METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TREATING RINSE WATER IN DECONTAMINATION DEVICES

• US 20090178981A1
• Filed: 01/16/2008
• Published: 07/16/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/16/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: American Sterilizer Company (Steris Corporation)
• Original Assignee: American Sterilizer Company (Steris Corporation)
• Inventors: Centanni, Michael A., Jethrow, Christopher A., Fix, Kathleen A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,025,807 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 210/760
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/183 Ozone dissolved in a liquid
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/02 by heating methods of steam generation F22B; preheating boiler feed-water or accumulating preheated boiler feed-water F22D
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/444 by ultrafiltration or microfiltration
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/78 with ozone C02F1/4672 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/782 Ozone generators
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2301/08 Multistage treatments, e.g. repetition of the same process step under different conditions
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2303/04 Disinfection
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 9/00 Multistage treatment of water, waste water or sewage
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 261/42 Ozonizers

Abstract

A processor for decontaminating devices is comprised of a chamber for holding devices and a circulation system to circulate a microbial decontamination fluid through the chamber. A water filtration system filters water used in the processor. The water filtration system has a water line connectable to a source of pressurized water. A water decontamination system fluidly communicates with the source of water and the processor. The water decontamination system has a water circulation path and a tank located within the water circulation path. Means are provided to circulate water along the water circulation path through the tank. A gas circulation path fluidly communicates with the tank. Conveying means is provided to convey gas along the gas circulation path through the tank. An ozone producing device is located along the gas circulation path to introduce ozone into gas flowing along the gas circulation path and through the tank.

Claims

1. A method of reducing viral levels in water used in a processor for decontaminating devices, said processor including a chamber for holding devices to be decontaminated, a circulation system for circulating a liquid sterilant or microbial decontamination fluid through said chamber, said chamber forming a part of said circulation system, a water filtration system for filtering water used in said processor, said water filtration system having a water line connectable to a source of pressurized water and a water decontamination system fluidly communicating with said source of water and said processor, said method comprising the steps of:

a) circulating a carrier gas along a first gas circulation path wherein said carrier gas is introduced into a predetermined volume of water;

b) introducing ozone into said carrier gas as said carrier gas flows along said first gas circulation path such that said ozone is introduced into said water;

c) establishing a concentration of ozone in said water between about 0.1 mg/L to about 2 mg/L;

d) mixing said water to achieve a uniform concentration of ozone in said water;

e) continuing steps b), c) and d) for at least about twenty (20) minutes;

f) separating said ozone from said water by heating and agitating said water;

g) collecting said ozone that is separated from said water into said carrier gas circulating along a second gas circulation path wherein said ozone separated from said water is conveyed by said carrier gas along said second gas circulation path;

h) destroying said ozone conveyed by said carrier gas at a location along said second gas circulation path, said location being downstream from said predetermined volume of water; and

i) continuously agitating and heating said water until the concentration of said ozone in said water is below about 0.03 mg/L.

2. A method of reducing virus levels in water as defined in claim 1, wherein said step a) of introducing includes bubbling said gas containing said ozone into said predetermined volume of water.

3. A method of reducing virus levels in water as defined in claim 1, wherein said water in said step a) is between about 20°

C. and about 40°

C.

4. A method of reducing virus levels in water as defined in claim 1, wherein said step f) of heating includes heating said water to at least about 40°

C.

5. A method of reducing virus levels in water as defined in claim 1, wherein said step h) includes a catalytic ozone destruction device located in said second gas circulation path.

6. A method of reducing viral levels in water as defined in claim 1, wherein said step i) of agitating includes circulating said water along a water circulation path.

7. A method of reducing viral levels in water as defined in claim 1, wherein said step i) of heating includes a heating element located along a water circulation path.

8. A method of reducing viral levels in water as defined in claim 1, wherein said step i) of agitating includes spraying said water.

9. A method of reducing viral levels in water as defined in claim 1, wherein said step i) of agitating includes mixing said water in a tank located in a water circulation path.

10. A method of reducing viral levels in water used in a processor for decontaminating devices, said processor including a chamber for holding devices to be decontaminated, a circulation system for circulating a liquid sterilant or microbial decontamination fluid through said chamber, said chamber forming a part of said circulation system, a water filtration system for filtering water used in said processor, said water filtration system having a water line connectable to a source of pressurized water and a water decontamination system fluidly communicating with said source of water and said processor, said method comprising the steps of:

a) circulating a carrier gas along a first gas circulation path wherein said carrier gas is introduced into a predetermined volume of water;

b) introducing ozone into said carrier gas as said carrier gas flows along said first gas circulation path such that said ozone is introduced into said water;

c) establishing a concentration of ozone in said water between about 0.1 mg/L to about 2 mg/L;

d) mixing said water to achieve a uniform concentration of ozone in said water; and

e) continuing steps b), c) and d) for at least about twenty (20) minutes.

11. A method of reducing virus levels in water as defined in claim 10, wherein said step a) of introducing includes bubbling said gas containing said ozone into said predetermined volume of water.

12. A method of reducing virus levels in water as defined in claim 10, wherein said water in said step a) is between about 20°

C. and about 40°

C.

13. A method of reducing viral levels in water used in a processor for decontaminating devices, said method comprising the steps of:

a) circulating a carrier gas along a first gas circulation path wherein said carrier gas is introduced into a predetermined volume of water;

b) introducing ozone into said carrier gas as said carrier gas flows along said first gas circulation path such that said ozone is introduced into said water;

c) establishing a concentration of ozone in said water between about 0.1 mg/L to about 2 mg/L;

d) mixing said water to achieve a uniform concentration of ozone in said water;

e) continuing steps b), c) and d) for at least about twenty (20) minutes;

f) separating said ozone from said water by heating and agitating said water;

g) collecting said ozone that is separated from said water into said carrier gas circulating along a second gas circulation path wherein said ozone separated from said water is conveyed by said carrier gas along said second gas circulation path;

h) destroying said ozone conveyed by said carrier gas at a location along said second gas circulation path, said location being downstream from said predetermined volume of water; and

i) continuously agitating and heating said water until the concentration of said ozone in said water is below about 0.03 mg/L.

14. A method of reducing virus levels in water as defined in claim 13, wherein said step a) of introducing includes bubbling said gas containing said ozone into said predetermined volume of water.

15. A method of reducing virus levels in water as defined in claim 13, wherein said water in said step a) is between about 20°

C. and about 40°

C.

16. A method of reducing virus levels in water as defined in claim 13, wherein said step f) of heating includes heating said water to at least about 40°

C.

17. A method of reducing virus levels in water as defined in claim 13, wherein said step h) includes a catalytic ozone destruction device located in said second gas circulation path.

18. A method of reducing viral levels in water as defined in claim 13, wherein said step i) of agitating includes circulating said water along a water circulation path.

19. A method of reducing viral levels in water as defined in claim 13, wherein said step i) of heating includes a heating element located along a water circulation path.

20. A method of reducing viral levels in water as defined in claim 13, wherein said step i) of agitating includes spraying said water.

21. A method of reducing viral levels in water as defined in claim 13, wherein said step i) of agitating includes mixing said water in a tank located in a water circulation path.

22. A method of reducing viral levels in water used in a decontamination apparatus, said decontamination apparatus including a chamber for holding devices to be decontaminated, a circulation system for circulating a decontaminant through said chamber, said chamber forming a part of said circulation system, a water line connectable to a source of pressurized water and a water decontamination system fluidly communicating with said source of water and said decontamination apparatus, said method comprising the steps of:

a) circulating a carrier gas along a first gas circulation path wherein said carrier gas is introduced into a predetermined volume of water;

b) introducing ozone into said carrier gas as said carrier gas flows along said first gas circulation path such that said ozone is introduced into said water;

c) establishing a concentration of ozone in said water between about 0.1 mg/L to about 2 mg/L;

d) mixing said water to achieve a uniform concentration of ozone in said water;

e) continuing steps b), c) and d) for at least about five (5) minutes;

f) separating said ozone from said water by heating and agitating said water;

g) collecting said ozone that is separated from said water into said carrier gas circulating along a second gas circulation path wherein said ozone separated from said water is conveyed by said carrier gas along said second gas circulation path;

h) destroying said ozone conveyed by said carrier gas at a location along said second gas circulation path, said location being downstream from said predetermined volume of water; and

i) continuously agitating and heating said water until the concentration of said ozone in said water is below about 0.03 mg/L.

23. A method of reducing viral levels in water as defined in claim 22, wherein said decontamination apparatus is a washer.

24. A method of reducing viral levels in water as defined in claim 22, wherein said decontaminant is a soap.

25. A processor for decontaminating devices, comprised of:

a chamber for holding devices to be decontaminated;

a circulation system for circulating a liquid sterilant or microbial decontamination fluid through said chamber, said chamber forming a part of said circulation system;

a water filtration system for filtering water used in said processor, said water filtration system having a water line connectable to a source of pressurized water; and

a water decontamination system fluidly communicating with said source of water and said processor, said water decontamination system comprised of;

a water circulation path fluidly communicating with said source of water and said water filtration system;

a tank located within said water circulation path, said tank dimensioned to retain a predetermined volume of water;

means for circulating water along said water circulation path through said tank;

a gas circulation path fluidly communicating with said tank;

conveying means for conveying gas along said gas circulation path through said tank; and

an ozone producing device located along said gas circulation path for introducing ozone into gas flowing along said gas circulation path and through said tank.

26. A processor as defined in claim 25, wherein said water decontamination system is further comprised of:

an ozone destruction device located along said gas circulation path downstream of said tank, said ozone destruction device operable to destroy ozone in said gas flowing along said gas circulation path.

27. A processor as defined in claim 26, wherein said water decontamination system is further comprised of:

a bypass conduit connected at one end upstream of said ozone destruction device and at another end downstream of said ozone destruction device.