ES2918257A1 - Low pressure chamber for proof of a aerosols treatment device (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) - Google Patents

Abstract

Low pressure chamber for proof of a aerosols treatment device. It is a camera that allows to prove the effectiveness of a aerosols treatment device, minimizing the risk of external environment pollution by such aerosols. The camera connects to the device object of proof forming a stagnant set, inside whose spray samples are released and collected. It has a vacuum capsule to function at a pressure lower than that of the outside environment. Both pressures are controlled in order to detect features of hermeticity; in which case, an inactivating agent of aerosols is dispersed within the camera. This same inactivating agent is used before extracting the samples from the camera, which not to be affected are deposited in hermetic capsules. (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)

Description

DESCRIPTION

Low pressure chamber for testing an aerosol treatment device

Object of the Invention and state of the art:

Aerosols are minute particles of solids or liquids suspended in air or other gas; that they can disperse and spread over significant distances; and depending on their specific nature, they can alter industrial processes or cause diseases. To solve this problem, aerosol treatment devices have been developed, the effectiveness of which needs to be tested.

Given the ability to disperse and spread aerosols through the air, there is an obvious risk in testing these devices with active target aerosols; for this reason, different aerosols that are considered similar are frequently used. Although this method may be valid for mechanical particle retention treatment devices; HEPA or MERV type filters; there are new technologies that use physical systems; as UVC radiation; or chemicals; ozone, ions, etc.; where the similar particle method may give incorrect results. The optimal test should be done with the same aerosols that are intended to be neutralized; but minimizing the risk of contamination of the external environment by said aerosols.

Utility of the Invention:

It is a chamber that allows testing the effectiveness of an aerosol treatment device, minimizing the risk of contamination of the external environment by said aerosols.

The chamber is connected to the device under test forming a sealed assembly, inside which the aerosol samples are released and collected. It has a vacuum capsule to work at a pressure lower than that of the external environment. Both pressures are controlled in order to detect tightness failures; in which case, an aerosol inactivating agent is dispersed within the chamber. This same inactivating agent is used before extracting the samples from the chamber, which are placed in hermetic capsules so as not to be affected.

Description of the Invention:

It is a chamber that allows testing the effectiveness of an aerosol treatment device, minimizing the risk of contamination of the external environment by said aerosols.

It is delimited by an enclosure that has connection ducts (1) with the aerosol treatment device (2), openings to introduce objects into the chamber when it is not working (3), and a system for handling said objects. (4); All of this forms a closed compartment that is sealed with respect to the outside environment.

Inside there is an aerosol diffuser (5), an aerosol sampler; which can be simple capture or include recording of environmental parameters (6), and hermetic capsules for storage of aerosol samples (7).

It is characterized by having inside the chamber a vacuum capsule (8) with an opening valve (9), an internal and external differential pressure gauge (10), a propellant that moves the gas in the chamber through of the treatment device (11), and a diffuser of inactivating agent for the dispersed aerosols inside the chamber (12).

The use procedure can be carried out manually or mechanically, it starts by opening the vacuum capsule valve to reduce the internal pressure below atmospheric pressure, and its control by means of the differential pressure gauge, so that if a preset minimum value is reached, the aerosol inactivating agent diffusion system is activated. This same inactivating agent is used at the end of the test, before extracting the samples from the chamber, which are deposited in hermetic capsules in order not to be affected.

Functioning:

The camera is connected to the device under test forming a sealed assembly. When the valve of the vacuum capsule is opened, a quantity of gas from the chamber enters the capsule. Since the casing is sealed, the gas enclosed inside expands and therefore the internal pressure is reduced.

This difference in pressure with respect to the outside is controlled by the inside and outside differential pressure meter; It provides information on the tightness of the chamber during the entire process and prevents the movement of aerosols outwards, since they move from the area of higher pressure to the area of lower pressure.

Thus, the dispersed aerosols are circulated within the treatment device under test by means of the gas propellant, usually a fan; and collected with the sampler; minimizing the risk of contamination of the external environment.

The extraction of the samples for their observation requires the opening of the chamber, therefore it is necessary first to neutralize the possible aerosols that have been dispersed inside the chamber. This is done by a diffuser of proven inactivating agent, usually a chemical in a gaseous state. The action time can be reduced with the help of the gas propellant, which contributes to the dispersion.

Finally, in the event of a serious leak in the chamber, air from the outside environment would enter the chamber, the internal-external pressure differential would be reduced and would be detected by the pressure gauge, which would imply the activation of the diffuser. of inactivating agent, avoiding the risk of propagation of aerosols to the outside.

According to the above, it is possible to test the effectiveness of an aerosol treatment device, minimizing the risk of contamination of the external environment by said aerosols.

Description of a practical embodiment of the invention:

It is proposed to test the effectiveness of a device that uses ultraviolet radiation to inactivate Salmonella Typhimurium aerosols.

A cubical-shaped chamber is manufactured that is connected to the treatment device through inlet and outlet ducts, resulting in a seal with respect to the external environment.

A pressure gauge has been arranged inside and another inside so that both are visible to the operator. Devices for measuring relative humidity and interior temperature have also been provided.

One of its faces is removable as an opening, and it has flexible gloves, which allow the following objects to be manipulated:

- A vacuum capsule with valve, removable for emptying and cleaning.

- A manual atomizer, removable for loading and cleaning, which includes an aqueous solution of Salmonella Typhimurium.

- An aerosol sampler sampler with built-in battery, removable for charging and cleaning, and which uses hermetically sealed Petri dishes.

- A pressurized isopropyl alcohol spray, as an isopropyl inactivating agent for Salmonella Typhimurium aerosols.

BRIEF EXPLANATION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure-1 Description of the invention

Figure-2 Description of a practical embodiment of the invention

Claims (1)

Low pressure chamber for testing an aerosol treatment device. It is a chamber that allows testing the effectiveness of an aerosol treatment device, minimizing the risk of contamination of the external environment by said aerosols. It is delimited by an envelope that has connection ducts with the aerosol treatment device, openings to introduce objects into the chamber when it is not working, and a system for handling said objects; all forming a closed compartment that is sealed with respect to the outside environment. Inside there is an aerosol diffuser, an aerosol sampler; which can be a simple capture or include a record of environmental parameters; and hermetic capsules for storage of aerosol samples. ONLY It is characterized by having inside the chamber a vacuum capsule with an opening valve, an internal and external differential pressure meter, a propellant that moves the gas from the chamber through the treatment device, and a diffuser of inactivating agent of the dispersed aerosols inside the chamber. The use procedure can be carried out manually or mechanically, it starts by opening the vacuum capsule valve to reduce the internal pressure below atmospheric pressure, and its control by means of the differential pressure gauge, so that if a preset minimum value is reached, the aerosol inactivating agent diffusion system is activated. This same inactivating agent is used at the end of the test, before extracting the samples from the chamber, which are deposited in hermetic capsules in order not to be affected.