Purified hydrogen peroxide gas microbial control methods and devices
Inventors
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-9370592-B2
Publication Date
2016-06-21
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 is a photocatalytic diffuser apparatus that produces non-hydrated purified hydrogen peroxide gas (PHPG) from humid ambient air using ultraviolet light and a thin, air-permeable substrate with a titanium dioxide-coated surface. An air distribution mechanism moves the air through the substrate, and the resulting PHPG is directed into an environment; specified operating details are omitted for safety.
The supplied partial content does not include the background section, so the problem identified there is not explicitly described in patent. The description states that rapid airflow and short substrate residence time remove PHPG before it is reduced or photolyzed, while ultraviolet wavelengths are selected to limit ozone; numerical and procedural details are omitted for safety.
Claims Coverage
The relevant claims identify two independent claims, each covering an apparatus for producing non-hydrated PHPG from humid ambient air. The second independent claim additionally specifies a selected ultraviolet wavelength range; numerical operating details are omitted for safety.
Photocatalytic production of PHPG
The apparatus combines an air distribution mechanism, a source of ultraviolet light, and a thin, air-permeable substrate structure having a titanium dioxide-coated surface to produce non-hydrated PHPG from humid ambient air.
Airflow through the coated substrate
The claim specifies airflow through the air-permeable substrate and a short residence time on the substrate. The detailed flow and timing parameters are omitted for safety.
PHPG output with limited ozone
The apparatus directs the produced PHPG from the substrate into an environment and specifies an ozone limit; the numerical limit is omitted for safety.
Ultraviolet wavelength selection
The second independent claim specifies that the ultraviolet light source produces light within a defined wavelength range; the numerical range is omitted for safety.
Together, the independent claims cover a titanium dioxide-coated, air-permeable substrate apparatus that uses ultraviolet light and humid ambient air to produce and direct PHPG into an environment. They also specify airflow and ozone constraints, with the second claim expressly including an ultraviolet wavelength range.
Stated Advantages
The description reports reductions in several viral, bacterial, and fungal test organisms.
The description reports rapid reduction of 2-propanol volatile organic compounds.
Documented Applications
The apparatus is described for producing PHPG and directing it into an environment for microbial control and disinfection.
The description reports use of the diffuser for reducing volatile organic compounds, including 2-propanol.
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