Expanding plasma emission source microorganism inactivation system
US6054097A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 3, 1998 |
| Grant date | Apr 25, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 3, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S422/906
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method and apparatus for disinfecting material such as a fluid stream, (e.g., water) or various objects (e.g., packaging, fruits, vegetables) using a high temperature expanding plasma emission source (EPES lamp) to generate intense pulses of ultraviolet light primarily in the 200-400 nm range. The EPES lamp is preferably mounted axially in a pipe through which the fluid to be disinfected is flowed or perpendicular to the direction of a fluid flow or an object conveyor. Each pulse is terminated before the resulting plasma within the EPES lamp reaches the inside surface of the EPES lamp wall so that the EPES lamp operates in an expanding plasma emission source mode rather than in a wall stabilized mode. The EPES lamp is operated at a plasma temperature of at least about 15,000.degree. K. and an energy density (Q) of at least about 300.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.