Patent Grant
7578967
The present invention relates to apparatus and systems for collapsing steam and tempering drain water, and in particular, to apparatus and systems for use with steam sterilizers and steam sterilizer systems that employ these apparatus.
In steam sterilizers used in hospitals, universities, and other institutional facilities, where it is necessary to sterilize equipment, steam can be used to perform the sterilization. An exemplary sterilization system 20, for example, as shown in
Building codes typically specify that water provided from equipment to a drain not be hotter than a certain temperature, such as 140 degrees Fahrenheit (F) (60 degrees Celsius), to minimize damage to the pipes and leaching of heavy metals. Consequently, the steam and its condensate must be cooled before it is provided down the drain.
In this system 20, typical of contemporary systems for sterilizers, the steam condensate provided from the steam traps 30 is mixed with cooling water from a cool water line 32, typically a municipal water line. The flow in this cool water line 32 is controlled by valves (v) 34, typically needle valves, connected to the traps 30 over lines 35a, 35b. The mixed water and steam condensate is then mixed and passed through lines 36 to the drain line 38 at a temperature, sufficiently cool (below 140 degrees F.), to be in accordance with building codes.
The cool water line 32 coupled with the needle valves 34, typically provides cooling water continuously at a rates of 0.5 to 5 gallons per minute, depending on the particular sterilizer system. This cooling water typically runs continuously. Accordingly, substantial amounts of water are wasted, and in many cases going unused, passing straight out of the sterilization system 20 to the drain.
The present invention is directed to an apparatus and a system that reduces water wasting, when compared to contemporary sterilizer systems. The apparatus of the invention eliminates the need for needle or other valves in sterilzers or sterilizer systems and, thus reduces the cool water from running constantly, so as to conserve water. The apparatus can be combined with conventional sterilizers and/or sterilizer systems to collapse steam from these sterilizers and/or sterilizer systems and provide it to a drain line or drain at a temperature sufficiently cool in accordance with building codes (typically less than 140 degrees F.).
An embodiment disclosed is directed to an apparatus for collapsing steam. The apparatus has a container, for example, a tank, configured for holding fluid, for example, water. The container includes at least one inlet port, at least one drain port, and at least one effluent receiving port. There is a conduit extending from the at least one effluent receiving port into the container, with the conduit configured for providing a path for steam in an effluent to the fluid, in the container to collapse the steam.
Another embodiment disclosed is directed to a sterilization system having a sterilizer system coupled to a steam collapsing system. The sterilizer system has a steam sterilizer including a sterilizing chamber for holding components to be sterilized, and an outlet through which an effluent including steam is emitted. The steam collapsing system includes a container, for example, a tank, configured for receiving and holding fluid, for example, water, with the container including a fluid outlet and at least one port in communication with the outlet of the steam sterilizer for receiving the effluent. A conduit extends from the at least one effluent receiving port into the container, with this conduit configured for providing a path for steam in the effluent to the fluid in the container, to collapse the steam.
Another embodiment is directed to a steam collapsing system. This system includes a container, for example, a tank, configured for receiving and holding fluid, typically water, and more particularly cooling or cool water from a municipal or other external source. The container also has a fluid outlet and at least one port for receiving effluent. A conduit extends from the at least one effluent receiving port into the container, and the conduit is configured for providing a path for steam in the effluent to the fluid in the container, in order to collapse the steam.
Also disclosed is a method for collapsing steam. This method includes providing a container, for example, a tank, for holding cooling water or fluid, the container including an effluent receiving port and a conduit in communication with this effluent receiving port. The conduit is configured for providing a pathway from the effluent receiving port to the cooling water. Cooling water is also provided to the container. Steam is then received in the container through the effluent receiving port, and this introduced steam moves along the pathway into contact with the cooling water, to collapse and become condensate.
Attention is now directed to the drawings, where like numerals and characters indicate like or corresponding components. In the drawings:
The tank 120 includes ports 130, 132, 134, 136 and 138. These ports 130, 132, 134, 136 and 138, include openings into the chamber 122 of the tank 120, through which water, steam, steam condensate, and/or other effluents enter and/or leave the tank 120 as described below. While single ports 130, 132, 134, 136 and 138 are shown, this is exemplary only, as multiple ports with their associated instrumentation (as detailed below) are also permissible.
An inlet port 130 is located on the upper section 128 of the tank 120 and typically connects with a valve 140, for example, a mechanical temperature actuated valve, through a conduit 142. The conduit 142 is typically formed of an elbow 144, a tube 146 and a bushing 148, this bushing 148 connecting to the valve 140. The valve 140 connects to a line 242 (
A temperature probe (temperature sensor) 150 extends into a port 132 at the lower section 129 of the tank 120. This temperature probe 150 typically functions continuously, and is in communication with the valve 140 through the line 152. This line 152 is for example, a capillary tube, through which pressure increases/decreases therein, from the temperature actuated valve, to open/close the valve 140.
The temperature probe 150 is positioned to remain below the level 154 of the fluid, typically water 156, in the tank chamber 122, so as to measure water temperature in the tank 120. Should the temperature be above a predetermined level, for example, 140 degrees F., the temperature probe 150 will cause the valve 140 to open, allowing cooling water into the tank 120, through the port 130.
A drain port 134 is at the lower section 129 of the tank 120. Water exits the tank 120 through this drain port 134, where it goes to a drain and typically into the municipal drainage system. The position of the drain port 134 typically determines the fluid level 154 in the chamber 122 of the tank 120.
A vent port 136 typically is at the upper section 128 of the tank 120. This vent port 136 is typically capped by a vacuum relief valve 160. This valve 160 is typically adjusted to allow for venting of the tank 120 should there be a pressure build up in the chamber 122. This valve 160 may be manually or automatically activated. As stated above, while one port 136 and relief valve 160 are shown, this is exemplary only, as multiple ports/relief valves are permissible. All of the vent ports/relief valves should be positioned above the drain port 134, so as not to fill with water.
The effluent (or effluent receiving) port 138 is also at the upper section 128 of the tank 120. It is typically at the uppermost point of the tank 120 (corresponding to line QQ). The port 138 is typically formed from a stub 139a and a cap 139b. This port 138 receives steam, steam condensate, and/or other effluents from a sterilizer or sterilizer system, collectively “effluent”, through a line 240 (
A conduit 170 extends from this port 138 into the lower section of the chamber 122 of the tank 120. The conduit 170 extends to a point below the lowest point 172 (along tangent line 173) of the drain port 136, and typically is positioned to extend below the fluid level 154, to a point intermediate the lowermost point of the drain port 136 and the lowermost point of the chamber 122 (line RR). This intermediate point can be, for example, at least halfway into the fluid level 154 (for example, at a midpoint between lines 173 and RR). By extending into the water 156, the conduit 170 functions to collapse steam in the effluent by providing a path for the steam to the water 156 in the chamber 122 of the tank 120.
The tank 120 typically includes an extension 175 from its end 127. This extension typically includes openings 177 that allow the tank 120 to be fixed to a support member 180, typically with a suspension mount hangar 182. This support member 180 typically mounts the apparatus 100 as part of a sterilization system 220, as shown in
The tank 120 is typically made of materials such as stainless steel, or other materials suitable for handling high temperatures that do not leach heavy metals or other components. The body 125 and ends 126, 127, are typically joined together by welding or the like. The conduit 170 is typically a tube, for example a cylindrical tube, although other shapes are permissible, and made of materials such as stainless steel or other materials as described for the tank 120 above. The conduit 170 is typically attached to the port 138, at the stub 139a, by techniques such as welding and the like.
The tank 120, while typically cylindrical in shape, can also be any other shape, suitable for holding fluid. The tank 120 is typically of an internal volume large enough to handle all effluent (steam, steam condensate and other effluents) from the associated sterilizer or sterilizer system. However, the internal volume should be small enough to allow for flushing of the internal volume of the tank 120. For example, one embodiment of the tank 120 can be a cylindrical shaped tank with an approximately 6 inch (15.2 cm) diameter and an approximately 10 inches (25.4 cm) in length. In this example embodiment, the conduit 170 can be a cylindrical tube, approximately 1 inch (2.5 cm) in diameter and approximately 5 inches (12.7 cm) in length.
Turning to
The steam travels downward in the conduit 170, to contact the water 156 at the level 154. This contact collapses the steam into condensate, and this steam condensate, now added to the water present in the chamber 122, will typically raise the water temperature, that will be detected by the temperature probe (T) 150.
If the detected temperature is at or higher than a predetermined or threshold temperature, for example 140 degrees F., in accordance with building codes, the temperature probe 150 senses this elevated temperature. Pressure in the capillary tube 152 is increased, opening the valve (V) 140, allowing for water, typically cold or cool water, to enter the chamber 122, for cooling the steam/effluent. This cooled steam effluent becomes condensate, upon contacting the cool water. The temperature probe 150 works continuously, such that the valve 140 remains open until the water temperature in the chamber 122 is below the predetermined threshold. Once the fluid (e.g., water) in the chamber 122 of the tank 120 is below the threshold or predetermined temperature, the temperature probe 150 senses this temperature and decreases the pressure in the capillary tube 152. The pressure decrease causes the valve 140 to close, such that the flow of cooling water into the chamber 122 from the conduit 142 stops. The now cooled and collapsed steam (now condensate), mixed with the water 156 in the chamber 122 of the tank 120, exits the tank 120 and goes to a drain, through the drain line 244.
There has been shown and described at least one preferred embodiment of an apparatus and system for collapsing stream and steam condensate. It is apparent to those skilled in the art, however, that many changes, variations, modifications, and other uses and applications for the above-described apparatus and system, including its components are possible, and also such changes, variations, modifications, and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by the invention, which is limited only by the claims which follow.
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