Method and apparatus for controlling microbial growth on condensation coils
First Claim
1. The method for controlling microbial growth on cooling coil apparatus located within an air cooling system, comprising the steps of:
- providing a system including a first inlet passage having a first flow responsive valve open during primary air flow operation, a second outlet passage having a second flow responsive valve open during primary air flow operation, a chamber interconnecting the first and second passages, disinfectant gas outlet in communication with the chamber adjacent the outlet passage having a flow controlled valve closed during primary air flow operation of the air cooling system, a disinfectant gas circuit having a fan and an outlet in communication with the chamber adjacent the inlet passage, cooling coil apparatus within the chamber and a primary air mover selectively forcing air through the passages, chamber and cooling coil apparatus upon demand for cooled air,energizing the primary air mover during an air cooling cycle during demand for cooled air,timing the duration of the cooling cycle and sensing a first predetermined duration thereof,deenergizing the primary air mover upon sensing of said first predetermined duration to close the valves of the first and second passages sealing the chamber with respect to the first and second passages and opening the disinfectant gas outlet valve,introducing an anti-microbial disinfectant gas into the sealed chamber through the disinfectant gas circuit outlet by energization of the fan to treat the cooling coil apparatus,removing the anti-microbial disinfectant gas from the sealed chamber and air cooling system through the disinfectant gas outlet, andunsealing the chamber with respect to the first and second passages by opening the first and second flow responsive valves by energizing the primary air mover to initiate another first predetermined duration of the cooling cycle.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The disclosure pertains to a method and apparatus for controlling microbial growth in air handling systems employing heat exchanging coils, water pans, or the like, exposed to moisture and subject to microbial contamination. Condensation apparatus located within a chamber defined in an air handling system is disinfected by temporarily interrupting normal air flow, sealing the chamber with respect to the air handling system, introducing an anti-microbial growth gaseous disinfectant into the chamber, removing the anti-microbial gas from the chamber after disinfecting the condensation apparatus and then restoring normal air flow through the chamber. The preferred anti-microbial gas is produced by using an ozone generator in conjunction with an auxiliary air flow system.
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Citations
8 Claims
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1. The method for controlling microbial growth on cooling coil apparatus located within an air cooling system, comprising the steps of:
- providing a system including a first inlet passage having a first flow responsive valve open during primary air flow operation, a second outlet passage having a second flow responsive valve open during primary air flow operation, a chamber interconnecting the first and second passages, disinfectant gas outlet in communication with the chamber adjacent the outlet passage having a flow controlled valve closed during primary air flow operation of the air cooling system, a disinfectant gas circuit having a fan and an outlet in communication with the chamber adjacent the inlet passage, cooling coil apparatus within the chamber and a primary air mover selectively forcing air through the passages, chamber and cooling coil apparatus upon demand for cooled air,
energizing the primary air mover during an air cooling cycle during demand for cooled air, timing the duration of the cooling cycle and sensing a first predetermined duration thereof, deenergizing the primary air mover upon sensing of said first predetermined duration to close the valves of the first and second passages sealing the chamber with respect to the first and second passages and opening the disinfectant gas outlet valve, introducing an anti-microbial disinfectant gas into the sealed chamber through the disinfectant gas circuit outlet by energization of the fan to treat the cooling coil apparatus, removing the anti-microbial disinfectant gas from the sealed chamber and air cooling system through the disinfectant gas outlet, and unsealing the chamber with respect to the first and second passages by opening the first and second flow responsive valves by energizing the primary air mover to initiate another first predetermined duration of the cooling cycle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
- providing a system including a first inlet passage having a first flow responsive valve open during primary air flow operation, a second outlet passage having a second flow responsive valve open during primary air flow operation, a chamber interconnecting the first and second passages, disinfectant gas outlet in communication with the chamber adjacent the outlet passage having a flow controlled valve closed during primary air flow operation of the air cooling system, a disinfectant gas circuit having a fan and an outlet in communication with the chamber adjacent the inlet passage, cooling coil apparatus within the chamber and a primary air mover selectively forcing air through the passages, chamber and cooling coil apparatus upon demand for cooled air,
- 4. In an apparatus for controlling microbial growth on condensation coil apparatus located within an air cooling system having an air passage and a primary air mover for selectively forcing air through the passage, the condensation coil apparatus being located within the air passage, the improvement comprising, a chamber defined within the air passage having air pressure therein and having an air inlet and an air outlet, the condensation coil apparatus being located within said chamber, a first flow controlled valve selectively sealing said chamber outlet, a second flow control valve selectively sealing said chamber inlet, said valves opening during primary air flow operation of the primary air mover and automatically closing upon deenergization of the primary air mover, anti-microbial gas supply means in communication with said chamber, gas control means selectively regulating the flow of anti-microbial gas from said gas supply means to said chamber during deenergization of the primary air mover, said first and second valves sealing said chamber outlet and inlet with respect to the air passage during anti-microbial gas flow to said chamber, and gas exhausting means having an inlet in communication with said chamber air outlet and an outlet exterior of the air cooling system, said gas exhausting means selectively exhausting said anti-microbial gas from said chamber and the air cooling system during deenergization of the primary air blower.
Specification