GB1379469A - Surface sterilization - Google Patents

Abstract

1379469 Sterilising process REYNOLDS METALS CO 31 July 1972 [30 July 1971] 35735/72 Heading A5G [Also in Division F4] In a method for sterilising a surface using a burner, jets of an ignited combustible gas mixture and a sterilising fluid such as steam are projected simultaneously towards the surface so that the fluid is heated by the ignited combustible mixture externally of the burner, and contacting the surface with the sterilising fluid for a time sufficient to sterilise the surface without destroying it. A burner comprises an inlet 1 for the combustible gas mixture to a mixing chamber 2 which has a plurality of nozzles 3 and an inlet 4 with diffuser means 5 for separating the steam into a plurality of discrete jets. The nozzles 3 are arranged around the periphery of the diffuser means 5 so that the jets of the ignited combustible mixture and the jets of steam emerge substantially parallel to each other and mix outside the burner and the steam is superheated at its point of use. In an alternative embodiment (Fig. 4, not shown) the diffuser means 5 includes a plurality of radially extending passages communicating with the inlet 4 whereby the plurality of discrete jets conforms substantially to the outline of the surface to be sterilised, and the plurality of nozzles 3 are interspersed between the discrete jets for the steam. Means (not shown) allow adjustment of the ratio of combustible gas mixture and steam to effect at least partial condensation of the superheated steam on the surface, and reevaporation of the condensate by heat from the ignited combustible mixture.