JP2019134771A - Hydrogen peroxide gas decontamination device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a hydrogen peroxide gas decontamination method and device, having a simple device configuration, and capable of easily decontaminating a decontamination objective space in a small-volume housing such as a safety cabinet and an isolator, by hydrogen peroxide gas.SOLUTION: A hydrogen peroxide gas decontamination device includes: a container 11 which is provided in a decontamination objective space K and into which a hydrogen peroxide solution is put; a heater 12 for heating the hydrogen peroxide solution in the container 11 by heating the container 11; and a temperature controller 13 which heat-controls the hydrogen peroxide solution to 70-90°C by controlling the heater 12. The device has such a simple device configuration that 200-400 ppm of hydrogen peroxide gas is obtained by heating the hydrogen peroxide solution to 70-90°C with the heater 12 in the decontamination objective space K, and can easily decontaminate the decontamination objective space in a small-volume housing such as a safety cabinet and an isolator, by hydrogen peroxide gas.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a hydrogen peroxide gas decontamination method and a hydrogen peroxide gas decontamination apparatus using hydrogen peroxide gas.

In the isolator used in the pharmaceutical manufacturing field, and in the safety cabinet used in microbial experiments and virus handling, management of suspended particles and management of microorganisms, fungi, and viruses are important. In the pharmaceutical manufacturing field, it is required to maintain the manufacturing environment in a sterilized state, and the sterility assurance level (SAL) is 10 ⁻⁶ . Further, in the safety cabinet, it is necessary to decontaminate the inside of the apparatus in order to prevent an operator from being infected with harmful bacteria and viruses during apparatus maintenance.

  Conventionally, fumigation with formaldehyde gas has been mainly performed as a decontamination method, but formaldehyde is a carcinogenic substance, and its use has been strictly regulated in recent years. On the other hand, as an alternative method of formaldehyde decontamination, decontamination methods using alternative agents such as hydrogen peroxide, peracetic acid and ozone have been studied. Among them, hydrogen peroxide gas is easier to handle than other alternatives, and in the pharmaceutical manufacturing field, many hydrogen peroxide gases have been used for isolator decontamination. The thing of patent document 1 is known as an example of the hydrogen peroxide gas decontamination method and decontamination apparatus using hydrogen peroxide.

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2006-111992

By the way, in order to finish decontamination of a small-volume housing such as a safety cabinet or an isolator in a short time with reliable decontamination, the gas concentration of hydrogen peroxide gas is set to be relatively high (300 to 1000 ppm). On the other hand, since room decontamination has a large volume, the gas concentration of hydrogen peroxide gas is set to be relatively low (200 to 400 ppm), and decontamination is performed for a long time.
In these decontamination, since it is a high concentration or a large volume, it is necessary to generate hydrogen peroxide gas efficiently. In the hydrogen peroxide gas decontamination apparatus described in Patent Document 1, it is heated to 140 ° C. to 170 ° C. There is a method of generating hydrogen peroxide gas by dropping hydrogen peroxide water on the plate one by one and evaporating it instantaneously.

  Moreover, in the hydrogen peroxide gas decontamination described in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to maintain the relative humidity during decontamination to about 40 to 60% in addition to the gas concentration. Decontamination often uses a hydrogen peroxide solution with a concentration of about 35%, and it is not necessary to humidify because water vapor is generated at the same time as the evaporation of the hydrogen peroxide solution. However, there is a possibility of deterioration of the component parts. For this reason, an expensive temperature / humidity sensor, a hydrogen peroxide gas concentration sensor, a dehumidifier, and the like are necessary for controlling the humidity and the like.

  As described above, the hydrogen peroxide gas decontamination apparatus described in Patent Document 1 has a problem that the structure of the apparatus itself is complicated and an expensive sensor or the like is required, which is expensive.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has a simple apparatus configuration, and the decontamination target space in a small volume housing such as a safety cabinet or an isolator is easily decontaminated with hydrogen peroxide gas. An object of the present invention is to provide a hydrogen peroxide gas decontamination method and apparatus.

In order to achieve the above object, the hydrogen peroxide gas decontamination method of the present invention is a hydrogen peroxide gas decontamination method for decontaminating a decontamination target space using hydrogen peroxide gas,
In the decontamination target space, hydrogen peroxide water is heated to 70 to 90 ° C. to obtain 200 to 400 ppm of hydrogen peroxide gas.

The hydrogen peroxide gas decontamination apparatus of the present invention is a hydrogen peroxide gas decontamination apparatus that decontaminates a decontamination target space using hydrogen peroxide gas,
A container provided in the decontamination target space and containing hydrogen peroxide water;
A heater that heats the hydrogen peroxide solution in the container by heating the container;
A temperature controller for controlling the heater to control the hydrogen peroxide solution to 70 to 90 ° C., and
The hydrogen peroxide solution is heated to 70 to 90 ° C. in the decontamination target space by the heater to obtain 200 to 400 ppm of hydrogen peroxide gas.

Here, the reason why the hydrogen peroxide solution was heated to 70 to 90 ° C. is that it is difficult to efficiently generate hydrogen peroxide gas below 70 ° C. When the temperature exceeds 90 ° C., the boiling point of the hydrogen peroxide solution is 108. This is because when the temperature approaches 0 ° C., the evaporation of hydrogen peroxide water becomes intense and the relative humidity increases.
The concentration of the hydrogen peroxide gas is 200 to 400 ppm. If it is less than 200 ppm, it is difficult to obtain a sufficient decontamination effect. If it exceeds 400 ppm, the hydrogen peroxide gas is condensed without temperature and humidity control. This is because there is a fear.
Further, the decontamination target space is preferably a decontamination target space in a small volume housing such as a safety cabinet or an isolator, and is preferably 2 m ³ or less, for example.

In the present invention, since the hydrogen peroxide solution is heated to 70 to 90 ° C., the hydrogen peroxide solution does not boil and is slowly evaporated to become hydrogen peroxide gas. When hydrogen peroxide solution is slowly evaporated, the hydrogen peroxide solution is easier to decompose than when it is instantly evaporated, and the hydrogen peroxide gas generation efficiency is reduced, but a small-volume housing such as a safety cabinet or isolator. It is sufficient to obtain hydrogen peroxide gas having a concentration of 200 to 400 ppm in the space to be decontaminated. Since the decontamination target space is decontaminated with this concentration of hydrogen peroxide gas, the decontamination target space can be easily decontaminated with hydrogen peroxide gas.
In addition, a container in which the hydrogen peroxide solution is placed, a heater that heats the hydrogen peroxide solution in the container by heating the container, and the heater is controlled to heat the hydrogen peroxide solution to 70 to 90 ° C. It can be set as the simple apparatus structure provided with the temperature regulator to do.

  Moreover, in the said structure of this invention, you may prevent dew condensation, maintaining a humidity required for decontamination by providing a hygroscopic agent in the said decontamination object space.

  Here, as the hygroscopic agent, for example, calcium chloride which has low hygroscopicity at low humidity and easily absorbs moisture at high humidity exceeding 60% is preferably used.

  According to such a configuration, when hydrogen peroxide gas is generated in the decontamination target space, the humidity increases accordingly, but decontamination can be achieved by removing excess moisture that causes condensation. Since it can prevent that hydrogen peroxide water adheres to the wall surface which forms object space, the container in which hydrogen peroxide water is put, a heater, and a temperature controller, these damages can be prevented.

  According to the present invention, while having a simple apparatus configuration, a decontamination target space in a small volume housing such as a safety cabinet or an isolator can be easily decontaminated with hydrogen peroxide gas.

1 shows a hydrogen peroxide gas decontamination apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention and is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration thereof. In embodiment of this invention, it is a graph which shows the relationship between the elapsed time after the heating start of hydrogen peroxide water, hydrogen peroxide gas concentration, and relative humidity.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a hydrogen peroxide gas decontamination apparatus according to the present embodiment.
In FIG. 1, the code | symbol 10 shows small volume housing | casings, such as a safety cabinet and an isolator. Inside the small volume housing 10, a container 11, a heater 12, a temperature controller 13, a timer 14, a neutralizer 15 and a hygroscopic agent 16 are provided.
In this embodiment, the hydrogen peroxide gas decontamination device 1 is configured by the container 11, the heater 12, the temperature controller 13, the timer 14, and the neutralization device 15. The gas decontamination apparatus 1 may be configured.

The inside of the small volume housing 10 serves as a decontamination target space K, and this decontamination target space K is partitioned from the outside by a wall portion constituting the small volume housing 10.
As the container 11, for example, a beaker 11 is used, and an upper end portion thereof is open. A hydrogen peroxide solution having a concentration of 35% is placed inside the container 11 from this opening.
The heater 12 is a mantle heater 12 having a heating and heat retaining function, and a container 11 is loaded on the mantle heater 12.

A temperature controller 13 is connected to the heater 12, and the temperature of the hydrogen peroxide gas contained in the container 11 is set to 70 to 90 ° C. by controlling the heater 12 on and off by the temperature controller 13. Heating is controlled.
In addition, a timer 14 is connected to the temperature controller 13, and the timer 14 controls the control time of the temperature controller 13, that is, the heating time of the heater 12, so The time for generating (evaporating) hydrogen oxide gas is controlled. Since the decontamination target space K begins to be decontaminated by generating the hydrogen peroxide gas, the water peroxide peroxide gas generation time is approximately equal to the decontamination time.

Further, a neutralizer 15 is connected to the timer 14. The neutralization device 15 has a function of neutralizing and decomposing the hydrogen peroxide gas in the decontamination target space K. For example, the hydrogen peroxide gas is decomposed by a catalyst such as platinum until the concentration becomes 1 ppm or less. It is supposed to be.
Further, the neutralizing device 15 includes a housing 15a, a catalyst 15b such as platinum provided on the upper portion of the housing 15a, and a fan 15c provided on the lower portion of the housing 15a.
In such a neutralization device 15, the fan 15c is operated by a motor (not shown) to blow the hydrogen peroxide gas in the decontamination target space K to the catalyst 15b, and the hydrogen peroxide neutralized by this catalyst. By repeatedly sending the gas to the decontamination target space K, the hydrogen peroxide gas is circulated through the neutralization device 15 in the decontamination target space K to decompose the hydrogen peroxide gas to a concentration of 1 ppm or less. It is supposed to be.
When the decontamination time is set by the timer 14, when the decontamination time has elapsed, the heating of the hydrogen peroxide solution in the container 11 is stopped, and the neutralization device 15 is automatically activated, that is, the fan 15c is activated. It is like that.

As the hygroscopic agent 16, calcium chloride which has low hygroscopicity at low humidity and easily absorbs moisture at high humidity exceeding 60% is preferably used.
By using such a hygroscopic agent 16, it is possible to prevent condensation in the decontamination target space K while maintaining the humidity necessary for decontamination without measuring humidity or controlling dehumidification. The hygroscopic agent 16 is spread using a thin container such as a petri dish so as not to overlap, and is installed at a predetermined position in the decontamination target space K.

Next, a decontamination method using the hydrogen peroxide gas decontamination apparatus of this embodiment will be described.
In the present embodiment, the inside of the safety cabinet (BSC) is set as a decontamination target space K, and the decontamination target space K is decontaminated with hydrogen peroxide gas.

First, measure the temperature and humidity of the room where the safety cabinet is installed, and confirm that it is the temperature and humidity required for decontamination (under general air conditioning).
Next, with respect to the volume of the safety cabinet, that is, the volume of the decontamination target space K, the amount of hydrogen peroxide solution and calcium chloride (moisture absorbent) and the decontamination time (timer setting time) are determined from the parameters shown in Table 1. . Weigh the hydrogen peroxide solution and calcium chloride to the determined amount, and set the timer to the determined decontamination time.

Next, as shown in FIG. 1, the hydrogen peroxide gas decontamination apparatus 1 and the moisture absorbent (calcium chloride) 16 according to the present embodiment are installed in the working room of the safety cabinet, that is, the decontamination target space K.
Since moisture absorption of the hygroscopic agent (calcium chloride) 16 depends on the surface area, as described above, a thin container such as a petri dish is used so as not to overlap.

  Next, a hydrogen peroxide solution having a concentration of 35% is put into a container (beaker) 11 set in the heater (mantle heater) 12. Next, the safety cabinet is sealed using a thick plastic film or duct tape. In particular, the exhaust vent of the safety cabinet is strong because pressure is applied.

  Next, the safety cabinet is operated with a fan output of about 60%. Although it depends on the manufacturer of the safety cabinet, the fan output is controlled by changing the inverter set frequency, rotation speed, torque, etc. used for fan output control.

Next, when the switch of the hydrogen peroxide gas decontamination apparatus 1 is turned on, the temperature controller 13 automatically heats the heater 12 so that the hydrogen peroxide solution in the container (beaker) 11 becomes about 70 ° C. to 90 ° C. Control and heat the hydrogen peroxide solution.
As shown in FIG. 2, the hydrogen peroxide gas concentration and the humidity increase due to the evaporation of the hydrogen peroxide solution. Although the decontamination target space K starts to be decontaminated by the evaporation of the hydrogen peroxide gas, the concentration of the hydrogen peroxide gas reaches 200 to 400 ppm, the concentration is maintained for a predetermined time, and further, a predetermined time elapses therefrom. This completes the decontamination of the decontamination target space K.
In the present embodiment, the hydrogen peroxide gas concentration increases from the start of heating of the hydrogen peroxide solution, and after about 105 minutes from the start of heating, the concentration of hydrogen peroxide gas becomes 200 ppm, from which the concentration gradually increases, It becomes 235 ppm after 120 minutes. From there, the concentration of the hydrogen peroxide gas gradually decreases to 200 ppm after 140 minutes, and then the concentration of the hydrogen peroxide gas decreases, and after 180 minutes from the start of decontamination (heating of hydrogen peroxide water). Decontamination is complete.
Further, the humidity (relative humidity) gradually increases from the start of decontamination (starting heating of hydrogen peroxide water), and reaches 74% after 105 minutes from the start of decontamination. When the humidity (relative humidity) exceeds 60%, moisture is adsorbed on the calcium chloride (hygroscopic agent) 16, and the humidity (relative humidity) gradually decreases.

When the decontamination time shown in Table 1 elapses and the hydrogen peroxide gas decontamination is completed, the heater (mantle heater) 12 is automatically stopped by the timer 14 as shown in FIG. Is switched to the neutralizing device 15.
In the neutralizer 15, the fan 15c blows air to the hydrogen peroxide catalyst 15b, and the hydrogen in the safety cabinet (decontamination target space K) is circulated to decompose the hydrogen peroxide gas. The neutralization of hydrogen peroxide gas is usually carried out until the concentration is lower than the allowable concentration (1 ppm). As shown in Table 1, the neutralization time varies depending on the volume in the safety cabinet and the amount of hydrogen peroxide used. When the concentration of the hydrogen peroxide gas becomes an allowable concentration (1 ppm) or less, the fan 15c stops and the neutralization of the hydrogen peroxide gas after the decontamination is finished.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the hydrogen peroxide solution is heated to 70 to 90 ° C., the hydrogen peroxide solution does not boil but gently evaporates to become hydrogen peroxide gas. When hydrogen peroxide water is slowly evaporated, hydrogen peroxide is more easily decomposed than when it is instantaneously evaporated, and the efficiency of hydrogen peroxide gas generation is reduced. However, in a small-volume housing such as a safety cabinet or isolator. This is sufficient to obtain hydrogen peroxide gas having a concentration of 200 to 400 ppm in the space to be decontaminated. Since the decontamination target space K is decontaminated with this concentration of hydrogen peroxide gas, the decontamination target space K can be easily decontaminated with hydrogen peroxide gas.
In addition, a container 11 in which hydrogen peroxide solution is placed, a heater 12 that heats the hydrogen peroxide solution in the container 11 by heating the container 11, and the heater 12 is controlled so A simple apparatus configuration including a temperature controller 13 that controls heating to 90 ° C. and a timer 14 can be provided.

  Further, when hydrogen peroxide gas is generated in the decontamination target space K, the humidity also increases. However, by removing excess moisture that causes condensation, the decontamination target space K is removed. Since it is possible to prevent the hydrogen peroxide solution from adhering to the wall surface to be formed, the container 11 in which the hydrogen peroxide solution is placed, the heater 12, the temperature controller 13, the neutralizing device 15, and the like, these damages can be prevented.

  Further, after the decontamination target space K is decontaminated with the hydrogen peroxide gas, the hydrogen peroxide gas is neutralized and decomposed by the neutralization device 15, so that a safety cabinet, an isolator or the like can be used safely thereafter.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Hydrogen peroxide gas decontamination apparatus 11 Container 12 Heater 13 Temperature controller 14 Timer 15 Neutralization apparatus 16 Hygroscopic agent

Claims (4)

A hydrogen peroxide gas decontamination method for decontaminating a decontamination target space using hydrogen peroxide gas,
A hydrogen peroxide gas decontamination method, wherein hydrogen peroxide water is heated to 70 to 90 ° C. in the space to be decontaminated to obtain 200 to 400 ppm of hydrogen peroxide gas.   The method for generating hydrogen peroxide gas according to claim 1, wherein condensation is prevented while maintaining a humidity necessary for decontamination by providing a hygroscopic agent in the decontamination target space. A hydrogen peroxide gas decontamination apparatus for decontaminating a decontamination target space using hydrogen peroxide gas,
A container provided in the decontamination target space and containing hydrogen peroxide water;
A heater that heats the hydrogen peroxide solution in the container by heating the container;
A temperature controller for controlling the heater to control the hydrogen peroxide solution to 70 to 90 ° C., and
A hydrogen peroxide gas decontamination apparatus, wherein the hydrogen peroxide solution is heated to 70 to 90 ° C. in the decontamination target space by the heater to obtain 200 to 400 ppm of hydrogen peroxide gas. Comprising a hygroscopic agent provided in the space to be decontaminated,
The peroxygen gas hydrogen generator according to claim 3, wherein condensation is prevented by the hygroscopic agent while maintaining a humidity necessary for decontamination.

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