METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DECONTAMINATING ENCLOSED SPACES

• US 20100143189A1
• Filed: 05/29/2008
• Published: 06/10/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/30/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ecolab USA Incorporated (Ecolab, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Bioquell UK Ltd. (Ecolab, Inc.)
• Inventors: Martin, Anthony M.
• Granted Patent: US 8,916,093 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 422/30
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/208 Hydrogen peroxide
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2202/25 Rooms in buildings, passenger compartments

Abstract

The disclosure relates to an apparatus (10) for decontaminating an enclosure that includes a passage having an inlet (18) to receive a carrier gas from the enclosure, an outlet (31) to discharge the carrier gas to the enclosure, a fan (21) for causing a low of carrier gas through the passage from the inlet to the outlet, and a vapour generator (19) where a decontaminant vapour is introduced into the flow of carrier gas to be discharged with the flow at the outlet to decontaminate the enclosed space. A further fan (33) delivers a separate flow of gas from the enclosure bypassing the passageway in which the decontaminant vapour is introduced to be delivered into the enclosure from outlet vents (32) adjacent the vapour outlets (31) to assist in dispersing the carrier gas containing decontaminant vapour throughout the enclosure.

Claims

1. A method of decontaminating an enclosure using an apparatus for generating within the enclosure a first flow of a carrier gas, introducing a decontaminant vapour into the first gas flow at a vapour generating station within the apparatus and circulating the first flow of carrier gas/decontaminant vapour from the apparatus to the enclosure, and a separate, second flow of carrier gas is generated within the apparatus which is circulated with the first flow to the enclosure to assist the dispersal of the decontaminant vapour in the enclosure, the first and second flow of carrier gas being separately discharged into the enclosure.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second flow of carrier gas is greater than the first flow.

3. A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the second flow of carrier gas is a plurality of times greater than the first flow.

4. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and second flows merge downstream of where they discharge into the enclosure.

5. A method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the first and second flows are coaxial where they discharge into the enclosure.

6. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and second flows of carrier gas each have a plurality of separate discharges into the enclosure.

7. A method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the discharge of the first and second carrier gases are equi-spaced around an axis and are directed outwardly of the axis to discharge into the enclosure.

8. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein both first and second gas flows draw gas from the enclosure and discharge to the enclosure.

9. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein, following decontamination of the enclosed space, gas from the enclosure is circulated through a decomposition station in which the decontaminant carried by the gas is decomposed for disposal.

10. A method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the decomposition station comprises a filter through which the vapour containing gas is drawn to decompose the decontaminant vapour for disposal.

11. An apparatus for decontaminating an enclosure comprising:

a passage having an inlet to receive a carrier gas from the enclosure;

an outlet to discharge the carrier gas to the enclosure;

means for causing a flow of carrier gas through the passage from the inlet to the outlet;

a station in the passage where a decontaminant vapour is introduced into the flow of carrier gas to be discharged with the flow at the outlet to decontaminate the enclosed space;

means for generating a separate flow of carrier gas from the enclosure bypassing the passage in which said decontaminant vapour is introduced; and

means for discharging the two flows of gas separately into the enclosure to assist in dispersing the carrier gas containing decontaminant vapour throughout the enclosure.

12. An apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein the means for generating the separate flow of gas comprise further fan means.

13. An apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein a first set of radially facing nozzles are spaced apart around a vertical axis and are connected to the station where decontaminant vapour is added to carrier and a second set of radially facing nozzles are connected to the means for generating the separate flow of carrier gas to deliver carrier gas to the enclosed space.