JPS6336892A - Pipeline sterilizing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable efficient and sure sterilization in a water conduit pipe provided with one piece each of stop valve in an introducing port and discharge port by constituting the titled device of an electrolytic device for electrolyzing an aq. soln. of germ-free halide and the above-mentioned water conduit pipe. CONSTITUTION:This device consists of the electrolyzing device 1 for electrolyzing the aq. inorg. halide soln. and the water conduit pipe 5 provided with respectively one piece each of the stop valves 2,3 in the water introducing port 6 and the discharge port 7. The electrolyzing device 1 is installed to the water conduit pipe 5 between the stop valves 2 and 3. More specifically, the stored water is sterilized and the inside of the water conduit pipe is simultaneously sterilized by closing the valve 3 and electrolyzing the water by the device 1. The electrolyzing device having a device 4 to supply the inorg. halide into an electrolytic chamber of the electrolyzing device is used if the inorg. halide as much as to generate the hypohalogenate of the concn. enough to sterilize the water by the electrolysis is not contained in the stored water in the water conduit pipe. The electrolysis to generate the hypohalogenate is then executable.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a pipe sterilizer. More specifically, it prevents microorganisms from entering through the discharge ports of various devices used in hospitals and other medical institutions, pharmaceutical manufacturers, medical product manufacturers, food manufacturers, etc., and automatically sterilizes the inside of water pipes. Regarding road sterilization equipment.

[Conventional technology] Aseptic conditions must be maintained in the water pipes of equipment cleaners such as ultrasonic cleaners used in hospitals and other medical institutions, and medical instruments such as bladder cleaners and artificial dialysis machines. However, water pipes can become contaminated by microorganisms such as bacteria floating in the air that enters from the outlet etc.
It is considered extremely difficult to maintain sterile conditions free from invasion by such microorganisms. For this reason, conventional sterilization methods using chemicals such as sodium hypochlorite, formalin, and ozone, boiling water, and steam, and
A sterilization device that sterilizes using chlorine generated by electrolysis as disclosed in Publication No. 30 and Japanese Patent Publication No. 1975-19590, as disclosed in Publication of Utility Model Publication No. 30-13756 and Japanese Patent Publication No. 31489-1989 As disclosed, a device is employed that sterilizes water by energizing the water to be sterilized or by generating ions.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, the sterilization methods using chemicals, boiling water, steam, etc. require complicated operations, and
The sterilizers disclosed in Publication No. 30 and Japanese Patent Publication No. 44-19596 have complicated structures and high equipment costs;
In addition, it is not possible to form a back contamination prevention zone (barrier) in the pipe, and when using the device disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 30-13756, its sterilization ability is insufficient.
Furthermore, in the device disclosed in JP-A-56-31489, the sterilizing effect is small because inorganic halides are not present, or even if they are present, the amount thereof is small, and there is also a back contamination prevention zone (barrier) in the piping. ) cannot be formed.

Therefore, the structure is simpler than before, and it can be disinfected and sterilized reliably, and it also acts as a barrier to prevent reverse contamination.
There is a strong need for a device that can form

In addition, plants such as pharmaceutical factories and food manufacturing factories need to be sterilized frequently, and sterilization is usually done using chemicals or heat. Prevention of microbial invasion has become an important issue.

[Means for Solving the Problems] Therefore, the inventors of the present invention have conducted extensive research to solve the problems of the conventional technology as described above, and as a result, they have developed a method to sterilize the inside of water pipes extremely efficiently and reliably. We have discovered a pipe sterilizer that can maintain a sterile state for a long period of time, has a simple structure, has low manufacturing costs, is easy to handle, and can automatically disinfect the inside of water pipes.
The present invention has now been completed.

That is, the present invention comprises an electrolytic device for electrolyzing an aqueous inorganic halide solution and a water conduit provided with one water stop valve at each of a water inlet and a water outlet. This invention relates to a pipe sterilizer installed in a water pipe between two water stop valves.

[Function] The pipe sterilizer of the present invention is composed of an electrolysis device for electrolyzing a sterile halide aqueous solution, and a water pipe provided with one water stop valve at each of the water inlet and outlet. .

If sterile water or the like injected into a water pipe is left to stagnate for a long time, there is a possibility of secondary contamination due to microorganisms entering from the outlet or the like.

In the pipe sterilizer of the present invention, the water stop valve provided at the discharge port is closed, and the water is introduced by the electrolytic device provided in the water pipe between the water stop valve and the water stop valve provided at the water introduction port. The water stored in the pipe is electrolyzed.

If the water stored in the water conduit contains enough inorganic halides to generate enough hypohalite to be sterilized by electrolysis, the electrolyzer is energized; Hypohalite is produced by anodic oxidation of the halogen ions contained therein.

When the inorganic halide is, for example, sodium chloride, the reaction formula is as follows.

Na C1+ ) 120- Na Otl + '18
2↑+Jr C12↑CO2+ 2Na011→Na
C#O+NaCl+H20 Sodium hypochlorite thus produced is effective against most microorganisms such as viruses, general nonspore-forming bacteria, acid-fast bacteria, bacterial spores, filamentous fungi, algae, and protozoa, and is typically used at a concentration of 10 ppm. It has the ability to complete sterilization in a short period of time.

This sodium hypochlorite sterilizes the water stored in the electrolysis chamber and also sterilizes the inside of the water pipe.

In addition, if the water stored in the water pipe does not contain enough inorganic halides to generate hypohalite at a sufficient concentration to be sterilized by electrolysis, the inorganic halides may not be present in the electrolytic chamber of the electrolyzer. Such electrolysis can be performed by using an electrolytic device having the function of supplying .

In this way, the hypochlorogenate aqueous solution can be allowed to stagnate while the water shutoff valves provided at the discharge port and the water supply port are closed, and a back contamination prevention zone (barrier) is formed in the water supply pipe between this time. It is possible.

[Example] Next, embodiments of the pipe sterilization device of the present invention will be described in more detail based on the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to these.

In Fig. 1, (1) is an electrolytic device including an inorganic/% halogenide supply device (4), and (2) and (3) are water cutoffs provided at the water inlet (6) and outlet (7), respectively. The valve (5) is a water pipe.

As the electrolysis device (1), for example, a device having a configuration as shown in FIG. 2 can be used.

In FIG. 2, two electrodes, an anode and a cathode, are provided at the bottom of the electrolytic chamber (21), and DC electricity is supplied from a power source Q4.

The electrodes used for the anode and cathode are usually platinum electrodes, which do not undergo corrosion or other changes even when immersed in water for long periods, metals such as copper or nickel, or synthetic resins, ceramics, etc., and gold or platinum electrodes. Electrodes that have been plated or vapor-deposited are used, and in order to make these electrodes easy to replace, a cap (25) equipped with an electrode is used as shown in Figure 2. It may also be possible to fix it with screws.

Power source (24 is usually household AC electricity (100V)
It is possible to use a transformer to convert the voltage to direct current, or use batteries such as dry batteries. Further, a timer may be installed between the power source (24) and the electrodes to ensure that the power is turned on at a predetermined time.

The electrical voltage and current applied to the anode and cathode, as well as the duration of the electricity, are determined in the water pipe (5) and the electrolytic chamber (
Although it cannot be determined unambiguously because it varies depending on the type, concentration, and amount of the inorganic halide aqueous solution in the 2D, for example, if the inorganic halide is IIJaCI, the inside of the electrolytic chamber (21) is usually - Effective chlorine concentration 0.5 to 500 ppm, c! : In order to sterilize mold, etc., it is adjusted to about 10 ppm or more. The current application time varies depending on the concentration of the inorganic halide aqueous solution, the supply amount, the current amount, etc., but is preferably 10
~120 minutes. However, if organic matter is contained in the domestic water conduit water, the chlorine produced by electrolysis may be consumed by the organic matter. It is preferable to increase .

Furthermore, if an aqueous solution of an inorganic halide is stirred in the electrolytic chamber (21) of the electrolytic device (1) using a device having a stirring device surface such as a screw as shown in FIG. The hypohalite produced within 2rJ is transferred to the water conduit (5) between the water stop valves (2) and (3) provided at the water inlet (6) and discharge port ('7) and to the electrolytic chamber. It can be uniformly diffused within (21).

In addition, the water pipe (5) between the water stop valve (2 and (3))
Sufficient iH to sterilize by electrolysis in the water stored in the
If the inorganic halide does not contain enough inorganic halide to generate hypohalite, an electrolytic device with the function of supplying the inorganic halide into the electrolytic chamber Qv of the electrolytic device (1) is used. It is preferable to use

As the function of supplying the inorganic halide, for example, an apparatus having the function of supplying an aqueous inorganic halide solution having a structure as shown in FIG. 3 can be used.

That is, a bellows-type inorganic halide aqueous solution container (32) stably installed by a container stabilizing rod (31) is installed in the main body of the device having a function of supplying an inorganic halide aqueous solution. By turning the supply feed handle (33), the press plate (36) is moved by a fixed distance by the feed screw (35). By this operation, a certain amount of the inorganic halide aqueous solution in the inorganic halide aqueous solution container (32) is injected into the electrolytic chamber (21). Further, in order to prevent the solution in the electrolytic chamber (21) from flowing back into the inorganic halide aqueous solution container (32) and changing the concentration of the inorganic halide aqueous solution in the inorganic halide aqueous solution container (32), electrolytic A check valve (3) is installed at the boundary between the chamber (21) and the inorganic halide aqueous solution container (32).
4) may be provided.

As the inorganic halide aqueous solution container (32), plastic containers having various shapes other than the bellows shape can be used.

As an example, a polyethylene bottle that can be compressed can be used, but in this case, after supplying the inorganic halide aqueous solution, air is poured in order to restore the container shape to its original shape. Preferably, a valve is provided. Alternatively, a method may be adopted in which a fixed amount of the inorganic halide aqueous solution is injected by using a container with a syringe-like mechanism and pushing a piston a fixed length.

The concentration and amount of the inorganic halide aqueous solution injected into the water pipe (5) and the electrolyzer (1) are determined by the water pipe (5).
) and the amount of water stored in the electrolysis chamber (21) in the electrolyzer (1), so it cannot be determined generally, but usually the amount of water stored in the electrolysis chamber (21) and water pipe (5) is 10~ An inorganic halide aqueous solution having a concentration of about 0.1 to 30% is injected at a rate of about 0.1 to 5.0 ml per 40 ml.

Examples of the inorganic halides used to obtain the inorganic halide aqueous solution include NaC# and KCj.

LiCl! SM Inorganic chlorides, such as CO3, NH4Cl, CaCl2, which generate chlorine ions by electrolysis of their aqueous solutions, 11!11. , Kl, and other inorganic iodides, and inorganic oxalides such as Nal3r and KBr. Among these, NaCff (sodium chloride) can be preferably used because of its ease of availability.

In addition, in the present invention, in addition to the method of injecting an inorganic halide into the electrolytic chamber (21) as described above, for example, a predetermined amount of inorganic halides exhibiting sustained release properties such as tablets or capsules formed into pellets can be used. Electrolytic chamber (2
It is also possible to adopt the method of supplying 1). The above-mentioned tablets may be sustained-release tablets coated with hydrogel or the like so that the ingredients gradually dissolve. As the hydrogel, a crosslinked 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate polymer or copolymer is preferably used.

Alternatively, a system may be used in which sustained-release tablets are set near the electrodes and the tablets are replaced periodically depending on the lifespan of the tablets.

In addition, if it is necessary to prevent substances that have a corrosive effect on the water stored in the water conduit (5) in the electrolytic chamber (21) and contain them, as shown in FIG. A valve 04), such as a solenoid valve, which can shield the gap between the electrolyzer (1) and the water pipe (5) is installed in the water pipe (5), and the valve 0 is closed while water is flowing through the water pipe (5). It is preferable to close the valve 04) and open the valve 04) when injecting the hypohalite aqueous solution produced by electrolysis into the water conduit.

The water conduit pipe (5) connected to the electrolyzer is a polyvinyl chloride pipe, a stainless steel pipe, a lead pipe, which does not cause corrosion even if the hypohalite aqueous solution is stored for a long period of time. Polyethylene tubes, polytetrafluoroethylene tubes, glass-lined tubes, etc. can be used.

For example, electromagnetic valves can be used as the water stop valves (2) and (3) provided at the water inlet and water outlet, but in particular, in order to prevent the invasion of microorganisms from the outside, It is preferable to use a solenoid valve using an elastic pinch valve as described in Japanese Patent No. 57-9368.

The water stop valves (2) and (3) are used when injecting an inorganic halide aqueous solution from the inorganic halide supply device (4) into the electrolysis device (1), when electrolyzing the inorganic halide aqueous solution, and when the water conduit pipe is used. is closed when not in use.

The pipe sterilizer of the present invention is configured as described above, but if the water stop valve (3) of the discharge port is provided near the electrolytic device (1), the electrolytic device (1) and Water stop valve (
This is preferable because the interior of the water conduit (5) up to 3) is sufficiently sterilized and microorganisms are prevented from entering through the discharge port (7).

In addition, the stored hypohalite aqueous solution is discharged from the discharge port (7
), as shown in Fig. 5, a water stop valve ( A drain pipe (9) having a washing water outlet (to) provided with a water stop valve (3) may be provided, but in addition, a three-way cock fi+1 as shown in FIG. It is particularly preferable if this is provided, since the hypohalite aqueous solution will not stagnate between the drain pipe (9) and the three-way cock 01). After the hypohalite aqueous solution is discharged, the water stop valve (3) or three-way cock 01) is closed to close the space between the water conduit pipe (5) and the drain pipe (9). In addition, the water stop valve (
’2J and (3) and the electrolysis equipment (1
), for example, as shown in Figure 7, a water stop valve (water stop valve 01) provided between the electrolyzer (1) and the water inlet (6) (2) is further provided. A wash water injection pipe a3 having a wash water inlet 02) may be provided. Incidentally, if it is possible to flow the wash water through the discharge port, the drain pipe provided with the drain valve may be omitted as shown in FIG. 8.

In addition, when the water pipe (5) is installed above the electrolyzer (1), the gas generated from the electrode rises in the water stored inside the water pipe (5), and the gas causes hypohalite to be dissolved. Since the aqueous solution and the stored water are stirred, it is preferable to have such a structure.

Examples of sterilizers having the above structure include those in which a water conduit (5) having a water inlet (6) is provided on the top of the electrolytic device (1) as shown in FIG.
Water conduit (5) with outlet (7) as shown in the figure
It is possible to use a device with a

In FIGS. 1O and 12, the shapes of the water pipe (5) having the water inlet (6) and the water pipe (5) having the discharge port (7) are, for example, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 1, respectively.
It may have a bent shape as shown in FIG. 3, but the present invention is not limited to only these shapes,
It may also be of other shapes.

Further, as shown in FIG. 14, a water pipe (5) having a water pipe (5) having a water pipe (6) and a water pipe (5) having a discharge port (7) is provided on the top of the electrolyzer (1), and The generated aqueous hypohalite solution may be uniformly diffused in the stored water in both water conduit pipes by the generated gas.

Example 1 A water inlet (6) of a pipe sterilizer having the shape shown in Fig. 13 was connected to the drain side terminal of the dialysis water (containing 0.5O7% sodium chloride and 4.1% glucose) of an artificial dialysis machine. Then, the water stop valves (2) and (3) provided at the water inlet (6) and outlet (7) of the pipe sterilizer were opened to send dialysis water into the electrolyzer (1). Afterwards, the water stop valves (2) and (3) were closed. The amount of water stored in the electrolytic chamber and water conduit (5) was 100 ml. Next, a DC current of 20a+A was applied to the two electrodes to perform electrolysis for 80 minutes, and then held for 8 hours. The water stored in the water conduit (5) was sampled from the outlet (7), and a sterility test was conducted based on the 10th revised Japanese Pharmacopoeia "General Test Methods 37° Sterility Test Method".

The results were negative for both bacteria and fungi. From this, it was confirmed that staining by microorganisms from the discharge port (7) could be completely avoided.

Comparative Example 1 A sterility test was conducted in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the electrolytic device (1) was not energized.
Both bacteria and fungi were positive.

From the above results, it was confirmed that when sodium hypochlorite was generated in the stored water between the water stop valves (a and (3)), a back pollution prevention zone was formed between them.

Example 2 The water inlet (6) of a pipe sterilizer shown in FIG. The water stop valves (2) and (3) provided in (7) were opened to feed physiological saline into the electrolyzer (1), and then the water stop valves (2) and (3) were closed. The amount of water stored in the electrolysis chamber and water conduit (5) was 100 ml. Next, a DC current of 20 mA was applied to the two electrodes to perform electrolysis for 40 minutes, and the effective chlorine concentration in the stored water at the end of electrolysis was 50.
It was ppm. Next, after holding the water for 12 hours, open the water stop valve (2J and (8)) and pour sterile water through the water inlet (6) through a sterile filter (Mitsubishi Rayon, Stellabore) for 500 m.
The inside of the water conduit (5) between the water stop valves (2) and (8) was washed by passing water once. After cleaning, close the water stop valve (8),
The water stop valves (2) and (3) were opened to allow physiological saline to flow through, and the physiological saline was collected from the discharge port (7). A sterility test was conducted in the same manner as in Example 1, and the result was negative for both bacteria and fungi.

From this, it was confirmed that contamination by microorganisms from the discharge port ('7) can be completely avoided.

Example 3 The water pipe end (opening to the atmosphere) of an experimental apparatus for producing soft drinks containing sucrose, flavoring, carbonic acid, etc. and the water inlet (6) of the pipe sterilization apparatus shown in FIG. Connected.

The inorganic halide supply device shown in Figure 3 is used, and the water stop valves (2) and (3) are connected to the electrolyzer (1).
Water stop valves (2) and (3) installed in contact with
After opening, 180 ml of soft drink was injected into the water conduit (5) and the electrolytic chamber (within 2°C).Next, 1!4 ml of 20% NaC was injected from the inorganic halide supply device (4), and then the electrode was A direct current of 20 mA was applied and electrolysis was carried out for 100 minutes.
7) Stagnant water was collected and subjected to a sterility test in the same manner as in Example 1, and it was negative for both bacteria and fungi.

Comparative Example 2 In Example 3, a sterility test was conducted in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the electrolytic device (1) was not energized.
Both bacteria and fungi were positive.

From the above results, if sodium hypochlorite is generated in the water stored in the water conduit (5) between the water stop valves (2 and (3)), a back-contamination prevention zone is formed between the water stop valves (2 and (3)). This was confirmed.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, the pipe sterilization device of the present invention is simple in structure and operation, and provides a back-contamination prevention zone (barrier) in the water stored in the water conduit between the two water stop valves. Because it can be formed, it is extremely effective in preventing microbial contamination from various outlets such as the water outlet of artificial dialysis equipment, the drain outlet of automatic biochemical analyzers, and the outlet of food and pharmaceutical manufacturing plants. In addition, it can also be used to prevent microorganisms from entering various liquids that are kept sterile through the outlet, so periodic sterilization with a disinfectant is not necessary.

In addition, it can also be suitably used in automatic sterilization equipment for pipes in manufacturing plants for foods, pharmaceuticals, etc.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is an explanatory diagram of the back contamination prevention device of the present invention, Figs. 2 and 4 are schematic explanatory diagrams of the electrolytic device, Fig. 3 is a schematic explanatory diagram of the inorganic halide supply device, and Figs. Each figure is a schematic explanatory diagram showing an embodiment of the pipe sterilization device of the present invention. (Main symbols in the drawing) (1): Electrolyzer (2), (3): Water stop valve (5): Water pipe patent applicant Tomey Sangyo Co., Ltd. and 1 other person 1: Electrolyzer 2.6: Water stop valve 5: Water guiding shield'

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. Consists of an electrolysis device for electrolyzing an inorganic halide aqueous solution and a water pipe provided with one water stop valve at each of the water inlet and outlet, and the electrolytic device comprises A pipe sterilization device installed in a water pipe between two water stop valves installed in a pipe. 2. The pipe sterilizer according to claim 1, wherein the electrolytic device has a function of supplying an inorganic halide into the water pipe. 3. The pipe sterilizer according to claim 1, wherein the inorganic halide is sodium chloride. 4. The pipe sterilization device according to claim 1, wherein the electrolytic device is provided in the water pipe near the discharge port. 5. The pipe sterilization device according to claim 1, wherein the electrolytic device has a function of stirring an aqueous solution of an inorganic halide. 6. The pipe sterilizer according to claim 1, wherein the water pipe has a drain pipe provided with a drain valve between the water stop valve provided at the discharge port and the electrolyzer. 7. The pipe sterilizer according to claim 1, which has a mechanism capable of shielding between the electrode of the electrolyzer and the water pipe. 8. The pipe sterilization device according to claim 1, which has a cleaning water inlet provided with a water stop valve between the water inlet and the electrolyzer. 9 Claim 1 or 8, which has a wash water outlet provided with a water stop valve between the discharge outlet and the electrolyzer
Pipe sterilization device as described in section. 10. The pipe sterilizer according to claim 1, which has a water supply pipe for water injection provided with a water stop valve above the electrolyzer. 11. The pipe sterilizer according to claim 1 or 10, which has a water intake pipe provided with a water stop valve above the electrolyzer.