KR102652622B1 - Method and apparatus for sterilization using hydrogen peroxide - Google Patents

Abstract

In the present invention, a low-concentration aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution with a concentration of 12% by weight or less is used as a disinfectant. The sterilizing device according to the present invention includes an atomizing device that has a circulator inside and an ultrasonic vibrator with a frequency of 1.5 to 2.5 MHz, and generates atomizing particles by atomizing the sterilizing agent by the vibration of the ultrasonic vibrator; a chamber including a wall, an exhaust means, and an air inlet formed through the wall and having an air filter, and accommodating a sterilizing object; A spray pipe installed and connected to the atomization device and the chamber to allow atomization particles in the atomization device to flow into the chamber; and a circulation pipe installed and connected to the atomizing device and the chamber so that the circulating air in the chamber flows into the atomizing device.

Description

Method and apparatus for sterilization using hydrogen peroxide}

The present invention relates to a sterilization method and device using an aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution as a sterilizing agent, and in particular to a method and device for sterilizing spaces and surfaces by atomizing a low concentration aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide with an ultrasonic vibrator and spraying it into a chamber subject to sterilization. It's about.

Hydrogen peroxide is weakly acidic and is usually difficult to exist in high concentrations, and is generally used by diluting it with water to make an aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution.

Hydrogen peroxide is an unstable substance and decomposes on its own, but the reaction is very slow. The reaction can also be promoted by the use of catalysts. As temperature, concentration, or pH increases, decomposition becomes faster, and metal and metal compound catalysts for decomposition include manganese dioxide, silver, and platinum.

Hydrogen peroxide as a disinfectant is effective against mycobacteria, viruses, fungi, spores, protozoa, etc., and has the advantage of being an eco-friendly material that easily decomposes into water and oxygen after use.

It is also sterilized by evaporating an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide and spraying it on the object to be sterilized. However, when the aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide vaporizes, water vaporizes and diffuses before hydrogen peroxide, making sufficient diffusion of hydrogen peroxide difficult. Because water has a higher vapor pressure than hydrogen peroxide, it evaporates quickly, and because the molecular weight of water is lower than hydrogen peroxide, water vapor diffuses into the gas phase more quickly than hydrogen peroxide vapor, which is a problem. Because of these characteristics, water reaches the sterilizing object at a higher concentration before hydrogen peroxide, and the water vapor diffuses more quickly into narrow spaces such as small crevices or long, narrow lumens, inhibiting the penetration of hydrogen peroxide vapor. In other words, sterilization is not carried out properly.

For effective sterilization, it is advantageous to use a high concentration of hydrogen peroxide aqueous solution, but if the concentration is more than 60% by weight, handling, transportation, storage, etc. is realistically difficult. Accordingly, an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide with a concentration of 60% by weight or less is concentrated and used as a disinfectant.

Patent Application Publication No. 10-2006-52161 discloses a method of sterilization by placing a diffusion limiter in the vacuum exhaust path of the vaporizer to allow water vapor to pass and hydrogen peroxide vapor to condense, and then vaporizing and diffusing the vapor.

Patent Application Publication No. 10-2015-0009104 uses a vaporizer and collector to increase the concentration of an aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution to 95% by weight or more and use it as a disinfectant.

Meanwhile, in Patent Application Publication No. 10-2008-0036596, a high-concentration aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide is fumigated without a separate concentration process and sprayed on the target space to sterilize it. In a specific example, about 30-40% by weight of aqueous hydrogen peroxide is used.

However, when using an aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution with a concentration of 30% or more for fumigation, the space subject to sterilization after sterilization contains a high concentration of hydrogen peroxide, which is a toxic substance, so it cannot be exhausted by the air conditioner, and the hydrogen peroxide vapor is separated into water and water by a decomposition catalyst. Separate equipment is needed to decompose and decontaminate it with oxygen. Additionally, there is a problem in that this disassembly and decontamination takes a long time, accounting for 50 to 80% of the total quarantine work time.

In the case of hydrogen peroxide fumigation, there is also the challenge of preventing vapor from condensing or condensing in the space to be sterilized. When vapor condenses and creates droplets, the disinfection effect is reduced and the time required to remove residual hydrogen peroxide after disinfection is completed increases. Condensation droplets can also damage electronic components within the target area, change or bleed the color of fabrics or wallpaper, and damage other water-sensitive items.

There is also the challenge of quickly and uniformly penetrating and spreading vapor particles into the space to be disinfected.

Accordingly, research is in progress to increase the stability of disinfection solution handling, simplify disinfection work, improve disinfection efficiency, prevent corrosion of facilities, equipment, and instruments in the disinfection space, and make post-disinfection processing simple and quick. .

In relation to improving disinfection efficiency, it is necessary to understand the chemical and physical mechanisms that kill a wide range of microorganisms by spraying hydrogen peroxide particles. Although the mechanism has not yet been clearly revealed, there are a dry mechanism and a wet mechanism to explain the sterilization principle by hydrogen peroxide. The dry mechanism is that sterilization is achieved through the decomposition process of hydrogen peroxide, and the wet mechanism is that sterilization is achieved by delivery of hydrogen peroxide through micro condensation of hydrogen peroxide and decomposition into radicals.

According to T. Coles on microscopic condensation, “Understanding the hydrogen peroxide vapor sanitisation process and introducing the MCHP concept, a personal account” Clean Air and Containment Review, Issue 25, January 2016, hydrogen peroxide particles become visible on the surface of an object. When “macro-condensation” is formed, the disinfection effect is reduced, and when “micro-condensation” that is invisible to the naked eye is formed, a good disinfection effect is achieved. It is explained here that the microscopic condensate is a few microns in size, is liquid, and has a hydrogen peroxide concentration of 60-70%. Since the average size of hydrogen peroxide molecules is 0.25 to 0.28 nm and the size of water molecules is about 0.27 nm, the microscopic condensate is thought to contain a large number of water molecules and hydrogen peroxide molecules.

Meanwhile, methods to prevent condensation and condensation of fumigation particles may include increasing the temperature or lowering the air pressure in the space to be disinfected. In addition, the phenomenon that occurs when fine particles collide can be considered. When sprayed particles collide with each other or when sprayed particles collide with water vapor particles in the air, different results such as cohesion or separation occur depending on the collision conditions. .

Generally, when two particles collide, the results appear as bouncing, coalescence, reflexive separation, stretching separation, etc., which is a dimensionless collision parameter, Weber number. ), and is determined by the collision particle diameter ratio. The dimensionless collision parameter (b) is defined as the equation below.

B refers to the vertical distance from the center of one particle to the relative velocity vector of the other particle when two particles collide, and D1 and D2 are the diameters of each particle. Additionally, the Weber number (We) is defined as the equation below.

ρ is the density of particles, is the relative velocity vector of the two particles, and σ is the surface tension.

In relation to dispersing fumigation particles by infiltrating the disinfection space, the fumigated disinfectant solution is usually sprayed into the disinfection space using a blower. The penetration distance through which the particles move by the blower must be long, and after penetration, Factors such as the need for good diffusion due to Brownian motion can be taken into consideration.

In the conventional hydrogen peroxide fumigation method, a mixture of 35% H ₂ O ₂ and water is injected into a heating plate exceeding 100 ℃ and vaporized, and air preheated by a heating wire or heat tube is sent to the vaporizer to release H ₂ O ₂ vapor into the closed space of the sterilization target. supply to. An example of hydrogen peroxide heat fumigation is Patent Application Publication No. 10-2013-0042626.

Meanwhile, sterilization and disinfection are also necessary for textile products. Wet washing using detergent is mainly used to remove contamination caused by microorganisms in textile products. If the detergent used for washing does not have antibacterial properties or is washed under weak washing conditions, microorganisms may remain even after washing, and wet washing promotes the growth of microorganisms. can promote. In addition, detergents have a stronger swelling effect than water, so they shrink or damage fibers, causing external deformation, and deformed textile products are easily discarded. Most discarded textile products are disposed of by landfill or incineration, and the textile products currently manufactured and sold mainly use chemical fibers that do not decompose in nature, so indiscriminate disposal of textile products causes environmental pollution.

The sterilization method for these textile products must achieve a sterilization effect while not discoloring, deforming, or damaging the fibers. For example, synthetic fibers such as nylon, polyester, and spandex shrink during high-temperature treatment, and because they are thermoplastics, permanent wrinkling occurs due to heat and pressure, so high temperature washing above 40°C is generally undesirable.

Patent Application Publication No. 10-2006-52161 Patent Application Publication No. 10-2015-0009104 Patent Application Publication No. 10-2008-0036596 Patent Application Publication No. 10-2013-0042626

The present invention uses a disinfectant with high safety when handling, facilitates dispersion of the disinfectant into the disinfection space by penetration and diffusion, has an excellent effect of disinfecting spaces and surfaces, and provides facilities, equipment, and instruments within the disinfection space. The object is to provide a sterilization method and sterilization device that is convenient for disposing of disinfectant remaining in the target space after disinfection without corroding the back.

The sterilizing device according to the present invention includes an atomizing device that has a circulator inside and an ultrasonic vibrator with a frequency of 1.5 to 2.5 MHz, and generates atomizing particles by atomizing the sterilizing agent by the vibration of the ultrasonic vibrator; a chamber including a wall, an exhaust means, and an air inlet formed through the wall and having an air filter, and accommodating a sterilizing object; A spray pipe installed and connected to the atomization device and the chamber to allow atomization particles in the atomization device to flow into the chamber; and a circulation pipe installed and connected to the atomizing device and the chamber so that the circulating air in the chamber flows into the atomizing device.

The circulator draws circulating air from the chamber, blows the circulating air, and sprays atomization particles generated by the atomization device into the chamber.

The air inlet is always open so that outside air can pass through the air filter and enter the chamber. The air filter may have a maximum diameter of passing particles of 3 ㎛ or less.

The spray pipe may have a curved shape, and the spray pipe outlet, which is the point where the spray pipe is connected to the chamber, may be located at least 30 cm higher than the spray pipe inlet, which is the point where the spray pipe is connected to the atomizer.

The height difference between the position of the circulation pipe inlet, which is the point where the circulation pipe is connected to the chamber, and the location of the spray pipe outlet may be less than 30 cm.

In addition, the atomization device according to the present invention has an inner plate installed spaced apart above the ultrasonic oscillator, and the circulator blows circulating air above the inner plate, and controls the flow of atomizing particles at the top of the inner plate and the inner plate. The flow of atomized particles at the bottom may be in opposite directions.

On the other hand, the sterilization method according to the present invention uses the sterilization device of the present invention. In this method, an aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution is introduced into the atomization device, then an ultrasonic vibrator is vibrated to generate atomization particles, and a circulator is used to produce atomization particles into the chamber. Circulating air is sucked from the chamber while spraying the inside of the chamber, and after completing the spraying of atomized particles inside the chamber, the object to be sterilized is sterilized for a predetermined period of time at room temperature and pressure, and the chamber is ventilated after sterilization. .

The sterilization method and device according to the present invention achieve the same effect.

- As a low-concentration aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide is used as a disinfectant, safety when handling the disinfectant is improved.

- The ultrafine particles of the atomized aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution have excellent penetrability and diffusion, and are quickly dispersed in the disinfection space, with excellent dispersion uniformity.

- It has excellent sterilization effect and can reduce the density of microbial pathogens to 6 log levels, while not corroding, discoloring, or deforming the sterilizing object.

- It is easy to dispose of the disinfectant remaining in the disinfection space after sterilization work.

- No pressure reducing device or heater is required.

- While the disinfectant is sprayed into the chamber subject to sterilization, the air inside the chamber containing the disinfectant does not leak out.

Figure 1 conceptually shows the sterilization device of the present invention.
Figure 2 (a) is a perspective view of an atomization device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 2 (b) is a perspective view of a chamber according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 is a front view of a sterilizing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4 is a side view of a sterilizing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the chamber showing the interior of the chamber according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 6 is a front view of an atomizing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 7 (a) is a front view of the atomizer main body of the atomizer of the present invention with the case removed, and Figure 7 (b) is a cross-sectional view conceptually showing the atomizer main body.

According to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's "Guidelines for Disinfection and Sterilization in Medical Institutions," 'disinfection' is a method of killing microorganisms, excluding bacterial spores, on the surface of an object, and 'sterilization' is a method of killing all types of microorganisms. This means completely killing microorganisms and spores.

In the present invention, it is defined as follows.

- ‘Disinfectant’ is a comprehensive concept that includes ‘disinfectant’ and ‘sterilizer’.

- ‘Sterilization’ is a comprehensive concept that includes ‘disinfection’ and ‘sterilization’.

In the present invention, the sterilization object is a space within the chamber and an object that can be placed within the chamber.

The present invention uses a low-concentration aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution with a concentration of 12% by weight or less as a disinfectant, preferably 8% by weight or less. This disinfectant may contain trace amounts of metal ions, for example, noble metals such as Pd and Pt, transition metals such as Fe, and alkali metals such as Ca, Mg, K, and Na. The amount of metal ions is preferably 100 ppm or less. If the metal ion content exceeds 100 ppm, the metal ions may accumulate in pipes, etc., and may cause valves to fail. In particular, when hydrogen peroxide comes into contact with noble metals, transition metals, alkali metals, etc., it can easily decompose and weaken the sterilization efficiency of hydrogen peroxide.

In the present invention, the disinfectant is atomized to form ultra-fine particles. These particles do not condense easily when sprayed into the chamber to be sterilized, and while showing an excellent disinfection effect, they do not discolor, deform, or corrode the object to be sterilized.

The present invention does not require separate heating during the disinfectant spraying process, sterilization process, and post-sterilization treatment.

The present invention is particularly advantageous for disinfecting synthetic resin products, rubber products, or textile products.

Figure 1 conceptually shows the sterilization device of the present invention. Figure 2(a) is a perspective view of an atomization device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 2(b) is a perspective view of a chamber according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 is a front view of a sterilizing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 is a side view of a sterilizing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the chamber showing the interior of the chamber according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 is a front view of an atomizing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7(a) is a front view of the atomizer main body of the atomizer of the present invention with the case removed, and Figure 7(b) is a cross-sectional view conceptually showing the atomizer main body.

The sterilizing device according to the present invention includes an atomizing device 10 that atomizes an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide, a sterilizing agent, a chamber 30 that accommodates the sterilizing object, and an atomizing device so that atomized particles can flow from the atomizing device 10 to the chamber 30. A spray pipe (21) installed connected to the device (10) and the chamber (30) and installed connected to the atomizing device (10) and the chamber (30) so that circulating air can flow from the chamber (30) to the atomizing device (10). It includes a circulation tube (24).

atomization device

The atomization device 10 includes a case 11 and an atomization unit body 12, and may be provided with a sterilizing agent storage container (not shown). The surface of the case 11 is coupled with an operation panel 11a for setting operating conditions of the atomizing device 10 or displaying the operating state of the atomizing device 10.

The atomization unit main body 12 includes a back pipe 27 and an atomization chamber 13 that partitions an area where atomization particles exist. The back pipe 27 is installed behind the circulator, and one end of the back pipe 27 is coupled to the circulator 18, and the other end becomes a circulation pipe outlet 26 that is coupled to the circulation pipe 24.

The atomization chamber 13 is provided with a bottom plate 15, an inner plate 16, a guide plate 17, a spray pipe inlet 22, and a circulator 18.

An ultrasonic vibrator 14 is installed inside the atomization chamber 13, and the sterilant is atomized by the vibration of the ultrasonic vibrator 14. For this purpose, when a sterilant is injected into the atomization chamber 13, the ultrasonic oscillator 14 is immersed in the sterilant, and when the ultrasonic oscillator 14 supplied with current vibrates, the vibration affects the molecules of the liquid around the ultrasonic oscillator 14. As the molecules collide with each other, vibrations are propagated to surrounding molecules. When the vibrations are transmitted to the surface of the liquid, liquid particles are released into the air.

Sound waves with a higher frequency than the sound frequency that humans can hear are called ultrasound, and the range of 0.02 to 30 MHz is usually referred to as ultrasound. Typically, an ultrasonic oscillator vibrates 300,000 to 25 million times per second.

In the present invention, the frequency of the ultrasonic transducer 14 may be 1.5 to 2.5 MHz, and in this case, more than 80% of the particles generated by atomization of the aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide, which is a disinfectant, have a diameter of 0.5 to 4.0 um. The preferred frequency of the ultrasonic transducer 14 is 2.3 to 2.5 MHz, and in this case, more than 80% of the atomized particles have a diameter of 0.5 to 1.5 um. When the particle diameter is greater than 5.0 um, the tendency for spray particles to condense increases.

The atomizing chamber (13) accommodates an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide, which is a disinfectant, and the bottom of this aqueous solution is partitioned by a bottom plate (15). A plurality of installation grooves (15a) spaced apart from each other are formed on the bottom plate (15), and a plurality of ultrasonic vibrators (14) are inserted into the installation grooves (15a) to vibrate the disinfectant at the bottom of the liquid disinfectant to produce ultra-fine disinfectant particles. creates . The circulation pipe outlet 26 is provided on the outside of the atomization chamber 11 and allows circulating air from the chamber 30 to flow into the rear of the circulator 18, and the circulator 18 sucks the circulating air into the atomization chamber ( 13) It will be sent to me.

An inner plate 16 is installed spaced apart from the upper side of the ultrasonic vibrator 14, and around the inner plate 16 is a flow path ( 19) is formed, where the flow of atomized particles in the upper part of the inner plate 16 and the flow of atomized particles in the lower part of the inner plate 16 are in opposite directions.

The guide plate 17 is installed to be inclined upward along the direction of movement of the air blown into the atomizing chamber 13 by the circulator 18. At the top of the guide plate (17), the air passage is narrow, so the flow rate rapidly increases, and as a result, only light ultra-fine particles are sucked up among the atomization particles of various sizes generated in the lower area of the inner plate (16), and are discharged into the atomization chamber (13) along with the faster delivery air. ) It is discharged to the outside of the atomization chamber (13) through the spray pipe inlet (22) at the top.

The atomization chamber 13 receives liquid sterilant to be used for atomization from a sterilant reservoir (not shown) through a sterilant supply device (not shown) including a supply pipe (not shown). The disinfectant reservoir may be provided inside or outside the atomization device.

chamber

The chamber 30 has a wall 38 that partitions the internal space and accommodates the sterilization object.

The chamber 30 is provided with a spray pipe outlet 23 through which atomizing particles can be supplied, and a circulation pipe inlet 25 for circulating air in the chamber 30 toward the atomization device 10.

The circulation pipe 24 is connected to the chamber 30 at the circulation pipe inlet 25, and the spray pipe 21 is connected to the chamber 30 at the spray pipe outlet 23.

Preferably, the spray pipe outlet 23 and the circulation pipe inlet 25 are provided above the position of the object to be sterilized.

In addition, it is preferable that the circulation pipe inlet 25 is located at a position no more than 30 cm lower than the spray pipe outlet 23 because it is advantageous to circulate the air in the chamber 30 toward the atomization device 10. More preferably, the position of the circulation pipe inlet 25 is not lower than the position of the spray pipe outlet 23 by more than 10 cm. When atomized particles are sprayed and spread from the spray pipe 21 into the chamber 30, the diffusion around the spray pipe outlet 23 is relatively slow, so the air to be circulated to the atomizer 10 is discharged through the spray pipe outlet 23. This is because it is desirable to withdraw from around ).

The chamber 30 is provided with an exhaust means 31 that sucks in the gaseous sterilant in the chamber 30 after the sterilization operation and exhausts it to the outside. The exhaust means 31 includes an exhaust port 32 penetrating the wall 38, It includes an exhaust fan 33 and an exhaust valve 34 that opens and closes the exhaust port 32.

Chamber 30 has an air inlet 35 penetrating wall 38. The air inlet 35 introduces new air into the chamber 30 from the outside when the chamber 30 is exhausted after sterilization and disinfection. The air inlet 35 is provided with an air filter 35a for filtration of incoming air. The maximum size of particles that can pass through the air filter 35a may be 3 ㎛, but the maximum size is preferably 1 ㎛ or less, and more preferably 0.7 ㎛ or less. The air filter 35a may be a HEPA filter.

The air inlet 35 is always open to allow external air to pass through the filter and enter the chamber 30, so that the pressure inside the chamber 30 is maintained in equilibrium with the atmospheric pressure outside the chamber 30. The pressure within chamber 30 affects the condensation and vaporization of particulates present within chamber 30.

When the air in the chamber 30 is discharged through the exhaust means 31 after the sterilization and disinfection work in the chamber 30 is completed, external air flows into the interior of the chamber 30 through the air inlet 35.

The chamber 30 is provided with a door 36 through which objects to be sterilized can be inserted and removed, and a portion of the door 36 may be a transparent window 36a.

Additionally, the chamber 30 may be provided with a stand 37 capable of holding a sterilization object, for example, a hanger for sterilizing sterilization clothes.

Spray pipe and circulation pipe

The atomizing device 10 and the chamber 30 are communicated by a spray pipe 21 and a circulation pipe 24. The atomization particles generated in the atomization device 10 flow along the spray pipe 21 and then flow into the chamber 30. The atomization device 10 is equipped with a circulator 18, and when the circulator 18 operates and sends out wind, a positive pressure is applied to the inside of the atomization chamber 13, and the atomization particles are generated by the wind from the circulator 18. It is pushed and moves toward the chamber (30) via the spray pipe (21).

The spray pipe inlet 22, which is the point where the spray pipe 21 is connected to the atomization device 10, that is, the point where the atomization particles are discharged from the atomization device 10, is where the spray pipe 21 is connected to the chamber 30. It is located lower than the spray pipe outlet (23). The spray pipe outlet (23) is preferably located at least 30 cm higher than the spray pipe inlet (22), and more preferably at least 50 cm higher. In this way, the atomization particles discharged from the atomization device (10) moves at least 30 cm in the vertical direction before entering the chamber 30. Additionally, the spray pipe 21 may have a curved shape such as a letter (L) shape or a letter (C) shape.

While the atomized particles pass through the spray pipe 21, condensation of the atomized particles occurs because the vapor is supersaturated inside the spray pipe 21. Therefore, while passing through the spray pipe 21, particles with a high tendency to condense or condense are condensed or condensed and recovered by gravity along the spray pipe 21 to the atomizer 10. That is, particles with a large tendency to condense or condense are filtered and recovered during the flow in the spray pipe 21, and particles with a small tendency to condense/congeal are sprayed into the chamber 30.

In the present invention, since atomization is performed using an ultrasonic oscillator 14 vibrating at a frequency of 1.2 to 2.8 MHz, ultrafine particles are generated and have a small tendency to congeal, but among the generated particles, there may still be particles with a large tendency to congeal. As particles with a large condensation tendency are filtered out during the process of flowing inside the spray pipe 21, atomized particles with a small condensation tendency are introduced into the chamber 30. In particular, the atomization device 10 according to the present invention can filter out unsuitable particles within the atomization device 10 and then filter out unsuitable particles again while moving the spray pipe 21.

In addition, when fine particles are sprayed into the air, the atomized particles collide with each other or the atomized particles collide with water vapor particles in the air. At this time, depending on the collision conditions, bouncing, coalescence, reflexive separation, It appears as a result of stretching separation, etc., and particles that have merged with other particles in the spray pipe 21 and become heavier through this collision process can also be recovered by the atomizer 10.

Meanwhile, in the present invention, there is no need to lower the pressure or adjust the temperature in the chamber 30 in advance before spraying the atomized particles into the chamber 30. However, if the circulator 18 in the atomization device 10 sucks in the outside air of the sterilization device and uses it as blowing air, when the atomization particles are sprayed into the chamber 30 by blowing, the pressure in the chamber 30 increases. However, in the present invention, the circulator 18 sucks the air in the chamber 30 into the atomization device 10 through the circulation pipe 24, so the internal space of the chamber 30 is maintained at normal pressure. That is, the circulator 18 sucks the air in the chamber 30 and sends this sucked air to the atomization chamber 13, thereby pushing the atomization particles toward the spray pipe 21.

Circulation of circulating air between the chamber 30 and the atomizing device 10 by the circulator 18 begins when the spraying of the atomizing disinfectant into the chamber 30 begins, so that the concentration of the disinfectant in the chamber 30 is at an appropriate level for sterilization. It continues until it reaches .

Example

Clothing products were sterilized and disinfected using the sterilizing device according to the present invention.

The chamber 30 is equipped with a door 36 with a transparent window 36a so that the user can see the inside of the chamber 30 while sterilization and disinfection work is in progress, and the air inlet 35 has a maximum size of passing particles. A Hepa filter with a diameter of 0.2 ㎛ was provided, and a holder 37 for hanging clothes was used inside the chamber 30.

The location of the spray pipe outlet (23) was 70 cm higher than the location of the spray pipe inlet (22), and the location of the spray pipe outlet (23) and the location of the circulation pipe inlet (25) were formed at the same height from the ground.

As a disinfectant, an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide with a concentration of 7.5% by weight (containing 0.0075% by weight of silver ions) was used.

Since it is desirable to control the relative humidity (initial relative humidity) in the chamber 30 just before the atomized particles of the disinfectant are introduced to 50% or less, in this embodiment, the initial relative humidity of the chamber 30 is controlled to 50%. It was made to be.

Sterilization and disinfection was carried out by following the steps below.

- The exhaust valve 34 provided in the chamber 30 was closed to close the exhaust port 33.

- Sterilization clothing made of 98% polyester and 2% conductive yarn (carbon yarn) was subjected to sterilization and disinfection. After confirming the density of microbial pathogens in the sterilizing clothes, they were hung on hangers in the chamber 30 and the door 36 of the chamber 30 was locked. The relative humidity within chamber 30 was 50%.

- The interior of the chamber 30 was maintained at room temperature and pressure.

- The sterilant was introduced into the atomization chamber (13), the ultrasonic oscillator (14) was vibrated at 2.4 Mhz to atomize the sterilizer, and the generated atomization particles were transferred to the spray pipe using the circulator (18) in the atomization device (10). It was sprayed into the chamber (30) via (21).

- After spraying atomizing particles equivalent to 13 ml of disinfectant per 1 m ³ of space in the chamber 30 into the chamber 30, the vibration of the ultrasonic transducer 14 was stopped and the operation of the circulator 18 was also stopped. The time taken to spray the atomizing particles into the chamber 30 was 8 minutes.

- When the spraying of the atomizing particles into the chamber 30 was completed, the entire interior space of the chamber 30 was clouded with fog, but 9 minutes after the spraying of the atomizing particles was completed, the interior space of the chamber 30 became transparent.

- After the atomization particle injection was completed, the chamber 30 was left for 1 hour, and after the leaving time had passed, the exhaust port 33 of the chamber 30 was opened and the exhaust fan 32 was operated to remove the air inside the chamber 30. While discharging, external air was introduced through the air inlet 35 to ventilate the chamber 30. It took 10 minutes to reduce the concentration of the remaining disinfectant inside the chamber 30 to less than 1 ppm through ventilation.

- The sterilization suit was taken out from the chamber 30 and it was confirmed that microbial pathogens had been sterilized. There was no discoloration or deformation of the clothing.

The excellent sterilizing effect of the present invention is believed to be due to the fact that the atomized particles of the present invention have a strong tendency to undergo micro-condensation without macro-condensation, which will be explained below.

The ultra-fine atomized particles introduced into the chamber of the present invention maintain almost the original sterilizing power of the disinfectant, and when they come into contact with pathogens, they deliver sterilizing active ingredients to the pathogen's membrane. The interaction between the atomizing particles and the pathogen biologically renders the pathogen inert and kills the pathogen. Atomized particles that deliver bactericidal active ingredients to pathogens can be neutralized.

In the existing sterilization method using large hydrogen peroxide atomization particles, during the condensation process of the atomization particles or when the atomization particles come into contact with pathogens on the surface of the object, they tend to settle on the surface of the object and condense, forming a liquid film on the surface of the object. bring about results This liquid film can act as a barrier between pathogens and the bactericidal active ingredient, especially the neutralized liquid after the bactericidal active ingredient has been delivered.

In addition, large atomizing particles cannot reach small crevices and furthermore, by preventing small particles from accessing such crevices, they play a role in creating or preserving reservoirs of pathogens. Moreover, large atomized particles tend to fall to the floor, absorb or remain on the surface of an object, moistening or wetting the surface and causing potential damage to the object.

The atomizing particles according to the present invention maintain their original sterilizing function and do not cause macroscopic coagulation or wetting when in contact with the surface of an object.

When the atomized particles of the present invention come into contact with pathogens present on the surface of an object, the pathogens are inactivated by the sterilizing active material in the particles, but the atomized particles form a negligible temporary layer of micro-condensation. In addition, the microscopic condensation layer does not serve as a barrier to the action of other atomized particles. As a result, other atomizing particles additionally act on the pathogens on the surface of the object to biologically inactivate the pathogens. And the microscopic condensation layer evaporates within a short time.

In addition, the atomized particles according to the present invention are very light, so they remain suspended in the chamber for at least several minutes and are highly uniformly distributed throughout the space. Typically, the atomized particles according to the prior art are not dispersed highly uniformly within the chamber and the particles exist more densely in the lower part of the chamber space, so the lower part of the space appears cloudier when viewed with the naked eye. The atomized particles of the present invention do not show a tendency to aggregate with each other and fall to the floor.

In the case of the atomized particles according to the present invention, hydrostatic force or electrostatic force acts between the particles to separate the particles from each other and help the particles disperse in the air, and the particles are dispersed in space or objects. Promotes penetration into every nook and cranny.

The atomized particle cloud according to the present invention has a size, density, and vapor pressure that allow the target space or object to be immersed in the atomized particle cloud, and also has fluid-like properties, so that it can be used in cases where external forces such as blowing do not act. The particles move randomly, filling the space being sterilized, and reaching areas that larger particles cannot access.

In addition, the atomized particle cloud according to the present invention quickly fills the target space, so the sterilizing active ingredient is delivered to the sterilizing target before the atomizing particles are vaporized. In the prior art, significant vaporization occurs before the sterilizing active ingredient is delivered to the sterilizing target, or the atomized particles condense and wet the object.

The size of the atomized particles flowing into the chamber of the present invention has high uniformity, and after entering the chamber, the macroscopic tendency to agglomerate is low, so the uniformity of the atomized particles' size is maintained at a high state, and they are well dispersed in the chamber under normal pressure. do.

10: Atomization device
11: Case 11a: Operation panel
12: Atomization unit main body 13: Atomization chamber
14: ultrasonic transducer 15: bottom plate
15a: Installation groove 16: Internal plate
17: Guide plate 18: Circulator
19: flow path 21: spray pipe
22: spray pipe inlet 23: spray pipe outlet
24: circulation pipe 25: circulation pipe inlet
26: Circulation pipe outlet 27: Back pipe
30: Chamber
31: exhaust means 32: exhaust fan
33: exhaust port 34: exhaust valve
35: air inlet 35a: air filter
36: Door 36a: Transparent window
37: Holder 38: Wall

Claims (8)

An atomizing device (10) which has a circulator (18) inside and an ultrasonic vibrator (14) with a frequency of 1.5 to 2.5 MHz, and generates atomized particles by atomizing the disinfectant by the vibration of the ultrasonic vibrator (14);
A chamber 30 including a wall 38, an exhaust means 31, and an air inlet 35 formed through the wall 38 and having an air filter 35a, and accommodating a sterilization object;
A spray pipe (21) installed and connected to the atomization device (10) and the chamber (30) so that the atomization particles in the atomization device (10) flow into the chamber (30); and
It includes a circulation pipe (24) installed and connected to the atomization device (10) and the chamber (30) so that the circulating air in the chamber (30) flows into the atomization device (10),
The circulator 18 draws the circulating air from the chamber 30, blows the circulating air, and sprays the atomizing particles generated in the atomizing device 10 into the chamber 30,
The air inlet 35 is always open so that external air can pass through the air filter 35a and enter the chamber 30.
As a sterilization method using a sterilization device,
After introducing an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide with a concentration of 12% by weight or less as the disinfectant into the atomization device (10), the ultrasonic vibrator (14) is vibrated to generate the atomization particles,
Suctioning the circulating air from the chamber 30 while spraying the atomized particles into the interior of the chamber 30 using the circulator 18,
After completing spraying the atomizing particles into the interior of the chamber 30, sterilizing the object to be sterilized for a predetermined time at room temperature and pressure,
Ventilating the chamber 30 after the sterilization
Sterilization method. The method of claim 1, wherein the spray pipe outlet (23) is the point where the spray pipe (21) is connected to the chamber (30), and the spray pipe outlet (23) is the point where the spray pipe (21) is connected to the atomizer (10). Sterilization method at a location 30 cm or more higher than the entrance (22). The method of claim 1, wherein the atomizing device (10) has an inner plate (16) installed to be spaced apart above the ultrasonic vibrator (14), and the circulator (18) supplies the circulating air to the inner plate (16). A sterilization method in which the flow of the atomized particles at the top of the inner plate (16) and the flow of the atomized particles at the bottom of the inner plate (16) are in opposite directions. The sterilization method according to claim 1, wherein the object to be sterilized is a textile product. An atomizing device (10) which has a circulator (18) inside and an ultrasonic vibrator (14) with a frequency of 1.5 to 2.5 MHz, and generates atomized particles by atomizing the disinfectant by the vibration of the ultrasonic vibrator (14);
A chamber 30 including a wall 38, an exhaust means 31, and an air inlet 35 formed through the wall 38 and having an air filter 35a, and accommodating a sterilization object;
A spray pipe (21) installed and connected to the atomization device (10) and the chamber (30) so that the atomization particles in the atomization device (10) flow into the chamber (30); and
It includes a circulation pipe (24) installed and connected to the atomization device (10) and the chamber (30) so that the circulating air in the chamber (30) flows into the atomization device (10),
The disinfectant is an aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution with a concentration of 12% by weight or less,
The circulator 18 draws the circulating air from the chamber 30, blows the circulating air, and sprays the atomizing particles generated in the atomizing device 10 into the chamber 30,
The air inlet 35 is always open so that external air can pass through the air filter 35a and enter the chamber 30.
Sterilization device. The sterilizing device according to claim 5, wherein the air filter (35a) has a maximum diameter of passing particles of 3 ㎛ or less. The method of claim 5, wherein the spray pipe outlet (23) is the point where the spray pipe (21) is connected to the chamber (30) and the spray pipe outlet (23) is the point where the spray pipe (21) is connected to the atomizer (10). It is located at least 30 cm higher than the inlet 22, and the position of the circulation pipe inlet 25, which is the point where the circulation pipe 24 is connected to the chamber 30, and the location of the spray pipe outlet 23 are determined by the height. Sterilization device with a difference of less than 30 cm. The sterilizing device according to claim 5, wherein the spray pipe (21) has a curved shape.