STERILIZATION FILTRATION SYSTEM (SFS) METHODS AND EQUIPMENT

Abstract

A method for extracting and capturing airborne aerosol and particulate matters in the air that may be potentially contaminated with harmful bacteria and viruses using a vacuum extraction system; treating the contaminated air by scrubbing it with a biocide solution; filtering the scrubbed air using activated carbon and HEPA filters to remove any residual biocide; and optionally, treating the filtered air with UV-C, ozone, or plasma, before the sterilized air is return to the environment.

Claims

1. A method to extract and sterilize air before return to the environment, the method comprising: utilizing a vacuum system to extract and capture airborne aerosol and particulate matters in the air that may be potentially contaminated with harmful bacteria and viruses through an intake port; treating the contaminated air by passing it through a scrubbing solution containing a biocide that is capable of neutralizing and sterilizing the harmful bacteria and viruses; and filtering the scrubbed air using activated carbon and HEPA filters to remove any residual biocide.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: treating the filtered air with UV-C.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising: treating the filtered air with ozone.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising: treating the filtered air with plasma.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising: connecting the vacuum system to an articulated arm with a collection funnel, a flexible hose with a collection funnel, or a static intake vent.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising: scrubbing the contaminated aerosols and particulate matters by bubbling the air through a biocide solution, or by passing the air through a bed of packing material that is wetted with a biocide solution.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising: utilizing a biocide scrubbing solution containing one or more chemical substance or microorganism that are intended to destroy, deter, render harmless, or exert a controlling effect on any harmful organism as defined by Regulations (EU Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR), EU No 528/2012, and the US Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), 40 CFR Part 147).

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising: passing the scrubbed air through a filter before the sanitized air to return to the environment.

9. The method of claim 5, further comprising: utilizing the vacuum system to pull or push the air through a scrubber solution and a filter media.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprising: utilizing a filter comprised of one or more combination of a High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter, an activated carbon filter, and a filter media coated with anti-microbial substance.

11. The method of claim 8, further comprising: utilizing a secondary treatment step by exposing the filter air to germicidal ultraviolet light (UV-C, 200-280 nanometers), ozone, or ionized gas plasma before the sanitized air to return to the environment.

12. A system to extract and sterilize air before return to the environment, the system comprising: vacuum system to extract and capture airborne aerosol and particulate matters in the air that may be potentially contaminated with harmful bacteria and viruses through an intake port; a scrubbing solution containing a biocide to treat the contaminated air as it is passed through to neutralize and sterilize any harmful bacteria and viruses; and a filter to scrub air with activated carbon and HEPA filters to remove any residual biocide.

13. The system of claim 12, further comprising: a source of UV-C to treat the filtered air.

14. The system of claim 12, further comprising: a source of ozone to treat the filtered air.

15. The system of claim 12, further comprising: a source of plasma to treat the filtered air.

16. The system of claim 12, further comprising: an articulated arm with a collection funnel, a flexible hose with a collection funnel, or a static intake vent to connect to the vacuum system.

17. The system of claim 12, further comprising: a bed of packing material that is wetted with the biocide solution to treat the contaminated air as it is passed through to neutralize and sterilize any harmful bacteria and viruses.

18. The system of claim 12, further comprising: a biocide scrubbing solution comprising one or more chemical substance or microorganism that are intended to destroy, deter, render harmless, or exert a controlling effect on any harmful organism as defined by Regulations (EU Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR), EU No 528/2012, and the US Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), 40 CFR Part 147).

19. The system of claim 12, wherein the filter comprises one or more combination of a High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter, an activated carbon filter, and a filter media coated with anti-microbial substance.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] The technology described herein is illustrated with reference to the various drawings, in which like reference numbers denote like device components and/or method steps, respectively, and in which:

[0036] FIG. 1A is a schematic view of a vacuum system for use in the sterilization filtration system, illustrating, in particular, key components, according to an embodiment of the technology described herein;

[0037] FIG. 1B is a schematic view of a biocide scrubber for use in the sterilization filtration system, illustrating, in particular, key components, according to an embodiment of the technology described herein;

[0038] FIG. 1C is a schematic view of an extraction arm for use in the sterilization filtration system, illustrating, in particular, key components, according to an embodiment of the technology described herein; and

[0039] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a large biocide scrubber for use in the sterilization filtration system, illustrating, in particular, key components, according to an embodiment of the technology described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0040] Before describing the disclosed embodiments of this technology in detail, it is to be understood that the technology is not limited in its application to the details of the particular arrangement shown here since the technology described is capable of other embodiments. Also, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

[0041] In the following description, specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of this SFS invention. On the one hand, it is understood that those who are skilled in the art may practice this SFS invention without these specific details. On the other hand, well-known methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure this SFS invention.

[0042] The SFS invention consists of three primary modules, and a fourth optional add-on process for large system: 1) Vacuum system, 2) Biocide Scrubber 3) Filter, and 4) UV-C, ozone, or ionized gas plasma.

[0043] A portable, compact SFS unit may be employed for point source generators such as dental operatories. A portable SFS unit consists of a vacuum system to draw in air and capture the contaminated airborne aerosol and particulate matters from propagating through the air, FIG. 1(a). An articulated arm may be used to position the vacuum port as close to the emission source as possible, FIG. 1(c). The contaminated air is drawn through a biocide solution, FIG. 1(c). A sparger is employed to ensure thorough optimal gas and liquid contact, FIG. 1(b). A dynamic filtration technology is used to separate the gas from the liquid before the scrubbed air is routed through HEPA and activated carbon filters to remove the residual biocide in the sterilized air.

[0044] In at least one embodiment, the vacuum system depicted in FIG. 1A includes an electric motor and housing 1, a fan and housing 2, a mount 3, a separator 4, and a nut 5.

[0045] In at least one embodiment, the biocide scrubber depicted in FIG. 1B includes a motor closure 6, a fan enclosure 7, a cover 8, a lid 9, an in-take port 10, a biocide chamber 11, and a sparger 12.

[0046] In at least one embodiment, the extraction arm depicted in FIG. 1C includes an articulated extraction arm 13.

[0047] The SFS can be used to sterilize airborne pathogens in larger public spaces where air is recycled, e.g., airplane cabins, trains, buses, hospitals, commercial offices, retail stores, classrooms, churches, restaurants, public buildings, et cetera. A vacuum system is required to pull the contaminated air through the scrubber solution. Alternatively, the contaminated air may also be pushed through the scrubber solution. The rate of air flow depends on the volume of air requiring sterilization. Aerating air through a liquid solution has practical limitation with equipment size and weight for an aeration and gas-liquid separation system at high gas flow due to a phenomenon known as 2-phase flow to those who are acquainted with the art. Therefore, a classical gas-liquid wet scrubber design is employed in lieu of aeration, FIG. 2. The wet scrubber principle and designs are well understood by those who are skilled in the art, hence it is not addressed further in this patent. Once the contaminated air is treated by the biocide solution, the scrubbed air is drawn through HEPA and activated filters to remove any residual biocides that may be present in the sanitized air stream. Depending on the system requirements such as volumetric air flow rate, the biocide solution, and scrubber design, a supplemental treatment step using UV-C radiation, ozone, or plasma may be added to ensure that the air is adequately sterilized. UV-C radiation, ozone, and plasma are well understood by those who are skilled in the art, hence it is not addressed further in this patent.

[0048] Although this technology has been illustrated and described herein with reference to preferred embodiments and specific examples thereof, it will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that other embodiments and examples can perform similar functions and/or achieve like results. All such equivalent embodiments and examples are within the spirit and scope of the technology described herein and are intended to be covered by the following claims.