WO2012064245A1 - Appareil et procédé de traitement d'un gaz anesthésique résiduel par adsorption/désorption - Google Patents

Appareil et procédé de traitement d'un gaz anesthésique résiduel par adsorption/désorption Download PDF

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WO2012064245A1
WO2012064245A1 PCT/SE2011/000202 SE2011000202W WO2012064245A1 WO 2012064245 A1 WO2012064245 A1 WO 2012064245A1 SE 2011000202 W SE2011000202 W SE 2011000202W WO 2012064245 A1 WO2012064245 A1 WO 2012064245A1
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gas
flow line
main
steam
chamber
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PCT/SE2011/000202
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English (en)
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István Szabó
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Nordic Gas Cleaning Ab
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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M16/00—Devices for influencing the respiratory system of patients by gas treatment, e.g. mouth-to-mouth respiration; Tracheal tubes
    • A61M16/0087—Environmental safety or protection means, e.g. preventing explosion
    • A61M16/009—Removing used or expired gases or anaesthetic vapours
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M16/00—Devices for influencing the respiratory system of patients by gas treatment, e.g. mouth-to-mouth respiration; Tracheal tubes
    • A61M16/0087—Environmental safety or protection means, e.g. preventing explosion
    • A61M16/009—Removing used or expired gases or anaesthetic vapours
    • A61M16/0093—Removing used or expired gases or anaesthetic vapours by adsorption, absorption or filtration
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D53/00—Separation of gases or vapours; Recovering vapours of volatile solvents from gases; Chemical or biological purification of waste gases, e.g. engine exhaust gases, smoke, fumes, flue gases, aerosols
    • B01D53/34—Chemical or biological purification of waste gases
    • B01D53/46—Removing components of defined structure
    • B01D53/68—Halogens or halogen compounds
    • B01D53/70—Organic halogen compounds
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D53/00—Separation of gases or vapours; Recovering vapours of volatile solvents from gases; Chemical or biological purification of waste gases, e.g. engine exhaust gases, smoke, fumes, flue gases, aerosols
    • B01D53/34—Chemical or biological purification of waste gases
    • B01D53/74—General processes for purification of waste gases; Apparatus or devices specially adapted therefor
    • B01D53/86—Catalytic processes
    • B01D53/8621—Removing nitrogen compounds
    • B01D53/8625—Nitrogen oxides
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M16/00—Devices for influencing the respiratory system of patients by gas treatment, e.g. mouth-to-mouth respiration; Tracheal tubes
    • A61M16/10—Preparation of respiratory gases or vapours
    • A61M16/1005—Preparation of respiratory gases or vapours with O2 features or with parameter measurement
    • A61M2016/102—Measuring a parameter of the content of the delivered gas
    • A61M2016/1035—Measuring a parameter of the content of the delivered gas the anaesthetic agent concentration
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M2202/00—Special media to be introduced, removed or treated
    • A61M2202/02—Gases
    • A61M2202/0266—Nitrogen (N)
    • A61M2202/0283—Nitrous oxide (N2O)
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
    • A61M2230/00—Measuring parameters of the user
    • A61M2230/40—Respiratory characteristics
    • A61M2230/43—Composition of exhalation
    • A61M2230/437—Composition of exhalation the anaesthetic agent concentration
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D2253/00—Adsorbents used in seperation treatment of gases and vapours
    • B01D2253/10—Inorganic adsorbents
    • B01D2253/102—Carbon
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D2253/00—Adsorbents used in seperation treatment of gases and vapours
    • B01D2253/30—Physical properties of adsorbents
    • B01D2253/302—Dimensions
    • B01D2253/304—Linear dimensions, e.g. particle shape, diameter
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D2257/00—Components to be removed
    • B01D2257/20—Halogens or halogen compounds
    • B01D2257/206—Organic halogen compounds
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D2257/00—Components to be removed
    • B01D2257/40—Nitrogen compounds
    • B01D2257/402—Dinitrogen oxide
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D2257/00—Components to be removed
    • B01D2257/80—Water
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D2259/00—Type of treatment
    • B01D2259/40—Further details for adsorption processes and devices
    • B01D2259/40007—Controlling pressure or temperature swing adsorption
    • B01D2259/40009—Controlling pressure or temperature swing adsorption using sensors or gas analysers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D2259/00—Type of treatment
    • B01D2259/40—Further details for adsorption processes and devices
    • B01D2259/40011—Methods relating to the process cycle in pressure or temperature swing adsorption
    • B01D2259/40043—Purging
    • B01D2259/4005—Nature of purge gas
    • B01D2259/40056—Gases other than recycled product or process gas
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D2259/00—Type of treatment
    • B01D2259/40—Further details for adsorption processes and devices
    • B01D2259/402—Further details for adsorption processes and devices using two beds
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D2259/00—Type of treatment
    • B01D2259/45—Gas separation or purification devices adapted for specific applications
    • B01D2259/4533—Gas separation or purification devices adapted for specific applications for medical purposes
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D53/00—Separation of gases or vapours; Recovering vapours of volatile solvents from gases; Chemical or biological purification of waste gases, e.g. engine exhaust gases, smoke, fumes, flue gases, aerosols
    • B01D53/002—Separation of gases or vapours; Recovering vapours of volatile solvents from gases; Chemical or biological purification of waste gases, e.g. engine exhaust gases, smoke, fumes, flue gases, aerosols by condensation
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02C—CAPTURE, STORAGE, SEQUESTRATION OR DISPOSAL OF GREENHOUSE GASES [GHG]
    • Y02C20/00—Capture or disposal of greenhouse gases
    • Y02C20/10—Capture or disposal of greenhouse gases of nitrous oxide (N2O)

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for the treatment of a waste anesthetic gas based on adsorption/desorption of one or more gaseous
  • Adsorption/ desorption of the anesthetic agent is in preferred variants combined with removal of nitrous oxide, preferably by catalytic decomposition, after the adsorption of the
  • the waste anesthetic gas typically derives from air exhaled by one, two or more patients to which an anesthetic gas containing the agent has been administered via inhalation.
  • Waste gas or waste anesthetic gas will mean exhaled anesthetic gas possibly diluted with ambient atmosphere and intended to be wholly or partly
  • a gaseous anesthetic agent is typically a volatile halo-containing organic compound, such as a halo-containing hydrocarbon or a halo-containing ether exhibiting an
  • anesthetic effect when inhaled, or other volatile organic compounds having this effect including for instance hydrocarbons not containing halo substituents.
  • the anesthetic agent is typically administered in an anesthetic gas which is inhaled by a patient.
  • the anesthetic gas contains the anesthetic agent often in admixture with nitrous oxide
  • the anesthetic agent in most cases constitutes ⁇ 10 % with typically levels being 0.25-3 %, such as 0.5-2 %, and nitrous oxide (if present) and the like > 10%, such as 20-70 % or less.
  • the levels of these agents are about the same as in inhaled anesthetic gas while the content of moisture and carbon dioxide typically are elevated.
  • the exhaled air is typically diluted at least 5-20 times with normal air by the internal gas handling system of the hospital/unit before the levels of anesthetic agent(s) and other added physiologically active gaseous agents in the anesthetic gas are reduced to acceptable levels before the exhaled anesthetic gas is to be delivered to ambient atmosphere.
  • the treatment of waste anesthetic gas by previously known methods typically comprises at least one or two main steps for the reduction of the levels of anesthetic agents, nitrous oxide and/or the like.
  • One main step comprises reduction of the level of the anesthetic agent or agents (1 st main step).
  • Another main step comprises reduction of the level of physiologically active gaseous agents, e.g. nitrous oxide, other than anesthetic agents, provided such other agents are present in the exhaled anesthetic gas (2 nd main step).
  • physiologically active gaseous agents e.g. nitrous oxide
  • anesthetic agents are removed before other physiologically active agents are removed. Normal air constituents such as oxygen gas (0 2 ), nitrogen gas (N 2 ), carbon dioxide (C0 2 ) etc are not considered as physiologically active gaseous agents to be removed in this context.
  • Anesthetic agents can be removed from anesthetic gases by a) absorption to a porous adsorbent from which the agents subsequently are desorbed and optionally collected, or b) condensation possibly together with nitrous oxide and/or other gaseous constituents of the inhaled anesthetic gas.
  • Nitrous oxide can also be removed by being passed through a porous solid material containing a catalyst capable of degrading nitrous oxide to nitrogen gas (N 2 ) and oxygen gas (0 2 ).
  • the adsorbent processes for removal of anesthetic agents can be cyclic in the sense that the adsorbent is regenerated by desorption and reused in the process. Different alternatives can be used for desorption. Prerequisites are that adsorption/desorption should be quick with a high efficiency and result in a regenerated adsorbent which is ready to be recycled in the process.
  • the condensation processes are typically disadvantageous because the volume of gas to be treated is significant and the levels of the particular anesthetic agents to be removed are relatively low. Compare that the waste anesthetic gas to be treated is normally diluted with respect to anesthetic agents and nitrous oxide by the internal gas handling system of many health care units..
  • the proper selection of catalysts is critical.
  • the catalyst In order for the removal process to be cost effective, the catalyst should be as cheap as possible, be stable for long periods of time, have a high efficiency in transforming low levels of nitrous oxide to nitrogen gas and oxygen gas, avoid formation of unacceptable levels of nitrogen oxides other than nitrous oxide (typically NO x where x is 1 or 2) etc. It has normally been advantageous to remove particle material and moisture from the gas to be treated before environmentally harmful gaseous components are removed, i.e. prior to or between the main steps described above.
  • WO 2002026355 (US 7597858, US 7235222) Showa Denko K ; US 4259303 (GB 2059934) Kuraray Co Ltd; DE 4308940.2 Carl Heyer GmbH; and DE 4208752.1 Carl Heyer GmbH describe removal of anesthetic agents and nitrous oxide from a gas stream of waste anesthetic gas by adsorption/desorption of anesthetic agents prior to catalytic degradation of nitrous oxide.
  • EP 2165756 (Linde AG) describes a device for the removal of nitrous oxide from an anesthetic gas containing nitrous oxide
  • WO 2006124578 (US 20060254589, US 20060254590) Anesthetic Gas Reclamation describes fractionation of waste anesthetic gases by processes which comprise compression and condensation steps for reuse of the individual components.
  • EP 0284277 (Union Carbide) and US 5,231 ,980 (Praxair) describe an anesthesia machine which delivers air exhaled by the patient to an adsorbent selectively adsorbing the anesthetic agents in the exhaled air.
  • the adsorbed anesthetic agent is desorbed at a separate location by the use of a purging gas such as nitrogen or air, worked up and reused.
  • a purging gas such as nitrogen or air
  • EP 136840 (Siemens-Elema AB) illustrates that the principles of adsorption/desorption have earlier been applied to arrangements for recirculation of anesthetic agents/gases to the same patient.
  • WO 2010071538 and WO 2011075033 (both of Nordic Gas Cleaning AB) describes improvements relating to flow-through apparatuses for catalytic degradation of nitrous oxide. Preadsorption is indicated for removal of anesthetic agents.
  • US 20090101010 (Zensys GmbH) describes a filter cartridge in which anesthetic agents in an anesthetic gas can be adsorbed from a single patient and subsequently desorbed and regenerated by steam when the patient is disconnected.
  • the carrier gas including nitrous oxide, if present, will passes through the cartridge into ambient atmosphere.
  • the main object of the invention is to provide improvements of methods which comprise an adsorption step for the removal of anesthetic agents from a gas stream containing anesthetic agents together with nitrous oxide, oxygen gas, normal air and/or the like at the levels discussed above.
  • the main object also comprises to provide corresponding improvements relating to apparatuses and arrangements to be used in the methods of the invention.
  • Typical improvements include more cost efficient apparatuses and methods for removal of anesthetic agents of the VOC type in anesthetic gases, preferably combined with the removal of nitrous oxide when present in this kind of gases. This includes in particular lowering the energy demand for the removal and providing compact apparatus that are service-friendly, cheap and easy to produce and install etc.
  • Figure 1 illustrates the flow-through adsorption unit of multi-adsorbent variants of the inventive apparatuses. All three main flow lines discussed below (main gas flow line, main steam flow line and main drying gas flow line) are present together with an adsorption unit comprising two chambers each of which comprises an adsorbent for anesthetic agents.
  • Figure 2 illustrates a preferred variant of the invention in which there is a unit for removal of nitrous oxide downstream of the flow-through adsorption unit.
  • the invention focuses on the removal of anesthetic agents by adsorption methods in which the adsorbed anesthetic agents are desorbed so that the adsorbent subsequently can be reused in the process.
  • the inventor has realized that cost efficient and improved processes of the kind defined above can be designed if anesthetic agents adsorbed by an adsorbent during the process are released from the adsorbent by allowing steam to pass through the adsorbent subsequent to the adsorption.
  • the inventor has also realized that it can be advantageous to pass a stream of a drying gas through the adsorbent subsequent to the desorption but before reuse of the adsorbent.
  • This aspect is an apparatus for the removal of a volatile anesthetic agent from a gas stream containing gaseous volatile anesthetic agents together with nitrous oxide.
  • the apparatuses comprise a) a main gas flow line (101) for the gas containing anesthetic agents, and b) a main steam flow line (102), and c) preferably also a main drying gas flow line (103).
  • the main flow line (101) comprises in downstream direction:
  • Adsorption and desorption are carried out as separate steps in the adsorption unit/chambers.
  • the preferred adsorbents at the priority date of this specification are based on carbon with a particle size of 4 mm (EcoSorb, Jacobi Carbons AB, Kalmar Sweden). Other suitable adsorbents of potential use are described in the references given above.
  • connection means, if not otherwise indicated by the context, that the connection permits gas flow communication between connected parts. Normally the term refers to a direct connection but the term includes also that other parts of the flow line may be inserted between two parts that are said to be connected to each other (indirectly connected).
  • the inlet part of the main gas line comprises
  • the branching arrangement (109) typically comprises that the conduit of the incoming main steam flow line is divided into two or more branch conduits (primary branch conduits) at a first position, one or more of these branch conduits may be further divided into branch conduits (secondary branch conduits) at one or more positions etc finally ending in a number of unbranched branch conduits.
  • One of these unbranched branch conduits which end up at the adsorption unit is a gas inlet subline (104a,b) of the kind defined above.
  • the outlet part of the main gas flow line of multi-adsorbent variants preferably comprises
  • c) preferably also a multi-way valve arrangement (112a+b) associated with the merging arrangement (111) permitting outlet of the gas stream from at least one (but not all) of said two or more chambers while the other ones of the chambers are closed for outlet of gas.
  • the number of chambers/adsorbents in the adsorption unit is preferably two meaning that the number of branching positions and merging positions in both the branching arrangement and in the merging arrangement, respectively, in this preferred variant typically is one with two gas sublines associated with each of the two arrangements (109 and 111, respectively),. See figure 1.
  • the multi-way valve arrangements of the main gas. flow line are designed such that both the inlet subline and the outlet subline connected to the same chamber are capable of being opened for flow-through by the valve arrangement(s) when the gas stream is to pass through the chamber.
  • the valve arrangement(s) When the gas stream shall not pass through the chamber at least one, preferably both, of the inlet subline and the outlet subline are closed by the valve arrangement(s).
  • the multi-way valve arrangement of a branching arrangement (109) typically comprises the branching positions and one stop-flow valve function (110a,b) associated with each of the inlet sublines (104a,b) of the arrangement.
  • the multi-way valve arrangement of a merging arrangement (111) typically comprises the merging positions and one stop-flow valve function (112a,b) associated with each of the outlet sublines. See figure 1.
  • An alternative is that a multi-way valve is placed at every branching position and/or in every merging position, e.g. a two-way valve if two branch conduits are formed or merged. Combinations of stop-flow valves for certain sublines and multi-way valves for other sublines of the same valve arrangement are also possible.
  • the inlet part of the main gas flow line (101) typically also comprises a cooling arrangement (113) upstream of the adsorption unit (106) or encompassing the adsorption unit (106).
  • the preferred position is upstream of the branching
  • a temperature sensor (114a,b) is preferably placed in each flow-through
  • adsorbent/chamber (107a,b/108a,b).
  • the main gas flow line comprises a flow function (115) for creating or changing (increasing and/or decreasing) the flow of gas through the flow line (101).
  • This function is typically a blower and is preferably adjustable with respect to changing the flow rate downstream of the flow function (115).
  • the term "changing" in this context includes to maintain a preset flow velocity value when there are variations in incoming flow of waste anesthetic gas, e.g. incoming gas typically has a basic flow rate that may change with time and number of patients connected to the apparatuses. Therefore the flow function (115), e.g. speed of the blower, is often controlled by the flow rate of incoming gas and or the sub pressure at the inlet of the flow line.
  • This flow creating/changing function may be placed upstream or downstream of the adsorption unit with preference for upstream. For multi-adsorbent variants the position is preferably upstream of the branching arrangement (109) and/or downstream of the merging arrangement (111).
  • a sensing arrangement (116,117a,b) may be associated with the adsorbing/desorbing unit (106) permitting real time measurement of the degree of saturation of an adsorbent with respect to uptake of anesthetic agent.
  • This arrangement may comprise one sensing unit (sensor) (117a,b) per adsorbent/chamber or a sensing unit (sensor) (116) common for two or more chambers/adsorbents.
  • the sensing arrangement may be for measuring content of anesthetic agent in
  • the main gas flow line preferably also comprises a 2-way valve arrangement
  • valve arrangement may be used for diverting flow from or into the main flow line, e.g. as by pass valves and/or as inlet valves for ambient atmosphere. If a cooling arrangement (113) and/or flow creating/changing function (115) are present in the inlet part of the main gas flow line, this kind of valves are typically placed upstream of the cooler and/or the flow creating/changing function.
  • the positions are upstream of the branching arrangement and/or downstream of the merging arrangement, respectively.
  • By-passing may be from a position upstream of a cooler (113), a flow function (115) and/or the adsorption unit (106) to a position downstream of any of these positions including also a catalytic chamber (see figure 2).
  • the term "2-way valve” includes also other at least 2-way valve arrangements (i.e. other multi-way valve arrangements).
  • An alternative to a cooler (113) is a compressor placed upstream of the adsorption unit and preferably upstream of the branching arrangement (109) (if present).
  • the downstream part (206) of the main gas flow line (201) may be part of or comprise a decomposition arrangement (203) for the catalytic decomposition of nitrous oxide to N 2 and 0 2 .
  • the arrangement (203) contains a decomposition unit in which there is placed a catalyst suitable for this purpose as described in figure 1.
  • the arrangement/unit (203) is placed in the main flow line at a position which is
  • Each of the main gas flow line (201), the main steam flow line (207) and the optional main drying gas flow line (210) comprises an inlet part (205,208,211, respectively) and an outlet part (206,209,212, respectively) in the same manner as in figure 1.
  • the outlet part (212) of the main drying gas flow line (210) by-passes the decomposition arrangement/unit (203). Further details about the main steam flow line and the main drying gas flow line is give below.
  • the decomposition arrangement/unit (203) for decomposition of nitrous oxide may be as described in international patent applications WO 2010071538, WO 201 1075033, US SN 61/460,381 (all of Nordic Gas Cleaning AB), EP 2165756, WO 2010010642, WO 201010643 (all of Linde AG) and references cited in these publications and above under back-ground technology.
  • the arrangement (202), the arrangement (203) and the outlet arrangement (204) in figure 2 of this specification correspond to the inlet arrangement (104,204,304), adsorption unit (105,205,305) and the outlet arrangement (107,207,307), respectively, in figure 1-3 of WO 2010071538 (Nordic Gas Cleaning AB) which is hereby incorporated by refernce in its entirety.
  • a main characteristic feature of the apparatus is the presence of a main steam flow line (102) which comprises
  • the adsorption unit (106), adsorbent(s) (107a,b) and chamber(s) (108a,b) correspond to a flow line part which is common to both the main gas flow line (101) and the main steam flow line (102).
  • downstream end (120a,b) of the inlet part (120) and the upstream end (121a,b) of the outlet part (121) of the steam flow line (102) are preferably connected to the downstream end and upstream end, respectively, of the adsorption unit (106), adsorbent(s) (107a,b) and chamber(s) (108a,b) (where upstream end and downstream end of the adsorption unit, chamber and adsorbent refer to the flow direction of the main gas flow line (101)).
  • the direction of the steam stream through the adsorbent is preferably opposite to the flow direction of the main gas stream (anaesthetic gas).
  • the upstream end of the inlet part (120) of the main steam flow line (102) comprises or is connectable to a steam source (122), typically in the form of a steam generator, which is capable of delivering a stream of steam to the main steam flow line.
  • a steam source typically in the form of a steam generator, which is capable of delivering a stream of steam to the main steam flow line.
  • the pressure of steam leaving the steam source has to be sufficient for the steam to pass through the main steam flow line including in particular through the adsorbent(s).
  • the pressure of the steam should be elevated compared to the pressure downstream of the adsorbent(s).
  • This typically means that the pressure of steam leaving the steam source should be at an overpressure relative to ambient atmosphere, e.g. an overpressure > 0.1 bar, such as > 0.25 bar or more preferably > 0.5 bar.
  • the upper limit is typically ⁇ 10 bar, such as ⁇ 8 bar or ⁇ 5 bar or ⁇ 3 bar.
  • the steam is preferably water steam.
  • the temperature of the steam when leaving the steam source is typically close to the boiling point of the liquid from which the steam is generated. For water this typically means a temperature of > +95 °C, such as > +100°C or > +120°C with increasing temperature for increasing overpressure, such as up to 160-200°C.
  • the downstream end of the outlet part (121) of the main steam flow line comprises or is connectable to a condenser arrangement (126) for condensing steam and the anesthetic agents desorbed by steam passing through the adsorbent(s).
  • the condensation in the arrangement typically takes place below a temperature at which the anesthetic agents desorbed and the steam condense.
  • the condenser arrangement provide cooling of the steam to a temperature ⁇ +20°C, preferably ⁇ +10°C, such as ⁇ +5°C.
  • the condenser arrangement may comprise one, two or more condensers, e.g. one condenser per outlet subline or subset of outlet sublines.
  • Each condenser may have a cooling arrangement typically comprising conduits (134) for circulating cooling fluid and a valve arrangement (133) for regulating the flow of cooling fluid. See below.
  • the steam inlet part (120) of the main steam flow line comprises
  • a multi-way valve arrangement (124a+b) of the same kind as for the main gas flow line but adapted to steam (see above).
  • the branching arrangement then is integrated with the steam source.
  • the steam source can comprise a separate steam generator for a subset of steam inlet sublines/chambers and another steam generator for another subset of steam sublines/chambers.
  • Typical variants are one separate steam generator for each inlet subline and chamber, or more preferably a common steam generator for all of the sublines and chambers.
  • the steam outlet part (121) of multi-adsorbent variants typically comprises a) a merging arrangement (125),
  • the conduits of the steam outlet sublines (121a,b) merge to a common conduit for transporting the main steam flow into the condenser arrangement.
  • the merging arrangement is integrated with the condenser arrangement, e.g. the individual outlet sublines are directly connected to a common condenser or to separate condensers, e.g. one for each steam outlet subline.
  • the steam branching arrangement (123) and the steam merging arrangement (125) of multi-adsorbent variants typically are of the same kind as the branching/merging arrangements described for the main gas flow line (101). See above and figure 1.
  • the multi-way valve arrangements (127a+b;124a+b) of the steam sublines (120a, b 121a,b) in multi-adsorbent variants typically comprise valve functions as described for the main gas flow line (101) , e.g. one stop-flow valve function
  • the number of branching positions and sublines (120a,b) in the inlet part (120) and the number of merging positions and sublines (121a,b) in the outlet part (121) are typically the same as in the main gas flow line (101). This also applies to preferred numbers, i.e. one branching position and two sublines in each part.
  • the multi-way valve arrangement of the inlet part and the multi-way valve arrangement of the outlet part are controlled such that an inlet steam subline and an outlet steam subline connected to the same adsorbent/chamber are simultaneously opened or closed for allowing steam to pass trough or not to pass through the adsorbent/chamber. This is similar to valve arrangements of the inlet and outlet parts of the main gas flow line.
  • the multi-way valve arrangements in the inlet and outlet parts of the main gas flow line and of the main steam flow line are functionally interlinked to permit opening and closing of sublines to perform repetitive sequences as outlined for the second aspect of the invention (method).
  • a phase separating arrangement (128) can be placed in the steam outlet part at a position downstream of the condenser arrangement (126) and permit selective collection of either one or both of liquefied steam, typically a water phase, and the anesthetic agent (in a separate liquid phase).
  • This main flow line comprises similar to the other main flow lines: a) an inlet part (129+129a+129b+135+136a+136b), b) an outlet part (130a,b) and c) the adsorption unit (106).
  • the inlet part (129) is in its downstream end connected to one of the ends of the0 adsorption unit (106) and the at least one adsorbent (107a,b) and chamber (108a,b), and the outlet part (130a,b) is in its upstream end connected to the other one of the ends of the adsorption unit (106) and the at least one adsorbent (107a,b) and chamber (108a,b).
  • the adsorption unit, adsorbent(s) and chamber(s) are thus also part of this main flow line (103).
  • downstream end of the inlet part and the upstream end of the outlet part of this main flow line are preferably connected to the upstream end and downstream end, respectively, of the adsorption unit.
  • the direction of the flow of drying gas through the adsorbent is in this preferred variant the same as the0 direction of the main gas stream and opposite to the flow direction of the steam.
  • the inlet part of this main flow line (103) comprises in its upstream part (129) a source for drying gas (131) or is connectable to such a source.
  • the source may be ambient atmosphere, a storage tank for compressed gas, e.g. air etc.
  • the inlet part typically comprises some kind of pump or blower (132) to • initiate a stream of air to pass through this main flow line (103).
  • the source as such or the connection of an external source of drying gas is placed at the upstream end of the inlet part.
  • the outlet part comprises in its downstream end an opening for delivering drying gas having passed through the adsorption unit to ambient atmosphere. This may be via a part which partially coincides with the outlet part of another main flow line, e.g. the main gas flow line. This is illustrated in figure 1 where the outlet part of the drying gas flow line and the part of the outlet part of the gas main flow line which are next to the adsorbent are coinciding.
  • the outlet part (105) of the main gas flow line (101) of the inventive apparatuses may comprise a catalytic chamber for the degradation of nitrous oxide. If the main drying gas flow line and the main gas flow line coincide next downstream to the adsorbent in these variants, there, preferably should be functionality for diverting selectively the drying gas from the gas main flow line to prevent it from passing through the catalytic chamber.
  • the outlet part (105a,b/130a,b) of the main gas flow line/main drying gas flow line (101/129) may comprise a branching (137) combined with at least one two-way valve arrangements (138a+139a and 138b+139b) allowing
  • the inlet part (129) of the main drying gas flow line (103) comprises
  • a multi-way valve arrangement (136a+110a,136b+110b) associated with the branching arrangement and being of the same kind as for the other man flow lines (but adapted to drying gas). See above and figure 1.
  • the drying gas source (131) can comprise a separate source for a subset of drying gas inlet sublines and another source for another subset of drying gas inlet sublines, e.g. one separate steam generator for each of the drying gas inlet sublines, or more preferably a common source for all of the drying gas inlet sublines.
  • a separate source for a subset of drying gas inlet sublines and another source for another subset of drying gas inlet sublines e.g. one separate steam generator for each of the drying gas inlet sublines, or more preferably a common source for all of the drying gas inlet sublines.
  • every one of the individual inlet sublines for drying gas start at the drying gas source and end at a separate chamber.
  • the branching arrangement then is integrated with the drying gas source.
  • the drying gas branching arrangement of multi-adsorbent variants typically are of the same kind as described for the branching arrangement of the main gas flow line and the main steam flow line, i.e. the same preferred branching positions and number of sublines formed at each position, i.e. one branching position with branching into two sublines at this position. See above and figure 1.
  • the multi-way valve arrangements of the drying gas sublines in multi-adsorbent variants typically comprise valve functions as discussed above for the other main gas flow lines.
  • the preferences typically are the same, i.e. a stop-flow valve in each subline. Se also figure 1.
  • the multi-way valve arrangement of the main drying gas flow line is functionally interlinked with the multi- way arrangements of the other main flow lines to allow for drying gas to pass through the chambers between a desorption step and an adsorption step as outlined for the second aspect of the invention (method).
  • the apparatus preferably comprises a control unit for automatic opening and closing of valves and adjusting flow velocities such that a process according to the second aspect of the invention can be carried automatically.
  • the control unit comprises appropriate pressure sensors and sensors for nitrous oxide and unesthetic agents at the appropriate positions along the flow lines. Compare for instance our previous international patent application WO 2010071538 (Nordic Gas Cleaning AB).
  • Appropriate soft ware for following and controlling process parameters are typically located in a a control block (143).
  • This aspect of the invention comprises a method in which an anesthetic agent is adsorbed from a gas stream of an anesthetic gas containing the agent and preferably also nitrous oxide when present in the anesthetic gas.
  • the method comprises the steps of:
  • an adsorption unit which comprises a flow-through chamber containing a) an adsorbent capable of adsorbing an anesthetic agent from the gas stream, b) an inlet for the gas stream, and c) an outlet for the gas stream, , ii) passing the gas stream containing the agent through the flow-through chamber under conditions supporting adsorption,
  • Step (iii) is a regeneration step and comprises also conditioning of the adsorbent for reuse in a subsequent adsorption step (step ii).
  • the method is characterized in that the desorbing gas is steam, in particular water steam, and that the desorption is carried out within an apparatus as discussed for the first aspect of the invention.
  • the adsorption unit comprises two flow through chambers (1 st and 2 nd chamber) each of which contains an adsorbent which is capable adsorbing the anesthetic agent.
  • Each of the chambers is then used alternatingly, i.e. one of the chambers is used in step (ii) while the other one is used in step (iii).
  • the method can be generalised as outlined for inventive apparatuses containing two or more adsorbents or chambers. Steps (a) and (b) may be carried out in sequence, or preferably essentially simultaneously, i.e. in parallel. This also applies to steps (A) and (B). "Essentially simultaneously” and “in parallel” include that step (b) is allowed to comprise conditioning steps necessary for proper regeneration of the adsorbent and make it ready for reuse in the process, e.g. treatment with drying gas. See further below.
  • the desorption step (iii) and (b) above comprise that a stream of drying gas is passed through the adsorbent subsequent to the desorption of the anesthetic agent from the adsorbent (regeneration step).
  • Nitrous oxide will remain in the gas stream leaving the adsorption unit. Nitrous oxide is decomposed in the decomposition unit which may be present in the apparatus provided in step (i).
  • the method will comprise a fifth step:
  • step (ii) decomposing nitrous oxide in the decomposition unit during step (ii) after having passed through the adsorption unit in step (ii).
  • Step (v) is kept ongoing during at least step (ii) and more preferably also during step (iii), if the adsorption unit is a multi-adsorbent variant as discussed above for the first aspect of the invention. Step (v) is preferably also ongoing while step (iv) is on-going.
  • the method aspect of the invention also comprises the use of the apparatus of the invention for removing an anaesthetic agent by adsorption and nitrous oxide by catalytical decomposition from a gas stream comprising an anesthetic gas containing both an anaesthetic agent and nitrous oxide.
  • the use in preferred variants means a method comprising the steps (i)-(v) as indicated above. The best mode at the filing date is considered to the variant as described with reference to figures 1 and 2.
  • a flow of 3 kg of water steam at an over pressure of 1 bar is allowed to flow through the adsorbent and desorbs essentially all the adsorbed anesthetic agent via a main steam flow line having an inlet part and an outlet part.
  • a main steam flow line having an inlet part and an outlet part.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Biomedical Technology (AREA)
  • Anesthesiology (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Hematology (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Pulmonology (AREA)
  • Environmental Sciences (AREA)
  • Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
  • Ecology (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Emergency Medicine (AREA)
  • Biodiversity & Conservation Biology (AREA)
  • Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
  • General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Oil, Petroleum & Natural Gas (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Separation Of Gases By Adsorption (AREA)
  • Treating Waste Gases (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un appareil destiné à l'élimination d'un agent anesthésique d'un courant gazeux contenant l'agent et de l'oxyde nitreux, l'appareil comprenant une ligne principale d'écoulement de gaz pour le courant gazeux, le long de laquelle se trouvent a) une partie d'admission, b) une partie de sortie, et entre ces deux parties c) une unité d'adsorption à circulation qui contient i) au moins une chambre à circulation contenant un adsorbant capable d'adsorber de façon sélective l'agent anesthésique, ii) une extrémité en amont, et iii) une extrémité en aval. Ledit appareil se caractérise en ce qu'il comprend : A) une ligne principale d'écoulement de vapeur qui comporte une partie d'admission qui est reliée à l'une des extrémités de l'unité et une partie de sortie qui est reliée à l'autre des extrémités de l'unité d'adsorption; et B) une unité de décomposition placée dans la ligne principale d'écoulement de gaz en aval de l'unité d'adsorption et contenant un catalyseur capable de décomposer l'oxyde de diazote en N2 et O2. L'invention concerne également l'utilisation de cet appareil et un procédé d'élimination d'agents anesthésiques d'un courant gazeux.
PCT/SE2011/000202 2010-11-11 2011-11-08 Appareil et procédé de traitement d'un gaz anesthésique résiduel par adsorption/désorption WO2012064245A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (6)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US41247710P 2010-11-11 2010-11-11
US61/412,477 2010-11-11
US41468310P 2010-11-17 2010-11-17
US61/414,683 2010-11-17
SE1001093 2010-11-19
SE1001093-2 2010-11-19

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WO2015011351A1 (fr) * 2013-07-23 2015-01-29 Anesteo Station d'anesthésie pour animaux de laboratoire et procédé de détermination du taux de saturation en halogénés des filtres d'une telle station d'anesthésie
GB2542967B (en) * 2014-08-20 2018-05-23 Sagetech Medical Equipment Ltd Improvements to halocarbon recycling methods and systems
CN110841421A (zh) * 2019-12-09 2020-02-28 珠海大横琴科技发展有限公司 一种有机蒸汽吸附回收系统
CN114588746A (zh) * 2022-05-10 2022-06-07 天津市英格环保科技有限公司 含氮氧化物废气处理设备

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EP2165756A1 (fr) * 2008-09-19 2010-03-24 Linde AG Dispositif et procédé pour la décomposition d'oxyde nitreux dans un flux gazeux
WO2010071538A1 (fr) * 2008-12-18 2010-06-24 Nordic Gas Cleaning Ab Appareil et procédé de traitement de gaz

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US5231980A (en) * 1987-03-04 1993-08-03 Praxair Canada, Inc. Process for the recovery of halogenated hydrocarbons in a gas stream
US5695546A (en) * 1995-05-10 1997-12-09 Mitsubishi Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Method for collecting volatile organic substances
JP2006263475A (ja) * 2000-09-27 2006-10-05 Showa Denko Kk 余剰麻酔ガスの処理方法及び処理装置
US20050203327A1 (en) * 2004-03-09 2005-09-15 Stevan Jovanovic Hydrocarbon separation process
EP1797942A1 (fr) * 2005-12-19 2007-06-20 Technische Universiteit Delft Procédé et dispositif pour la réutilisation de fluranes
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WO2015011351A1 (fr) * 2013-07-23 2015-01-29 Anesteo Station d'anesthésie pour animaux de laboratoire et procédé de détermination du taux de saturation en halogénés des filtres d'une telle station d'anesthésie
FR3008883A1 (fr) * 2013-07-23 2015-01-30 Anesteo Station d'anesthesie pour animaux de laboratoire et procede de determination du taux de saturation en halogenes des filtres d'une telle station d'anesthesie
CN105578988A (zh) * 2013-07-23 2016-05-11 安纳史都公司 用于实验室动物的麻醉站和用于测定该麻醉站的滤器的有机卤素饱和率的方法
CN105578988B (zh) * 2013-07-23 2017-08-29 安纳史都公司 用于实验室动物的麻醉站和用于测定该麻醉站的滤器的有机卤素饱和率的方法
AU2014294900B2 (en) * 2013-07-23 2019-12-12 Anesteo Anesthesia station for laboratory animals and method for determining the organohalogen saturation rate of the filters of such an anesthesia station
GB2542967B (en) * 2014-08-20 2018-05-23 Sagetech Medical Equipment Ltd Improvements to halocarbon recycling methods and systems
US10603453B2 (en) 2014-08-20 2020-03-31 Sagetech Medical Equipment Limited Halocarbon recycling methods and systems
CN110841421A (zh) * 2019-12-09 2020-02-28 珠海大横琴科技发展有限公司 一种有机蒸汽吸附回收系统
CN114588746A (zh) * 2022-05-10 2022-06-07 天津市英格环保科技有限公司 含氮氧化物废气处理设备

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