Purified hydrogen peroxide gas microbial control methods and devices
Inventors
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11207436-B2
Publication Date
2021-12-28
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 invention describes generating purified, substantially non-hydrated hydrogen peroxide gas (PHPG) with UV-activated photocatalysts and a thin, air-permeable catalyst morphology. The described morphology rapidly removes hydrogen peroxide before it is reduced or photolyzed. A diffuser combines a UV source, a metal-oxide catalyst substrate, and an air-distribution mechanism to deliver PHPG into an environment with low ozone and minimal plasma or organic species.
The described methods use non-hydrated hydrogen peroxide gas for microbial control or disinfection of an environment, including control of microbes on surfaces. The content also describes removal of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and ozone. The supplied partial content does not include the background section, so the problem identified there is not explicitly described in the provided material.
Claims Coverage
The supplied claims identify four independent claims: claims 1, 8, 13, and 20, corresponding to four inventive features. They cover methods for microbial control or environmental disinfection using non-hydrated hydrogen peroxide gas; operational parameters are omitted for safety.
Microbial control using non-hydrated hydrogen peroxide gas
Independent claim 1 covers forming non-hydrated hydrogen peroxide gas using ultraviolet-exposed metal or metal oxide in ambient air, then directing the gas into an environment for reduction of a virus, bacterium, or fungus. Specific operating parameters are [procedural detail omitted for safety].
Microbial control using gas produced from plasma
Independent claim 8 covers producing non-hydrated hydrogen peroxide gas through a process involving plasma and air, then directing the gas into an environment to control microbes on surfaces. The claim specifies limits on ozone and the absence of plasma species; operational parameters are [procedural detail omitted for safety].
Microbial control using purified hydrogen peroxide gas
Independent claim 13 covers providing humid ambient air to a titanium dioxide photocatalytic cell, using ultraviolet light to generate hydration-free PHPG, and directing the PHPG into an environment to control microbes. Specific operating parameters are [procedural detail omitted for safety].
Environmental disinfection using non-hydrated hydrogen peroxide gas
Independent claim 20 covers generating and directing non-hydrated hydrogen peroxide gas into an environment for disinfection, defined as reducing virus infectivity or the average number of colony-forming units of bacteria. The claim also specifies limits on ozone and the presence of plasma or organic species; operational parameters are [procedural detail omitted for safety].
Together, the four independent claims cover non-hydrated hydrogen peroxide gas for environmental microbial control or disinfection, including gas generation using metal or metal-oxide surfaces, plasma-related processes, or a titanium dioxide photocatalytic cell. The claims also specify gas composition characteristics and microbial-control outcomes.
Stated Advantages
The described diffuser delivers PHPG with low ozone and minimal plasma or organic species; the patent content reports no ozone detected in testing.
Reported tests show reductions in virus infectivity and bacterial levels, as well as time-dependent reductions in Clostridium difficile and Aspergillus niger.
The described room testing reports that VOC levels decline to zero within 24 hours.
Documented Applications
Microbial control in an environment, including control of viruses, bacteria, and fungi, and reduction of microbes on surfaces.
Delivery of PHPG into occupied environments for air and surface microbial control.
Removal of volatile organic compounds and ozone from an environment.
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