METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DISINFECTING ENCLOSED SPACES

• US 20100316530A1
• Filed: 02/21/2008
• Published: 12/16/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: OMPECO srl
• Original Assignee: Officine Meccaniche Pejrani S.r.l.
• Inventors: Morgantini, Gianpiero, Maletti, Maurizio
• Granted Patent: US 8,529,833 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 422/29
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/22 Phase substances, e.g. smokes, aerosols or sprayed or atomised substances
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/14 using sprayed or atomised substances including air-liquid contact processes
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/22 Ionisation
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 5/004 by alternating the polarity of the spray
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 5/0407 with a spraying edge, e.g. like a cup or a bell
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 5/0415 Driving means; Parts thereof, e.g. turbine, shaft, bearings
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 5/0426 Means for supplying shaping gas
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 5/053 Arrangements for supplying power, e.g. charging power

Abstract

A method and apparatus disinfects enclosed spaces by the dispersal of aerosols ionized alternately with negative and positive electrostatic polarity.

Claims

1. A method of disinfecting enclosed spaces based on the emission of liquid disinfectant in aerosol form, comprising producing ultra-fine droplets by a rotary atomizer, charging the aerosol, in alternate stages, with negative electrostatic charge or with positive electrostatic charge.

2. A method according to claim 1 in which the polarity of the electrostatic field is reversed on the basis of the measurement of the intensity of the electrostatic field present in the enclosed space under treatment, or after predetermined and programmed periods of time.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the reversal of the polarity of the electrostatic field induced causes controlled growth of the size of the particles that are already present or are admitted in suspension in the air.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the atomizer is arranged to generate droplets with a maximum size no greater than 5 μ

m.

5. A method according to claim 3, wherein the controlled growth of the particle size causes a dimensional increase of the droplets of disinfectant admitted to the enclosed space, which grow from the initial size of less than 5 μ

m to a larger size capable of wetting surfaces.

6. A method according to claim 3, wherein the controlled growth of the particles causes the fall-out of the particles with consequent rapid elimination of the micronized disinfectant previously admitted to the enclosed space, after its use.

7. Apparatus for generating aerosols for disinfecting enclosed spaces, comprising a rotary atomizer which can generate an aerosol flow of a liquid, comprising means for creating an electrostatic field and for rendering the aerosol output from the atomizer ionized alternately with negative polarity and with positive polarity.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a control unit arranged to switch the ionization polarity according to the electrostatic charge in the enclosed space under treatment, or after a predetermined period of time.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising sensor means which can measure the electrostatic charge of the enclosed space subjected to treatment.

10. Apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising:

an outer casing of non-conductive material,

an inner casing of non-conductive material, disposed inside the outer casing so as to define a chamber for the passage of air between the casings,

a rotary-bell atomizer disposed inside the inner casing so as to define a clear annular passageway between the bell and the output edge of the inner casing,

drive means suitable for causing the bell to rotate at high speed for the production of an aerosol,

first means for producing an annular, laminar air-flow through the annular passageway, for the transportation of the aerosol, and

second means for producing an air-flow in the chamber defined between the inner casing and the outer casing.

11. Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the means for creating an electrostatic field are arranged so as to intercept the air-flow flowing through the chamber defined between the inner casing and the outer casing in order to bring about ionization thereof.

12. Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the rotary atomizer is arranged to produce droplets the maximum size of which is no greater than 5 μ

m.

13. Apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising:

an outer casing of non-conductive material, preferably of combined cylindrical and conical shape,

an inner casing of non-conductive material, preferably of combined cylindrical and frustoconical shape, which is arranged so as to form a chamber for the passage of air between the two casings,

a high-speed rotary bell arranged inside the inner casing and in the vicinity of one end thereof, and having a size such as to define an annular clear passageway between the bell and the output edge of the inner casing,

an air blower acting in a manner such that the air is forced to pass in laminar form through the above-mentioned annular passageway,

the shape of the rotary atomizer bell being such as to form an inner annular chamber into which the liquid is dosed and which communicates, by means of small holes, with the exterior which has a concave shape so as to facilitate the deflection of the droplets,

a fan for generating an air-flow in the chamber existing between the outer casing and the inner casing,

means suitable for creating an electrostatic field and for rendering the aerosol output by the apparatus ionized alternately with negative polarity and with positive polarity,

means suitable for dosing the liquid that is to form the aerosol into a chamber disposed inside the rotary atomizer bell and, optionally,

means for measuring the electrostatic charge in the enclosed space under treatment, and

a programmable control unit for dosing the aerosol in dependence on the volume of the enclosed space to be treated, on the dosage required, and on the type of disinfectant, as well as for performing the various stages of the cycle including the monitoring and reversal of the electrostatic charge of the aerosol produced on the basis of time or of the measurement of the electrostatic charge present in the enclosed space under treatment.