In situ sterilization and decontamination system using a non-thermal plasma discharge
First Claim
1. A method of sterilizing or decontaminating an object using a plasma discharge device comprising the steps of:
- introducing an additive fluid into the plasma discharge device, wherein the additive fluid is a mixture comprising an organic vapor and air;
producing a plasma generated active sterilizing species from the additive fluid;
emitting the plasma generated active sterilizing species from the plasma discharge device; and
exposing the object to the emitted active sterilizing species downstream from the plasma discharge device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A sterilization and decontamination system in which a non-thermal plasma discharge device is disposed upstream of a suspension media (e.g., a filter, electrostatic precipitator, carbon bed). The plasma discharge device generates a plasma that is emitted through apertures (e.g., capillaries or slits) in the primary dielectric. Plasma generated active sterilizing species when exposed to contaminants or undesirable particulate matter is able to deactivate or reduce such matter in contaminated fluid stream and/or on objects. Thus, the undesirable contaminants in the fluid to be treated are first reduced during their exposure to the plasma generated active sterilizing species in the plasma region of the discharge device. Furthermore, the plasma generated active sterilizing species are carried downstream to suspension media and upon contact therewith deactivate the contaminants collected on the suspension media itself. Advantageously, the suspension media may be cleansed in situ. To increase the sterilization efficiency an additive, free or carrier gas (e.g., alcohol, water, dry air) may be injected into the apertures defined in the primary dielectric. These additives increase the concentration of plasma generated active sterilizing agents while reducing the byproduct of generated undesirable ozone pollutants. Downstream of the filter the fluid stream may be further treated by being exposed to a catalyst media or additional suspension media to further reduce the amount of undesirable particulate matter.
180 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method of sterilizing or decontaminating an object using a plasma discharge device comprising the steps of:
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introducing an additive fluid into the plasma discharge device, wherein the additive fluid is a mixture comprising an organic vapor and air; producing a plasma generated active sterilizing species from the additive fluid; emitting the plasma generated active sterilizing species from the plasma discharge device; and exposing the object to the emitted active sterilizing species downstream from the plasma discharge device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 16)
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9. A method of sterilizing or decontaminating a fluid to be treated using a plasma discharge device, comprising the steps of:
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introducing an additive fluid to the plasma discharge device, wherein the additive fluid comprises an organic compound; flowing the fluid to be treated through the plasma discharge device; producing a plasma generated active sterilizing species from the additive fluid and the fluid to be treated by operation of the plasma discharge device; exposing contaminants in the fluid to be treated to the plasma generated active sterilizing species; flowing the plasma generated active sterilizing species and the fluid to be treated downstream toward a suspension media; collecting particulate matter from the fluid to be treated in the suspension media; and exposing the particulate matter collected in the suspension media with to the plasma generated active sterilizing species. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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17. A method of producing active sterilizing species comprising the steps of:
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introducing an additive fluid into a plasma discharge device, wherein the plasma discharge device is adapted to receive the additive fluid, and wherein the additive fluid is a mixture comprising an organic vapor and air; producing a plasma generated active sterilizing species from the additive fluid by operation of the plasma discharge device; and emitting the plasma generated active sterilizing species from the plasma discharge device. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification