VHP Decontamination Air Bypass for High-Capacity Dryer Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vaporized hydrogen peroxide (VHP) decontamination systems have limited airflow capacity due to the capacity of the internal blower in high-capacity dryers, leading to inadequate dehumidification and airflow during certain phases, especially in large enclosures.
Innovation Solution
A VHP decontamination system with an air bypass that allows efficient utilization of a high-capacity dryer by routing excess air to the atmosphere, regulating airflow, and maintaining optimal dehumidification and aeration rates through a closed-loop circulation system with a bypass fluid flow path.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a high-capacity dryer with continuously operating internal blower is used, then dehumidification capacity is improved, but airflow rate becomes excessive for certain operating phases
Solution Approach 1:
The airflow path is segmented into two separate paths: a primary path through the dryer for dehumidification, and a secondary bypass path that allows excess air to be diverted. This segmentation enables independent control of airflow rates for different operating phases while maintaining high dehumidification capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts airflow distribution between the dryer and bypass paths using controllable valves. During dehumidification phase, maximum airflow through the dryer is utilized; during other phases, the bypass valve opens to reduce effective airflow rate to appropriate levels.
2Productivity
If dryer capacity is increased to handle large enclosures, then dehumidification effectiveness is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bypass system serves multiple functions: it regulates airflow rate during non-dehumidification phases, prevents over-purging of the dryer, and provides a simple method to match airflow to enclosure size requirements. This multi-functionality avoids the need for multiple separate dryers or complex variable speed drives.
3Reliability
If airflow is limited by dryer capacity, then dehumidification is adequate, but aeration rate is insufficient for large enclosures
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs periodic switching between different airflow configurations: during dehumidification phase, airflow is directed through the dryer; during aeration phase, the bypass valve opens to increase total airflow rate. This periodic reconfiguration allows the same hardware to support both adequate dehumidification and high-rate aeration.
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
The system achieves increased airflow, dehumidification, and aeration rates, efficiently utilizing the high-capacity dryer and maintaining desired hydrogen peroxide concentrations for effective decontamination.
Implementation Method 1
a dryer; a dryer conduit, said dryer disposed in said dryer conduit, wherein said dryer conduit has an input side upstream of said dryer and an output side downstream of said dryer
Implementation Method 2
a vaporizer disposed in said supply conduit for vaporizing a liquid decontaminant to produce vaporized decontaminant
Implementation Method 3
a destroyer and a dryer within the system. In such closed-loop systems, a decontaminant is continuously conveyed through the enclosure. Decontaminant exiting the enclosure is directed to the destroyer to break down the vaporized hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen
Data Source
AI summary
A decontamination system for decontaminating an enclosure defining a chamber or region. The decontamination system includes an air bypass for introducing atmospheric air into the decontamination system and bypassing air to the atmosphere in response to system operating conditions. The air bypass allows increased airflow through the decontamination system during certain operating modes of the decontamination system (i.e., dehumidification and aeration phases), thereby reducing the amount of time needed to dehumidify and aerate the enclosure. The air bypass also facilitates the use of a high capacity dryer in the decontamination system.