residues, thereby eliminating occupational hazards and environmental contamination while maintaining sterilization effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the sterilization mechanism from chemical reaction-based to physical radiation-based. By using UV-C radiation at specific wavelengths (200-280 nm, optimally 254 nm), the system achieves microbial inactivation through photodamage rather than chemical disinfection, fundamentally altering the sterilization parameters to eliminate harmful chemical residues
2Reliability
If ozone is used for sterilization, then sterilization effectiveness is achieved, but occupational hazards and environmental concerns arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes ozone-based chemical sterilization with UV-C physical irradiation. The UV-C system inactivates microorganisms through direct photodamage to genetic material without producing the occupational hazards associated with ozone exposure, while maintaining equivalent or superior sterilization effectiveness
3Reliability
If large amounts of water are used as solvent for sanitation solutions, then sterilization coverage is achieved, but water consumption increases, creating economic and environmental burdens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces water-based chemical sanitation with contactless UV-C irradiation. The UV-C light source can sterilize container interiors without requiring water as a solvent or medium, dramatically reducing water consumption while maintaining comprehensive sterilization coverage of all surfaces
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the sterilization function from the water-based chemical system. By using UV-C radiation, the sterilization process is decoupled from water consumption, allowing effective sanitization to be achieved independently of large volumes of solvent
4Reliability
If caustic solutions (sodium hydroxide) are used for sterilization, then sterilization effectiveness is achieved, but extreme causticity creates safety concerns and environmental damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes caustic chemical sterilization with physical UV-C irradiation. The UV-C system achieves microbial inactivation through photodamage without requiring extreme pH conditions, eliminating safety concerns related to handling caustic substances and preventing environmental damage from corrosive waste
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 effectively inhibits the growth of microorganisms by at least 2 to 6 logs, offering a safe, environmentally friendly, and reliable method for container sterilization without the hazards associated with chemical or ozone disinfection.
Implementation Method 1
DNA, specifically has a maximum absorbency of UV light at 253.7 nm. It has been determined that approximately 26,400 microwatt-seconds/cm2 are needed to deactivate 100% of the most resistant bacteria
Implementation Method 2
Wavelengths between 200-300 nm have been shown to initiate a photoreaction between adjacent pyrimidines. The photoreaction between adjacent thymine or cytosine bases proceeds at an exceedingly rapid rate (on the order of picoseconds)
Implementation Method 3
with a detector ensuring the required UV intensity is achieved for effective sterilization
Data Source
AI summary
Provided herein are systems, devices, and methods for ultraviolet (UV) disinfection and sterilization, more specifically, systems, devices, and methods for UV disinfection and sterilization of a container, and more particularly systems, devices, and methods for UV disinfection and sterilization of a container used in the process of fermentation for an alcoholic beverage. Provided are also systems, UV devices, and methods for inhibiting the growth of one or more species of microorganisms present in a container, preferably for inhibiting the growth of one or more species of microorganisms present on an interior surface of a container.