CN101522226A - Apparatus and method for using ozone as a disinfectant - Google Patents

Abstract

A method of sterilizing a closed environment is provided in which an disinfection apparatus is placed into the closed environment; it then generates ozone to a predetermined ozone concentration, following which the humidity of the closed environment is rapidly increased. A catalytic converter then reduces the ozone concentration to safe levels. When the ozone concentration is reduced to a predetermined safe level, the disinfection apparatus signals.

Description

Use the apparatus and method of ozone as disinfectant

Technical field

The present invention relates to be used for tool and method that enclosed environment is carried out disinfection, and more specifically to using ozone to come enclosed environment such as room are carried out disinfection.

Background technology

Caused the quick propagation of emerging virus and other disease around the people of world's travelling.If it is popular that a kind of disease becomes in the town, then owing to origin urbanite's travelling, it is (whole world) propagation fast in the world.This disease identified isolated with infected individuals after, this disease has often propagated into the high density urban area, propagates in other country that is very difficult to control this disease potentially.

Can find an example of such disease in serious acute respiratory system synthesis is levied the quick propagation of (SARS), wherein above-mentioned serious acute respiratory system synthesis is levied to be had high mortality and may be difficult to treatment.Also be very difficult to the infected crowd of examination and prevent that them from propagating this disease.Especially, such transmission of disease causes excessive risk to lodging industry, and can cause the profit of listed company in the lodging industry and stock price to reduce.SARS promptly propagates into other country (comprising the U.S. and Canada) from the Asia, aviation, hotel and tourist industry and hospital are formed challenge.The propagation of SARS also has negative effect to the economy (economy that comprises big city such as Toronto) of influenced country.

SARS is not the only virus that will worry.Various airborne, gastrointestinals and enterovirus, comprise varicella zoster virus (chickenpox), Measles virus, rhinovirus (flu), influenza virus (influenza), poliovirus, rotavirus, hepatitis A virus, norovirus, adenovirus and emerging virus, (infectious disease is contagion) with the risk that infects all to show contagion.The propagation of bacterial infection and fungus equally can be very important, particularly when the drug-resistance of bacteria mutation occurring.

Such disease also relates to health care department.For example, when infected individuals was stayed in the hospital, clostridium difficile (clostridium difficile) (the people pathogen of intestinal) was very difficult to remove.Under these circumstances, the health care personnel and following patient may be on the line.

Ozone has been recognized as effective microbicide (antimicrobial) (biochemical disinfectant) and still has been effective deodorizer when being in gas form when being in moisture form (aqueous form), have many attractive characteristics.For example, gaseous ozone is filled the air in enclosed space.Ozone also is highly effective as antiviral, and is cheap for the giver, because ozonator is a large amount of and is easy to install and operation.

Especially in upper atmosphere, when the high energy ultraviolet divides conventional oxygen (O ₂) key, produce the free radical oxygen atom, its then with other O ₂Molecular reaction is to form ozone (O ₃) time, then natural formation ozone.As also forming ozone during the thunderstorm, in sandy beach, ocean and waterfall natively.

The structure of ozone is a high activity, so ozone has the short half-life (about 30 minutes).When ozone decomposed, it produced oxygen and the free radical oxygen atom.This oxygen-derived free radicals is strong oxidant.

Several ozonators have been described in the prior art.For example, the United States Patent (USP) that licenses to Shimono has disclosed a kind of deodorization/remove abnormal smells from the patient/sterilization method and deodorization/remove abnormal smells from the patient/decontaminating apparatus for the 5th, 904, No. 901.

Relate to and utilize ozone that the prior art that accommodation etc. carries out disinfection is comprised JP4038957A2, it has disclosed the determining of time that the room should be exposed to specific ozone concentration.JP2237565A2 has disclosed a kind of indoor sterilization method, and this method comprises ozonator is placed in the room, produces the ozone of certain level, makes ozone keep this level a period of time, and ozone is decomposed.

The ozonator of another kind of prior art is disclosed in the U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0031486 that is entitled as " Sterilization and Decontamination " that licenses to people such as Mole.People such as Mole have disclosed a kind of ozonator, produce ozone after the humidity of this ozonator in environment has reached at least 75%.Ozonator makes level of ozone be increased to 10ppm then, allows through after a while, and hydrocarbon release is to the concentration up to 20ppm then, and is depleted up to level of ozone.

What omit in the prior art is a kind of ozone is delivered to enclosed environment, utilizes other factors that ozone is realized needed time minimization of its purpose and the timely mode of removing ozone effectively from environment.

Summary of the invention

Provide a kind of and be used for the enclosed environment method of disinfecting, this method comprises that (a) produces gaseous ozone to predetermined ozone concentration in enclosed environment; (b) after reaching presumptive area concentration, the humidity of enclosed environment is increased to predetermined relative humidity level greater than 80% fast; (c) after reaching the predetermined moisture level, exhaust ozone; And (d) when ozone concentration is reduced to predetermined safety level, signal (signalling).

Predetermined ozone concentration can be within 15 to 40ppm or 20 to 30ppm.Can utilize catalytic converter and make ozonized air pass through manganese dioxide tower tray (tray) and the active carbon tower tray exhausts ozone.

Can the humidity of enclosed environment be increased to level greater than 90% by means of ultrasonic humidifier.Can limit enclosed environment, and can be by means of connecting LED or cutting off sound and signal.

A kind of decontaminating apparatus (disinfecting apparatus) is provided, and this decontaminating apparatus comprises: intervalometer; Ozonator; Catalytic converter with manganese dioxide tower tray and active carbon tower tray; A plurality of wheels (wheel); Sound generator; Ozone sensor; And first fan, it is drawn into ozonized air in the catalytic converter.This decontaminating apparatus can comprise ultrasonic humidifier.When ozone sensor sense level of ozone when being higher than predetermined safe level of ozone the tut generator can produce offending sound.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 is the perspective view according to decontaminating apparatus of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is its exploded view, shows the internal part of decontaminating apparatus;

Fig. 3 is the preceding viewgraph of cross-section according to a kind of replaceable embodiment of decontaminating apparatus of the present invention;

Fig. 4 is its block diagram;

Fig. 5 is the side view of a kind of embodiment of catalytic converter in decontaminating apparatus according to the present invention;

Fig. 6 shows the flow chart according to the use of decontaminating apparatus of the present invention; And

Fig. 7 is superimposed upon pallet (backing plate, pallet) perspective view according to a plurality of decontaminating apparatuss of the present invention on.

The specific embodiment

Except as otherwise noted, otherwise be meant gaseous ozone when in this document, mentioning ozone.

Utilizing ozone to be as a difficulty of disinfectant, is virose for making ozone become that the needed concentration of effective disinfectant and exposure time be considered to for the mankind.Such concentration and exposure time can also produce deleterious by-product owing to the chemical reaction (especially in carpet) with indoor common fabric.For example, ozone can react with the chemicals in the carpet to produce formic acid.Being exposed to high ozone concentration can stimulate lung and have other side effect, comprises throat irritation, rapid breathing and cough.Therefore several mechanisms have not encouraged to use ozone to clean the interior space, and to expose the highest level of security that ozone is set to the open air for 8 hours be that 0.05 part/1,000,000 (" ppm ") are to 0.10ppm.

Ozone can effectively be resisted the biology of many types, comprises retrovirus, enveloped virus and naked virus, antibacterial and fungus.Ozone has demonstrated the disease specific that can effectively resist and has comprised MS2 coliphage, 1 type and 3 type polioviruses, hepatitis A, enterovirus, rotavirus, HIV, SA11 and enterovirus, influenza virus, norovirus and rhinovirus.Ozone can also be used to killing SARS virus, infectious prion and antibacterial, and can carry out disinfection and armarium is sterilized food.

For useful effect with reach the virus of (and often more than 99%) more than 95% and the needed ozone concentration level of mortality rate of other pathogenic agent can change with the time that the agent of causing a disease is exposed to ozone.A situation about always occurring is that therefore necessary ozone concentration should take preventive measures to prevent such exposing to the open air preferably far above the level of security for the people exposes to the open air.Approximately the ozone concentration of 100ppm can kill infectiousness agent (infectious agent) extremely effectively and may need few exposure time to 5 minutes.More low-ozone concentration (for example being low to moderate 15ppm) also is effectively, though effective for making ozone under the situation of so lower amount ozone, it may need the longer time (as 20 to 30 minutes).

Use the method for ozone as disinfectant

The present invention includes portable set, description and operation sequence in the sealing interior space, to provide suitable ozone to expose to the open air, thereby realize the sterilization of significant degree, then remove ozone fast and react and the gaseous by-product of following of generation by ozone and carpet and furniture fabric.

The present invention can comprise definite variable that influences ozone as disinfectant safe and efficient use in hotel and other industry.In a word, the present invention has stipulated:

1. in the closed interior environment, level of ozone is increased to 20-25ppm fast, and combines with air-flow with in enclosed environment internal diffusion gaseous ozone (this step needs about 15 minutes usually);

2. after reaching desired level of ozone, the humidity that improves enclosed environment fast is until reaching humidity level more than 80% (this step usually need about 4-8 minute); And

3. utilize catalytic converter to consume the level (this step usually need about 15 minute) of ozone fast ozone concentration is reduced to safety for the people exposes to the open air.

A kind of preferred embodiment in, above-mentioned steps in requisition for about 15 to 40 minutes so that typical accommodation or pleasure-boat cabin (tourism passenger steamer cabin, cruise ship cabin) are carried out disinfection.As an example, as shown in Figure 6, a kind of method for optimizing according to the present invention can may further comprise the steps:

A) in the internal medium that seals such as accommodation or pleasure-boat cabin, put into portable sterilizing apparatus (step 400);

B) ozone concentration in the enclosed environment is increased to the level (being generally 20-25ppm) that is enough to as disinfectant and antiviral, wherein considers size, temperature and the air-flow (step 410) of enclosed environment and in decontaminating apparatus, use a plurality of fans gaseous ozone is diffused to whole enclosed environment;

C) restriction enters enclosed environment when improving level of ozone, being dangerously to prevent that the people from exposing (step 420) to the open air when high at ozone concentration;

D) humidity of enclosed environment is increased to fast level (step 455) more than 80%;

E) by using catalytic converter a period of time to consume ozone and any gaseous aldehyde by-product, be lower than toxic level (step 500) up to ozone concentration; And

F) from enclosed environment, remove portable sterilizing apparatus (step 530).

In further detail, with reference to Fig. 6, said method starts from decontaminating apparatus is put into enclosed environment (step 400).Suitably the example of environment comprises accommodation, pleasure-boat cabin, ward, dormitory, aircraft passenger compartment, long-term care facility, prison and bigger public place (it may need a plurality of decontaminating apparatuss).The preferred prevention public easily in room enters (step 405) makes employee or client can not be exposed to ozone with high concentration.The example that stops the public to enter such environment comprises the door (when it is not used by the client) of locking accommodation or pleasure-boat cabin simply or puts up sign and prevention enters above-mentioned enclosed environment.A kind of preferred embodiment in, magnetic lobe (magnetic flap) can be used for the sealing (sealing) door etc.Should close any window in the enclosed environment and close any ventilating system (can not be held open) though be connected in the fan of ventilating system.Notice that because the user of ozonator is still in the room, therefore importantly, it is not difficult to withdraw from enclosed environment fast.

User will preferably be connected ozonator then and enter (step 420) to produce ozone (step 410) and to withdraw from enclosed environment and limit.Preferably, ozonator has intervalometer to make when it is switched on, and before ozonator will begin to produce ozone, has a period of time (for example 1 or 2 minute).This provides the time for user so that withdraw from enclosed environment under the situation that is not exposed to ozone.

In some embodiments of the present invention, user must be regulated ozonator, so that it produces the ozone of appropriate amount in reasonable time based on humidity, variations in temperature, air-flow etc.Also may need user input about the information of room-size (for example, can the Show Options menu as " cover ", " list " or " two ", carry out suitable selection in view of the above).Replacedly, a kind of preferred embodiment in, decontaminating apparatus will have pick off to measure these sign (labellings, indicia), as level of ozone, temperature and humidity, and decontaminating apparatus will have the debita spissitudo of the ozone that the processor on circuit board should reach with automatic calculating, and can carry out diagnostic test.

In improving the ozone concentration process, should keep to enclosed environment enter restriction (step 420), to prevent to be exposed to ozone.Enclosed environment also needs not be gastight, and the door and the window of for example closing accommodation are just enough.Should connect the fan (unless they are connected in ventilating system) in the enclosed environment.Should pin the inlet that leads to enclosed environment, and/or service marking or warning lamp (alarm lamp) are indicated during improving ozone concentration and should do not allowed to enter.

Make ozonator produce ozone (step 430) then, until reaching suitable concentration (step 440).In typical accommodation or pleasure-boat cabin, the example of sufficient ozone concentration is 20 to 25ppm.After ozone concentration reached aspiration level, preferably as detecting by ozone sensor, ozonator only produced enough ozone to keep preferred ozone concentration (step 450).In replaceable embodiment of the present invention, can stop ozone generating this moment.If at the appointed time after the section, for example in less accommodation 15 minutes, do not reach the level of ozone of expectation, decontaminating apparatus will stop to produce ozone so, and proceed the remainder of method, but sound a warning to user: the level of ozone that does not reach expectation.

Humidity level in the enclosed environment should be increased to predeterminated level fast then, preferred level more than 80% is as 90% (step 455).Humidifier can maybe can be independent device in the main body of decontaminating apparatus.A kind of preferred embodiment in, humidifier is ultrasonic humidifier and in 4 or 5 minutes the humidity of enclosed environment is increased to 80% or 90%.After the humidity level with expectation is increased to predeterminated level (step 460), close humidifier (step 470), as ozonator (step 490).

Then, pass through to use suitable catalyst naturally and preferably, ozone begins to consume (step 500).Preferably be consumed (because can be the gaseous aldehyde by-product) and measure ozone concentration (step 510) after a period of time at ozone, wherein consider the size of level of ozone, humidity (it equally reduces), temperature, air-flow and enclosed environment, be lower than toxic level until ozone concentration, at this moment, utilize LED, noise (or termination of warning noise), be wirelessly transmitted to PDA etc., decontaminating apparatus signals: enclosed environment can enter (step 520) safely.

A kind of preferred embodiment in, catalytic converter is accommodated in the decontaminating apparatus and uses manganese dioxide-catalyst.This catalytic converter preferably includes two tower trays (manganese dioxide tower tray and active carbon tower tray) and fan, and this fan is used for ozonized air is drawn into catalytic converter from enclosed environment.Active carbon helps to remove low-level ozone and remove the aldehyde by-product.

In case indicated ozone concentration enough low through appropriate time and ozone sensor, from enclosed environment, removed decontaminating apparatus and this decontaminating apparatus and can be used for different enclosed environments (step 530).

Decontaminating apparatus

Previously described method can be used with various decontaminating apparatuss, yet, a kind of embodiment of preferred decontaminating apparatus has been shown among Fig. 1 and Fig. 2.Decontaminating apparatus is represented with 1 usually, preferably utilizes ozonator 20 to produce gaseous ozone.Ozonator 20 uses corona discharge or ultraviolet or other ozone occurring mode (as known in the art).Corona discharge method utilizes the air in the enclosed environment to produce ozone, wherein said air passes through decontaminating apparatus 1 by utilizing a plurality of fan (not shown), or replacedly, air can be incorporated into the enclosed space from decontaminating apparatus, for example medical oxygen (when such air during) by ozonisation.Decontaminating apparatus preferably also has ozone-depleting device such as ozone washing device or catalytic converter 40.The purpose of the decontaminating apparatus shown in Fig. 1 and 2 is to use with the humidifier that separates (separation), though the replaceable embodiment of decontaminating apparatus comprises humidifier.In addition, decontaminating apparatus 1 preferably has pick off, and especially ozone sensor 60, is used for determining the concentration of enclosed environment ozone.

Decontaminating apparatus 1 also comprises many wieldy characteristics.Tower tray 80 is positioned at top panel 85 and makes user can deposit foreign material (miscellaneous items).There is elongate member 88, can be looped around around the member 88 when not using decontaminating apparatus 1, to make electric wire.Panel 90 comprises the various devices that are used to control decontaminating apparatus 1, comprises intervalometer, on/off switch etc., and comprises the display such as the information of level of ozone, temperature and relative humidity.Panel 90 is used for communicating by letter with electronic component 114, comprises ozone sensor 60.(insert insets) 92 makes and to mention decontaminating apparatus easily insert on decontaminating apparatus 1 either side, so that leave on the pallet etc.There is handle 96, is used for opening easily front panel 98.

In side plate 104, exist steam vent (exhaust vent) 102 to purify air by from decontaminating apparatus 1, discharging after the catalytic converter 40 to purify air.Ozone steam vent 106 makes the ozone of generation can withdraw from decontaminating apparatus 1 and enters enclosed environment.Side plate 104, backboard 116 and framework 112 are used for supporting the internal part of decontaminating apparatus 1.

Catalytic converter 40 is shown in greater detail among Fig. 3 and Fig. 5, the replaceable embodiment of its expression decontaminating apparatus 1.Key difference in these embodiments is that humidifier 50 is in decontaminating apparatus 1 inside, and in the embodiment formerly, humidifier is the outside at decontaminating apparatus.Notice that the embodiment of decontaminating apparatus 1 shown in Figure 3 is being different from embodiment shown in Figure 5 aspect the position of fan 30 and motor 35 and the resulting air-flow.Catalytic converter 40 makes decontaminating apparatus 1 concentration of ozone can be consumed to fast human acceptable level.Catalytic converter 40 preferred manganese dioxide tower tray 42 and the active carbon tower trays 44 of using.Fan 30 is from the outside of decontaminating apparatus 1 and by manganese dioxide tower tray 42 and active carbon tower tray 44 suction ozonized airs, shown in the arrow among Fig. 3 and Fig. 5.By the effect of active carbon tower tray 44, catalytic converter 40 also consumes aldehyde, nitrogen oxygen, and (nitroxide, nitroxides) and the ozonized air of any other toxic gas, it is the by-product as article in ozone and the environment such as carpet reaction.Another factor in consuming ozone is the natural half-life of ozone, and it is about 25 to 30 minutes.

Humidifier 50 (no matter be in the inside of decontaminating apparatus 1 or in its outside) is used for changing later in the level of ozone that reaches expectation the relative humidity of air volume.Therefore, use humidifier 50 later on, be increased to more than 80% with relative humidity with enclosed environment in the ozone generating process.After reaching the humidity of aspiration level (for example, 80% or 90% or even higher), humidifier is answered shut-down operation.Humidifier 50 is preferably ultrasonic humidifier so that humidity increases fast, thereby can only need 4 or 5 minutes.As Fig. 3 and shown in Figure 5, in decontaminating apparatus 1, can there be cistern (water storage) 55 so that the quick humidification (humidification) of enclosed environment.The fan (not shown) will help the operation of humidifier 50.

Decontaminating apparatus 1 should be enough little and enough gently maybe should be installed in handcar (trolley) and goes up or be fixed with other mobile device to carry easily, as wheel 200 and/or pulley (castor, castors) 210, as shown in Figure 1, it can be installed in the rear portion and the front portion of decontaminating apparatus 1 respectively.Replacedly, decontaminating apparatus 1 can be the fixture (fixture) in the enclosed environment.A kind of preferred embodiment in, be fixed wheel and/or pulley of decontaminating apparatus 1 makes it easily to move between than room in the macrostructure (as hotel, dwelling house, hospital or pleasure boat (tourism passenger steamer)) and room.In a kind of interchangeable embodiment, decontaminating apparatus 1 can only have two wheels, and can be by user by means of handle etc. and move.

Decontaminating apparatus 1 also preferably has ozone sensor 60 to detect the level of ozone in the enclosed environment.Therefore user can determine when that ozone concentration is enough low to allow safety to enter the room.In a kind of preferred implementation of the present invention, decontaminating apparatus 1 will be indicated ozone concentration to be safe and to utilize transmitter 80 to send signal to a kind of device (mobile phone, PDA etc.), and indication can enter above-mentioned environment safely now.Replacedly, signal can be sent to panel 90, it will be handled at the LED of outside, room (for example, redness is used for high concentration, and green is used for more lower security concentration).Preferably, will be present in more than one ozone sensor that (diverse location in environment) enough reduces (each long-range ozone sensor sends to decontaminating apparatus 1 with the local ozone level) to guarantee level of ozone in the enclosed environment.In a kind of interchangeable embodiment, when level of ozone is in dangerous level, decontaminating apparatus 1 will produce irritating high-pitched tone noise, with the warning user, and will stop noise when reaching safe level of ozone.

Under the situation of power failure, decontaminating apparatus 1 will default to catalytic converter 40 rather than attempt to continue ozone generating (that is, decontaminating apparatus 1 defaults to home).In addition, a kind of preferred embodiment in, decontaminating apparatus 1 has battery, rather than the electric wire (not shown), makes it and external power source irrelevant.

Decontaminating apparatus also preferably has with lower member (as being seen in Fig. 4):

1. timer 2 00, is used for writing down that decontaminating apparatus 1 operated hour or the number of minutes, and connects or close ozonator 20 when reasonable time past tense;

2. warning lamp or acoustic transmitter 120 are used to refer to that decontaminating apparatus is just producing ozone or level of ozone is unsafe;

3. delay controller 130, are used for beginning to produce ozone at decontaminating apparatus 1 and have delay in the past, thereby make user can withdraw from enclosed environment;

4. one or more other delay switch are used to operate catalytic converter, humidifier and other parts;

5. the ozone effusion meter 140, are used to refer to the air-flow that passes ozonator 20;

6. the catalytic converter effusion meter 150, are used to refer to the air-flow that passes catalytic converter 40;

7. panel 90, are used for operating decontaminating apparatus 1, and which operation of demonstration decontaminating apparatus is carried out individually or together with other operation;

8. be included in the other alarm in the equipment, it will indicate the fault of decontaminating apparatus;

9. internal controller 160, are used for being convenient to realize the variation of ozone concentration;

10. sliding, it is dull and stereotyped to check, feasible maintenance and the inspection of being convenient to said apparatus;

11. independently electric fittings and plug are used for being convenient to make auxiliary device such as other ozone washing device to be connected in decontaminating apparatus;

12. memorizer 230 is used for being recorded in needed timing in the previous disinfecting process (for example, reaching the ozone and the needed time of humidity level of expectation).

Decontaminating apparatus 1 also has power supply 210, and it can be electric wire and plug, is used to be inserted into suitable supply socket (outlet), or in the battery.Decontaminating apparatus 1 also has display 200, and it preferably shows current ozone concentration, humidity and temperature.

In preferred implementation as shown in Figure 7, decontaminating apparatus 1 be can be stacked and its be sized to be suitable for being put on the dressing plate frame.This can easily leave above the tourism passenger steamer etc. decontaminating apparatus 1 in when not using.

Application Example 1-hotel

The basic feature of lodging industry is that particular room has frequent guest, and such guest often only stops overnight.It is panic as one of the worst industry of the influence of SARS that the hotel still is subjected to disease, because tourist industry is to be subjected to one of industry of the strongest influence.The hotel also utilizes ozone with low concentration, to reduce the abnormal smells from the patient in the room.

Use in the hotel as the method according to this invention, (preferably after the guest is check-out) maid servant (cleanup crew after the vacant room of initial cleaning, maid) will in the room, place decontaminating apparatus, the ozone concentration that it is set to stipulate, and withdraw from a room (comprise and locking a door), when the time has pass by and ozone concentration returns when being lowered to level of security.Decontaminating apparatus can be moved to next suitably room then.

When said process finishes, ozone will kill virus, antibacterial and the fungus that is stayed by the people who leaves.Dormitory can stand similar disinfecting process.

Application Example 2-aircraft

When the fear that is subjected to outbreak of disease was impacted, aircraft industry was another industry that is easy to be subjected to economic loss.In order on passenger plane, to use the method according to this invention, after initial cleaning passenger plane, in passenger plane, use one or more decontaminating apparatuss.In the high ozone horizontal period, should prevent to enter interior of aircraft.

In case necessary time-out goes and ozone concentration when being safe, then can enter the inside of aircraft and can remove decontaminating apparatus.

The Application Example 3-passenger steamer of travelling

The tourism passenger steamer provides a kind of environment, wherein is limited in the less relatively environment owing to a large amount of people, so disease can be propagated fast.When boats and ships were stopped and almost had no talent thereon, the method according to this invention was useful, in this case, can use said method in the mode that is very similar to previously described hotel embodiment.Replacedly, when the passenger reports some symptom, can in the main cabin, use decontaminating apparatus.Decontaminating apparatus can also be used for public territory (its may more than one decontaminating apparatus) and the less big zone (as the gift shop) of flow of the people.

Application Example 4-hospital

Wherein the method according to this invention is that another example in useful place is a hospital.Clearly, hospital is virus, antibacterial and the common zone of other pathogenic agent, because those patients are dead in such place through regular meeting.When the ward is vacated, perhaps even only provisionally, can implement the method according to this invention to kill any virus or the antibacterial that stays by the last patient who rests in such room.Can also be useful be when emergency treatment zone, operating room etc. are exposed to special difficult diseases (as SARS), decontaminating apparatus to be used for such zone.

Application Example 5-portable use

The present invention includes the use of portable sterilizing apparatus, preferably include the ultrasound wave humidifying unit, above-mentioned thus portable sterilizing apparatus is used to seal in truck or the trailer, thereby forms " movably enclosed space ".This makes various loose impediments, and for example contaminated laboratory equlpment is moved to movably in the enclosed space temporarily, is used to utilize decontaminating apparatus to carry out disinfection and returns after sterilization, and above-mentioned object can be moved to its initial place (position).

This provides the advantage that can carry out disinfection to loose impediment fast, wherein for example, may be difficult to restriction and entering some space, or other operation or material may be to the ozone sensitivity.

In alternative, can replace portable sterilizing apparatus with the permanent decontaminating apparatus of operating and being built in based on similar principles in truck or the trailer.

Application Example 6-HVAC system

Another kind of application can be used the dispersive method of ozone, and wherein ozone is discharged into the HVAC system, perhaps utilizes portable sterilizing apparatus.Such HVAC system is suitable for such suction with needs, or ozone generating apparatus can be the permanent fixture of HVAC system.

Similarly, catalytic converter can be the part of HVAC system, or in alternative, the catalytic converter unit can be arranged in by the HVAC system has in each room of ozone along the pipeline input.

Such application can be used or not have humidification together with humidification, and this depends on disinfecting process, its depend on again at biology.

If the use humidifier then utilizes automatic technology (comprising wireless monitor ozone and humidity level) can operate a plurality of ultrasonic humidifiers simultaneously in each room.

The record of all standards that exist in decontaminating apparatus 1 and security system may reside in these application.

The advantage of such system is, can carry out disinfection to many rooms apace.For example, on the tourism passenger steamer, this tourism passenger steamer has suffered big outbreak of disease and needed the turnaround time fast before leaving the harbour.

The effectiveness of gaseous ozone

Usually, test to show the selected test virus of ozone gas deactivation effectively (killing), as herpes simplex virus, influenza virus, the strong virus of hat, poliovirus and rhinovirus.Discover that on the surface such as glass, plastics, iron and steel, timber and fabric, these viruses are vulnerable to the attack of gaseous ozone.Increasing ozone concentration and longer exposure time is more effective (as expected), and has also significantly increased antiviral efficacy at the quick later on increase relative humidity of the ozone concentration that reaches expectation.

Experiment 1

At an indoor generation ozone with ozone concentration that about 100ppm is provided on various surfaces (comprising microscope slide, steel disk etc.) 30 minutes.Record relative humidity and temperature.

By being exposed to ozone gas, all remarkable deactivation herpes simplex virus (" HSV "), feline calicivirus (" FCV ") and Mus coronavirus (" MCV ").Usually, can reduce virus in the dosage 20-30 of 100ppm minute greater than 99%.The significant reduction though short exposure time causes less.So 10 minutes the virus infectivity that exposes the about 90%-95% of meeting deactivation to the open air, and the shorter time is less effective.According to the repeatedly time course research of carrying out, seemingly,, need be exposed to ozone 5 to 10 minutes, to absorb gas and to carry out suitable chemical treatment losing before the infectivity.Under conditions of similarity, ozone is inactivated poliovirus also.

On sample, virus is exposed to ozone, wherein sample drying on the six kind different surfaces relevant with the material that in lodging industry, runs into, i.e. glass, plastics, rustless steel, timber, fabric and carpet.On every kind of surface, several viruses are assessed.Usually, viral to the ozone sensitivity on glass, plastics, iron and steel, timber and fabric.

Result with many time course experiments of different virus-surface combination confirms, increases the bigger inactivation that exposure time causes virus, and in some cases after exposing to the open air in 30 minutes detected at all less than virus infectivity.

In several experiments, by during exposing to the open air, a container warm water being joined the influence of checking relative humidity in the chamber.The humidity level who is difficult to precise control by this way, however clearly, (it is 45%-50% normally) compares with ambient humidity, ozone inactivation of viruses more effectively under high humility.

Experiment 2

With the similar condition of accommodation under, further test with the test ozone gas the influence of selected virus.Purpose is to measure the ozone deactivation amount of the HSV in several diverse locations in the test room, and the ozone deactivation effectiveness that relatively is placed on the three kinds of different virus (HSV, poliovirus and rhinovirus) in the test room.

Three samples of HSV (killing) 98%, 99.4% and 97.8% that be inactivated.Ozone concentration is that 28ppm and exposure time are 60 minutes (it also need 30 minutes with from being that 0 starting point reaches above-mentioned ozone concentration).

Because the deactivation at three diverse location places is similarly in the room, thus this show, ozone gas very effectively deactivation than the virus in the big room.

Experiment 3

Under the condition of ozone dosage that reduces and high humility, carry out further experiment with of the influence of assessment ozone gas to FCV, wherein FCV is the alternative virus of Norwalk (Norwalk) virus, and compares with HSV and poliovirus.

FCV is inactivated 99.91%; Poliovirus is inactivated much larger than 99.6%; And HSV is inactivated much larger than 99%.Provided the atmosphere of high humility and significantly reduced ozone dosage (between the 20ppm to 40ppm) about 15 minutes to the closed interior environment that is used for these tests.Conclusion is, exist under the situation of high relative humidity by be exposed to ozone gas can deactivation greater than 99.9% FCV, and by optimizing further this virus of deactivation (and be Norwalk virus by extrapolation) of ozone dosage and humidity.

Experiment 4

Further test to develop suitable and relevant experimental system, be used to test the effectiveness of quantitative ozone dosage aspect the multiple important human virus of deactivation (promptly killing) known quantity; The ozone gas that obtains known dose kills curve for killing the virus of the dry virus sample on several different surfaces relevant with lodging industry; Relatively ozone gas is with respect to the known effectiveness of killing the virus to 5 kinds of important selected viruses of human health; Check the influence of killing the virus rendeing a service of different parameters, comprising: ozone concentration, exposure time and relative humidity ozone gas; And consider ozone gas potentiality as the other purposes of disinfectant under other situation that virus and microorganism agent may constitute a threat to.

Experimental result shows, all 5 kinds selected test viruses of ozone gas deactivation effectively (killing), that is, and herpes simplex virus, influenza virus, coronavirus, rhinovirus and poliovirus.In the time of when be in different surfaces (as glass, plastics, iron and steel, timber and fabric) with drying regime on, these viruses are vulnerable to the impact of ozone gas.The ozone and the longer exposure time that increase dosage are more effective (as expected), and the increase relative humidity has also significantly increased antiviral efficacy.

Based on these results, on every kind of testing surface, under the condition relevant with practical application, the virus that the effective deactivation of gaseous ozone is tested.Therefore, under various other situations that the small portable ozonator can enter, ozone gas also has as the antiviral of safety and the potentiality of antimicrobial.

By being exposed to ozone gas, all significantly deactivation HSV, FV and MCV.Usually, the dosage of 100ppm, 20 to 30 minutes can reduce virus greater than 99%.The significant reduction though short exposure time causes less.So the virus infectivity of 10 minutes about 90%-95% of deactivation, and the short time is less effective.According to the repeatedly time course research of carrying out, seemingly, losing before the infectivity, need be exposed to ozone 5 to 10 minutes to absorb above-mentioned gas and to carry out suitable chemical treatment.Infer, need the specific virus composition of oxidation, and this process need a few minutes.After this process, inactivation (being infective forfeiture) is fast.

On sample virus is exposed to ozone, wherein sample drying is on the six kind different surfaces relevant with the material that runs in lodging industry (glass, plastics, rustless steel, timber, fabric and carpet).Several viruses of assessment on every kind of surface.Usually, virus is responsive to ozone on such surface.

In a plurality of experiments, by during exposing to the open air, a container warm water being joined the influence of checking relative humidity in the chamber.The humidity level who is difficult to precise control by this way, however clearly, (it is 45%-50% normally) compares with ambient humidity, ozone inactivation of viruses more effectively under high humility.

Experiment 5

Carried out further experiment with the inactivation of determining Norwalk virus and carry out research about the ozone washing device.Prove that ozone gas can several viruses of deactivation, comprise feline calicivirus (the alternative virus of recommendation is used to test the susceptibility of Norwalk virus enantiopathy toxic agent).

The purpose of experiment is to optimize ozonization cycle (ozonation protocol) so that needed effective dose and exposure time are reduced to minimum level, to determine preferred relative humidity degree, and the optimum program that confirms under similar field condition (that is, in different biofluids and), to be used for virus sample on " not clean surface ".

In these test procedures, used feline calicivirus, because Norwalk virus originally is difficult to growth and measures in cell culture.Yet, after the optimum condition of the ozone inactivation of determining Calicivirus, can test the known reference fecal specimens that comprises Norwalk virus.

Data acknowledgement, under standard conditions and be suitable under persistent period, temperature and the humidity level of pleasure boat (cruise liner) and lodging industry, our decontaminating apparatus is deactivation FCV effectively, therefore deactivation Norwalk virus effectively.

The test of experiment 6-tourism passenger steamer

The FCV sample is placed in about 1300 square feet pleasure-boat cabin.Level of ozone in the cabin is brought up to 20.3ppm, and it needs 15 minutes.After this, the humidity in the main cabin was brought up to 98% (it needs 4 minutes).Connected catalytic converter then 20 minutes.This causes surpassing the deactivation of 98.8% FCV sample.

The test of experiment 7-accommodation

The sample of FCV and influenza virus is placed in the accommodation.The level of ozone of accommodation is brought up to 25ppm, thereafter the humidity level is brought up to 92% fast.Close ozonator and humidifier then and make the room " soak (soaked) " 15 minutes.Use catalytic converter 20 minutes so that level of ozone is reduced to 1ppm then.This causes surpassing 98% the FCV and the deactivation of influenza virus sample.

Experiment 8-fungus

The ability that experimentizes and kill different types of fungus and mycete by the ozone gas that decontaminating apparatus 1 produces quantitatively to determine, wherein above-mentioned different types of fungus and mycete are known to be present in the building that water stain (water-damaged) or " environment poor (sick) " arranged, and causes the worry to human health.Experimentize in the field trial in the laboratory test equipment and in office.

Experiment has been determined all 14 kinds of fungus/mycetes of being tested all to the effect sensitivity of ozone gas, and the wet film of fungus and dry film are same susceptibles.Under conditions of similarity, the needed ozone dosage of Fungicidally active is higher than kills virus and the needed ozone dosage of antibacterial, and high humility, preferably surpasses 90% relative humidity, is preferred.

In the qualitative assessment that in laboratory, carries out, reach inactivation, and realize the elimination of test specimen in some cases fully greater than 99%.In the field trial of in office, carrying out, realized deactivation greater than some species of 99%, and realized in some cases eradicating, though use two circulation processing can provide better result.Sample on several different surfaces (plastics, fabric, cotton, filter paper, cardboard and hardboard) has also obtained significant deactivation.

14 kinds of different fungal species have been used in the test.12 kinds of buildings that separate own water stain/environment difference, and other two kinds be the ATCC laboratory strains.In them some have been accredited as the species level: Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus niger, Candida albicans, short dense Penicillium, Stachybotrys atra bacterium and Trichoderma viride.Other is accredited as only for belonging to (genus) level: Alternaria, the mould Pseudomonas of short stalk, branch spore Pseudomonas, Mucor, thin basic lattice spore belong to.In addition, carried out some tests with the Botrytis and the Geotrichum of relatively slowly growth, though because their determinate growth, after more being difficult to measure quantitatively both.

In standard laboratory test equipment, sample was exposed to the 20-30ppm ozone gas 20 minutes, spray or not the injection water steam improve relative humidity to greater than 90%, the time is 10 minutes.In some test, ozone dosage is increased to 40-50ppm.

In the test, sample is exposed to our standard disinfectant program (as employed in the virus test) at the scene.Under these conditions, the maximum ozone dosage that reaches be about 35ppm+/-5ppm, wherein relative humidity is greater than 90%.

All species even all be responsive to the ozone gas of employed lowest dose level; Neither one has resistance.Inactivation is greater than 99% (greater than the 2log inactivation) in all cases, though with 99% comparing under low dosage more, more the ozone of high dose is more effective usually,, kills 99.9% (3log inactivation) that is.In addition, under high dose more, more may realize eradicating.The Candida albicans of yeast and mycelia form all is susceptibles, and can eradicate these biologies by the ozone of standard dose.Dry film and the wet film of fungus all are inactivated.Field trial obtains similar results.

Experiment 9-hepatitis C substitute

Under our standard conditions (being exposed to about 30ppm ozone gas 20-30 minute), carry out other experiment, with the antiviral activity of several viruses of assessment ozone gas deactivation, wherein above-mentioned virus comprises sindbis alphavirus and yellow fever virus, the alternative virus of the hepatitis C virus of approval.

Five experiments have altogether been carried out, two field trial (experiment 1﹠amp in office; 2) and three laboratory tests, wherein utilize the experimental assembly of describing in detail in the report formerly.In each experiment, used viral various combination, wherein used the dry-eye disease or the wet sample of virus, added blood products in some cases with the simulation situation relevant with the hepatitis C contaminated materials.

According to previous experiment, under our standard test conditions, comprise the field trial in the office, the virus of all tests is all to the ozone gas sensitivity.Be used as two kinds of viruses of the alternative virus of hepatitis C virus (itself can not be cultivated external), that is, sindbis alphavirus and yellow fever virus, the same with previous other virus of testing is pregnable.The existence of various people and bovine blood sample (mixing with virus) does not influence the ability that the ozone gas deactivation substitutes virus unfriendly.

Affected disease

Virus and the antibacterial that agent such as ozone can effectively resist of causing a disease comprises: clostridium difficile (the people pathogen of intestinal), antibiotic-resistant antibacterial (escherichia coli, staphylococcus and Streptococcus comprise the multiple antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria (MRSA) of staphylococcus), Candida albicans (yeast) and be grown in fungus on the different surfaces.The also various microorganisms of deactivation of ozone gas comprise gram positive bacteria and gram negative bacteria and yeast and mycete.The antibacterial that successfully proves susceptible comprises: Bacillus; Clostridium difficile, spore and cell; Escherichia coli; Bacillus canalis capsulatus; Legionella pneumophilia; Propionibacterium acnes; Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Staphylococcus aureus; Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and MSSA (MSSA); Streptococcus pyogenes; Acinetobacter bauamnnii; The drug resistance of vancomycin enterobacteria; Mobile haemophilus; Mycobacterium smegmatis; HSV (herpes simplex virus); Influenza virus (people's bacterial strain H3N2); Mus coronavirus (MCV); Sindbis alphavirus (SINV); Yellow fever virus (YFV); Stomatitis herpesvirus (VSV); Poliovirus (PV); 1A and 14 type rhinovirus; Norovirus; And feline calicivirus (FCV).Because sindbis alphavirus belongs to the virus family identical with hepatitis C virus with yellow fever virus, they can be regarded as suitable substitute in antivirus test.Because influenza virus, Mus coronavirus, sindbis alphavirus, yellow fever virus and stomatitis herpesvirus all are to have film and have RNA viruses with the similar structure of HIV, so can be regarded as the suitable substitute of HIV in antivirus test.

Susceptible bacteria comprises the species with the subordinate: campylobacter; Other fusobacterium (fusobacterium, bacillus botulinus, fusobacterium); Enterococcus; Helicobacterium; Lactobacillus; The Li Site Pseudomonas; Neisseria; Proteus; Salmonella; Shigella; Vibrio; And yersinia's genus.

The fungus that laboratory test proves susceptible comprises: Eurotium; Candida albicans; Penicillium; The Stachybotrys atra bacterium; Trichoderma; Thin basic lattice spore belongs to; Alternaria; Botrytis; Branch spore Pseudomonas; Geotrichum; And Mucor.

The fungus of expection susceptible comprises Cryptococcus.

Other susceptible biology comprises: Cimex bedbug (bed bug); And dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (the flour dirt demodicid mite of North America), it is one of common cause of asthma.

Though at length disclosed specific preferred implementation of the present invention, will be appreciated that the variation of disclosed device or improvement are within the scope of the invention for illustrative purposes.

Claims (14)

1. one kind to the enclosed environment method of disinfecting, comprising:

(a) in described enclosed environment, produce gaseous ozone to predetermined ozone concentration;

(b) after reaching described presumptive area concentration, the humidity of described enclosed environment is increased to predetermined relative humidity level greater than 80% fast;

(c) after reaching described predetermined relative humidity level, exhaust described ozone;

(d) when described ozone concentration is reduced to predetermined safety level, signal.

2. method according to claim 1, wherein, described predetermined ozone concentration 15 and 40ppm in.

3. method according to claim 2 wherein, utilizes catalytic converter to exhaust described ozone.

4. method according to claim 3, wherein, described predetermined moisture level is greater than 90%.

5. method according to claim 4, wherein, described predetermined ozone concentration is between 20 to 30ppm.

6. method according to claim 5, wherein, before step (a), restriction enters described enclosed environment.

7. method according to claim 6 wherein, improves described humidity level by ultrasonic humidifier.

8. method according to claim 7, wherein, described catalytic converter makes ozonized air pass through the manganese dioxide tower tray.

9. method according to claim 8, wherein, described catalytic converter also makes described ozonized air by the active carbon tower tray.

10. method according to claim 9, wherein, described signalling is to connect LED.

11. method according to claim 10, wherein, signalling is to close sound.

12. a decontaminating apparatus comprises:

Intervalometer;

Ozonator;

Catalytic converter with manganese dioxide tower tray and active carbon tower tray;

A plurality of wheels;

Sound generator;

Ozone sensor;

First fan is used for ozonized air is drawn in the described catalytic converter.

13. decontaminating apparatus according to claim 12 further comprises ultrasonic humidifier.

14. decontaminating apparatus according to claim 13, wherein, when described ozone sensor senses level of ozone when being higher than predetermined safe level of ozone, described sound generator produces irritating sound.

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