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WO1997034682A1 - Procede de sterilisation de l'air et appareil correspondant - Google Patents

Procede de sterilisation de l'air et appareil correspondant Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1997034682A1
WO1997034682A1 PCT/US1997/003732 US9703732W WO9734682A1 WO 1997034682 A1 WO1997034682 A1 WO 1997034682A1 US 9703732 W US9703732 W US 9703732W WO 9734682 A1 WO9734682 A1 WO 9734682A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
ozone
air
germicidal
radiation
chamber
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/US1997/003732
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English (en)
Inventor
Brian Shlisky
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Eco-Aire Company Inc
Original Assignee
Eco-Aire Company Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Eco-Aire Company Inc filed Critical Eco-Aire Company Inc
Priority to AU25281/97A priority Critical patent/AU2528197A/en
Publication of WO1997034682A1 publication Critical patent/WO1997034682A1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
    • A61L9/00—Disinfection, sterilisation or deodorisation of air
    • A61L9/015—Disinfection, sterilisation or deodorisation of air using gaseous or vaporous substances, e.g. ozone
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
    • A61L9/00—Disinfection, sterilisation or deodorisation of air
    • A61L9/16—Disinfection, sterilisation or deodorisation of air using physical phenomena
    • A61L9/18—Radiation
    • A61L9/20—Ultraviolet radiation

Definitions

  • the present invention pertains to a method and apparatus for sterilizing, deodorizing, and cleaning the air in a predetermined space
  • the present invention has particular use in rooms containing patients having potentially contagious diseases, areas (e g , stationary or mobile) which have been exposed to odor emitting material, or areas requiring removal of allergens and airborne infectious agents
  • deodorizing machines utilizing ozone and/or ultraviolet (UV) radiation to sanitize and deodorize air in a treated space (i e , typically a room)
  • these devices generate large amounts of ozone gas to attain the ozone concentration level necessary to facilitate deodorizing and sterilizing the air
  • ozone concentration levels required for sterilization are sufficiently high to be dangerous to people and/or animals, the use of these devices is typically limited to odors whose removal is difficult (i e , smoke from fires, organic material spilled on clothing, etc )
  • ozone concentrations when the devices are used in the proximity of people and/or animals, health authorities require that ozone concentrations be reduced to safe levels
  • these reduced or "safe" levels tend to be too low to effectively deodorize and clean the air
  • such devices typically use the germicidal qualities of the ultraviolet radiation to destroy bacteria in the air, but generally either expose the treated space to high levels of radiation, thereby posing health risks to people and/or animals, such as eye
  • Hirai U.S. Patent No. 5,015,442 discloses an air sterilizing and deodorizing system wherein UV radiation generates ozone to oxidize and decompose odor-causing components in the air. The ozone is then removed by a catalyzer in conjunction with, and prior to, germicidal UV radiation where the UV radiation also removes germs and sterilizes the air.
  • Chesney U.S. Patent No. 2,150,263 discloses a system for internally cleaning, sterilizing and conditioning air within the system. A stream of air is washed and subsequently exposed to UV radiation which generates ozone such that the combination of UV radiation and ozone destroys all bacteria in the stream. Excess ozone is removed via pumps and utilized for various purposes.
  • the prior art devices typically utilize independent radiation sources such that the ozone generating sources may be operable when the germicidal or ozone-removing sources become inoperable, thereby leading to emissions of dangerous ozone concentrations from the device.
  • the devices have no provision for sterilizing air intake vents which may become contaminated leading to potential growth of disease-causing bacteria on the vents.
  • Yet another object of the present invention is to minimize the size of an air sterilization system to accommodate various environments by utilizing a substantially cylindrical housing or tube-like vertical arrangement
  • Still another object of the present invention is to prevent concentration levels of ozone in an air sterilization system from reaching levels which endanger people and/or animals by removing any excess ozone residing in the sterilized air with a catalytic converter prior to returning the sterilized air to the surrounding environment
  • a further object of the present invention is to sterilize, and prevent growth of disease causing material on, the air intakes of an air sterilization system by periodically causing a small amount of ozone to be directed toward the bottom of the system housing and through the air intakes
  • Yet another object of the present invention is to maintain ozone concentration levels at low or "safe" levels in an air sterilization system by utilizing a single radiation source in the system to emit radiation of different wavelengths from different sections of the source to generate ozone and perform germicidal functions on the air stream, respectively
  • the entire single radiation source can become disabled only as a unit, thereby preventing generation of ozone when the germicidal radiation or ozone- removing section is inoperable
  • a method and apparatus for sterilizing air is accomplished by a system having a substantially cylindrical housing or vertical tube-like structure Air is drawn as a stream into the system housing at its base and flows through an ozone chamber
  • An ozone generating ultraviolet (UV) radiation source within the ozone chamber emits ultraviolet radiation having a wavelength of approximately 185 nanometers to irradiate the air and generate ozone which oxidizes contaminants (i e , bacteria, virus, odor-causing element, etc ) residing in the air stream
  • the ozone chamber includes the ozone generating UV source surrounded by several eccentric (i e , eccentrically disposed) or concentric cylindrical tubes forming airflow passages in the spaces between the tubes The passages form a tortuous or serpentine maze-like path for the air to traverse while maintaining
  • a small fan may be disposed adjacent the ozone chamber and above the base where air is drawn into the system to facilitate periodic sterilization of the air entrance at the base of the system.
  • An automatic timing arrangement periodically removes power from the internal fan and radiation sources and applies power to the small fan to allow a small amount of ozone to be directed from the ozone chamber toward the base to sterilize, and prevent the growth of disease causing material on, the air entrance.
  • the radiation sources may include a single combination UV radiation emitting bulb with different sections of the bulb emitting radiation of different respective wavelengths.
  • the different sections of the bulb are disposed in the corresponding ozone and germicidal chambers.
  • the additional source other than the germicidal section of the combination bulb, may be an independent bulb emitting radiation at the above- mentioned wavelength of approximately 254 nanometers.
  • the radiation sources may all be implemented by separate independent bulbs emitting radiation having wavelengths of approximately 185 or 254 nanometers depending upon the chamber in which the bulb is disposed.
  • the bulbs may be powered by a conventional AC ballast (for use in stationary areas), or a conventional DC ballast connected to a battery to enable the system to be portable and used in mobile environments (e.g., cars, boats, trucks, trailers, etc.).
  • Fig. 1 a is a view in elevation and partial section of an air sterilization system according to one embodiment of the present invention.
  • Fig 1 b is a diagrammatic view in transverse section of the ozone chamber employed in the embodiment of Fig 1a
  • Fig 2a is a view in elevation and partial section of an alternative embodiment of the air sterilization system of the present invention
  • Fig 2b is a diagrammatic view in transverse section of the ozone chamber employed in the embodiment of Fig 2a
  • Fig 3a is a view in elevation and partial section of an alternative configuration for the ozone chamber of Fig. 2a
  • Fig 3b is a partially diagrammatic view in transverse section of the ozone chamber of Fig 3a
  • Fig 4 is an electrical schematic diagram for an air sterilization system according to the present invention
  • Fig 5 is an electrical schematic diagram for an air sterilization system having an external air circulating fan according to the present invention
  • Fig 6 is a procedural flowchart illustrating facilitation of the periodic sterilization of the intake vents according to the present invention
  • system 2 for sterilizing, deodorizing, and cleaning the air within the confines of a predetermined area is illustrated in Figs 1a, 1b Specifically, system 2 includes a base platform 3, and a substantially hollow cylindrical housing 5
  • base platform 3 has a substantially square transverse (i.e , horizontal) cross-section having a length and width of approximately one foot, and is approximately two inches high
  • Housing 5 extends vertically from the approximate center of base platform 3 and has a diameter of approximately nine inches with a height of approximately four feet
  • Base platform 3 supports housing 5 such that the housing stands erect in a substantially vertical position
  • the exemplary dimensions described herein are typical in relation to systems for relatively stationary treated spaces (e g , a room), however, the principles of the present invention are equally applicable to systems for mobile treated spaces (e g , cars, trailers, boats, trucks, etc ) Further, the shape and dimensions of the system may be varied to accommodate various areas and applications For example, the system dimensions for mobile areas, such as the interior of vehicles, are much smaller than the
  • ballast 4 is a conventional ballast for supplying appropriate current to ultra-violet (UV) radiation emitting sources 36, 62 described below and is disposed at the bottom of housing 5 adjacent base platform 3
  • the ballast is enabled by a power switch 18 mounted on an exterior surface of housing 5 coincident germicidal chamber 16
  • a power light 38 is disposed below and adjacent power switch 18 to indicate when power has been enabled to the system
  • Intake vent 6 is defined through the housing wall and extends along the entire housing circumference 5 above and adjacent ballast 4
  • Intake vent 6 includes a plurality of louvers or covered slots 25 angled outwardly down toward the base of the system and disposed in a stack-like manner (i e , one above the other) to permit contaminated air from the surrounding environment to enter the housing
  • Ozone chamber 8 is disposed above and adjacent intake vent 6 and extends upwardly for approximately nine inches from the vent
  • the ozone chamber includes an ozone generation section 12 of the ultra-violet (UV) radiation source 36, and a plurality of eccentric tubes 55, 56 surrounding ozone section 12 of the bulb and joined tangentially at a common point along their circumferences
  • the tubes form longitudinally reversing sections of a tortuous or serpentine maze-like flow path (indicated by arrows in Fig 1a) for the air stream to traverse
  • the flow path includes a cylindrical ozone generating region 72 defined by the area or passage 50 encompassed by the innermost tube 55 nearest ozone section 12, and a soaking or disbursing region 74 defined by the meniscal cross-sectional areas of passages 51 , 52 between the immediately successive tubes 55, 56 and housing 5
  • Radiation source 36 is typically a substantially cylindrical UV radiation emitting bulb and may be implemented by a single bulb having an ozone section 12 and germicid
  • Eccentric tubes 55, 56 surround bulb section 12 such that the bulb section resides at the approximate center of innermost tube 55, and each succeeding tube has a larger diameter than the previous tube
  • Each eccentric tube 55, 56 is preferably a right circular cylinder with a portion of its exterior surface in mutual tangential contact with the other tubes adjacent the interior surface of housing 5
  • Successive tubes have successively increasing radii, and their longitudinal axes are parallel but laterally spaced
  • the resulting transverse cross-section appears as a circle surrounded by successive meniscuses
  • the minimum difference in diameter of successive tubes 55, 56 is substantially equal to the cross-sectional diameter of radiation source or bulb 36 In practice, however, it is preferred that these diametric differences be considerably greater than that
  • tubes 55, 56 in a preferred embodiment have diameters of three and five inches, respectively, with housing 5 having a diameter of eight inches
  • Lower ozone divider 17 is a substantially circular plate or disk having a cut-away circular portion, corresponding to the diameter of innermost tube 55, defining air entranceway
  • each eccentric tube 55, 56 is slightly less than the axial length of ozone chamber 8 such that tube 55 extends from divider 17 to just short of divider 9, and tube 56 extends from divider 9 to just short of divider 17
  • This alternating longitudinal offset arrangement of tubes 55, 56 allows the air to flow transversely from one longitudinal passage 50, 51 , 52 to the next, thereby forming the overall path through which air traverses ozone chamber 8
  • Passages 50, 51 , 52 are parallel to the longitudinal axis of ozone chamber 8 with passage 50 defined by the area encompassed by innermost tube 55 and passages 51 , 52 defined in the space between an exterior surface of a preceding tube and an interior surface of a succeeding tube (or housing 5 in the case of passage 52)
  • Passages 50, 51 , 52 in effect, fold or wrap longitudinally back over a preceding passage such that the path has a tortuous or serpentine maze-like pattem for the air to follow Since the lengths of tubes 55, 56 are less than the length of ozone
  • Lower ozone divider 17 guides the air from intake vent 6 to entrance 27 to ozone chamber 8 such that the air traverses the path through passages 50, 51 and 52 of increasing cross-sectional area
  • the final section is defined adjacent the interior surface of housing 5
  • the air enters ozone chamber 8 it initially traverses ozone generating region 72 defined by the passage 50 having a circular cross-section and formed by the innermost tube 55
  • This innermost passage surrounds ozone section 12 which irradiates the surrounding air with UV radiation having a wavelength of approximately 185 nanometers to generate ozone
  • the relatively small cross-section of ozone generating region 72 permits the flowing air to come into close contact with the ozone section 12 of the bulb, thereby subjecting the air to highly intense radiation (i e , a good ste ⁇ ent) since the radiation intensity is proportional to the square of the distance from the radiation source
  • the air traverses soaking region 74 defined by successive passages 51 , 52 of increasing meniscal or cresc
  • Germicidal chamber 16 is disposed above ozone chamber 8 and extends above upper ozone divider 9 approximately nine inches in the preferred embodiment
  • Germicidal chamber 16 contains the germicidal radiation section 1 of radiation source 36, and a second independent radiation source 62, typically a substantially cylindrical UV radiation emitting bulb, with each source emitting UV radiation having a wavelength of approximately 254 nanometers
  • Germicidal radiation section 14 of the main bulb extends axially through upper ozone divider 9 from section 12 for substantially the full length of germicidal chamber 16 at a location radially displaced from the central longitudinal axis of housing 5
  • Radiation source 62 is also radially displaced from the axis of housing 5 at a location angularly displaced approximately one-hundred eighty degrees from germicidal section 14
  • the interior surface of housing 5 surrounding germicidal chamber 16 includes a layer of highly polished or etched aluminum to reflect and increase the intensity of the radiation emitted by germicidal section 14 and radiation source
  • a catalytic converter 20 may be disposed above and adjacent germicidal chamber 16 to remove any remaining ozone in the air stream by either converting the ozone to oxygen, or filtering the ozone from the air stream
  • Catalytic converter 20 is typically used in cases where the germicidal radiation does not sufficiently remove excess ozone from the air stream
  • the catalytic converter 20 is a substantially circular plate or disk disposed perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of housing 5 and having dimensions slightly less than the cross-section of the housing
  • the converter is made of a conventional catalytic converting material which may include activated charcoal (i e , for filtering the ozone), molybdenum disulfide (i e , for converting the ozone to oxygen) or other device or material for removing excess ozone
  • Internal fan 22 is disposed above and adjacent catalytic converter 20 or germicidal chamber 16 (if catalytic converter 20 is not present) for drawing air through the sterilization system and directing sterilized air back into the surrounding environment
  • a microprocessor 68 is powered by a conventional power supply 78 and monitors when a time interval between sterilizations has elapsed The time interval is predetermined and typically set such that the intake vent 6 may be sterilized either once a day, or once a week depending upon the length of time the system is in use
  • Microprocessor 68 is booted in a conventional manner when power is applied to the system and initializes the time setting to the desired sterilization time interval and then iteratively decrements the time until time has expired (i.e , the time is equal to zero)
  • microprocessor 68 may initialize the time to zero and iteratively increment the time and compare the incremented time value to the predetermined time period
  • Radiation source 36 in the preferred embodiment includes a substantially cylindrical combination UV radiation emitting bulb which simultaneously emits radiation at the desired wavelengths (i e , 185 and 254 nanometers) from different sections of the bulb
  • a combination bulb may be constructed by utilizing a conventional UV radiation emitting bulb exciting a gas to produce ultraviolet rays over a broad portion of the UV frequency spectrum, and coating the exterior surface of the bulb with a compound to filter and pass only the particular frequency bands of interest
  • U S Patent Nos 2,362,384 and 2,362,385 Libby the disclosures of which are expressly incorporated herein by this reference
  • the combination bulb may be implemented by a conventional UV radiation emitting bulb exciting a gas to produce ultraviolet rays wherein a dopant is disposed in the glass at different sections of the bulb to filter and pass specific desired bands of ultraviolet energy
  • U S Patent No 3,374,381 Albinak et al
  • Figs 2a, 2b An alternative embodiment of the system utilizing only a single radiation source in the germicidal chamber is illustrated in Figs 2a, 2b Specifically, system 2 is substantially similar to the system described above except that radiation source 36 is disposed at the approximate center of the ozone and germicidal chambers 8, 16, respectively Radiation source 36 may be implemented by either the combination bulb, or two independent bulbs corresponding to ozone section 12 and germicidal section 14 described above
  • Ozone chamber 8 includes ozone section 12 of radiation source 36 disposed at the approximate center of the chamber surrounded by a plurality of concentric right cylindrical tubes 55, 56 coaxially disposed about ozone section 12
  • Concentric tubes 55, 56 form a tortuous or serpentine maze-like path (indicated by arrows in Fig 2a) in a substantially similar manner to that described above for the eccentric tubes
  • Each radially outward successive tube 55, 56 is slightly greater in diameter than a previous tube to form cylindrical passage 50 in the area encompassed by innermost tube 55 and passages 51 , 52 of annular cross-section in the spaces between the tubes for the air to flow
  • the difference in successive diameters is at least equal to the cross-sectional diameter of radiation source 36
  • Upper and lower ozone dividers 9, 17 define the top and bottom boundaries of ozone chamber 8
  • Upper ozone divider 9 is a substantially annular plate or disk having dimensions slightly less than the cross-section of housing 5
  • each tube 55, 56 is slightly less than the length of ozone chamber 8 such that tube 55 extends from the lower divider 17 to just short of upper divider 9, and tube 56 extends from upper divider 9 to just short of lower divider 17
  • the terminations of the tubes just prior to reaching the divider permit flow between the different sections of the flow path Specifically, the spaces linking successive passages 50 ,51 , 52 and defined between the upper or lower ozone dividers 9, 17 and the ends of the tubes 55, 56 permit the air to flow through succeeding passages 50, 51 , 52 ⁇ .n passage 50 defined by the area encompassed by innermost tube 55 and passages 51 , 52 defined in the space between the interior surface of a succeeding tube (or housing 5 in the case of passage 52) and the interior surface of a preceding tube
  • the passages 50, 51 , 52 form a tortuous or serpentine maze-like path for the air to follow The air flows through the successive radially outward passages in all directions from ozone section 12 toward the interior surfaces of housing
  • Air is drawn into the system through intake vent 6 via internal fan 22 as described above
  • the air is guided by ballast and lower ozone dividers 7, 17 into ozone chamber 8 via entrance 27 in lower ozone divider 17
  • the air enters an ozone generating region 72, defined by and interiorly of innermost tube 55, where the air comes in close contact with ozone section 12 of the bulb Ozone section 12 emits radiation having a wavelength of approximately 185 nanometers to irradiate the air and to generate ozone as described above
  • the air then traverses successive passages 51 , 52 of increasing annular cross-section forming a soaking region 74
  • the cross- sectional area of the flow path from ozone generating region 72 through soaking region 74 thus steadily increases
  • the increasing cross-sectional area results in a decreasing air velocity through passages 51 , 52, causing the generated ozone to be distributed throughout the flowing air stream
  • the reduced air velocity and maze-like pattern of the flow path distribute the ozone throughout the air
  • the air and ozone mixture enters germicidal chamber 16 from ozone chamber 8 and is exposed to radiation from germicidal section 14 of the bulb having a wavelength of approximately 254 nanometers to destroy contaminants and decompose any ozone in the air stream.
  • the air exits germicidal chamber 16 through openings 92 in upper germicidal divider 11 to traverse catalytic converter 20 (if present) or be directed back to the surrounding area via exhaust vent 24 in substantially the same manner described above.
  • Ozone chamber 8 is substantially similar to the ozone chamber described above for Figs. 2a, 2b, however, it is to be understood that the principles of this embodiment are equally applicable to the ozone chamber of Figs. 1a, 1 b.
  • a plurality of concentric tubes 55, 56 surround ozone section 12 of radiation source 36 to form a tortuous or serpentine maze-like path (indicated by the arrows in Fig. 3a) for the air to follow in substantially the same manner described above.
  • the longitudinal length of each tube 55, 56 is substantially similar to the longitudinal length of ozone chamber 8 such that the tubes fully extend from lower ozone divider 17 to upper ozone divider 9.
  • the tubes 55, 56 include a plurality of openings or slots 28 disposed about the circumference of the tubes and alternately located toward the upper and lower ozone dividers 9, 17.
  • the slots 28 link successive passages 50, 51 , 52 and direct the air to traverse the successive passages of the flow path in opposite longitudinal directions to mix the ozone with the air as described above.
  • a plurality of vortex generators 15 are disposed in passage 50 toward upper ozone divider 9 between tubes 55, 56.
  • Vortex generators 15 enhance the churning of the air to assist the ozone in mixing with the air to oxidize the contaminants.
  • the openings or slots 28 may be any size or shape allowing air to flow.
  • the air enters ozone chamber 8 through entrance 27 defined in lower ozone divider 17 and traverses the flow path through ozone generating region 72 (defined by passage 50) and soaking region 74 (defined by passages 51 , 52) to respectively generate ozone and mix the ozone with the air stream as described above.
  • the increasing cross-sectional area of the flow path in soaking region 74 reduces air velocity to provide time for the ozone to mix with the air and remove contaminants.
  • the air traverses successive passages 50, 51 , 52 through holes 28 in alternating longitudinal directions while being churned via vortex generators 15 and the maze-like pattern of the successive passages until reaching passage 52 where the air exits the ozone chamber through openings 90 defined in upper ozone divider 9.
  • the electrical circuitry for the system is illustrated in Fig. 4.
  • Supply voltage is connected across leads 64, 66 from a conventional wall outlet jack, or from a portable 12V DC source (e.g., a battery) when using a DC ballast to enable the system to be portable and used in mobile areas.
  • Power switch 18 is disposed on lead 64 to enable the driving voltage to power the circuit when the power switch is closed (i.e., the system is turned on).
  • Power light 38 is connected between leads 64, 66 and is illuminated in response to power switch 18 being closed to indicate that power has been applied to the system.
  • internal fan 22 is connected between leads 64, 66 and is actuated by closure of switch 18.
  • Ballast 4 is connected between leads 64, 66 and to radiation sources 36 (i.e., the combination bulb or two independent bulbs) and 62 (when used in the preferred embodiment). Ballast 4 supplies current to the radiation sources 36, 62 upon closure of switch 18 to generate the UV radiation needed to produce ozone and perform germicidal functions as described above.
  • ballast 4 may be a DC ballast which may be powered by an approximate 12V DC source (e.g., battery or other source) thereby rendering the system portable for use in automobiles or other mobile areas (e.g., interiors of other vehicles, trailers, etc.)
  • Microprocessor 68 and power supply 78 are connected between leads 64, 66 in series with ozone fan 70, and are enabled by the closure of power switch 18.
  • Microprocessor 68 controls a switch 60 (normally closed) disposed on lead 64 subsequent to power switch 18 and power light 38 to remove power from the system (i.e., intemal fan 22, ballast 4 and radiation sources 36, 62), and enables ozone fan 70 to draw ozone from chamber 8 and through intake vent 6 to sterilize the intake vent as described above.
  • the circuitry of Fig. 5 is substantially similar to the circuitry described above for Fig. 4 except for the constitubn of extemal circulation fan 26 and corresponding fan power switch 42, and fan power light 40. Power light 38, power switch 18, ballast 4, microprocessor 68, power supply 78, ozone fan 70 and switch 60 are connected as described above.
  • Fan power light 40 is connected between leads 64, 66 in series with power switch 42 and is illuminated in response to fan power switch 42 being closed (i.e., extemal circulation fan 26 being turned on).
  • external circulation fan 26 is connected between leads 64, 66 in parallel with light 40, and is also actuated by fan power switch 42.
  • Power switches 18, 42 are each connected in the circuit to have access to the driving voltage on lead 64 independently of each other such that external circulation fan 26 and the rest of the system may be operated independently.
  • power switch 18 is turned on to illuminate power indicator light 38, and actuate internal fan 22, ballast 4, and microprocessor 68.
  • Fan power switch 42 may also be turned on to actuate extemal circulation fan 26 and illuminate fan power light 40.
  • Ballast 4 supplies the appropriate current to radiation source 62 (i.e., an independent radiation emitting bulb), and radiation source 36 (i.e., either a two-band radiation emitting bulb or two independent single band radiation emitting bulbs as described above) depending upon the system configuration for generating the ozone and germicidal radiation.
  • Intemal fan 22 draws air from the surrounding area through intake vent 6 and into ozone chamber 8.
  • Ozone section 12 of radiation source 36 irradiates the air in ozone generating region 72 of the flow path to produce ozone from oxygen, which ozone mixes with and oxidizes the contaminants in the air.
  • the air stream traverses the tortuous or serpentine maze-like flow path within ozone chamber 8 while enabling the ozone to mix with the air stream and oxidize the contaminants in soaking region 74 as described above for the various ozone chamber embodiments.
  • the air stream enters germicidal chamber 16 where the air stream is irradiated by radiation source 62 and/or germicidal section 14 of radiation source 36 to remove bacteria and ozone from the air stream.
  • the air stream may pass through a catalytic converter 20 which removes any residual ozone in the air stream by either converting the ozone to oxygen, or filtering the ozone from the air stream
  • the sterilized air stream is then directed back into the surrounding area through exhaust vent 24 via internal fan 22
  • Extemal circulation fan 26 circulates the air in the surrounding area to mix with the sterilized air emitted through exhaust vent 24 to sterilize the surrounding area at an increased rate
  • Microprocessor 68 periodically powers down the system (i e , internal fan 22 and ballast 4) and enables ozone fan 70 to sterilize intake vent 6 as described above
  • the chambers, passages, tubes, housing and base may be constructed of PVC plastic or other suitably sturdy material
  • the ballast may be any conventional or commercially available AC or DC ballast or other circuitry to supply appropriate currents to the radiation sources
  • the microprocessor may be any conventional or commercially available microprocessor, combinational logic or other circuitry capable of maintaining time and activating a fan
  • the power supply may be any conventional or commercially available power supply or circuitry capable of supplying appropriate power to the microprocessor or timing circuitry
  • the radiation sources may be any conventional or commercially available UV bulbs or other devices capable of generating the radiation having the proper wavelengths Further, the radiation sources may be implemented by any single device capable of producing the radiation having the desired varying wavelengths
  • the germicidal chamber may be lined with aluminum or other reflective material capable of reflecting the radiation
  • the fans may be conventional or commercially available fans or other devices capable of directing air flow
  • the intake and exhaust vents may be any type of opening capable of permitting air to enter and exit the system
  • the switches and lights or indicators may be
  • the ozone chamber may be implemented by any structures or devices forming any tortuous path where inlet air is irradiated upon entry into the ozone generating region and then slowed to some extent to soak with the generated ozone while traversing an expanding flow path.
  • the system may include a substantially rectangular housing with a tortuous or serpentine path formed by a series of substantially rectangular plates separated by a predetermined distance to control air flow and velocity and enable the generated ozone to mix with the air.
  • a sliding mechanism such as a shield or sleeve, may be disposed around the radiation source (i.e., ozone section 12) disposed in the ozone chamber.
  • the shield is either manually or automatically slidable, via a solenoid, along a longitudinal axis of the system to control the amount of radiation emitted and hence the amount of ozone generated.
  • a flashing light may be disposed on the top of the s lem as a warning indicator when the sliding mechanism is set to generate high levels of ozone. If the light should fail, the system would cease and become inoperable.
  • the shield may also cover the entire portion of the ozone radiation source such that the system may utilize only the germicidal radiation to sterilize the air and remove ozone in the system and surrounding area.
  • timing mechanisms may be incorporated into the system to sterilize the air at preset times (i.e., at night when no one is in the area and high concentrations of ozone may be used).
  • the timing mechanisms may also be utilized to maintain the age of the UV bulbs and indicate the times when the bulbs should be replaced (e.g., indicate replacement every 9,000- 15,000 hours).
  • an ozone detector may be disposed as an added precaution when high concentrations of ozone are being produced, especially for embodiments utilizing separate bulbs in the ozone and germicidal radiation chambers. The detector would disable the system in response to detecting ozone concentrations in excess of 0.05 parts per million
  • the invention makes available a novel air sterilization system wherein air is exposed to UV radiation at a first wavelength to generate ozone which oxidizes contaminants in the air while traversing a space-saving tortuous or serpentine maze-like path
  • the long tortuous path having an increasing flow cross-section enhances ozone distribution in the contaminated air and does so within a relatively small volume or housing
  • the air is exposed to UV radiation at a second wavelength to destroy bacteria and ozone in the air
  • the air may then traverse a catalytic converter to remove any residual ozone residing in the air, and be returned back to the surrounding environment

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Epidemiology (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
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  • Disinfection, Sterilisation Or Deodorisation Of Air (AREA)

Abstract

Dans le dispositif (2) selon l'invention, la stérilisation de l'air s'effectue par le biais de l'exposition d'un flux d'air entrant, en provenance de la périphérie, à un rayonnement ultraviolet (UV) afin de produire de l'ozone dans une enceinte à ozone (8) se trouvant dans le dispositif. Cette enceinte à ozone (8) comporte un parcours tortueux ou sinueux, du type labyrinthe, destiné au passage du flux d'air et conçu de telle sorte que l'ozone produit se mélange avec l'air et oxyde les contaminants que contient cet air. Le parcours peut être adapté pour laisser l'air et l'ozone se mêler pendant une durée allongée ou réduite. Le flux d'air entre ensuite dans une enceinte germicide (16) où il est a nouveau soumis à un rayonnement ultraviolet d'une longueur d'onde différente, ceci afin de détruire les bactéries et d'éliminer tout l'ozone, donnant ainsi de l'air stérilisé. Après avoir été soumis au rayonnement germicide, l'air stérilisé peut traverser un convertisseur catalytique (20) le débarrassant de tout ozone résiduel aux fins de son retour vers la périphérie. Un ventilateur de recirculation (26) peut être installé au sommet du dispositif afin de faire circuler l'air dans la périphérie et de lui permettre de se mélanger à l'air stérilisé.
PCT/US1997/003732 1996-03-18 1997-03-18 Procede de sterilisation de l'air et appareil correspondant Ceased WO1997034682A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU25281/97A AU2528197A (en) 1996-03-18 1997-03-18 Method and apparatus for sterilizing air

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US61734196A 1996-03-18 1996-03-18
US08/617,341 1996-03-18

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1997034682A1 true WO1997034682A1 (fr) 1997-09-25

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US1997/003732 Ceased WO1997034682A1 (fr) 1996-03-18 1997-03-18 Procede de sterilisation de l'air et appareil correspondant

Country Status (2)

Country Link
AU (1) AU2528197A (fr)
WO (1) WO1997034682A1 (fr)

Cited By (21)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6488902B1 (en) 1997-11-03 2002-12-03 Ethicon, Inc. Sterilizer exhaust gas inactivation
WO2003061717A1 (fr) * 2002-01-16 2003-07-31 Vent Master (Europe) Limited Dispositif et procede de ventilation a lampes a u.v.
US6761203B1 (en) 2003-03-31 2004-07-13 Tai-Long Huang Balanced window blind having a spring motor for concealed pull cords thereof
WO2005021135A1 (fr) * 2003-09-01 2005-03-10 Ex Technology Limited Dispositif pour eliminer l'odeur d'un gaz d'entree
WO2005037409A1 (fr) * 2003-10-15 2005-04-28 Jimco A/S Dispositif et procede destines a l'epuration de l'air vicie
WO2005037410A1 (fr) * 2003-10-15 2005-04-28 Jimco A/S Dispositif d'epuration d'air contamine
US6939397B2 (en) 2003-05-08 2005-09-06 Eco-Rx, Inc. System for purifying and removing contaminants from gaseous fluids
WO2006095199A1 (fr) * 2005-03-10 2006-09-14 Ex Technology Limited Appareil permettant de supprimer les odeurs d'un gaz injecte
WO2006136167A1 (fr) * 2005-06-22 2006-12-28 Oz Clean Aps Système et appareil d’épuration d’air
WO2007051279A1 (fr) * 2005-11-03 2007-05-10 Uv Light Sciences Group, Inc. Appareil de protection personnelle germicide aux ultraviolets
US7449053B2 (en) 2003-07-18 2008-11-11 David Richard Hallam Air filtration device
DE102008048071A1 (de) * 2008-09-19 2010-04-08 Walter Polak Anlage und Verfahren zur chemischen und physikalischen Aufbereitung von Wasser mittels UV-Strahlung
EP2121045A4 (fr) * 2007-02-01 2010-06-02 4170415 Canada Inc Système de décontamination d'air
JP2015029799A (ja) * 2013-08-05 2015-02-16 株式会社富士通ゼネラル 脱臭機
WO2016145080A1 (fr) * 2015-03-09 2016-09-15 Primaira, Llc Appareil et procédé d'épuration d'air pour conteneur
WO2019101276A1 (fr) 2017-11-22 2019-05-31 Domisphere Aps Système de traitement d'air et procédé d'utilisation dudit système de traitement d'air
WO2021194802A1 (fr) 2020-03-25 2021-09-30 Micro Pure, Llc Appareil pour inactiver des agents pathogènes en suspension dans l'air et des agents pathogènes sur la surface d'objet
US11167056B1 (en) 2021-02-08 2021-11-09 Istvan Hirosik Air disinfection device using ozone for killing viruses, fungi and bacteria, as well as an ozone recombination unit
WO2021250111A1 (fr) 2020-06-10 2021-12-16 Infuser Ip Aps Système de traitement d'air portatif et procédé d'utilisation dudit système de traitement d'air
CN114522500A (zh) * 2020-11-23 2022-05-24 中国科学院城市环境研究所 一种除臭杀菌设备及其净化气体的方法和应用
US20220212143A1 (en) * 2019-05-21 2022-07-07 Ushio Denki Kabushiki Kaisha Gas treatment device and gas treatment method

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3486308A (en) * 1968-01-02 1969-12-30 Hexatron Inc Air treatment
US5015442A (en) * 1988-02-29 1991-05-14 Tokai Kogyo Co., Ltd. Sterilizing/deodorizing apparatus

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3486308A (en) * 1968-01-02 1969-12-30 Hexatron Inc Air treatment
US5015442A (en) * 1988-02-29 1991-05-14 Tokai Kogyo Co., Ltd. Sterilizing/deodorizing apparatus

Cited By (27)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6488902B1 (en) 1997-11-03 2002-12-03 Ethicon, Inc. Sterilizer exhaust gas inactivation
WO2003061717A1 (fr) * 2002-01-16 2003-07-31 Vent Master (Europe) Limited Dispositif et procede de ventilation a lampes a u.v.
US6761203B1 (en) 2003-03-31 2004-07-13 Tai-Long Huang Balanced window blind having a spring motor for concealed pull cords thereof
US6939397B2 (en) 2003-05-08 2005-09-06 Eco-Rx, Inc. System for purifying and removing contaminants from gaseous fluids
US7449053B2 (en) 2003-07-18 2008-11-11 David Richard Hallam Air filtration device
WO2005021135A1 (fr) * 2003-09-01 2005-03-10 Ex Technology Limited Dispositif pour eliminer l'odeur d'un gaz d'entree
WO2005037410A1 (fr) * 2003-10-15 2005-04-28 Jimco A/S Dispositif d'epuration d'air contamine
WO2005037409A1 (fr) * 2003-10-15 2005-04-28 Jimco A/S Dispositif et procede destines a l'epuration de l'air vicie
WO2006095199A1 (fr) * 2005-03-10 2006-09-14 Ex Technology Limited Appareil permettant de supprimer les odeurs d'un gaz injecte
GB2424475A (en) * 2005-03-10 2006-09-27 Ex Technology Ltd Air deodoriser apparatus with ozone producing first stage and ozone removing second stage.
WO2006136167A1 (fr) * 2005-06-22 2006-12-28 Oz Clean Aps Système et appareil d’épuration d’air
WO2007051279A1 (fr) * 2005-11-03 2007-05-10 Uv Light Sciences Group, Inc. Appareil de protection personnelle germicide aux ultraviolets
EP2121045A4 (fr) * 2007-02-01 2010-06-02 4170415 Canada Inc Système de décontamination d'air
DE102008048071A1 (de) * 2008-09-19 2010-04-08 Walter Polak Anlage und Verfahren zur chemischen und physikalischen Aufbereitung von Wasser mittels UV-Strahlung
JP2015029799A (ja) * 2013-08-05 2015-02-16 株式会社富士通ゼネラル 脱臭機
WO2016145080A1 (fr) * 2015-03-09 2016-09-15 Primaira, Llc Appareil et procédé d'épuration d'air pour conteneur
CN107530465A (zh) * 2015-03-09 2018-01-02 蓝色空间Ip控股有限责任公司 集装箱用空气清洁装置和方法
US10054321B2 (en) 2015-03-09 2018-08-21 Bluezone Ip Holding Llc Air cleaning apparatus and method for container
WO2019101276A1 (fr) 2017-11-22 2019-05-31 Domisphere Aps Système de traitement d'air et procédé d'utilisation dudit système de traitement d'air
US20220212143A1 (en) * 2019-05-21 2022-07-07 Ushio Denki Kabushiki Kaisha Gas treatment device and gas treatment method
US11583801B2 (en) * 2019-05-21 2023-02-21 Ushio Denki Kabushiki Kaisha Gas treatment device and gas treatment method
WO2021194802A1 (fr) 2020-03-25 2021-09-30 Micro Pure, Llc Appareil pour inactiver des agents pathogènes en suspension dans l'air et des agents pathogènes sur la surface d'objet
EP4126082A4 (fr) * 2020-03-25 2024-08-28 Micron Pure, LLC Appareil pour inactiver des agents pathogènes en suspension dans l'air et des agents pathogènes sur la surface d'objet
WO2021250111A1 (fr) 2020-06-10 2021-12-16 Infuser Ip Aps Système de traitement d'air portatif et procédé d'utilisation dudit système de traitement d'air
CN114522500A (zh) * 2020-11-23 2022-05-24 中国科学院城市环境研究所 一种除臭杀菌设备及其净化气体的方法和应用
US11167056B1 (en) 2021-02-08 2021-11-09 Istvan Hirosik Air disinfection device using ozone for killing viruses, fungi and bacteria, as well as an ozone recombination unit
WO2022167826A1 (fr) 2021-02-08 2022-08-11 VARGA, Zoltán Dispositif de désinfection d'air utilisant de l'ozone pour tuer des virus, des champignons et des bactéries et unité de recombinaison d'ozone

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