In situ sterilization and decontamination system using a non-thermal plasma discharge

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.

1 . A sterilization and decontamination system, comprising: 
 a plasma discharge device including: 
 a primary dielectric with at least one aperture defined therethrough that allows a plasma discharge to flow from a primary electrode of the device toward a receiving electrode of the device, the aperture being adapted to receive an additive fluid that is a mixture comprising an organic vapor and air, and  
 an exit for emitting plasma generated active sterilizing species produced by the plasma discharge externally from the plasma discharge device, the plasma discharge being generated from a mixture of a carrier fluid and the additive fluid.  
   
     
     
         2 . The sterilization and decontamination system in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising an auxiliary channel for injecting the additive fluid into the aperture of the primary dielectric.  
     
     
         3 . The sterilization and decontamination system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the plasma discharge device is a capillary dielectric configuration and the at least one aperture is a capillary.  
     
     
         4 . The sterilization and decontamination system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the plasma discharge device is a slit dielectric configuration and the at least one aperture is a slit.  
     
     
         5 . The sterilization and decontamination system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the additive fluid comprises an alcohol.  
     
     
         6 . The sterilization and decontamination system in accordance with  claim 5 , wherein the alcohol comprises ethanol or methanol.  
     
     
         7 . The sterilization and decontamination system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the additive fluid comprises water vapor.  
     
     
         8 . The sterilization and decontamination system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the additive fluid comprises dry air.  
     
     
         9 . The sterilization and decontamination system in accordance with  claim 26 , further comprising a catalyst media disposed downstream of the suspension media.  
     
     
         10 . The sterilization and decontamination system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the plasma discharge is a non-thermal plasma discharge.  
     
     
         11 . The sterilization and decontamination system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the plasma discharge is a corona discharge configuration.  
     
     
         12 . The sterilization and decontamination system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the plasma discharge is a barrier discharge configuration.  
     
     
         13 .- 25 . (canceled)  
     
     
         26 . The sterilization and decontamination system in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising a suspension media disposed downstream of the plasma discharge device.  
     
     
         27 . The sterilization and decontamination system in accordance with  claim 26 , wherein the suspension media further comprises: 
 a supply drum; and    a receiving drum, wherein the suspension media comprises a belt-like member positioned around each of the supply drum and receiving drum, and wherein rotation of the supply drum and receiving drum cause the belt-like member to move in proximity to and relative to the exit to expose an exterior surface of the belt-like member to the plasma-generated active species.    
     
     
         28 . The sterilization and decontamination system in accordance with  claim 26 , further comprising: 
 a rack member for movably positioning the exit of the plasma discharge device in proximity to a surface of the suspension media, such that the plasma discharge device is movable in at least a linear direction with respect to the surface of the suspension media to expose an exterior surface of the suspension media to the plasma-generated active species.    
     
     
         29 . The sterilization and decontamination system in accordance with  claim 26 , further comprising: 
 a rack member for movably positioning a surface of the suspension media in proximity to the exit of the plasma discharge device, such that the surface of the suspension media is movable in at least a linear direction with respect to the exit of the plasma discharge device to expose an exterior surface of the suspension media to the plasma-generated active species.    
     
     
         30 . The sterilization and decontamination system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the carrier fluid comprises a contaminated fluid to be treated by the plasma-generated active species.  
     
     
         31 . The sterilization and decontamination system in accordance with  claim 30 , wherein the contaminated fluid comprises at least one of a liquid, a vapor, or a gas.  
     
     
         32 . The sterilization and decontamination system in accordance with  claim 30 , wherein the contaminated fluid comprises a liquid.  
     
     
         33 . The sterilization and decontamination system in accordance with  claim 30 , wherein the contaminated fluid comprises at least one of pathogens or one or more predetermined chemical compounds.  
     
     
         34 . The sterilization and decontamination system in accordance with  claim 33 , wherein the pathogens in include at least one of viruses, bacteria or spores.  
     
     
         35 . The sterilization and decontamination system in accordance with  claim 33 , wherein the predetermined chemical compounds include at least one of benzene or toluene.