EP4142815A2 - Sanitization device and method - Google Patents

Sanitization device and method

Info

Publication number
EP4142815A2
EP4142815A2 EP21725606.4A EP21725606A EP4142815A2 EP 4142815 A2 EP4142815 A2 EP 4142815A2 EP 21725606 A EP21725606 A EP 21725606A EP 4142815 A2 EP4142815 A2 EP 4142815A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
air
filter
treatment
ozone
sanitization
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
EP21725606.4A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Gianluca MAGRINI
Laura TREVISSON
Giorgio CASALBONI
Marco Pericoli
Enrico CATAPANO
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Newster System Srl
Original Assignee
Newster System Srl
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Newster System Srl filed Critical Newster System Srl
Publication of EP4142815A2 publication Critical patent/EP4142815A2/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
    • A61L9/00—Disinfection, sterilisation or deodorisation of air
    • A61L9/16—Disinfection, sterilisation or deodorisation of air using physical phenomena
    • A61L9/18—Radiation
    • A61L9/20—Ultraviolet radiation
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
    • A61L9/00—Disinfection, sterilisation or deodorisation of air
    • A61L9/015—Disinfection, sterilisation or deodorisation of air using gaseous or vaporous substances, e.g. ozone
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F8/00—Treatment, e.g. purification, of air supplied to human living or working spaces otherwise than by heating, cooling, humidifying or drying
    • F24F8/10—Treatment, e.g. purification, of air supplied to human living or working spaces otherwise than by heating, cooling, humidifying or drying by separation, e.g. by filtering
    • F24F8/108—Treatment, e.g. purification, of air supplied to human living or working spaces otherwise than by heating, cooling, humidifying or drying by separation, e.g. by filtering using dry filter elements
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F8/00—Treatment, e.g. purification, of air supplied to human living or working spaces otherwise than by heating, cooling, humidifying or drying
    • F24F8/10—Treatment, e.g. purification, of air supplied to human living or working spaces otherwise than by heating, cooling, humidifying or drying by separation, e.g. by filtering
    • F24F8/15—Treatment, e.g. purification, of air supplied to human living or working spaces otherwise than by heating, cooling, humidifying or drying by separation, e.g. by filtering by chemical means
    • F24F8/158—Treatment, e.g. purification, of air supplied to human living or working spaces otherwise than by heating, cooling, humidifying or drying by separation, e.g. by filtering by chemical means using active carbon
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F8/00—Treatment, e.g. purification, of air supplied to human living or working spaces otherwise than by heating, cooling, humidifying or drying
    • F24F8/20—Treatment, e.g. purification, of air supplied to human living or working spaces otherwise than by heating, cooling, humidifying or drying by sterilisation
    • F24F8/22—Treatment, e.g. purification, of air supplied to human living or working spaces otherwise than by heating, cooling, humidifying or drying by sterilisation using UV light
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F8/00—Treatment, e.g. purification, of air supplied to human living or working spaces otherwise than by heating, cooling, humidifying or drying
    • F24F8/20—Treatment, e.g. purification, of air supplied to human living or working spaces otherwise than by heating, cooling, humidifying or drying by sterilisation
    • F24F8/24—Treatment, e.g. purification, of air supplied to human living or working spaces otherwise than by heating, cooling, humidifying or drying by sterilisation using sterilising media
    • F24F8/26—Treatment, e.g. purification, of air supplied to human living or working spaces otherwise than by heating, cooling, humidifying or drying by sterilisation using sterilising media using ozone
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
    • A61L2209/00—Aspects relating to disinfection, sterilisation or deodorisation of air
    • A61L2209/10—Apparatus features
    • A61L2209/11—Apparatus for controlling air treatment
    • A61L2209/111—Sensor means, e.g. motion, brightness, scent, contaminant sensors
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
    • A61L2209/00—Aspects relating to disinfection, sterilisation or deodorisation of air
    • A61L2209/10—Apparatus features
    • A61L2209/14—Filtering means
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
    • A61L2209/00—Aspects relating to disinfection, sterilisation or deodorisation of air
    • A61L2209/20—Method-related aspects
    • A61L2209/21—Use of chemical compounds for treating air or the like
    • A61L2209/212—Use of ozone, e.g. generated by UV radiation or electrical discharge
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F2110/00—Control inputs relating to air properties
    • F24F2110/50—Air quality properties
    • F24F2110/65—Concentration of specific substances or contaminants
    • F24F2110/74—Ozone
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02A—TECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02A50/00—TECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE in human health protection, e.g. against extreme weather
    • Y02A50/20—Air quality improvement or preservation, e.g. vehicle emission control or emission reduction by using catalytic converters
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02B—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS
    • Y02B30/00—Energy efficient heating, ventilation or air conditioning [HVAC]
    • Y02B30/70—Efficient control or regulation technologies, e.g. for control of refrigerant flow, motor or heating

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a sanitization device and method.
  • Ozone is a powerful oxidizing agent and disinfectant, capable of reacting with organic substances provided with double bonds (unsaturated) and this feature of it has been used in many processes for the treatment of water and air.
  • the oxidizing action performed by ozone means that since its discovery it has been used as a bactericidal, fungicidal and virus inactivating agent.
  • Ozone was initially used as a disinfecting agent in the production of drinking water, in France since 1906 and in Germany since 1972. Ozone was selected based on the fact that it is more effective than other disinfectants against a wider range of micro-organisms.
  • Ozone is mainly produced in three ways: by subjecting oxygen to high voltage electrical discharges (Corona effect), to ultraviolet radiations (185 nm) and also to some chemical processes (electrolysis of water). Ozone must always be produced at the place of use, since it cannot be preserved in the gaseous state for longer than extremely brief periods.
  • UVGI Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation
  • UV disinfection systems are designed to expose environments such as water containers, closed rooms and air conditioning systems to germicidal UV. This type of sanitization must also take place only without people present. Moreover, the action of the UV lamp remains limited to the surface irradiated, which is not very extensive. Therefore, the sanitization is only effective for small environments.
  • the aim of this invention is to allow effective and safe sanitization of an environment.
  • a further aim of this invention is to allow sanitization even with people present.
  • the positioning of the UV lamp in proximity of the HEPA filter allows irradiation of the filter itself and therefore its continuous sanitization.
  • the treatment circuit comprises a catalytic filter, for example of the activated carbon type, positioned downstream of the HEPA filter. This allows adsorption of volatile organic compounds (VOC) during filtration.
  • VOC volatile organic compounds
  • the catalytic filter allows removal of the residual ozone.
  • a sanitization method comprises the features of claim 8.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a first embodiment of the device according to this invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of a unit of the device according to this invention.
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a further preferred embodiment of the device according to this invention.
  • the numeral 1 denotes a sanitization device, in particular for environments.
  • the device 1 comprises at least one first circuit 2 for the treatment of air having at least one first filter 3 with a 0.3 pm particle filtration efficiency (EF) > 80% and at least one ultraviolet radiation lamp 4, preferably UV-C, positioned upstream of the first filter 3.
  • EF particle filtration efficiency
  • the first filter 3 is preferably of the HEPA type.
  • HEPA filter High Efficiency Particulate Air Filter
  • the term HEPA filter indicates a particular high efficiency filtration system for fluids (liquids or gases). It is composed of microfibre filtering sheets, usually made of borosilicate, assembled in multiple layers, separated by aluminium plates. The microfibre filtering sheets have the task of stopping the polluting solid particles (or particulate) present in the fluid current to be treated.
  • the first filter is of the ULPA (Ultra Low Penetration Air) type HEPA filters and ULPA filters are part of the category of what are know as "absolute filters", since they have a high filtration efficiency.
  • ULPA Ultra Low Penetration Air
  • HEPA filters have a filtration efficiency of between 85% (H10) and 99.995% (H14), whilst ULPA filters have a filtration efficiency of between 99.9995% (U15) and 99.999995% (U17). Consequently, they are classified based on the 0.3 pm particle filtration efficiency, in accordance with UNI EN 1822-1:2009 standards.
  • HEPA filters are grouped in 5 classes (from H10 to H14) with increasing performance features. They are tested with the dioctyl phthalate aerosol dispersion method (DOP test): the efficiency calculated is > 99.999 % with particles with 0.3 pm diameter, also defined as MPPS (Most Penetrating Particle Size). HEPA filters can capture particles smaller than the MPPS through the diffusion filtration mechanism, since smaller particles, like some viruses, often attach to larger particles which are well captured on HEPA filters.
  • DOP test dioctyl phthalate aerosol dispersion method
  • the first treatment circuit 2 preferably comprises at least one second, catalytic filter 5, in particular an activated carbon filter, positioned downstream of the first, HEPA type filter 3.
  • the first treatment circuit 2 may comprise a dust filter positioned downstream of the second, catalytic filter 5.
  • the sanitization device 1 comprises a housing 6, in particular substantially having the shape of a parallelepiped.
  • the housing is movable, for example on wheels.
  • the first treatment circuit 2 comprises one or more UV lamps 4, in particular UV- C lamps, and one or more HEPA type filters 3 positioned downstream of the UV lamp 4.
  • the UV lamp 4 is positioned in proximity of the HEPA filter 3, in such a way as to irradiate the filter 3 itself.
  • the constant UV irradiation of the surface of the HEPA filter 3 guarantees an effective disinfection of the air entering as well as a constant decontamination of the surface of the filter itself.
  • the first treatment circuit 2 comprises a forced ventilation circuit.
  • the forced ventilation circuit has an inlet 7 for the air to be treated; an outlet 8 for the treated air; and at least one fan 9 placed at the inlet 7, for conveying the air towards the outlet 8.
  • the ventilation circuit has a grille 10 at the air inlet
  • the fan 9 may be positioned at a distance from the inlet 7 for the air to be treated.
  • the inlet 7 for the air to be sanitized is positioned on a lateral wall, for example the front wall 12 of the housing 6.
  • the outlet 8 for the filtered air is placed on the wall 13 of the housing 6 opposite to the inlet.
  • the inlet 7 for the air to be sanitized and the outlet 8 for the filtered air may be positioned on different walls.
  • the inlet 7 for the air to be sanitized may be for example positioned on the lower wall which forms the bottom of the housing 6.
  • the 8 for the filtered air may be for example positioned on the upper wall of the housing 6 opposite to the bottom wall.
  • the device 1 comprises at least one first sensor 14 for detecting the concentration of substances in the environment which may be toxic, for example an ozone concentration detecting sensor, described in more detail below.
  • the device 1 comprises at least one second circuit 16 for the treatment of air comprising at least one ozone generator In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 2, the second treatment circuit 16 is positioned in a separate housing 18.
  • the second treatment circuit 16 comprises a respective forced ventilation circuit.
  • the forced ventilation circuit has an inlet 19 for the air to be treated; an outlet 20 for the treated air; and at least one fan 21 placed at the inlet 19, for conveying the air towards the outlet 20.
  • the ventilation circuit has a grille 22 at the air inlet 19 and a grille 23 at the air outlet 20.
  • the fan 21 may be positioned at a distance from the inlet 19 for the air to be treated.
  • the inlet 19 for the air to be sanitized is positioned on a lateral wall, for example on the front wall
  • the outlet 20 for the sanitized air is placed on the upper side
  • the introduction of the sanitized air into the environment is preferably directed upwards.
  • the inlet 19 for the air to be sanitized and the outlet 20 for the sanitized air may be positioned on different walls.
  • the inlet 19 for the air to be sanitized may be for example positioned on the lower wall which forms the bottom of the housing 18.
  • the outlet 20 for the sanitized air may be for example positioned on the upper wall of the housing 6 opposite to the bottom wall or on a lateral wall.
  • the ozone generator 17 is interposed between the inlet 19 and the outlet 20 of the ventilation circuit.
  • the ozone generator 17 is advantageously a generator in which ozone is produced using the high voltage corona effect by reconverting the oxygen of the air to be
  • ozone is produced by subjecting the oxygen to ultraviolet radiation and/or to chemical processes, for example the electrolysis of water.
  • the second treatment circuit 16 positioned at the air inlet 19, in particular downstream of the fan 21, there is at least one second ozone concentration detecting sensor 27.
  • the second sensor 27 may be positioned upstream of the fan 21.
  • the device 1 advantageously has a control unit 15 connected to the switch on system ( Figure 3).
  • the control unit 15 is preferably connected to the first sensor 14 and/or to the second sensor 27.
  • the sanitization device 1 comprises a single housing 28, in particular substantially having the shape of a parallelepiped, divided into two units: placed in the first unit 29, positioned in the lower part of the housing 28, is the first treatment circuit 2, whilst placed in the second unit 30, positioned in the upper part of the housing 28, is the second treatment circuit 16.
  • the housing 28 is internally divided by a vertical wall and the first unit 29 and the second unit 30 are side by side.
  • the housing 28 is preferably movable, for example on wheels.
  • the first treatment circuit 2 positioned in the first unit 29 corresponds to that described with reference to Figure 1.
  • the second treatment circuit 3 positioned in the second unit 30 corresponds to that described with reference to Figure 2.
  • the inlet 19 for the air to be sanitized is positioned on the front wall 31 of the housing 28, in particular in the lower zone.
  • the outlet 8 for the filtered air is placed on the wall 32 of the housing 28 opposite to the inlet 7, in particular higher up than the inlet 7.
  • the ventilation circuit sucks air in from the front downwards and introduces air into the environment on the back upwards.
  • the inlet 19 for the air to be sanitized is positioned on the front wall 31 of the housing 28.
  • the air is preferably sucked in downwards.
  • the outlet 20 for the sanitized air is placed on the upper side 33 of the housing 28, at the wall 32 opposite to the air inlet 19.
  • the introduction of the sanitized air into the environment is preferably directed upwards.
  • the inlet 7 for the air to be sanitized may be positioned on the lower wall which forms the bottom wall of the housing 28.
  • the outlet 8 for the filtered air may be placed on the upper wall of the housing opposite to the bottom wall.
  • the ventilation circuit sucks air in from the bottom and introduces air into the environment upwards.
  • the inlet 19 for the air to be sanitized may be positioned on the lower wall which forms the bottom wall of the housing 28. Air is sucked from the bottom upwards.
  • the outlet 20 for the sanitized air is placed on the upper wall 33 of the housing 28, opposite to the bottom wall. The introduction of the sanitized air into the environment is directed upwards.
  • the first sensor 14 positioned at the air inlet 7 in the first treatment circuit 2, in particular downstream of the fan 9, is preferably an ozone concentration detecting sensor 14.
  • the control unit 15 is preferably connected to the first ozone concentration detecting sensor 14.
  • the first ozone concentration detecting sensor 14 allows the end of the ozone treatment in progress to be determined with certainty, guaranteeing access to the sanitized rooms only with an ozone concentration less than or equal to the legal limit.
  • ozone detecting sensor present positioned in the second treatment circuit and connected to the control unit.
  • the sensor may be positioned upstream of the fan.
  • the activated carbon filter 5 guarantees rapid removal of the residual ozone at the end of the treatment as well as adsorption of volatile organic compounds (VOC) during the filtration without ozone.
  • control unit 15 has an interface, for example a “touch” panel, for data entry such as the room volume or selection of the treatment circuit.
  • a “touch” panel for data entry such as the room volume or selection of the treatment circuit.
  • the device 1 preferably comprises at least one indicator, for example an acoustic and/or light indicator.
  • a first indicator for example acoustic, indicates sanitization in progress and a second acoustic indicator with associated indicator light indicates the end of the sanitization cycle.
  • the device 1 advantageously comprises a printer for issuing a sanitization completed certificate with the parameters measured.
  • the device 1 preferably comprises safety means, for example a motion detecting sensor for stopping the ozone treatment in the event of an unauthorized entry in the room being decontaminated, a door block for interrupting the switch on the UV lamps in the event of unauthorized opening of the protective guard, an hour- run meter for monitoring the activity and duration of the ozone generator corona lamp, of the UV lamps, of the HEPA filter and of the Activated Carbon filter for the purposes of preventive maintenance of the individual components.
  • safety means for example a motion detecting sensor for stopping the ozone treatment in the event of an unauthorized entry in the room being decontaminated, a door block for interrupting the switch on the UV lamps in the event of unauthorized opening of the protective guard, an hour- run meter for monitoring the activity and duration of the ozone generator corona lamp, of the UV lamps, of the HEPA filter and of the Activated Carbon filter for the purposes of preventive maintenance of the individual components.
  • the device comprises a support for an ozone detecting card, for example a colorimetric card.
  • the support can be inserted into an opening in one of the walls of the housing. At the end of the treatment, the support can be extracted from the opening to verify if ozone production occurred correctly.
  • the device 1 advantageously has various operating modes.
  • the control unit 15 activates the first treatment circuit 2 comprising the UV lamp 4, the HEPA filter 3 and if necessary the activated carbon filter 5.
  • the air coming in is irradiated with the UV-C lamp 4, preferably a low pressure lamp, before passing through the HEPA filter 3.
  • That method may be set to operate continuously even with people present.
  • control unit 15 activates the second circuit 16 for treatment with ozone.
  • Ozone is produced using the high voltage corona effect by reconverting the oxygen of the air to be treated.
  • the second ozone sensor 27 detects the ozone concentration at the inlet and modulates the switch on of the ozone generator 17 corona lamp in order to maintain the target concentration for the time set by the program. In this way the ozone is diffused throughout the entire environment air, by means of the internal forced ventilation circuit, guaranteeing a minimum number of passes in the second treatment circuit 16.
  • the ozone Since the ozone is heavier than oxygen and nitrogen, it tends to be deposited on surfaces, also having a surface treatment action in addition to its air decontamination action.
  • the control unit 15 activates the second circuit 16 for treatment with ozone.
  • the second circuit 16 is switched off and the first circuit 2 is activated comprising the UV lamp 4, the HEPA filter 3 and the activated carbon filter 5 for removing the residual ozone.
  • the activated carbon filter 5 Downstream of the HEPA filter 3, the activated carbon filter 5 performs catalytic decomposition of the residual ozone.
  • the first sensor 14 for detecting the residual ozone monitors the removal trend until the maximum threshold equal to 0.1 ppm is reached.
  • a summary ticket is printed containing the following sanitization completed certification data.
  • the environment is immediately usable, thanks to the residual ozone environmental detector.
  • Use of the environmental sensor ensures that the air coming into the disinfection unit maintains the reference ozone concentration.
  • the sanitization method comprises the steps of: selecting a sanitization mode; in a first sanitization mode, activating at least one first air treatment comprising the steps of conveying the air towards at least one ultraviolet radiation lamp 4, preferably UV-C, and conveying the irradiated air towards at least one first filter 3 with a filtration efficiency (EF) > 80%, preferably a HEPA type filter; in a second sanitization mode, activating at least one second air treatment comprising the steps of: activating an ozone generator 17; conveying the air present in the environment towards the ozone generator 17; diffusing the ozone in the environment.
  • EF filtration efficiency
  • the first treatment comprises the step of irradiating the first filter 3 by means of the ultraviolet radiation lamp 4.
  • the first treatment comprises the step of conveying the air towards a second, catalytic filter 5, preferably an activated carbon filter, placed downstream of the first filter 3.
  • a second, catalytic filter 5 preferably an activated carbon filter
  • the method comprises the step of selecting a third sanitization mode in which first the air treatment with ozone is activated and then the air treatment by means of the first filter 3 and the ultraviolet radiation lamp 4.
  • the method comprises selecting the first and/or the second treatment as a function of the ozone concentration in the environment.
  • the method comprises activating the ozone generator 17 for a time such as to maintain the ozone concentration at a level preset as a function of the features of the environment to be sanitized.
  • the device according to this invention allows action to be taken effectively both with complete sanitization treatments and using a continuous sanitization of the filtered air.
  • the sanitization device is a movable, programmable device, easy to manage, for use in all circumstances in which it is necessary and/or obligatory to provide sanitization of the air and surfaces in interiors.
  • the combination of disinfection mechanisms which are physical, not chemical, allows effective sanitization without any release of chemical substances in the environment: once the ozone has completed its oxidizing action against indoor environmental contaminants (micro-organisms, volatile organic compounds, bad odours, etc.) it returns to its original form, that is to say, oxygen.
  • the UV-C rays are confined to the inside of the disinfection chamber without any possibility of uncontrolled emissions.
  • a maintenance program installed in the control unit warns the user in advance if the filters and UV lamp need substituting. Moreover, there is complete elimination of the chemical risk linked to handling, storing and using the chemical disinfectants used for traditional sanitization;
  • the device can be kept active 24/7 in the mode which provides only the second treatment, guaranteeing continuous filtration of the air on HEPA and activated carbon filters and UV-C irradiation. This option is particularly important for all of those sectors where it is necessary to never interrupt the activity, but at the same time to provide continuous and constant sanitization of environments.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Epidemiology (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Disinfection, Sterilisation Or Deodorisation Of Air (AREA)
  • Pretreatment Of Seeds And Plants (AREA)
  • Solid-Sorbent Or Filter-Aiding Compositions (AREA)
  • Treating Waste Gases (AREA)

Abstract

A sanitization device comprises least one first circuit (2) for the treatment of air having at least one first filter (3) with a 0.3 pm particle filtration efficiency (EF) ≥ 80%, preferably a HEPA type filter, and at least one ultraviolet radiation lamp (4), preferably UV-C, positioned upstream of the first filter (3) in the direction of air circulation.

Description

SANITIZATION DEVICE AND METHOD
Technical field
This invention relates to a sanitization device and method.
Background art
Sanitization of indoor environments and in particular of public spaces, such as healthcare structures, offices, businesses, schools, and workplaces in general, is today an absolute necessity.
Sanitization of environments including of the air and internal surfaces, that is to say, an intervention aimed at eliminating at the basic level any bacterium and contaminating agent which cannot be removed with common cleaning, is considered amongst the most effective measures for eliminating bacteria and viruses present in environments.
Focusing attention on the healthcare sector, hospitals which have high hygiene requirements, already carry out frequent cleaning in order to reduce the spread of pathogens. That is commonly done by frequently cleaning surfaces with chemical disinfectants. Although this traditional method is effective, traditional manual cleaning and disinfection practices are often not optimal. Reasons for cleaning failure may be due to misunderstandings, deviations from the cleaning protocol, failure to clean all of the surfaces, incorrect dilution of the cleaning agent by the diluting machine or by people and due to the ineffective structure of the surface of the cleaning equipment on some materials. In a hospital setting such errors may increase the risk of the spread of pathogens between the different areas and the patients. The inclusion in current protocols of technologies which are automatic and certified allows an increase in the level of effectiveness of the cleaning/sanitization activity and also guarantees a greater level of safety for the operators themselves.
Currently there are various prior art systems for sanitizing air and surfaces.
One prior art treatment uses ozone. Ozone is a powerful oxidizing agent and disinfectant, capable of reacting with organic substances provided with double bonds (unsaturated) and this feature of it has been used in many processes for the treatment of water and air. The oxidizing action performed by ozone means that since its discovery it has been used as a bactericidal, fungicidal and virus inactivating agent. Ozone was initially used as a disinfecting agent in the production of drinking water, in France since 1906 and in Germany since 1972. Ozone was selected based on the fact that it is more effective than other disinfectants against a wider range of micro-organisms.
Ozone is mainly produced in three ways: by subjecting oxygen to high voltage electrical discharges (Corona effect), to ultraviolet radiations (185 nm) and also to some chemical processes (electrolysis of water). Ozone must always be produced at the place of use, since it cannot be preserved in the gaseous state for longer than extremely brief periods.
Sanitization by means of ozone presents the problem that it cannot be carried out with people present. Therefore, it can only be used in empty environments. Moreover, after that sanitization, the environments are not immediately accessible. It is necessary to wait for a predetermined time until the sanitized environment no longer has levels of ozone which are hazardous to humans. Sanitization using ultraviolet radiation is also known. "Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation" (UVGI), is a sterilization method which uses ultraviolet light at the UV-C wavelength, capable of modifying the DNA or the RNA of micro organisms and therefore preventing them from multiplying and/or being harmful. Germicidal ultraviolet radiation is produced by a mercury vapour lamp which emits the UV at the desired wavelength. UV disinfection systems are designed to expose environments such as water containers, closed rooms and air conditioning systems to germicidal UV. This type of sanitization must also take place only without people present. Moreover, the action of the UV lamp remains limited to the surface irradiated, which is not very extensive. Therefore, the sanitization is only effective for small environments.
Disclosure of the invention
The aim of this invention is to allow effective and safe sanitization of an environment. A further aim of this invention is to allow sanitization even with people present.
According to this invention, a device is supplied having the features defined in claim 1.
The use of an ultraviolet radiation lamp positioned upstream of a HEPA filter allows a first sanitization of the air which is then completed by conveying the air onto the HEPA filter.
Advantageously, the positioning of the UV lamp in proximity of the HEPA filter allows irradiation of the filter itself and therefore its continuous sanitization.
In one advantageous embodiment, the treatment circuit comprises a catalytic filter, for example of the activated carbon type, positioned downstream of the HEPA filter. This allows adsorption of volatile organic compounds (VOC) during filtration.
If a pre-treatment of the air with ozone is carried out, the catalytic filter allows removal of the residual ozone.
According to another aspect of this invention, a sanitization method comprises the features of claim 8.
Brief description of drawings
Further advantages and features of this invention will be more apparent in the detailed description which follows, with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show an example, non-limiting embodiment, in which:
- Figure 1 is a schematic view of a first embodiment of the device according to this invention;
- Figure 2 is a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of a unit of the device according to this invention;
- Figure 3 is a schematic view of a further preferred embodiment of the device according to this invention.
Preferred embodiments of the invention
In Figure 1 the numeral 1 denotes a sanitization device, in particular for environments.
According to the invention, the device 1 comprises at least one first circuit 2 for the treatment of air having at least one first filter 3 with a 0.3 pm particle filtration efficiency (EF) > 80% and at least one ultraviolet radiation lamp 4, preferably UV-C, positioned upstream of the first filter 3.
The first filter 3 is preferably of the HEPA type. The term HEPA filter (High Efficiency Particulate Air Filter) indicates a particular high efficiency filtration system for fluids (liquids or gases). It is composed of microfibre filtering sheets, usually made of borosilicate, assembled in multiple layers, separated by aluminium plates. The microfibre filtering sheets have the task of stopping the polluting solid particles (or particulate) present in the fluid current to be treated. Alternatively, the first filter is of the ULPA (Ultra Low Penetration Air) type HEPA filters and ULPA filters are part of the category of what are know as "absolute filters", since they have a high filtration efficiency. In particular, HEPA filters have a filtration efficiency of between 85% (H10) and 99.995% (H14), whilst ULPA filters have a filtration efficiency of between 99.9995% (U15) and 99.999995% (U17). Consequently, they are classified based on the 0.3 pm particle filtration efficiency, in accordance with UNI EN 1822-1:2009 standards.
HEPA filters are grouped in 5 classes (from H10 to H14) with increasing performance features. They are tested with the dioctyl phthalate aerosol dispersion method (DOP test): the efficiency calculated is > 99.999 % with particles with 0.3 pm diameter, also defined as MPPS (Most Penetrating Particle Size). HEPA filters can capture particles smaller than the MPPS through the diffusion filtration mechanism, since smaller particles, like some viruses, often attach to larger particles which are well captured on HEPA filters.
The first treatment circuit 2 preferably comprises at least one second, catalytic filter 5, in particular an activated carbon filter, positioned downstream of the first, HEPA type filter 3.
The first treatment circuit 2 may comprise a dust filter positioned downstream of the second, catalytic filter 5.
In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, the sanitization device 1 comprises a housing 6, in particular substantially having the shape of a parallelepiped. Preferably the housing is movable, for example on wheels.
The first treatment circuit 2 comprises one or more UV lamps 4, in particular UV- C lamps, and one or more HEPA type filters 3 positioned downstream of the UV lamp 4.
Advantageously, the UV lamp 4 is positioned in proximity of the HEPA filter 3, in such a way as to irradiate the filter 3 itself.
The constant UV irradiation of the surface of the HEPA filter 3 guarantees an effective disinfection of the air entering as well as a constant decontamination of the surface of the filter itself.
Advantageously, the first treatment circuit 2 comprises a forced ventilation circuit. The forced ventilation circuit has an inlet 7 for the air to be treated; an outlet 8 for the treated air; and at least one fan 9 placed at the inlet 7, for conveying the air towards the outlet 8. Preferably the ventilation circuit has a grille 10 at the air inlet
7 and a grille 11 at the air outlet 8. In one embodiment not illustrated, the fan 9 may be positioned at a distance from the inlet 7 for the air to be treated.
In the embodiment illustrated, in the first treatment circuit 2 the inlet 7 for the air to be sanitized is positioned on a lateral wall, for example the front wall 12 of the housing 6. The outlet 8 for the filtered air is placed on the wall 13 of the housing 6 opposite to the inlet.
In other embodiments not illustrated, in the first treatment circuit 2 the inlet 7 for the air to be sanitized and the outlet 8 for the filtered air may be positioned on different walls. The inlet 7 for the air to be sanitized may be for example positioned on the lower wall which forms the bottom of the housing 6. The outlet
8 for the filtered air may be for example positioned on the upper wall of the housing 6 opposite to the bottom wall.
Advantageously the device 1 comprises at least one first sensor 14 for detecting the concentration of substances in the environment which may be toxic, for example an ozone concentration detecting sensor, described in more detail below. According to one advantageous embodiment, the device 1 comprises at least one second circuit 16 for the treatment of air comprising at least one ozone generator In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 2, the second treatment circuit 16 is positioned in a separate housing 18.
Advantageously, the second treatment circuit 16 comprises a respective forced ventilation circuit. The forced ventilation circuit has an inlet 19 for the air to be treated; an outlet 20 for the treated air; and at least one fan 21 placed at the inlet 19, for conveying the air towards the outlet 20. Preferably the ventilation circuit has a grille 22 at the air inlet 19 and a grille 23 at the air outlet 20. In one embodiment not illustrated, the fan 21 may be positioned at a distance from the inlet 19 for the air to be treated.
In the embodiment illustrated, in the second treatment circuit 16 the inlet 19 for the air to be sanitized is positioned on a lateral wall, for example on the front wall
24 of the housing 18. The outlet 20 for the sanitized air is placed on the upper side
25 of the housing 18, at the wall 26 opposite to the air inlet 19. The introduction of the sanitized air into the environment is preferably directed upwards.
In other embodiments not illustrated, in the second treatment circuit 16 the inlet 19 for the air to be sanitized and the outlet 20 for the sanitized air may be positioned on different walls. The inlet 19 for the air to be sanitized may be for example positioned on the lower wall which forms the bottom of the housing 18. The outlet 20 for the sanitized air may be for example positioned on the upper wall of the housing 6 opposite to the bottom wall or on a lateral wall.
The ozone generator 17 is interposed between the inlet 19 and the outlet 20 of the ventilation circuit.
The ozone generator 17 is advantageously a generator in which ozone is produced using the high voltage corona effect by reconverting the oxygen of the air to be
7 treated.
Alternatively, in the ozone generator ozone is produced by subjecting the oxygen to ultraviolet radiation and/or to chemical processes, for example the electrolysis of water.
In the embodiment illustrated, in the second treatment circuit 16, positioned at the air inlet 19, in particular downstream of the fan 21, there is at least one second ozone concentration detecting sensor 27. Alternatively the second sensor 27 may be positioned upstream of the fan 21.
The device 1 advantageously has a control unit 15 connected to the switch on system (Figure 3). The control unit 15 is preferably connected to the first sensor 14 and/or to the second sensor 27.
During operation of the circuit for treatment with ozone, the air, sucked in by the mechanical ventilation system, crosses the second sensor 27 which detects the ozone concentration at the inlet, allowing a controlled switch on of the ozone generator 17 placed downstream. This guarantees a controlled amount of the ozone for a minimum time in order to guarantee the disinfection process. According to the embodiment illustrated in Figure 3, the sanitization device 1 comprises a single housing 28, in particular substantially having the shape of a parallelepiped, divided into two units: placed in the first unit 29, positioned in the lower part of the housing 28, is the first treatment circuit 2, whilst placed in the second unit 30, positioned in the upper part of the housing 28, is the second treatment circuit 16.
In one embodiment not illustrated the housing 28 is internally divided by a vertical wall and the first unit 29 and the second unit 30 are side by side.
The housing 28 is preferably movable, for example on wheels. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 3, the first treatment circuit 2 positioned in the first unit 29 corresponds to that described with reference to Figure 1.
The second treatment circuit 3 positioned in the second unit 30 corresponds to that described with reference to Figure 2.
In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 3, in the first treatment circuit 2 the inlet 19 for the air to be sanitized is positioned on the front wall 31 of the housing 28, in particular in the lower zone. The outlet 8 for the filtered air is placed on the wall 32 of the housing 28 opposite to the inlet 7, in particular higher up than the inlet 7. The ventilation circuit sucks air in from the front downwards and introduces air into the environment on the back upwards.
In the second treatment circuit 16 the inlet 19 for the air to be sanitized is positioned on the front wall 31 of the housing 28. The air is preferably sucked in downwards. The outlet 20 for the sanitized air is placed on the upper side 33 of the housing 28, at the wall 32 opposite to the air inlet 19. The introduction of the sanitized air into the environment is preferably directed upwards.
In one embodiment not illustrated, in the first treatment circuit 2 the inlet 7 for the air to be sanitized may be positioned on the lower wall which forms the bottom wall of the housing 28. The outlet 8 for the filtered air may be placed on the upper wall of the housing opposite to the bottom wall. The ventilation circuit sucks air in from the bottom and introduces air into the environment upwards. In the second treatment circuit 16 the inlet 19 for the air to be sanitized may be positioned on the lower wall which forms the bottom wall of the housing 28. Air is sucked from the bottom upwards. The outlet 20 for the sanitized air is placed on the upper wall 33 of the housing 28, opposite to the bottom wall. The introduction of the sanitized air into the environment is directed upwards. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 3, the first sensor 14 positioned at the air inlet 7 in the first treatment circuit 2, in particular downstream of the fan 9, is preferably an ozone concentration detecting sensor 14.
The control unit 15 is preferably connected to the first ozone concentration detecting sensor 14. The first ozone concentration detecting sensor 14 allows the end of the ozone treatment in progress to be determined with certainty, guaranteeing access to the sanitized rooms only with an ozone concentration less than or equal to the legal limit.
In one embodiment not illustrated there may be only one ozone detecting sensor present positioned in the second treatment circuit and connected to the control unit. The sensor may be positioned upstream of the fan.
The activated carbon filter 5 guarantees rapid removal of the residual ozone at the end of the treatment as well as adsorption of volatile organic compounds (VOC) during the filtration without ozone.
In a preferred embodiment, the control unit 15 has an interface, for example a “touch” panel, for data entry such as the room volume or selection of the treatment circuit. This allows selection of the first treatment circuit 2 without people present and in contrast selection of the second treatment circuit 16 in which the continuous disinfection thanks to the HEPA filter whose surface is continuously irradiated with UV-C lamps can also be carried out with people present in the environment.
The device 1 preferably comprises at least one indicator, for example an acoustic and/or light indicator. A first indicator, for example acoustic, indicates sanitization in progress and a second acoustic indicator with associated indicator light indicates the end of the sanitization cycle. The device 1 advantageously comprises a printer for issuing a sanitization completed certificate with the parameters measured.
The device 1 preferably comprises safety means, for example a motion detecting sensor for stopping the ozone treatment in the event of an unauthorized entry in the room being decontaminated, a door block for interrupting the switch on the UV lamps in the event of unauthorized opening of the protective guard, an hour- run meter for monitoring the activity and duration of the ozone generator corona lamp, of the UV lamps, of the HEPA filter and of the Activated Carbon filter for the purposes of preventive maintenance of the individual components.
In a preferred embodiment, the device comprises a support for an ozone detecting card, for example a colorimetric card. The support can be inserted into an opening in one of the walls of the housing. At the end of the treatment, the support can be extracted from the opening to verify if ozone production occurred correctly.
For sanitization of the environment, the device 1 advantageously has various operating modes.
In a first mode, the control unit 15 activates the first treatment circuit 2 comprising the UV lamp 4, the HEPA filter 3 and if necessary the activated carbon filter 5. The air coming in is irradiated with the UV-C lamp 4, preferably a low pressure lamp, before passing through the HEPA filter 3.
That method may be set to operate continuously even with people present.
In a second mode, after having set the volume of the environment to be sanitized, the control unit 15 activates the second circuit 16 for treatment with ozone. Ozone is produced using the high voltage corona effect by reconverting the oxygen of the air to be treated.
The second ozone sensor 27 detects the ozone concentration at the inlet and modulates the switch on of the ozone generator 17 corona lamp in order to maintain the target concentration for the time set by the program. In this way the ozone is diffused throughout the entire environment air, by means of the internal forced ventilation circuit, guaranteeing a minimum number of passes in the second treatment circuit 16.
Since the ozone is heavier than oxygen and nitrogen, it tends to be deposited on surfaces, also having a surface treatment action in addition to its air decontamination action.
In a third mode, after having set the volume of the environment to be sanitized, the control unit 15 activates the second circuit 16 for treatment with ozone. At the end of the treatment with ozone time, the second circuit 16 is switched off and the first circuit 2 is activated comprising the UV lamp 4, the HEPA filter 3 and the activated carbon filter 5 for removing the residual ozone.
Downstream of the HEPA filter 3, the activated carbon filter 5 performs catalytic decomposition of the residual ozone. The first sensor 14 for detecting the residual ozone monitors the removal trend until the maximum threshold equal to 0.1 ppm is reached.
At the end of the treatment cycle, a summary ticket is printed containing the following sanitization completed certification data.
At the end of the cycle, the environment is immediately usable, thanks to the residual ozone environmental detector. Use of the environmental sensor ensures that the air coming into the disinfection unit maintains the reference ozone concentration.
The sanitization method according to this invention comprises the steps of: selecting a sanitization mode; in a first sanitization mode, activating at least one first air treatment comprising the steps of conveying the air towards at least one ultraviolet radiation lamp 4, preferably UV-C, and conveying the irradiated air towards at least one first filter 3 with a filtration efficiency (EF) > 80%, preferably a HEPA type filter; in a second sanitization mode, activating at least one second air treatment comprising the steps of: activating an ozone generator 17; conveying the air present in the environment towards the ozone generator 17; diffusing the ozone in the environment.
Preferably, the first treatment comprises the step of irradiating the first filter 3 by means of the ultraviolet radiation lamp 4.
Advantageously, the first treatment comprises the step of conveying the air towards a second, catalytic filter 5, preferably an activated carbon filter, placed downstream of the first filter 3.
Preferably, the method comprises the step of selecting a third sanitization mode in which first the air treatment with ozone is activated and then the air treatment by means of the first filter 3 and the ultraviolet radiation lamp 4.
In an advantageous embodiment, the method comprises selecting the first and/or the second treatment as a function of the ozone concentration in the environment. In particular, the method comprises activating the ozone generator 17 for a time such as to maintain the ozone concentration at a level preset as a function of the features of the environment to be sanitized.
Thanks to the joining and combination of different mechanisms of disinfection, the device according to this invention allows action to be taken effectively both with complete sanitization treatments and using a continuous sanitization of the filtered air. The sanitization device is a movable, programmable device, easy to manage, for use in all circumstances in which it is necessary and/or obligatory to provide sanitization of the air and surfaces in interiors.
The combination of disinfection mechanisms which are physical, not chemical, allows effective sanitization without any release of chemical substances in the environment: once the ozone has completed its oxidizing action against indoor environmental contaminants (micro-organisms, volatile organic compounds, bad odours, etc.) it returns to its original form, that is to say, oxygen. The UV-C rays are confined to the inside of the disinfection chamber without any possibility of uncontrolled emissions.
Continuous supplying of chemical disinfectants is no longer necessary. A maintenance program installed in the control unit warns the user in advance if the filters and UV lamp need substituting. Moreover, there is complete elimination of the chemical risk linked to handling, storing and using the chemical disinfectants used for traditional sanitization;
The device can be kept active 24/7 in the mode which provides only the second treatment, guaranteeing continuous filtration of the air on HEPA and activated carbon filters and UV-C irradiation. This option is particularly important for all of those sectors where it is necessary to never interrupt the activity, but at the same time to provide continuous and constant sanitization of environments.

Claims

1. Sanitization device comprising at least one first circuit (2) for the treatment of air having at least one first filter (3) with a 0.3 pm particle filtration efficiency (EF) > 80%, preferably a HEPA type filter, and at least one ultraviolet radiation lamp (4), preferably UV-C, positioned upstream of the first filter (3) in the direction of air circulation.
2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the ultraviolet radiation lamp (4) is positioned in proximity of the first filter (3).
3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first circuit (2) for the treatment of air comprises at least one second, catalytic filter (5), in particular an activated carbon filter, positioned downstream of the first filter (3).
4. Device according to claim 1 or 2 or 3, characterized in that it comprises at least one second treatment circuit (16) wherein at least one ozone generator (17) is positioned.
5. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first treatment circuit (2) and/or the second treatment circuit (16) comprises at least one air forced ventilation circuit.
6. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one ozone concentration detecting sensor (14; 27) positioned at the first circuit (2) and/ the second circuit (16).
7. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that it comprises a control unit (15) connected to at least one ozone concentration detecting sensor (14; 27) for automatically activating the first treatment circuit (2) and/or the second treatment circuit (16) as a function of the ozone concentration detected by the sensor (14; 27).
8. Method for sanitization of an environment, comprising the steps of: selecting a sanitization mode; in a first sanitization mode, activating at least one first air treatment comprising the steps of conveying the air towards at least one ultraviolet radiation lamp (4), preferably UV-C, and conveying the irradiated air towards at least one first filter (3) with a filtration efficiency (EF) > 80%, preferably a HEPA type filter; in a second sanitization mode, activating at least one second air treatment comprising the steps of: activating an ozone generator (17); conveying the air present in the environment towards the ozone generator (17); diffusing the ozone in the environment.
9. Sanitization method according to claim 8, characterized in that it comprises the step of selecting a third mode comprising the steps of: activating an ozone generator (17); conveying the air present in the environment towards the ozone generator (17); diffusing the ozone in the environment; switching off the ozone generator (17); conveying the air towards at least one ultraviolet radiation lamp (4), preferably UV-C; and conveying the irradiated air towards at least one first filter (3) with a filtration efficiency (EF) > 80%, preferably a HEPA type filter.
10. Sanitization method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the first treatment comprises the step of irradiating the first filter (3) by means of the ultraviolet radiation lamp (4).
11. Sanitization method according to any one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that it comprises the step of activating the first treatment and/or the second treatment as a function of the ozone concentration in the environment.
EP21725606.4A 2020-04-27 2021-04-21 Sanitization device and method Pending EP4142815A2 (en)

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IT102020000009052A IT202000009052A1 (en) 2020-04-27 2020-04-27 DEVICE AND METHOD OF SANITIZATION
PCT/IT2021/050123 WO2021220318A2 (en) 2020-04-27 2021-04-21 Sanitization device and method

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US7326387B2 (en) * 2002-05-20 2008-02-05 Theodore A. M. Arts Air decontamination devices
TWI301074B (en) * 2003-10-27 2008-09-21 Hermannus Gerhardus Maria Silderhuis Air treatment device
GB0515940D0 (en) * 2005-08-03 2005-09-07 Snowball Malcolm R Filter apparatus
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CN206637762U (en) * 2017-04-11 2017-11-14 北京云帆时代科技有限公司 A kind of air filtration cleaning system

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