FR3115863A1 - Pipe decontamination device - Google Patents

Abstract

Device for decontaminating a pipe A device for decontaminating a pipe of a ventilation circuit comprising a through-going hollow tubular body comprising sealed connection means and at least one UV-C lamp, located inside the body, and fixed to the body using at least one fixing means. Figure for abstract: Fig. 1

Description

Pipe decontamination device

1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a decontamination device.

TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND

More specifically, the invention relates to a device for decontaminating the pipes of the ventilation circuits and the air circulating in the latter.

In particular, the invention also relates to the elimination of viruses, bacteria and microorganisms.

Finally, the invention also relates to the use of UV-C lamps for air decontamination purposes.

In the field of decontamination by means of UV-C lamps, it is known to use UV-C lamps for the treatment of surfaces. In particular, we have seen surface decontamination services develop during the Covid-19 crisis. Generally, these devices require human implementation and therefore adequate protective equipment. These constraints make their use restrictive, reserved for qualified personnel and therefore generally expensive.

UV-C lamps are also used to decontaminate open spaces such as offices, hangars or surgical operating rooms with devices that do not require human intervention during operation. However, the spaces to be decontaminated are then unusable during the decontamination period, which disrupts the organization of the tasks carried out within them. Moreover, such devices are not suitable for decontaminating confined spaces.

UV-C lamps are also known to decontaminate water. In particular, document US 2008 105 606 A1 discloses a cylindrical device comprising UV-C lamps within it and retaining water to be decontaminated. The retained water is decontaminated thanks to the radiation of the UV-C lamps. However, US 2008 105 606 A1 does not deal with air decontamination.

With regard to the decontamination of ventilation circuits, traditionally, their decontamination - generally consisting of the elimination of viruses, bacteria and micro-organisms - is carried out manually and periodically by an operator who sprays a product in the ducts. Thus the operation is not automated and introduces particles of product into the pipes, which means that there are no people in the ventilated spaces. In addition, the product presents a risk for the operator introducing it into the pipes. This requires the latter to wear appropriate safety equipment. Finally, such a decontamination method disturbs the flow of air in the pipes or requires the stopping of this flow, which represents another disadvantage.

Thus, the invention thus aims to solve the drawbacks presented above.

Thus, the invention relates to a device for decontaminating a pipe of a ventilation circuit comprising:
- a through hollow tubular body comprising sealed connection means, and
- at least one UV-C lamp, located inside the body, and fixed to the body using at least one fixing means.

The invention makes it possible to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art in terms of decontaminating the pipes of ventilation circuits. First of all, the device makes it possible to effectively decontaminate the ventilation circuit thanks to the extremely energetic radiation of the lamp. This energy gives the radiation a considerable power to alter biological molecules and therefore eliminates viruses, bacteria and micro-organisms present in the pipes of the ventilation circuits and in the air circulating in them.

In addition, the device is integrated into the ventilation circuit since it is connected to the duct with an impermeable material. Since the ventilation circuit is crossed by air, the sealing sought and obtained thanks to the sealed connection means is that of air. Thus, it requires a single installation and prevents an operator from entering the pipe to be disinfected. The device therefore allows safer decontamination in that it does not risk causing damage to an operator.

In addition, since the UV-C lamp is integrated into the pipe, it protects the work spaces through which the pipe passes. Thus, UV-C radiation is not a danger for people working under the pipe.

In short, once connected to the ventilation circuit, the device can operate, and makes it possible to very effectively decontaminate the pipe without the intervention (other than its starting and stopping which can be programmed automatically) of an operator and therefore without risk. for an operator or people below the ventilation circuit.

Finally, the invention makes it possible to provide constant and/or automated decontamination.

Depending on various aspects, it is possible to provide one and/or the other of the provisions below.

According to one embodiment, two sleeves located at the two longitudinal ends of the body form the sealed connection means.

The sleeves are an effective and simple means of implementation for sealingly connecting through hollow tubes, or pipes, for any shape of section of these tubes.

Thanks to the sleeves, the device, whatever the shape of the tubular body, can adapt to any type of pipe. This means of connection therefore makes it possible to use the invention for any type of ventilation circuit.

According to one embodiment, provision may be made for the at least one fastening means to be contained in a plane orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the tubular body.

In this way, it is simple to install them in the body since it is enough to insert them inside the tubular body. According to one embodiment, provision may be made for the at least one fixing means to comprise at least one through hole inside which the at least one lamp is inserted.

Likewise, it is simple to install them in the body since it is enough to insert them inside the tubular body.

This principle of constructing the device by inserting one part into the other is simple in its design, manufacture and assembly: this makes it possible to limit the number of parts used, saving time in construction and installation. .

According to one embodiment, provision may be made for the device to comprise several UV-C lamps fixed to the body and for the UV-C lamps to be fixed to the body using a single fixing means.

Thanks to the multiplication of lamps within the tube, it is possible to better distribute the UV-C radiation and to better calibrate it in order to optimize the decontamination performance in relation to the level of energy emitted and the energy consumption of the operation of the lamps.

In a complementary way or not, it is possible to provide that the device comprises several UV-C lamps fixed to the body using several fixing means, preferably each UV-C lamp being fixed to the body using all the means of fixation.

Multiple attachment means provide more stable attachment and lighter attachment means. In addition, this makes it possible to distribute and balance the weight of the latter along the tubular body allowing a better and simpler connection.

Independently of the number of fixing means used to fix the UV-C lamps, it can be provided that, in a section plane of the device, these are arranged in the body according to a geometric arrangement of the same shape as the section of the driving. For example, these can be arranged circularly or rectangularly. This allows for optimum emission of UV-C rays.

According to one embodiment, provision may be made for the tubular body to be a cylinder, the base of the cylinder preferably being a circle, a rectangle or a square, even more preferably the base of the cylinder being of the same shape as a cross section of the pipe to be decontaminated.

Thus, the connection is facilitated and the flow of air is not disturbed when passing through the body since the base of the cylinder is of the same shape as a section of a pipe in the ventilation circuit. For example, this avoids an acceleration of the air due to the Venturi effect as it passes through the tubular body. Such flow disturbances could damage devices through which the flow passes elsewhere in the circuit.

According to one embodiment, provision may be made for the at least one UV-C lamp to be fixed to the body in a longitudinal direction (L) of the body.

Here too, this makes it possible not to disturb the flow of air in the ventilation circuit.

According to one embodiment, provision may be made for at least one through hollow tube (5) of mechanically and/or thermally insulating material to surround all or part of the at least one lamp (2).

This insulating material surrounding the lamp, for example a material from the elastomer family, forms a mechanically and/or thermally insulating layer for the lamp.

Mechanically insulating, the insulating material prevents the transmission of vibration from the UV-C lamp to the fixing means and then to the body, which could weaken the device and its connection with the ventilation circuit. Such vibrations may appear when the device is switched on when the UV-C lamp is switched on.

Thermally insulating, the insulating material prevents the transmission of heat from the UV-C lamp to the structure of the device (fixing means and body) and to the air to be decontaminated circulating in the ventilation circuit. A variation in air temperature is likely to disturb the flow – which we seek to avoid as seen above – and to disturb the proper functioning of the devices through which the air circulates which could be configured for a accurate flow temperature.

According to one embodiment, provision may be made for the device to comprise more than one UV-C lamp, preferably between three and eight UV-C lamps, even more preferably six UV-C lamps.

Depending on the shape of the pipes to be decontaminated and the degree of pollution, salubrity or contamination of the pipes, it is possible to adjust the number of lamps to optimize decontamination.

According to one embodiment, provision may be made for the device to have a length of between 50 cm and 2 m, preferably between 80 cm and 1.60 m, even more preferably between 1.20 m and 1.50 m.

The size of the device can correspond to the size of the lamp fixed inside the body and/or adapt to the constraints of the ventilation circuit to be decontaminated. As indicated above, the device can be installed in tight spaces.

According to another aspect, the invention provides a method of manufacturing a device for decontaminating a conduit of a ventilation circuit comprising the following steps:
- inserting at least one fixing means inside a through-going hollow tubular body, then
- At least one UV-C lamp is fixed inside the body using at least one fixing means.

The construction process is therefore broken down into several successive insertions, which is easily automated and simple.

According to one embodiment, provision may be made for the at least one fixing means to comprise at least a through hole and for the at least one UV-C lamp to be fixed inside the body by inserting it inside the at least a through hole.

According to one embodiment, provision can also be made for placing a through hollow tube (5) of mechanically and/or thermally insulating material inside the at least one orifice before inserting the lamp inside the tube.

According to yet another aspect, the invention provides a method for leaktight connection to a pipe of a ventilation circuit of a device according to the invention comprising the following steps:
- a portion of the pipe is cut,
- the pipe is surrounded by two sleeves each located on either side of the cut-out portion,
- the device is placed in place of the cut portion, aligning it with the pipe,
- The sleeves are fixed astride the pipe and the device so that the device is connected in a sealed manner to the pipe.

The connection method according to the invention does not require any additional work - other than the cutting of a portion of the pipe to be decontaminated - to be carried out on the ventilation circuit. In addition, the use of sleeves as a means of connection allows adaptation to any type of pipe - and therefore of ventilation circuit - which makes the connection process universal. In addition, the connection of the device being equivalent to the installation of the device according to the inventive principle of the device, this method makes it possible to install and ultimately use the device on any type of ventilation circuit. The use of the device or its implementation is therefore universal.

In addition, the sleeves ensure the seal between the pipe and the device.

In addition, such a method is easy to use thanks to the sleeves used as a means of connection.

Advantageously, the sleeves are fixed using conventional fixing means on the pipe and/or the device.

Finally, according to yet another aspect, the invention provides a system comprising:
- at least part of a pipe of a ventilation circuit, and
- A device according to the invention connected in a sealed manner to the at least part of the pipe using the sealed connection means.

Embodiments of the invention will be described below with reference to the drawings, briefly described below:

represents in three dimensions with a partial section, the device of the invention.

represents in front view, the device of the invention.

shows in side view, the device of the invention.

represents a section, named SECTION AA, of the device of the invention.

represents a step in the method for constructing the device of the invention according to a particular embodiment.

represents a step in the method of constructing the device.

represents another step in the method of constructing the device.

represents a step in the method for connecting the device of the invention to a pipe of a ventilation circuit.

represents a step in the method for connecting the device of the invention to a pipe of a ventilation circuit.

represents a step in the method for connecting the device of the invention to a pipe of a ventilation circuit.

represents a step in the method for connecting the device of the invention to a pipe of a ventilation circuit.

In the drawings, identical references designate identical or similar objects.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

UV-C rays

The invention uses the energetic power of UV-C rays for decontamination purposes.

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation, also called "black light" because it is invisible to the naked eye, is electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength lower than that of visible light, but higher than that of X-rays. UV can only be observed indirectly, either by fluorescence or using specialized detectors. There are three types of UV rays: UV-A, UV-B and UV-C.

The three types of UV-A, UV-B and UV-C radiation are classified according to their biological activity and their ability to penetrate the skin. They correspond to three conventional intervals of wavelengths (see below). The longer the wavelength of UV radiation (the closer it comes to visible light), the less energy it has and therefore the less harmful it is, but the more it has a significant penetrating power, and in particular a penetrating power cutaneous t. Conversely, the shorter the wavelength of UV radiation (the closer it is to X-rays), the more energy it has and therefore the more destructive it is while having less penetrating power, and in particular penetrating power. skin.

UV-C, of short wavelength, is the most energetic UV as well as the most harmful (the energy increases when the wavelength decreases), but they are completely filtered by the ozone layer of the atmosphere and therefore theoretically do not reach the Earth's surface.

This is why UV-C rays are very effective in eliminating viruses, bacteria and microorganisms

The UV-C spectral band consists of three sub-bands:
- UV-C from 280 to 230 nm;
- V-UV from 200 to 140 nm, ie UV propagating only in vacuum (vacuum ultraviolet);
- X-UV from 140 to 100 nm, wavelengths which approach those of X-rays and which are the most energetic wavelengths of ultraviolet. Depending on the institution, light with a wavelength between late ultraviolet and early X-rays (124 to 10 nm) is sometimes called extreme ultraviolet radiation, or EUV. It is sometimes included in the UV-C category, sometimes separate.

According to the invention, UV-C rays with a spectral band of 280 to 230 nm are preferably used, but it is quite possible to favor V-UV or X-UV rays in order to decontaminate air with a higher contamination rate. higher than the usual pipes.

Device 100

With reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, we will now describe the device 100 according to a particular embodiment.

As we will describe, the device 100 is constructed from several parts inserted into each other thanks to their section having the same shape.

Here, the fixing ring 4, the through hollow tubular body 1 and the sleeves 13 are of circular section as illustrated in . The same construction principle could be made from a section of any other shape, for example square or rectangular. The shape of the section generally depends on the shape of the pipes of the ventilation circuit to be decontaminated.

This being specified, in the present embodiment, the device 100 comprises a through-going hollow tubular body 1 of straight cylindrical shape. In other words, a section along a transverse plane of the body 1 is a circle.

The tubular body 1 comprises a fixing ring 4, also of circular section. This fixing ring 4 comprises six through holes 41 in order to accommodate six UV-C lamps 2.

Depending on the value of a greater transverse dimension of the body 1, here the diameter of its generating circle, the number of lamps 2 can be higher or lower and the number of orifices 41 can vary accordingly.

The holes 41 and the lamps 2 inserted inside are distributed circularly because the cross section of the body 1 is circular.

Advantageously, the orifices 41 contain tubes 411 of mechanically and/or thermally insulating material inside which the lamps 2 are inserted. These tubes 411 form an insulating layer around the lamps 2. They form an insulating barrier between the lamps 2 and the orifices 41 of the fixing ring 4.

Preferably, the tubes 411 surround only the part of the lamps 2 in contact with the orifices 41 and more generally in contact with the fixing ring 4 serving as fixing means. However, it is possible for the tubes 411 to extend beyond the orifices 411.

Depending on the desired insulating property or properties of the layer, the material of the tubes 411 is chosen accordingly. However, such mechanically and/or thermally insulating properties are generally obtained thanks to a flexible material. Indeed, a flexible material dampens the vibrations or shocks suffered by it but diffuses the heat less well than a dense material.

The device 100 is provided with connection means 2 to a pipe. Here they are sleeves 13. The sleeves 13 are sheaths of the same section as the body 1 which serve as a connection between the body 1 and the pipe 200 to be decontaminated.

Here, they therefore have a circular section to be able to be inserted over the body 1 and the pipes 200 of the ventilation circuit to be decontaminated.

The sleeves 13 can be made of a rigid material, for example steel, or of a more flexible material, for example polyvinyl chloride (PVC). One can also imagine hybrid designs.

The UV-C lamps (2) inserted into the orifices 41 are lamps emitting UV-C rays. They operate from a power supply. This power can be obtained directly from the electrical network or, alternatively, from one or more storage batteries.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4, the latter is ideally of generally elongated shape, for example of straight cylindrical shape like the neon lamps conventionally used in classrooms, work rooms or even bathrooms.

Construction

With reference to Figures 5 to 7, we will describe a method for constructing a device 100 for decontaminating the pipes of a ventilation circuit.

In this particular embodiment, two fixing rings 4 are provided for fixing six UV-C lamps 2. However, as explained above, it is possible to provide a single ring 4 or on the contrary three, or even four, just as it is possible to install only one, two, three, four, five lamps 2 or alternatively seven, eight, nine or even ten lamps 2.

As shown in , the tubes 411 of insulating material are first placed inside the orifices 41 of each fastening ring 4. In the particular embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 7, the tubes 411 are of the same length as the orifices 41 so that they do not protrude beyond the latter as illustrated in the sectional views of Figures 6 and 7.

Now, the rings 4 are inserted inside the tubular body 1. As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the rings are placed along the body 1 so that a distance between the two rings is equal to the length 2 lamps used.

In general, the fixing means are included in the cross-sectional surface of the body 1. Thus, in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 7, the fixing rings 4 are included in a circle of diameter equal to that of the body 1. Thus, the insertion of the rings 4 inside the body 1 suffices to fix the rings 4 inside the body 1 thanks to the friction forces between the rings 4 and the body 1 located at the points of contact 42 between them. Indeed, in the present embodiment, the body 1 is made of plastic material, for example polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and the fixing ring is also made of plastic material which makes it possible to obtain friction forces sufficient.

If the frictional forces are not sufficient to prevent any movement of the rings 4 along the tube 1, it is possible to provide suitable coverings to be placed at the contact points 42 and/or to resort to fixing means of the bonding type or others.

The fixing rings 4 being fixed inside the body 1, the lamps 2 are inserted inside the tubes 411. Thus, the UV-C lamps 2 are inserted inside the orifices 41 of the fixing rings 4 which hold them in the body 1. Here, also the friction forces at the points of contact between the lamps 2 and the tubes 411 then the tubes 411 and the orifices 41 may be sufficient to ensure a firm hold of the lamps 2 in the orifices 41. However, one can also resort to fixing means, such as gluing, to obtain a better fixing if necessary. In particular, if it is the ends of the lamps 2 which are in contact with the tubes 411, it may be advantageous to cover the orifices 41, now filled by the lamps 2, with a cover to prevent the movements of the lamps 2 in the sense the length of the body 1.

The device 100 is ready to be installed on a ventilation circuit to be decontaminated.

Facility

With reference to Figures 8 to 10, we will now describe an embodiment of the method for installing the device 100 of the embodiment described above on a pipe 200 to be decontaminated. However, the method according to the invention can be used regardless of the embodiment of the device 100. In particular, the shape of the tubular body 1 does not influence the implementation of the steps of the installation method according to the invention. thanks in particular to the use of a sleeve as a means of connection.

The device 100 is intended to replace part of the pipe 200 in order to be inserted into the ventilation circuit and to be crossed by the flow of air to be decontaminated.

A first step therefore consists in cutting out a part 2001 of the pipe 200 as illustrated in . This cut-out part 2001 is ideally of the same length as the device 100 in order to ensure the best possible seal between the device 1 and the pipe 200.

To ensure the attachment of the device 100 to the pipe 200 and its sealing with the pipe 200, the method of installing a device 100 uses sleeves 13 as a means of connecting the device 100 to the pipe 200.

The sleeves 13, preferably made of flexible or semi-rigid material, such as plastic materials for example, make it possible to adapt to any geometry of the tubular body 1 of the device 100 and of the pipe 200.

In the embodiment presented here, the device 100 to be installed, ie to be connected to the pipe 200, is of straight cylindrical shape as described above.

As shown in , the sleeves 13 are installed on either side of the part 2001 cut out of the pipe 200. Ideally, the sleeves 13 are fully in contact with the two parts of the pipe 200 separated by the space left empty by the cutting of the part 2001. It is however possible to install the sleeves 13 straddling the pipe 200 and the space left empty by the cutting of the part 2001: in other words, in this case, part of the sleeves 13 is in contact with pipe 200 and another part is located in the space left empty.

Then, as shown in , the device 100 is placed in the free space or left empty and it is aligned with the pipe 200. This positioning aligned with the pipe 200 can be carried out with wedges 14 for example as illustrated in the figures. However, any other method of positioning before fixing is possible. Another positioning means, ie an adjustable height alignment means, can be a lifting platform or any system of the pantograph family.

As shown in , once the device 100 is aligned with the pipe 200, the sleeves 13 are moved towards the ends of the device 100 so that the sleeves 13 straddle the pipe 200 and the device 100: in other words, the sleeves 13 are in contact both with the pipe 200 and the device 100. This double contact makes it possible to guarantee tightness between the pipe 200 and the device 100. In addition, it allows better fixing.

Advantageously, once the sleeves 13 are in the correct position, the sleeves 13 are fixed using conventional fastening means (gluing, screwing, drilling, etc.) on the pipe 200 and/or the device 100.

The device 100 is thus connected to the pipe 200 in an airtight manner.

You can now remove the wedges or any other positioning means used.

Use

The device 100 is an integral part of the ventilation circuit following the connection made according to the method described previously. The air to be decontaminated flows through it normally as in all the other pipes in the circuit.

As a reminder, the UV-C 2 lamps are powered by electricity. The electric start of the UV-C lamps triggers the emission of UV-C radiation which is responsible for decontaminating the air circulating there thanks to the energy conveyed by the UV-C rays.

This high level of energy is responsible for the elimination of viruses, bacteria and microorganisms as explained above in the presentation of UV-C rays.

A system for automating the supply of the UV-C lamps and ultimately their start-up can be provided. This system controls the switching on of the UV-C lamps according to a predetermined computer program and/or measurement data obtained from sensors. For example, such a system can make it possible to automate the start-up of lamps at specific times or even following the exceeding of a contamination threshold defined and detected elsewhere. In the context of operation by trigger threshold, the shutdown of the lamps can also be conditional on a contamination threshold defined and detected elsewhere.

The time and contamination criteria can add up.

Manual switching on of the lamps is still possible despite automatic switching on.

Claims (10)

Device (100) for decontaminating a pipe (200) of a ventilation circuit comprising:

• a through hollow tubular body (1) comprising leaktight connection means (4), and
• at least one UV-C lamp (2), located inside the body (1), and fixed to the body (1) using at least one fixing means (21).

Device (100) according to the preceding claim, in which two sleeves (13) located at the two longitudinal ends of the body (1) form the sealed connection means (11). Device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the at least one fixing means (21) is contained in a plane orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the tubular body (1). Device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the at least one fixing means (21) comprises at least one through hole (41) inside which the at least one lamp (21) is inserted. A device (100) according to any preceding claim comprising a plurality of UV-C lamps (2) attached to the body (1) and wherein the UV-C lamps (2) are attached to the body (1) by means of a single fixing means (21). Device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the tubular body (1) is a cylinder,
the base of the cylinder preferably being a circle, a rectangle or a square,
even more preferably, the base of the cylinder being of the same shape as a cross section of the pipe (200) to be decontaminated. Device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the at least one UV-C lamp (2) is fixed to the body (1) in a longitudinal direction (L) of the body (1). Device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which at least one through hollow tube (411) of mechanically and/or thermally insulating material surrounds all or part of the at least one lamp (2). Method for sealingly connecting a device (100) according to any one of Claims 1 to 8 to a pipe (200) of a ventilation circuit, comprising the following steps:

• a portion (2001) of the pipe (200) is cut,
• the pipe (200) is surrounded by two sleeves (13) each located on either side of the portion (2001) cut out,
• the device (100) is placed in place of the portion (2001) cut by aligning it with the pipe (200),
• the sleeves (13) are fixed astride the pipe (200) and the device (100) so that the device (100) is connected in leaktight manner to the pipe (200).

System comprising:

• at least part of a pipe (200) of a ventilation circuit, and
• a device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8 connected in a leaktight manner to the at least part of the pipe (200) using the leaktight connection means (4).