ES1225789U - Disinfection and deodorization system for special food transport vehicles. (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) - Google Patents

Abstract

Digital, electronic and automatic disinfection and deodorization system using atmospheric cold plasma (in its ozone effect) for the sanitization of special land and sea food transport vehicles, especially perishables at regulated temperatures, vehicles such as rigid trucks, trailers and semi-trailers, railway carriages and maritime containers and thus comply with the National and International Technical-Sanitary Regulations on the general hygiene conditions of special vehicles for the land and sea transport of food products, which is characterized because for its precise application of a system It consists and consists of three well-assembled parts or modules that are: disinfection equipment, controller-programmer-meter (hereinafter controller) and distribution and discharge pipe. (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)

Description

DESCRIPTION

Disinfection and deodorization system for special food transport vehicles.

Field or sector of the invention

The present invention concerns a system of cold plasma at atmospheric pressure configured as a method of sanitizing or disinfecting food transports, especially perishable at a regulated temperature.

Objective of the invention

Washing (cleaning) and disinfecting are two different things. Cleaning refers only to the use of water and soap to remove dirt and most germs. Disinfection, on the other hand, refers to the use of physical or chemical methods capable of killing bacteria, fungi, viruses, other pathogens and parasites.

The present invention corresponds to a digital, electronic and automatic system of disinfection and deodorization by atmospheric cold plasma for the sanitation of special vehicles of land and sea transport of food, especially perishable at a regulated temperature, vehicles such as rigid trucks, trailers and semi-trailers; railway wagons and maritime containers. In this way comply with the national and international technical-sanitary regulations on the general hygiene conditions of special vehicles for land and maritime transport of food products. Then it can be configured as a biosecurity method for vehicles that transport food.

State of the art

Plasma is a state of matter similar to gas in which a certain portion of the particles ionize. Plasma is considered as the fourth state of matter, the concept of the fourth state of matter results from the idea that phase transitions occur progressively by providing energy to matter, that is, from the solid state to the liquid state to the state of gas. The plasma state is considered as an additional phase transition, which from the gas state to the plasma state.

Basically, plasma is a partial or totally ionized gas basically constituted by electrons, ions and neutral species. In a more detailed description, atomic and molecular excited species should be added; photons; free radicals that are highly reactive neutral species; and other intermediate reactive species.

In a first classification the plasma is divided into thermal, if the energy of the electrons is equal to that of the ions and neutral particles (heavy species); and in non-thermal or cold plasmas if the energy of the electrons is higher than that of the heavy species, which are at a temperature close to that of the environment. However, there may be plasmas that are nonthermal but not cold, with a temperature of the heavy species less than an order of magnitude below the temperature of the electrons.

In a second classification of the plasma it can be done taking into consideration the pressure parameter under which they are produced. The low pressure working plasma is available, which are easy to control, typically homogeneous in space and require gas discharge between 0.1 and 10 Pa of pressure, in addition to needing vacuum chambers, which represents an important initial investment of capital; and on the other hand there is the plasma of high working pressure, which allows a high speed of treatment and gas consumption. So alternative plasma procedures were developed that work at atmospheric pressure, being substantially cheaper and can be integrated more easily into industry lines, therefore the most obvious advantage of working with plasma at atmospheric pressure is, apart from the absence of vacuum equipment and compressors, its ability to integrate into lines with any other system for different applications in the industrial sector, since the operating pressure is the same. which greatly simplifies the equipment and makes both plasma production costs and maintenance costs less expensive, in addition to working with live tissues "in situ" and with particularly sensitive materials.

There are several ways to generate a plasma, this is created by applying energy to a gas to rearrange the electronic structure of neutral particles (atoms and molecules) to produce the neutral species, excited ions, electromagnetic radiation and electrons that make up the plasma . This energy can be thermal or provided by an electric current or by electromagnetic radiation (microwave). Electric discharges are the most used to produce plasma. These electric discharges, depending on how the discharge is produced, are classified as corona discharge, arc discharge, glow discharge and dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) and, according to the morphology of the plasma, are classified as micro-hole, jet or jet, needle, SMD (Surface micro-discharge), etc. To obtain the electric shock, it is necessary to have a voltage source, which can be direct current (DC), alternating current (AC) working at the network frequency (~ 50 Hz) or at low frequency (KHz) or radio frequency (RF or AF) (MHz). Then it consists of the application of electrical energy at a certain voltage and frequency on a carrier gas, not requiring chemical agents. That is, the generation of plasma results simply from the application of an electric field to a neutral gas.

The dielectric barrier discharges (DBD) are electrical discharges that take place between two metal electrodes when one or more insulating layers, usually dielectric, are placed between them in different geometric configurations. The presence of these layers necessarily forces the DBD discharge with alternating voltages, since a direct current can not pass through an insulating material. The dielectric layers act as current limiters, avoiding the formation of electric or voltaic arcs that are electric discharges that are formed between two electrodes subjected to a potential difference and placed in a gaseous atmosphere ionizes the surrounding gas generating a halo luminous (electromagnetic radiation) of bluish color, this discharge is produced by electrons deposited in the electrodes that go from the negative electrode to the positive, but also, these electrons when ionizing the gas as it passes increases the number of electrons that contributes to the ionization initial in a process called avalanche ionization, causing more voltaic arcs and increasing the degree of ionization (higher electron density) reaching a situation of thermal equilibrium (temperature increase), between electrons that have a temperature from 5000 ° C to 100000 ° C and heavy particles (atoms, molecules and ions) that have an ambient temperature, from the plasma. When a high voltage is applied between the electrodes of a DBD, we reduce the amount of electrons in play, therefore the degree of ionization is reduced (lower electron density), thousands of micro arcs or filaments of short duration currents are generated. random among them due to the accumulation of a small amount of charges on the surface of the dielectric material that generates thousands of micro discharges in microseconds which provides the degree of ionization required (low ionization) to produce a stable plasma that does not reach a of thermal equilibrium between the electrons and the heavy particles of the plasma, since the number of electrons in play is very small compared to the heavy particles of the plasma, this is called cold plasma. Then the DBD prevents the formation of voltaic arcs and the increase of temperature, enabling the formation of a plasma of low ionization, not thermal, at atmospheric pressure and stable over time.

The cold plasma at atmospheric pressure of DBD has recently received considerable attention due to its many industrial applications, such as surface modification, ozone generation, plasma display panels, food disinfection, etc., as in medicine: antifungal treatment, dental care, skin diseases, aseptic surgical instruments, etc.

The nature of a plasma varies greatly depending on the type of gas used, as the gas of the process serve noble gases (helium, argon, etc.), air, oxygen or nitrogen or any combination of combinations of these gases that generate in particular very reactive species (free radicals), intermediate reactive species that both have a high oxidation power; and ultraviolet radiation with photochemical effect, thereby providing the plasma with microbicidal properties that is to say capable of inactivating or destroying a wide range of microorganisms, including bacteria, molds, yeasts, spores, protozoa and even viruses, prions and parasites.

The reactive species (atomic or molecular or ions) of the plasma have oxidizing properties, then they are molecules with oxidation power, that is they are oxidizing agents. The oxidant capacity is what is known as oxidation potential (Eh), that the higher it is, the greater the oxidant capacity of the system and the greater the concentration of the reduced form. The oxidation potential is measured in volts, although its value is very small and is usually expressed in millivolts (mV). The chemical molecules with oxidizing power are reactive against organic matter, pathogenic microorganisms and parasites, therefore they have microbicidal and antiparasitic qualities; and depending on its oxidation potential, the more effective it will be and the greater the range of action it will have. Detailed determinations of effectiveness of oxidation power values for microorganisms of interest, studies completed to date strongly support the use of 650 mV as the minimum threshold value for a typical antibacterial activity.

The mechanisms of inactivation of microorganisms (microbicidal effect) by plasma by oxidation can be explained as follows:

■ In the oxidation of the sulfhydryl groups and the double bonds of the enzymes of the bacteria, causing a conformational modification of the proteins that form said enzymes, with the loss of their function, and therefore, cell death.

■ At the virus level, it has the ability to denature the proteins by acting on those of the capsid, so that later on it can act on the genetic material of the virus.

■ At the level of spores, it can transfer its oxidizing power to the disorganization of dipocholic acid, the molecule that gives the capacity of resistance so important to the vegetative forms of these spores.

■ It can decompose by oxidation the nutrients (organic matter) therefore interrupting the transport of nutrients through the cell membrane, causing starvation.

■ It also decomposes the cell wall of microorganisms by oxidation, destroying it, then emptying it.

Then it can be concluded that the cold plasma at atmospheric pressure allows to reduce the concentration of a wide range of microorganisms then behaves as a broad spectrum microbicide.

The plasma interacts on the surface to be treated either an inert material or biological tissue in an indirect or direct way: a) Indirectly, the plasma interacts indirectly with the surface to be treated and are the long-lived reactive species produced by the plasma those that interact with the surface to be treated and b) direct: it is that the plasma interacts directly with the surface to be treated, and it is the ions, electrons and reactive species of the plasma that interact directly with the surface to be treated. The reactive species of the plasma are divided into species of short and medium duration (half-life), ie molecularly less and more stable species under normal conditions (atmospheric pressure and room temperature).

There are applications that use cold plasma generators at atmospheric pressure of DBD in which the plasma interacts indirectly, that is, through the use of reactive species with a long half-life of the plasma and in the case that the gas in the process is air. environmental that is composed of 21% oxygen, the plasma will be composed of Reactive Oxygen Species (ERO) and the ERO with greater half-life are ozone and hydrogen peroxide, the latter in a lesser proportion. Therefore, the ozone will react with the surface to be treated, oxidizing them in this way, disinfecting them, that is, taking advantage of the oxidation capacity (microbicidal action) of the ozone and its molecular fragility over time (half-life) and controlling the exposure rate (concentration and contact time) thereof, an effective and efficient disinfection method is configured.

The cold plasma technology at atmospheric pressure of DBD has been developed in the last decade, then it is known today, being described on numerous occasions in numerous inventions and academic scientific literature.

Cold plasma at atmospheric pressure, for the most part, is generated by electrical discharge such as, for example, arc, corona and dielectric barrier discharges. Jet plasmas generated on this basis are subject to different patents. Thus, for example, DE 3733492 discloses a device for generating a jet plasma by means of corona discharge which is suitable for surface treatment with plasma. In this case, a gas stream is conducted through a corona discharge path between a rod-shaped inner electrode and a tubular-shaped outer electrode. DE 19532412 discloses a method for plasma surface treatment that is based on the generation of a plasma jet by arc discharge with a non-transmitted electric arc. Purpose of the patents US 6194036, US 6958063 and US 6262523 are dispositions based on the RF excitation of normal pressure plasmas. In another patent document (US 2002/122896) different arrangements for generating normal pressure plasmas on the basis of RF induced discharges in tubes of insulating material are described.

US 2006/162741 A1 discloses a method and an apparatus for cleaning and conditioning surfaces by the use of plasma. A described example of the method comprises providing a plurality of elongated dielectric barrier plates (DBD) arranged adjacently to each other, where the plates have inner electrodes connected thereto, introduce the objects next to the plates and produce a dielectric barrier discharge for form plasma between the objects and plates to clean at least a part of the objects.

US 2003/0108460 discloses a method and apparatus for producing a surface dielectric barrier discharge, Surface micro-discharge (SMD) type. A base electrode and a mesh electrode are separated by a dielectric separator. The mesh electrode is connected to ground. An alternating voltage of 2.5-3.6 kV at 60 Hz is applied to the base electrode to produce a surface discharge for the production of ozone. The discharge is formed in the openings of the mesh electrode. US 2003/0108460 describes the sterilization of objects in a plastic bag, such as tissues, organs, foodstuffs, etc. In this case, a lid of the plastic bag is formed with the ozone-producing apparatus, separated from the rest of the volume of the plastic bag by a porous dielectric plate. The ozone produced by the ozone-producing apparatus is dispersed in the objects of the plastic bag through the porous dielectric plate.

Description of the invention

The system that the present invention advocates has been developed with the objective of providing the logistics sector with food transport, especially perishable and at a regulated temperature, of a sanitation system that generates real benefits and advantages. The system offers a wide range of functions and solutions for perishable food transport companies, such as:

1- Disinfection of the surface of the refrigerated box or isotherm.

2- Purification of the air from the refrigeration box or isotherm.

3- Deodorization of the internal atmosphere of the refrigeration box or isotherm.

4- Disinfection of transported food.

Its function is basically germicidal or disinfectant and offers advantages over other disinfection techniques such as chemical, the latter is the most commonly used for ensure the hygiene and safety of the transport of perishable foods (fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, etc.). These advantages are:

• Safer than the use of chemical disinfectants.

• It improves the conservation of perishable food transported.

• It does not generate toxic byproducts (residues) that could contaminate the food.

• Better working conditions compared to the use of chemical disinfectants.

• No need to dislodge food merchandise.

• It is operational before loading, after downloading or during loading. Flexibility.

• Dry clean application.

• Healthier and safer technique for the consumer.

• Ecological solution.

• More profitable.

• Automatic treatment and application, just by pressing "ON".

• Appliance incorporated in the transport vehicle without reducing useful load volume.

1. Disinfection of the refrigeration box or isotherm.

The germs concentrated and deposited on the surfaces of transport boxes (hereinafter transport receptacle) and in the internal atmosphere thereof can favor the proliferation of pathogenic microorganisms, which can contaminate food, damaging them. The surfaces of transport boxes should be cleaned and disinfected in contact with food routinely to minimize potential contamination.

We disinfect post-harvest foods forgetting that the main source of contamination is not the food itself, but the surface in contact with the food (packaging, conveyor belts, means of transport, etc.), for this reason it is important to ensure the disinfection of the food from its production through its processing and transport until its final distribution. It is extremely important to maintain the hygiene chain as well as to maintain the cold chain, since it is essential when guaranteeing food safety.

In transportation where food is shared or loaded and unloaded different types of food, effective disinfection procedures are essential to reduce the risk of cross-contaminated food.

Therefore, the surface disinfection of the transport receptacle is proposed, since they represent a critical and potential cross contamination and thus avoid it, since the surface of the receptacle can act as a source of contamination. Therefore, it is necessary to disinfect them, they are usually disinfected by chemical disinfectants that can generate dangerous chemical byproducts that can reach contaminate the food and therefore intoxicate the final consumer. The disinfection by the present invention, in addition to disinfecting the receptacle, does not cause damage to the coating material that could lead to the production of toxic substances or undesirable residues and then transmit them to the food.

2. Purification of air from the refrigeration box or isotherm.

The microorganisms that exist in the internal atmosphere of the receptacle, such as viruses, bacteria, yeast and mold, can contaminate food and in turn endanger the health of final consumers, such as spoiling food.

This means that the air contained inside the receptacle can contain a large number of pathogenic microorganisms that can directly contaminate the food deposited therein, as well as contaminate the surface of the receptacle itself and in turn be a potential source of transmission of pathogens. This is called cross-contamination, which can be: a) air ^ uninfected food, b) air ^ surface ^ food and c) infected food ^ air ^ uninfected food.

A world-renowned scientist, Luis Pasteur, refuted the theory of the spontaneous generation of microbes, demonstrating that the existence of bacteria in food products is due to micro-organisms transported by air.

With the system that the present invention advocates the pathogenic microorganisms in suspension in the air are reliably reduced, improving the hygiene conditions of transport, and thus avoid contamination of the food via air.

3. Deodorization of the internal atmosphere of the refrigerated box or isotherm.

Initially, conservation and refrigeration chambers in which goods were stored that gave off strong odors were disinfected and deodorized by chemical products, among which trioxymethylene and sulfur were most frequently used, which gave tangible results, but were difficult to control. . The disinfection and deodorization operation was only possible after evicting the stored goods. In fact, the mode of application consisted of burning sulfur, with the trioxymethylene tablets in the chamber. But due to the highly toxic gases released, it was necessary to take special measures and the room was hermetically closed for at least 48 hours, so that the gas produced had the time necessary to act effectively. Today it is done through pressure application systems.

The system of the present invention also eliminates unpleasant odors, therefore this apparatus, while disinfecting the air, also deodorizes it, since it has the capacity to neutralize the smoke and bad odors of the air, because it generates ozone that It is a reactive oxygen species with high oxidation power. Ozone eliminates by oxidation organic matter (nutrient for pathogens) suspended in the air or deposited on the surface of the receptacle that causes bad odors and neutralizes (by flocculation) the positive ions that are in the air since these positive ions most are also responsible for the bad smell of the air, even neutralizing the bad odors derived from the compounds of gases emanating from the ripening of fruits and vegetables preventing odors from being transmitted to food or mixing odors between different types of food.

Due to its oxidizing action, the apparatus will be capable of destroying ethylene gases, which are produced mainly by climacteric fruits and vegetables (tomatoes are a good example of this fact), reducing their concentration and thus preventing ripening from accelerating. both the rate of respiratory activity of fruits and vegetables does not increase, thus improving the shelf life of the food, then increasing its conservation.

4. Disinfection of transported food.

The current increase in the commercialization of fruits, fresh vegetables, meat, fish, etc., fresh (F) as minimally processed (MP) is based on the convenience of use, for being healthy and ready for consumption. However, this behavior in consumption habits has been accompanied by an increase in the appearance of outbreaks caused by contamination with pathogenic microorganisms.

It is common for both fruits and vegetables to be harvested in production systems that have a potential risk of being contaminated with microorganisms that inhabit and transport through soil, air, irrigation water, animals and other sources. These, in turn, are persistent during post-harvest, processing and transport, affecting the microbiological and organoleptic quality of the product.

In response to this scenario, non-thermal or chemical disinfection technologies are being implemented, such as electromagnetic waves or direct cold plasma and, failing that, ozone as indirect plasma treatment, to disinfect the surface of food in order to minimize losses due to alterations or disorders caused by pathogenic microorganisms as well as to avoid possible damages to the human health due to an intoxication transmitted by the food.

The cold of transport at a regulated temperature does not eliminate (lethally) the pathogenic microorganisms present in the transported food as well as in the surrounding atmosphere, but it reduces or inhibits its rate of development and growth, recovering all its vigor as soon as the favorable conditions again. Therefore the cold, by itself does not solve the problem of disinfection, but immobilizes the germs temporarily. Then the present invention also performs the function of superficially disinfecting foods that are not packaged during transport, thus raising the degree of safety and hygienic safety of the transported food, biosecurity during transport of the food, thus maintaining the organoleptic quality and commercial of the products. In this way the loss of goods due to deterioration caused by pathogens is reduced, ie it is able to inactivate microorganisms that swarm on the surface of food products, thereby improving the conservation of food during transport.

The present invention is basically based on a disinfection equipment composed of a cold plasma generator at atmospheric pressure of DBD, fed with ambient air as process gas, which making use of the ERO with a longer half-life of the plasma generated as ozone, that when it reacts with the surface or element to be treated, it oxidizes it, disinfecting it, that is, taking advantage of the oxidation capacity (microbicidal action) of ozone and its molecular fragility over time (half-life) and controlling the exposure rate (concentration and contact time) thereof, the present invention is configured as an ideal and suitable apparatus for disinfecting, purifying and deodorizing special food transport vehicles.

According to the present invention there is provided a system for the disinfection and sanitizing of special food vehicles of wall mounting, located externally in the upper left margin of the front front side of the vehicle in such a way that it does not reduce useful load volume and not hinder the maneuvers of loading and unloading of merchandise, it is characterized because for its precise application of a system, which consists and consists of three parts or modules well assembled that are: 1. a disinfection equipment that in turn consists of a cold plasma generator at atmospheric pressure of DBD; a piezoelectric generator of electrical signal, a compressor, a fan, a temperature sensor and a series of relay-type actuators; 2. controller-controller-meter (hereinafter controller) and 3. An ozone distribution conduit. The dimensioning of both the plasma generator and the component components are the results of meticulous studies and calculations. The plasma generator has been dimensioned according to the production of ozone which in turn depends on: volume of the receptacle, temperature and humidity of the environment, apparent power of the piezoelectric generator, gas flow, configuration of electrodes, dielectric material and space of DBD known as GAP space, operation dose (concentration and exposure time) of inactivation of microorganisms, etc .; and the auxiliary components of the disinfection equipment such as the air compressor have been dimensioned according to the need to have an air flow necessary both to regulate the gas supply of the plasma generator and to lead the ozone into the interior of the receptacle. And finally the fan has been dimensioned according to the need to cool the equipment.

The disinfection equipment of the system that the present invention proposes is composed of a disinfection equipment that is constituted from the main body as a housing; that inside it contains a piezoelectric generator that generates electrical signals of alternating current, low voltage and high frequency included in the main body of the housing; a cold plasma generator at atmospheric pressure dielectric barrier discharge (DBD), this plasma generator is composed of two electrodes, a first internal electrode E1 with a cylindrical shape connected to power ie the piezoelectric generator and a second external electrode E2 also With cylindrical shape connected to earth, separated by a dielectric material, said electrodes and dielectric material make up a reactor or DBD space, known as GAP space with a substantially cylindrical pattern, through this DBD space the gas (air) flow previously driven by the compressor flows through this space and as the gas passes through it receives the DBD, ionizing the air, thus forming plasma composed of atoms, ions, electrons, photons, and reactive oxygen species such as ozone that the latter is injected and evenly distributed inside the special food transport vehicles through the combination of the compressor (forced air mechanism) plus the distribution and pouring duct, which is composed of a flexible pipe of diamond type, resistant and ozone-proof, which has several outlets or distribution diffusers.

This disinfection equipment is powered from a power source, to which the corresponding battery supplies power through a plug power connector, capable of admitting voltages of 12 and 24 V. It has protection against short circuits, overvoltages, inversion of polarity and interference. In addition, an inverter is provided to transform the DC input voltage to an AC output voltage, with the desired magnitude and frequency. It consists of a piezoelectric generator or transformer integrated in the electronic printed circuit board of the plasma generator, it generates electrical signals of alternating current, low voltage and high frequency, thus avoiding all the problems caused by high voltage that handle the traditional plasma generators. It includes a power regulator or potentiometer integrated in the aforementioned electronic circuit board to maintain a stable voltage in the load, with a negative re-feeding, which detects variations in output voltage, thanks to this regulator the desired voltage can be controlled. The main cause for a greater disturbing electromagnetic radiation towards the outside is the long cable connection between the plasma generator and the electric signal generator, as the invention includes both elements or devices inside, this cable connection is deleted, so that the problem of electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) defined by the European directives is solved, but also the invention has an AF filter as an additional measure to increase safety and avoid disturbing electromagnetic radiation so as to guarantee the technical preconditions on CEM for a homologation with respect to its use.

All the operation of the system proposed by the present invention is governed, controlled and coordinated by a controller that physically adjacent to the disinfection equipment, which will monitor the inputs and values of the variables to be measured (ozone concentration, time, temperature, etc.). ) to then make decisions based on stored programs and subprograms, thus controlling outputs to automate the device, this controller in turn acts as an instrument for measuring ozone concentrations and stores these measurements in its internal memory. A controller consisting basically of a microcontroller, connected with an ADC digital analog converter, which has a memory with large storage capacity, connection to the LCD touch screen, several analog inputs for the ozone sensors, and finally counts up to 2 RS232 / RS485 serial communication ports.

The controller has an easy-to-use HMI user interface via the LCD-touch screen, which allows fast and intuitive navigation through icons; with five selectable languages; with large data storage capacity; alarms, calendar and digital clock with automatic adjustment; access password; interval of time for the storage of measurements (ozone concentration) allowing a minimum registration interval of 1 minute that can be configurable or adjustable by the user in steps of one minute, up to a maximum of 15 minutes, adjusting them to their needs; the measurement data is stored in the microcontroller's memory and can be downloaded to be viewed in several ways: a. Saving a file on a pendrive through a USB port or connection, b. Reviewing the records through the LCD screen and c. By wireless data transmission to an internet server through a GPRS module; The data download can be configured and adjusted by choosing both the start date and time of the period to be obtained as well as the final date and time.

The controller has up to 2 RS232 / RS485 serial communications ports on the right side of the controller, covered and protected by a plastic element, for connection to:

• A telemetry system using a GPS / GPRS module for data transmission via the Internet.

• An ozone recorder in this way enables the invention to interact in synchronization with the ozone recorder, which is basically an instrument for measuring and recording ozone concentrations, so that in the future it may be legally mandatory to implement it for those vehicles transport of food carrying a disinfection apparatus or system similar to the present invention installed as a disinfection method.

The controller has a number of analogue configurable inputs to connect the ozone sensors, these sensors are potentiometric and high precision electrochemical with a cable length of 2, 5, 10, 15, 20 meters, thus being able to be installed at a distance In the case of a substantial device, these connections are configured in the form of a Faston-type quick connection.

The disinfection system more specifically the disinfection equipment has a cooling system composed of an aluminum heat sink plus a helical fan, the fan is automatically activated by order of the microcontroller based on a temperature sensor, the temperature value registered by the sensor is sent to the micro-controller so that it sends the activation or deactivation order of the fan depending on the temperature value detected by the temperature sensor.

The ozone contained in the plasma produced by the plasma generator is injected by the compressor inside the vehicle's receptacle and is distributed evenly by the combination of three elements: 1. Compressor, 2. Distribution and discharge conduit composed of a pipeline flexible type of diamond resistant and ozone-proof that runs along the length of the receptacle and has several outlets or distribution diffusers; and 3. Recirculation of the cold air flow through the cooling fan of the refrigeration unit of the vehicle. Then the ozone can be distributed evenly inside the vehicle's receptacle, whether the refrigeration unit is operative or not, since the disinfection system has its own mechanical air-force device (compressor), then the operation of the system is independent of the action or operation of the refrigeration unit of the vehicle, therefore giving it autonomy.

The user, using the HMI interface and the LCD touch screen of the controller, can establish: the value of the operating set point (concentration and exposure time); continuous or intermittent mode of operation of the apparatus; activate the cooling fan; turn off and on the equipment (ON / OFF), etc., also through this screen you can view the data (measurements of concentrations) previously stored by choosing both date and time of beginning of the period that you want to obtain as the final date and time, thus adjusting it to your needs.

The operation of the disinfection system is very simple, it is enough for the authorized user to initialize the device with the introduction of a few data and then the device, it only starts up automatically. The procedure will make the system once initialized after entering the operating set point (concentration and duration time), automatically establish this concentration inside the special food transport vehicle and during the previously programmed time.

On the LCD screen you can see: a) the concentration value instantaneously, b) unit in ppm or mg / m3 of the selected sensor or channel, c) ON / OFF status d) the date and time, e) status of the battery, f) set point of the ozone generating unit, g) wireless connection or network, h) alerts alerts regarding: setpoints (concentration and / or time) exceeded or not reached, door opening, indicates whether the value of ozone concentration inside the receptacle is above or below the recommended professional exposure limit, other unexpected operating conditions.

In any download of data stored independently of the selected option (screen or pendrive or wirelessly) it will appear: the value of the measurement and its unit in ppm or mg / m3; the date and time of each measurement for the download interval previously selected by the user presented in the form of a table or chart; the maximum, average and minimum values and the total time of the interval or period of discharge chosen, in addition to the seal with the date and time of the download.

The display screen can be configured with the following options: a) summary screen, all enabled ozone sensor channels are displayed simultaneously, with symbols representing enabled on / off inputs, b) single screen showing a channel enabled and individually selected together with its name and c) alternate advance screen between each channel enabled and the summary screen.

The internal operation of the controller is very simple: the operating set point (concentration and time) is set or entered through the HMI interface and through the touch screen LCD of the controller, and from the performance of the ADC converter that translates the signal sent every 5 seconds by the sensor to a voltage level that in turn sends to the microcontroller, voltage level that is read by the microcontroller that translates it to a concentration measurement (ppm and mg / m3) to then compare the concentration of ozone measured by the sensor with the previously programmed set point, if the value of the ozone concentration measured by the sensor with respect to the concentration value of the operating set point exceeds it by 50ppb, the disinfection equipment switches off, and when is less than 50ppb turns on (value of the setpoint / - 50 ppb) in this way it is possible to establish and maintain the concentration of the setpoint, previously p rogramado, inside the receptacle of the special food transport vehicle.

The present invention allows the sanitation treatment established by the system to be carried out in a continuous or punctual manner:

1. Maintenance treatment is recommended during transport of food, ie when the vehicle is loaded with merchandise, it is a mild and continuous disinfecting action consisting of a low concentration (0.5 ppm to 1 ppm) and time of long exposure, from at least 4 hours. 2. moderate treatment is recommended for: during transport of food or before loading or after unloading, it is a moderate action, it is an average disinfectant action consisting of a moderate concentration (1 to 5 ppm) and time of medium exposure, from minutes to hours.

3. Shock treatment is recommended for before loading or after unloading, then without the presence of merchandise, it is a strong, intense and punctual disinfectant action consisting of a high concentration (5 to 10 ppm) and short exposure time , from seconds to minutes.

The combination of treatment 3 with maintenance treatment 1 is compatible and recommendable, the latter as a watchful or on-call treatment during transport of food.

The controller has a series of previously installed disinfection programs, that is, the device is provided with specific and specific disinfection treatment programs depending on the circumstances or type of food or user needs, which are automatically initialized, pressing only one "One button" of the LCD touch screen. The user can initialize the operation of the device manually and directly or automatically and autonomously since the action of entering the data corresponding to the set point of operation (concentration and time) can be executed manually and directly to personal choice or automatically and autonomously through the option of the aforementioned disinfection programs installed in the controller.

Preferably, the present invention includes a door detection sensor (open or closed), the sensor detection signal is sent to the controller micro-controller so that it sends the activation or deactivation command of the plasma generator and thus the system only operate when the doors of the vehicle are physically closed and in case the doors are opened when the system is operational it is deactivated and when they are closed again its operation is restored. In this way, this detection sensor acts as a safety element, to prevent the disinfection system from generating ozone in the presence of people and thus avoid any possible exposure to it, thus avoiding possible poisoning.

The present invention has a GPS unit that will geo-position it on a map in real time, being recorded in a data history which will allow to trace the journey or the journey of travel, a journey that will be captured in a graph or route map . Offering a general and accurate description of your location therefore also of the vehicle.

The controller has both acoustic and visual outputs (lights) of alarms or warnings to alert on: set point (concentration and / or time) exceeded or not reached; state of the doors (open); if the concentration value inside the receptacle is above or below the recommended exposure limit value professional and the opening of doors when the concentration value is above the limit value; and other unexpected operating conditions.

The disinfection system can be controlled and monitored remotely in real time, thanks to the GPRS communication module of the controller by any authorized user from any internet connection through a computer, tablet or mobile, since the GPRS module will be continuously sending data (concentration, position, alarms, times, etc.) to a web server, therefore from any device such as a pc, tablet or mobile connected to the internet, any authorized user can remotely monitor said telemetric data. Users can see both the instantaneous concentration value and the current location and the historical report of them presented graphically or in a table for a desired time interval, it is enough to choose the start date and time and the date and time of the end of the desired period according to the user's needs. The invention also has a notification protocol or alert messages via SMS for authorized users.

Description of the drawings or figures

To complement the description that is being made and in order to help a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, the accompanying descriptive report is accompanied, as an integral part thereof, a sheet of drawings in which illustrative and not limiting the following has been represented:

Figure number 1 shows a perspective view of the disinfection equipment according to the present invention.

Figure 2 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the interior of the disinfection equipment according to the present invention.

Figure 3 shows a partial schematic cross-sectional view of the plasma generator according to the present invention.

Figure number 4 shows a partial schematic cross-sectional view of the plasma generator according to the present invention.

Figure number 5 shows a perspective view of the protection housing of the controller shown in Figure 4 in accordance with the present invention.

Figure number 6 shows a perspective view of the piece of attachment of the objects represented in Figures 4 and 5 according to the present invention.

Figure number 7 shows a diagram of the system modules for the disinfection and sanitation of food transport vehicles object of the present invention.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION OR Detailed description of the preferred embodiments

Referring to Figures 1 to 7 an embodiment of the present invention is explained. Figure 1 shows the appearance of the disinfection equipment (1) of the system that advocates the present invention, it can be observed as it is constituted from a general and main body (2) compact and rigid stainless steel as support body with rectangular shape, it has two ventilation grilles (3), one on each side of the body (2), in opposition, a fan grille (4) in the lower part of the front front side of the body (2) and a valve and gasket (5) in the upper part of the front rear side of the body (2) for the connection to the pipe for distribution and discharge of ozone (37).

Figure 2 shows the interior of the disinfection equipment (1) that includes in its interior a piezoelectric generator (6) that generates electrical signals of alternating current, low voltage and high frequency; a cold plasma generator (7) at atmospheric dielectric barrier discharge (DBD), a power regulator (8) for the generation of a suitable AF voltage; an AF filter (not shown) to avoid electromagnetic radiations disturbing to the outside that may affect the users; an air compressor (9); a helicoidal fan (10) for cooling the equipment, this fan (10) is automatically activated by order of the controller (24) based on a temperature sensor (11), the temperature value recorded by the temperature sensor (11). ) is sent to the controller (22) so that it sends the activation or deactivation order of the fan (10) depending on the temperature value detected by the temperature sensor.

Figure 3 shows the plasma generator (7) in more detail, it can be seen how it is constituted from a general body (13) with tubular, compact and rigid form of aluminum as supporting body and heat sink. The operation of the disinfection equipment (1) is very simple and is as follows: the compressor (9) draws in ambient air and propels it towards the plasma generator (7), through a tubular conduit (12), of this mode feeding gas (air) the process, the plasma generator (7) which is composed of two electrodes, a first internal electrode (14) of cylindrical shape connected to voltage (15) and a second external electrode (16) shaped cylindrical connected to ground (17), separated by a dielectric material (18), the internal electrode (14) and the dielectric material (18) make up a DBD space, known as GAP (19), with a substantially cylindrical pattern and when the gas flow (20) previously driven by the compressor (9) flows through this space GAP (19) receives electric discharges (DBD) as it passes through it resulting to be ionized, then producing plasma composed of atoms, ions, electrons, photons, and reactive species oxygen as the ozone (21), the latter passes through the conduit (12) and is finally injected into the receptacle of the special food transport vehicle through the valve and joint (5) connection to the conduit distribution and discharge that evenly distributes the ozone inside the vehicle as shown more clearly in Figure 7.

Figure 4 shows the appearance of the controller (22) which advocates the present invention, it can be seen as being constituted from a compact and rigid general body (23) of ABS plastic as a support body with rectangular shape which easily adapts to a protective casing (24) with included safety cap (25), as shown more clearly in Figure 5, by means of four screws and their corresponding perforations (26); protective housing (23) made of ABS plastic with an IP65 protection index, which is simply and quickly attached to a rectangular fixing part (29), shown more clearly in Figure 6, which allows both to install the controller (1) in any bodywork as easily extracting the controller (22) for the corresponding metrological controls or repairs.

The controller (22) has an ON / OFF button (27) on the front and an LCD touch screen (28) to interact with the management software or HMI interface and display the measurement data and other information already mentioned, The internal circuit basically consists of a microcontroller (not shown), connected with an ADC digital analog converter (not shown), having a memory with large data storage capacity, as well as an ADC and a connection to the LCD touch screen (28), includes a series of analog inputs (not shown) for the ozone sensors in the base or bottom side of the body (23), these connections are configured in the form of fast connection type Faston and has a pair of both acoustic and visual outputs (lights) for the corresponding alarms or warnings of the system.

The entire system is powered from a power source, to which the corresponding battery supplies power by means of a plug-in power connector (not shown) located in the base or lower side of the body (23) next to the terminal. sensor inputs, capable of admitting voltages of 12 and 24 V, also has protection against short circuits, overvoltages, polarity inversion and interference.

The internal operation of the controller is very simple and is as follows: the setpoint (concentration and operating time) is set or entered through the HMI interface and through the LCD touch screen (28) of the controller (1), starting of the performance of the ADC converter that translates the signal sent every 5 seconds by the sensor / s (36) to a voltage level that ADC sends to the microcontroller, and this voltage level is read by the microcontroller and translates it into a measure of concentration (ppm and mg / m3) and finally the microcontroller compares the concentration of ozone measured by the sensor with the pre-programmed set point, if the value of the ozone concentration measured by the sensor / s (36) the value of the concentration of the operating set point exceeds it by 50ppb, the appliance switches off, and when it is less than 50ppb, it goes on (setpoint value / - 50ppb), and in this way it is possible to establish and maintain the concentration of the set point, previously programmed, inside the special food transport vehicle.

The controller is able to download the stored data in several ways depending on the selected option: LCD touch screen (28), by USB flash drive (30) or wirelessly through a GPRS module. The user to download or export the stored data, for a period or time interval desired, just choose the start date and time and the date and time of the end.

It has up to 2 RS232 / RS485 serial communication ports (31) on the right side of the body (2), covered and protected by a plastic element, for connection to:

• A telemetry system using a GPS / GPRS module to transmit data to a web server.

• An ozone recorder, in this way enables the invention to interact in synchronization with this recorder.

The present invention is fully capable of being controlled, monitored and geo-located remotely in real time thanks to the GPRS communication module of the controller by any authorized user from any internet connection through a computer, tablet or mobile.

Figure 7 shows a diagram of the system modules for the disinfection and sanitation of food transport vehicles object of the invention that is recommended in the present Utility Model, it can be seen that the disinfection equipment (33) and the controller ( 34) are located on the outside and upper left margin of the front front part of the special food transport vehicle (32) and next to the refrigeration unit (35) of said vehicle, so that the equipment (33) does not reduce useful volume of load and do not hinder the maneuvers of loading and unloading of merchandise, the ozone contained in the plasma produced by the plasma generator (7) is injected by the compressor (9) into the interior of the vehicle (32) and evenly distributed by the combination of three elements: 1. Compressor (9), 2. Distribution and pouring duct composed of a flexible silicone tubing (37) of resistant and impermeate diamond type. ozone that has several outlets or distribution diffusers (38), Preferably, the apparatus includes a door detection sensor (39) (open or closed). The sensor detection signal (39) is sent to the controller microcontroller (34) so that it sends the activation or deactivation order of the disinfection equipment (33), in this way it guarantees that the disinfection system operates only when the doors of the vehicle are physically closed. It includes a number of ozone sensors (36), this number depends on the dimensions of the transport vehicle (32), these sensors are potentiometric and high precision electrochemical with a cable length of 2, 5, 10, 15, 20 meters , thus being able to be installed at a substantial distance from the controller (34).

Due to the nature of the invention both of the physical entity and its activity, it is not considered necessary to extend this description of the figures so that any expert in the field understands the operation, the scope of the invention and the advantages thereof. They derive.

The terms in which this report has been described should always be taken in a broad and non-limiting manner.

Claims (10)

1. Digital, electronic and automatic system of disinfection and deodorization by atmospheric cold plasma (in its ozone effect) for the sanitation of special vehicles for land and maritime transport of food, especially perishable at a regulated temperature, vehicles such as rigid trucks, trailers and semi-trailers , railway wagons and maritime containers and in this way comply with the National and International Technical-Sanitary Regulations on the general hygiene conditions of special vehicles for land and maritime transport of food products, which is characterized by the precise application of a system that consists and consists of three parts or modules well assembled that are: disinfection equipment, controller-programmer-meter (hereinafter controller) and distribution and pouring conduit. 2. Disinfection system according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the disinfection equipment is constituted from a general and compact main body and rigid stainless steel as support body with rectangular shape, with two ventilation grilles in each side, a fan grille in front and bottom and a connector to the distribution duct in the upper and front center part of the apparatus; and includes in its interior a cold plasma generator at atmospheric pressure of dielectric barrier discharge (DBD); a piezoelectric generator that generates electrical signals of alternating current, low voltage and high frequency; a power regulator; an AF filter; an air compressor; a fan for cooling the disinfection equipment. Disinfection system according to the previous claims, characterized in that it consists of a piezoelectric generator or transformer integrated in the electronic printed circuit board of the plasma generator, with a plate design suitable for the CEM, this piezoelectric generator generates electrical signals of alternating current, low voltage and high frequency, thus avoiding all the problems caused by high voltage that handle the traditional plasma generators. It includes a power regulator or potentiometer integrated in the aforementioned electronic circuit board to generate and maintain the desired voltage stable. It has an AF filter as an additional measure to increase safety and avoid disturbing electromagnetic radiation to the outside that may affect users. 4. Disinfection system according to the preceding claims, characterized in that its operation is governed, controlled and coordinated entirely by a controller that is constituted from a compact and rigid ABS plastic body as support body of rectangular shape, which easily adapts to a protective casing with its corresponding safety cover, made of ABS plastic with an IP65 protection index, which is simply and quickly attached to a rectangular fixing part, this part allows both to install the controller in any body, such as easily extracting it for the corresponding controls or repairs, it has an LCD touch screen on the front to visualize information and interact with the management software or HMI interface; The internal circuit is basically composed of an ADC analog / digital converter, a microcontroller, a large storage capacity memory and the corresponding inputs of connections both to sensors (ozone, detection and temperature) and to the power supply and both acoustic and visual outputs. Disinfection system according to the previous claims, characterized in that it consists of a number of analog configurable inputs for connecting the ozone sensors, these sensors are potentiometric and high precision electrochemical with a cable length of 2, 5, 10, 15, 20 meters, being able to be installed at a substantial distance from the invention, these connections are configured in the form of Faston-type quick connection, furthermore it includes a door detection sensor (open or closed), thus guaranteeing that the invention Operate only when the vehicle's doors are physically closed. Disinfection system according to the preceding claims, characterized in that it has a touch screen LCD and a simple, intuitive HMI interface with 5 selectable languages, as the main tool with which users can monitor, configure and program the apparatus. Disinfection system according to the preceding claims, characterized in that it records the ozone concentration measurements in the storage memory of the controller in a customizable interval, minimum of 1 minute and maximum of 15 minutes and configurable in steps of one minute; by downloading or exporting the data (ozone concentration values, time, date, etc.) stored, for a period or time interval desired by the user (just choose the start date and time and the end date and time ); and for allowing to download this data in several ways depending on the option selected by the user: LCD screen, by Pen Drive (USB memory) through a USB port and remotely by wireless data transmission to internet server through a GPRS / GPS module . Disinfection system according to the preceding claims, characterized in that it has a series of specific and specific disinfection treatment programs installed in the controller, selectable according to the circumstances or type of food or user needs. These programs are initialized automatically, pressing only a "one button" of the LCD touch screen of the controller, in this way the user can initialize the operation of the system manually and directly or automatically and autonomously through the management of the mentioned programs of disinfection installed. 9. Disinfection system according to the previous claims, characterized by having two RS232 / RS485 serial communications ports, for connection to: a) A telemetry system using a GPS / GPRS data transmission module ( values of concentration of ozone, times, alarms, location, etc.) to a web server and b) An ozone recorder, in this way enables the invention to interact in synchronization with this recorder. It also has a GPS / GPRS communication module that fully enables the invention to be controlled, monitored and remotely geolocated in real time by any authorized user from an internet connection through a computer, tablet or mobile phone and has a protocol of notifications or alert messages via SMS for authorized users. Disinfection system according to the preceding claims, characterized in that it has its own mechanical device for forced air, compressor, which injects the ozone contained in the plasma produced by the plasma generator inside the special vehicle of Food transport, which in turn, is distributed uniformly throughout the interior of the vehicle through a distribution and pouring duct composed of a diamond-resistant and ozone-resistant flexible pipe that has several outlets or distribution diffusers. In addition, said compressor ensures that the operation of the system is independent of the action or operation of the refrigeration unit of the vehicle, then giving it autonomy.