Patent Application
20240216565
This application claims priority to European Patent Application No. 23150319.4 (filed 4 Jan. 2023), the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
The present invention relates to apparatus and methods for decontaminating space such as hospital room or other clean room.
Clean rooms and other critical spaces, such as manufacturing facilities in food and pharmaceutical industries may be exposed to unwanted particles and impurities, such as mold and unwanted microbes, and the spaces may be contaminated. Before operation may begin or continue, the spaces must be decontaminated. Another example where decontamination is needed is military industry. Military equipment may be exposed or contaminated with biological active substances such as biological or chemical warfare agents, such as pathogens, biotoxins, prions, chemical agents (e.g. nerve gas) etc.
Vaporized solution of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) has been used to decontaminate the internal surfaces of enclosures used for aseptic processing in the pharmaceutical industry since about 1990, but it has always been difficult to use the same technology to decontaminate larger enclosed volumes such as rooms. There have been some apparatuses which uses separate H2O2 pumps for spraying H2O2 gas into a space or spraying H2O2 gas together with an air stream into a space.
The known solutions are complicated and built so that only limited low carrier air flow may be used to evaporate H2O2. The amount of air is insufficient to properly diffused the mixture within the space. Another disadvantage is that the H2O2 is insufficiently mixed with the carrier gas prior introduction to the decontaminated space. Thus, there is a risk for H2O2 condensation on the surfaces within the apparatus and within the decontaminated space causing risk of material failure. Further, some systems are complicated and, thus, costly apparatuses using separate fans, heating, drying, and/or filtering for providing proper diffusion of H2O2 into the decontaminated space.
The objective of the device is to alleviate the disadvantages mentioned above.
In particular, it is an objective of the present device to provide a decontamination unit which is capable to provide uniform H2O2 diffusion into a decontaminated space, which at the same time has simple structure and capable to decontaminate and flush the decontaminated space from H2O2 used for decontamination.
According to a first aspect, the present invention provides an apparatus for sterilizing a contaminated space.
According to the first aspect, the invention provides a decontamination unit for sterilizing a space, which unit comprises
The advantage of the device/method is that H2O2 may be introduced directly into the air stream.
According to an embodiment, at least one inlet is arranged to a side wall of the inlet chamber for allowing suction of the air from the contaminated space into the inlet chamber.
According to an embodiment, the inner space comprises a filtering chamber having H2O2 capturing means for capturing H2O2 from the recirculating air.
According to an embodiment, the unit comprises a second inlet for allowing suction of the air from the contaminated space into the filtering chamber.
According to an embodiment, the inlet chamber is adjacent to the filtering chamber, and they are separated by a second plate.
According to an embodiment, the inner space comprises a H2O2 generator chamber arranged between the outlet chamber and the inlet chamber, wherein the H2O2 supply device is arranged inside the H2O2 generator chamber, and the first plate is between the H2O2 generator chamber and the outlet chamber.
According to an embodiment, the fan is arranged inside the outlet chamber.
According to an embodiment, the discharge arrangement comprises a diffuser for generating efficient forced diffusion of air-H2O2 mixture into the space.
According to an embodiment, the discharge arrangement comprises at least one tube connector for connecting the outlet chamber into air channel, such as tube or duct, for supplying the air-H2O2 mixture from the decontamination unit into the air channel.
According to an embodiment, the discharge arrangement comprises at least one clamp connector for connecting the outlet chamber into ductwork of a building or to opening in a wall of a room, which allows diffusing the air-H2O2 mixture either directly into the space, or to a duct or tube.
According to an embodiment, the inlet comprises at least one opening for allowing suction of the air directly from the contaminated space into the decontamination unit, or at least one clamp connector for connecting the decontamination unit into a tube or duct allowing suction of the air from the decontaminated space through the tube or duct.
According to an embodiment, the decontamination unit is connected to a building management system.
According to an embodiment, the unit comprises control means comprising at least one damper arranged for channeling the air from the contaminated space either into the inlet chamber or into the filtering chamber.
Another aspect of the invention is to provide a method for sterilizing contaminated space by recycling air from the contaminated through a space decontaminating unit, comprising a decontamination cycle and a flush cycle, wherein in the decontamination cycle:
According to an embodiment, the decontamination dose is monitored.
According to an embodiment, a flushing cycle is started after sufficient decontamination dose is reached for reducing H2O2 concentration in the space, wherein in the flushing cycle:
According to an embodiment, the another inlet is a second inlet for allowing the air from the space circulate into the filtering chamber before the inlet chamber.
According to an embodiment, the decontamination unit comprises a H2O2 generation chamber arranged between the inlet chamber and the outlet chamber, wherein the air is flowing through the H2O2 generation chamber.
According to an embodiment, the H2O2 concentration in the space is monitored and once desired level of concentration is reached at the end of the flushing cycle, the fan is being shut down.
It is to be understood that the aspects and embodiments of the invention described above may be used in any combination with each other. Several of the aspects and embodiments may be combined together to form a further embodiment of the invention.
The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description help to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:
Figures show decontamination unit for sterilizing a space, such as a contaminated room or other contaminated space, with H2O2. The decontamination unit is capable to recirculate the air of the space. For decontaminating a space, the space must be first sterilized with H2O2 and then the H2O2 must be removed from the space. With the present decontamination unit, this may be done with separate sterilizing cycle and flushing cycle. In sterilizing cycle and in flushing cycle the air is recirculated inside the unit via different routes. The air flow is shown in figures as hollow arrows.
By arranging the H2O2 supply device 9 next to the fan 10, the H2O2 may be introduced directly into the air flow and a homogenous H2O2-air mixture may be provided that is effectively distributed to the decontaminated space and allowing faster decontamination cycle even in large and complicated spaces with just one decontamination unit 1. There is no need for additional air treatment, e.g. heating, drying, humidifying etc., or additional air circulating arrangement or fans within the decontamination unit.
The H2O2 supply device 9 may be for example H2O2 generator. The decontamination unit may comprise a H2O2 container, from which the H2O2 is supplied to the H2O2 generator. The H2O2 container may be arranged inside the inlet chamber 5.
At least one inlet 6 is arranged so that the air from the contaminated space may be sucked into the inlet chamber 5 of the unit. The inlet 6 may be arranged to a side wall of the inlet chamber 5. Optionally, there are two, or more, inlets 6 for allowing suction of the air from the contaminated space into the inlet chamber 5. The separate inlets 6 may be provided at different side walls of the inlet chamber 5. The inlet or inlets 6 may be at the side wall of the frame 2, or they may be at some other plate or wall inside the inner space 3 for allowing suction of the contaminated air into the inlet chamber 5. For example, a separate wall may be provided inside the inner space 3, which separate wall is between the inlet chamber 5 and the frame 2 in air flow direction. Other inlets may be provided for introducing air into other chambers.
The inlets 6 for introducing contaminated air into the inlet chamber 5 and into the filtering chamber 11 may be provided at the same wall or plate. For channeling the air into desired chamber, a control means may be provided. In flush mode, the air is flown from the filtering chamber 11 into the inlet chamber 5 and further to the outlet chamber 4 before it is discharged out of the unit. The filtering chamber 11 may be provided adjacent to the inlet chamber 5, and they may be separated by a second plate. The second plate may have at least one opening for allowing air flow from the filtering chamber 11 into the inlet chamber 5.
In sterilizing cycle, the second inlet 13 or inlets to the filtering chamber 11 may be closed for preventing air flowing into the filtering chamber. In flushing cycle, the inlet or inlets 6 allowing air flowing into the inlet chamber 5, without flowing first via filtering chamber 11, is closed. Channeling the air flow may be configured by control means. The optional control means may comprise at least one damper for channeling the air from the space either into the inlet chamber 5 or into the filtering chamber 11. The damper or the dampers may be provided at the inlet 6 allowing air suction into the inlet chamber 5, or it/they may be provided at the second inlet 13 allowing air suction into the filtering chamber 11. Optionally, the damper or dampers are arranged at each inlet (s) that allow air suction into the inlet chamber 5 and filtering chamber 11. Optionally, one common damper is provided at two inlets, e.g. a first inlet, for introducing air into the inlet chamber 5, and second inlet 13, for introducing air into the filtering chamber 11, for channeling the air from the space into the inlet chamber 5 or into the filtering chamber 11.
Optionally, the inner space 3 comprises an H2O2 generator chamber 15 which is arranged between the outlet chamber 4 and the inlet chamber 5. The H2O2 supply device 9 may be arranged inside the H2O2 generator chamber 15. In an embodiment having an H2O2 chamber, the first plate 8 is dividing the outlet chamber 4 and the H2O2 generator chamber 15. By having a separate H2O2 generator chamber 15 and providing the H2O2 supply device 9 inside the H2O2 generator chamber 15, it is ensured that the H2O2 chamber is kept under pressure to prevent unwanted leakage of H2O2 into the environment.
The fan 10 may be arranged inside the outlet chamber 4, and it may be arranged to suck air from the air chamber before the fan 10 in air flow direction. The fan 10 may be arranged to run continuously with a predefined speed throughout the whole decontamination process, i.e. sterilization cycle and flushing cycle. The predefined speed may be constant at least during one of the cycles or it may be constant throughout the whole sterilization process. Optionally, the fan 10 speed may be adjusted.
The discharge arrangement may comprise a diffuser 16 for generating efficient forced diffusion of the air-H2O2 mixture into the space. The diffuser 16 may be multi-diffuser type comprising multiple mini diffusers allowing multiple air diffusion patterns to be generated by adjusting the mini diffusers in different positions. For example, mini diffusers may be adjusted from fully vertical directed to angled, fully horizontal to radial, or 1, 2, 3, 4-directional flow. By the arrangement, the flow pattern may be optimized to spaces of any shape. Optionally, the discharge arrangement comprises a grille or perforated plate.
Optionally, the discharge arrangement comprises at least one tube connector 17 for connecting the outlet chamber 4 into a ductwork of a building or to an opening in a wall of a room. This allows diffusing the air-H2O2 mixture either directly into the space, or to a duct or to a tube for diffusing the air-H2O2 to another space where the unit is located.
Optionally, the discharge arrangement comprises at least one clamp connector for connecting the outlet chamber 4 into an air channel, such as tube or a duct, for supplying the air-H2O2 mixture from the decontamination unit 1 into the air channel. This arrangement allows the air-H2O2 mixture to be supplied to another space via air channel.
At least one of the inlets 6 of the decontamination unit 1 may comprise at least one opening for allowing suction of the air directly from the space into the decontamination unit 1, or at least one clamp connector for connecting the decontamination unit 1 into a tube or duct allowing suction of the air through the tube or duct. By having at least one clamp connector in the inlet 6, it is possible to connect a tube or a duct to the decontamination unit 1 and suck air from another contaminated space, located in different place than the unit, into the unit.
The decontamination unit 1 may comprise a control unit for controlling the unit operation. The control unit may be controlling the different cycles, sterilizing cycle and flushing cycle, of the unit. Additionally, or optionally, the control unit may be used for at least one of the following functions: control the fan 10 speed, monitor the H2O2 concentration level, monitor the H2O2 supply dose, adjust the H2O2 supply, and send command to HVAC systems. The control unit may be configured to monitor and/or control the H2O2 concentration in the space.
The decontamination unit 1 or the control unit may be connected to a building management system (BMS) for allowing automated use of the unit, using the unit at a distance, and/or co-operate with HVAC system of a building or such where the unit is located. For example, the unit may be connected to the BMS to send command to change the HVAC system control position to predefined sterilization mode (e.g. close ventilation of contaminated space), receive information from the BMS when the sterilization mode is activated to start decontamination process, send command to the BMS to change into predefined flush mode to remove H2O2 from the space, and/or send command (or information that decontamination process is completed) to the BMS to change the HVAC system to normal mode. The unit may be connected for example via BUS-connection.
The decontamination unit 1 may be mobile, or it may be arranged to be fixed to a building. The mobile decontamination unit 1 may be provided with wheels for moving the unit between different spaces, e.g. rooms.
As shown in
The decontamination unit may comprise other filtering means for filtering dust or other unwanted particles from entering the unit. The filtering means may comprise at least one filter. For example, a filter 23 may be arranged between the inlet, through which the air from the contaminated space is introduced into the unit, and the inlet chamber 5, as seen for example in
The decontamination unit may comprise a mid-chamber 22 arranged adjacent to the filtering chamber 11. The mid-chamber 22 may be located between the inlet, through which the air from the contaminated space is introduced into the unit, and the inlet chamber. The filtering means may be arranged between the mid-chamber 22 and the inlet chamber 5. The mid-chamber 22 and the adjacent filtering chamber 11 may be separated by a plate for preventing unwanted air flow between the chambers. The optional mid-chamber is shown for example in
The filtering means may be provided inside the mid-chamber and the H2O2 capturing means inside the filtering chamber so that they are parallel to each other. A separate support wall may be provided between the mid-chamber and the inlet chamber, and the filtering chamber and the inlet chamber. The support wall may comprise opening or openings for introducing air from the mid-chamber into the inlet chamber, and from the filtering chamber into the inlet chamber.
The inlet of the decontamination unit may comprise an entry chamber and an opening, through which the air is introduced from the space into the unit. The opening is arranged at the wall of the frame and the entry chamber is between the opening and the inlets, through which the air from the room is channeled to the inlet chamber (either directly or via mid-chamber) or to the filtering chamber.
It should be noted that the different inlet and outlet arrangement described herein are suitable to be used with different inner space 3 arrangements described herein. For example, different discharge arrangements (diffuser (s), clamp connector, tube connector etc.) or inlet arrangements are described herein together with specific air chamber arrangements, they may be provided with units having different air chamber arrangements, e.g. which air chambers (filtering chamber 11, H2O2 generator chamber 15 etc.) is provided.
The decontamination unit may comprise at least one sensor for measuring and monitoring H2O2 content in the air flow inside the unit. At least one sensor may be arranged inside the inlet chamber 5 so that the H2O2 content may be measured directly from the air flow inside the unit. Optionally or additionally, at least one sensor is arranged at the inlet, through which the air is introduced into the unit. Optionally, the unit comprises several sensors for measuring H2O2 content in the air. Optionally or additionally, the decontamination unit may comprise connector or connectors for connecting the unit to sensors located outside of the unit. One possible location for the sensor 30 is shown in
The decontamination system may comprise two or more decontamination units as described herein. The decontamination units may be located in same space, or they may be located in different spaces for sterilizing several spaces one at a time or at the same time. The decontamination units may be connected to a building management system. The decontamination units may be connected to each other, e.g. via BUS-connection.
The inlet and the outlet may comprise detachable inlet module and/or outlet module, respectively. The detachable modules may comprise different kind of inlet connections or openings, for introducing the air into the decontamination unit, or outlet connections or openings, for discharging the gas mixture out of the unit. Different modules may be used for connecting the unit to different kind of connections, such as air channels or openings in a wall, or discharging gas mixture directly into the space.
The following describes a method for sterilizing contaminated space by recycling air from the contaminated space through a decontamination unit 1. The decontamination unit may be any kind of unit described herein. The sterilizing process may be divided in two cycles, a sterilizing cycle and a flushing cycle. In the sterilizing cycle, H2O2 is introduced into the contaminated space for sterilizing the space. Once sterilization cycle is completed, the H2O2 is removed from the space by the flushing cycle. In the sterilization cycle, the air from the contaminated space is recirculated through the decontamination unit 1 by a fan 10, having a fan inlet and a fan outlet, inside the unit. The fan 10 creates an air flow inside the unit from an inlet 6 to an outlet and the air is flown through an inlet chamber 5 and outlet chamber 4. H2O2 is supplied directly into the air flow by an H2O2 supply device 9 which is arranged next to the fan inlet or the fan outlet. The air-H2O2 mixture is discharged into the contaminated space via the outlet. The air is recirculated until sufficient decontamination dose is supplied. The decontamination dose may be monitored manually or automatically. The decontamination unit 1 may comprise an H2O2 generation chamber arranged between the inlet chamber 5 and the outlet chamber 4, wherein the air is flowing through the H2O2 generation chamber.
Once sufficient decontamination dose is reached, a flushing cycle for reducing H2O2 concentration in the space may begin. In flush cycle, the H2O2 supply is closed and air from the space is circulated through a filtering chamber 11, inlet chamber 5 and outlet chamber 4 and back to the space via the outlet. The air to the filtering chamber 11 may be introduced via a second inlet 13 for allowing the air from the space circulate into the filtering chamber 11 before the inlet chamber 5. The H2O2 is captured from the recirculating air inside the filtering chamber 11. The H2O2 concentration in the space may be monitored and once desired level of concentration is reached at the end of the flushing cycle, the fan 10 is being shut down. The desired level may be, for example less than 1 ppm.
Although the invention has been the described in conjunction with a certain type of device, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to any certain type of device. While the present inventions have been described in connection with a number of exemplary embodiments, and implementations, the present inventions are not so limited, but rather cover various modifications, and equivalent arrangements, which fall within the purview of prospective claims.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23150319.4 | Jan 2023 | EP | regional |
