Purified hydrogen peroxide gas microbial control methods and devices
Inventors
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-10188766-B2
Publication Date
2019-01-29
Expiration Date
Abstract
The present invention relates to methods and devices for providing microbial control and/or disinfection/remediation of an environment. The methods generally comprise: generating a Purified Hydrogen Peroxide Gas (PHPG) that is substantially free of, e.g., hydration, ozone, plasma species, and/or organic species; and directing the gas comprising primarily PHPG into the environment such that the PHPG acts to provide microbial control and/or disinfection/remediation in the environment, preferably both on surfaces and in the air.
Core Innovation
The disclosed invention is a diffuser apparatus and photocatalytic reactor for producing non-hydrated purified hydrogen peroxide gas from humid ambient air. The apparatus uses an air distribution mechanism, an ultraviolet light source, and a metal or metal oxide catalyst on a thin, air-permeable substrate structure. The reactor additionally includes a housing and an intake filter, and directs the produced gas into an environment.
The partial content describes airflow through the catalyst-bearing substrate and reports that the design limits ozone in the output. It also reports humidity-dependent hydrogen peroxide output, microbial reductions, rapid removal of volatile organic compounds, and no detected ozone in testing. The background section is not included in the supplied content, so the problem being solved is not explicitly described.
Claims Coverage
The claim coverage includes two inventive features based on independent claims directed to a diffuser apparatus and a photocatalytic reactor for generating non-hydrated purified hydrogen peroxide gas.
Diffuser apparatus for producing purified hydrogen peroxide gas
Claim 1 covers a diffuser apparatus with an air distribution mechanism, a source of ultraviolet light, and a metal or metal oxide catalyst on a thin, air-permeable substrate structure. Air flows through the substrate, and the apparatus directs non-hydrated purified hydrogen peroxide gas into an environment.
Photocatalytic reactor with an intake filter
Claim 14 covers a photocatalytic reactor comprising a housing, an air distribution mechanism, an intake filter, a source of ultraviolet light, and a metal or metal oxide catalyst on a thin, air-permeable substrate structure. Air flows through the substrate, and the reactor directs non-hydrated purified hydrogen peroxide gas into an environment.
The independent claims cover two related apparatus forms that use ultraviolet light, airflow, and a catalyst-bearing air-permeable substrate to produce purified hydrogen peroxide gas from humid ambient air. The reactor claim additionally includes a housing and intake filter.
Stated Advantages
The disclosed design limits ozone in the purified hydrogen peroxide gas; the content also reports no detected ozone in testing.
Testing reported microbial reductions and rapid removal of volatile organic compounds.
Documented Applications
The diffuser apparatus or photocatalytic reactor directs purified hydrogen peroxide gas into an environment.
The partial content reports testing related to microbial control and volatile organic compound removal.
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