[001] The present invention generally relates to a technique of sterilization or decontamination or sanitization, so as to remove microbial load in a given space or surface, more specifically in air and on solid surfaces. The present invention involves removal or inactivation of microbes, such as bacteria or virus, suspended in air or settled on solid surfaces.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] The recent outbreak of COVID-19 has put up a big question in terms of our technical developments to tackle such a pandemic and its associated issues. In fact it even became a pandemic in just a few months’ time. Our world is not experiencing a viral outbreak of this kind for the first time, though the scale of it is definitely larger than ever. However, we have not been able to develop optimal technologies to control such an outbreak. The best way to contain such viral outbreaks is to prevent it from spreading. While social distancing is an effective way, it is not enough because air and surfaces can still be contaminated by viruses. Such contaminated surfaces and air spaces allow the virus to spread rapidly, even without physical proximity of another person.
[003] The current methods of sanitization involve usage of chemicals such as bleach, phenolic compounds and quaternary ammonia compounds etc. which are as harmful for humans, as it is for the environment. Moreover, their availability during times of such crisis and lockdown become a rather questionable affair, let alone the associated logistics part. All these factors amount to a clear disadvantage of using such chemical disinfectants.
[004] European Patent EP3119404B1 teaches about an antimicrobial sanitizing composition for use as skin sanitizers, and especially sanitizers for hands, feet, air sanitizers and deodorizers. The sanitizing compositions comprise a combination of three ammonium compounds in a non-ionic surfactant carrier.
[005] US Patent US6197814B1 teaches a disinfectant for specific use as prevention against contamination by potentially pathogenic bacteria and virus. The aqueous disinfectant is formulated by electrolytic-ally generating silver ions in water in combination with citric acid. The aqueous disinfectant may include a suitable alcohol and/or a detergent. The aqueous disinfectant has been shown to be effective at eliminating standard indicator organisms such as staphylococcus aureus, salmonella choleraesuis and pseudomonas aeruginosa.
[006] Therefore, it becomes clear that compositions in existing literatures and prior art make use of chemical compounds which are generally harmful for human skin and consumable or edible items. Therefore, a solution is required without involvement of harmful chemicals for sterilization or decontamination or sanitization. The present invention therefore, aims to provide a method free of harmful chemical substances to create an antimicrobial agent.
[007] Accordingly, the present invention provides a harmful chemical-free method of sterilization or decontamination or sanitization. It teaches ways to use mostly water and electrical energy to produce the required antimicrobial agent.

OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION
[008] The primary objective of present invention is to provide a technique for sterilization or decontamination or sanitization, so as to remove microbial load in a given space or surface, and more specifically in air and on solid surfaces, simultaneously and in a continuous manner using water and electrical energy.
[009] Another objective of the present invention is to provide a process for sterilization or decontamination or sanitization of air and solid surfaces without using harmful chemicals.
[0010] Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide a process for sterilization or decontamination or sanitization of air and solid surfaces using electrolyzed water with or without addition of common salt.
[0011] Another objective of the present invention is to achieve electrolysis of water in presence of electrolytes (such as common salt) to produce water with oxidative or reductive species for inactivating microbes in air and on surfaces to disinfect them.
[0012] Another objective of the present invention is to break water into micro-droplets using ultrasonic frequency or any other mechanical means. These droplets are passed through high voltage electric fields in multiple configurations to induce charge on the micro-droplets of water and to create a mixture of micro and nano-droplets. The micro-droplets settle on the surface to act as surface disinfectant, while nano-droplets remain suspended in air for longer duration for disinfecting the air. Further, ionized air is mixed with charged water droplets to create supercharged mist to act as an antimicrobial agent.
[0013] Other objectives and advantages will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein, by way of illustration and example, the aspects of present invention are disclosed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] The present invention provides a system and method for sterilization or decontamination or sanitization and remove microbial load in a given space or surface, more specifically in air and on solid surfaces, simultaneously and in a continuous manner. The present invention involves removal or inactivation of microbes such as bacteria or virus suspended in air or settled on solid surfaces. The method comprises electrolysis of water in presence of electrolytes such as common salt to produce water with oxidative or reductive species. It is then broken into micro-droplets mechanically and is passed through a high voltage field in multiple configurations to produce mixture of charged droplets of micro and nano sizes. These droplets mixed in air or ionized air to create mist, can be used for disinfection of air and surfaces simultaneously. The electrolysis is carried out in an electrolytic chamber and a high voltage generator or ion generator, while conducting brushes and other configurations are used for release or acceptance of electrons to charge/ionize water droplets.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING
[0015] The present invention will be better understood after reading the following detailed description of presently preferred aspects thereof with reference to the appended drawing, in which:
[0016] Figure 1 illustrates the working of the technology of present invention for sterilization or decontamination or sanitization by electrolyzed charged droplets.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0017] The following description describes various features and functions of the disclosed system and method with reference to the accompanying figure. The illustrative aspects described herein are not meant to be limiting. It may be readily understood that certain aspects of the disclosed system, method and apparatus can be arranged and combined in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are contemplated herein.
[0018] These and other features and advantages of the present invention may be incorporated into certain embodiments of the invention and will become more fully apparent from the following description or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter.
[0019] Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of the embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions are omitted for clarity and conciseness.
[0020] The terms and words used in the following description and claims are not limited to the bibliographical meanings, but, are merely used to enable a clear and consistent understanding of the invention. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the following description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention are provided for illustration purpose only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention.
[0021] It is to be understood that the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0022] It should be emphasized that the term “comprises/comprising” when used in this specification is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.
[0023] The main aspect of present invention is to provide a device for sterilization or decontamination or sanitization of air and solid surfaces by using water and electrical energy. The system as per present invention mainly comprises an electrolysis chamber (1), a piezoelectric generator (9), an ionized air production sub-system (5), an exit sub-system (6) with a high voltage electric field (7).
[0024] The electrolysis of water in presence of electrolytes (2), such as common salt, is performed in the electrolysis chamber (1) using electrodes (3) connected to a voltage supply (4). The piezoelectric generator (9) is used for breaking water into micro-droplets. As per a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the piezoelectric generator (9) is placed in the electrolysis chamber (1) to break the electrolyzed water into micro-droplets. These micro-droplets are carried through the outlet of the chamber (1) through air flow or by vacuum suction.
[0025] Air is ionized by passing through it a high electric field (10). The ionized air production sub-system (5) is preferably connected with the electrolysis chamber (1), while it can also be a different chamber (5), as shown in the figure. The ionized air mixes with the micro-droplets of water or water particles generated in the electrolysis chamber (1) through the piezoelectric generator (9). The ions in ionized air is transferred to water particles during mixing.
[0026] The micro-droplets of water are passed through a high voltage electric field, which is created by using a high voltage generator connected with conducting brushes or a needle-ring configuration (7). The electric field is uneven to induce different charge/ionization on water particles.
[0027] Due to an uneven electric field (7), different water particles assume different amounts of charge, which are further broken down as per the charge saturation level in each droplet. Thus, a mixture of electrolyzed and charged water droplets (8) of different sizes ranging in micro- to nano-meter range is produced.
[0028] The micro-droplets settle down faster to help in sanitization of surfaces or solid surfaces, while the nano-droplets stay longer in air to help sanitize air and other associated space. Thus, simultaneous sanitization of air and surface is achieved. A person skilled in the art would appreciate this being inventive, which allows generation of micro and nano-water droplets simultaneously, which is further controlled by controlling the amount of ionization in air, electrolyte concentration, intensity of electric field etc. Further, the water and electrolyte mixture (11) continuously flow through the electrolysis chamber. Micro and nano sized electrolyzed charged water droplets (8) exit the system to decontaminate air and surfaces.
[0029] The system as illustrated in the figure includes the electrolysis chamber (1), where electrolysis of an electrolyte solution such as common salt (NaCl) in water, is carried out by passing electric current through the solution. The voltage is maintained through a battery or any other power source. Preferably, a DC voltage in the range of 1V-100V (or some other range or value) is used. The current can preferably be 1amp-100amp (or some other range or value). Different types of oxidative species are produced during electrolysis, including hypochlorous acid (HOCl), which is a known antimicrobial agent. The time of electrolysis is determined by volume of the electrolysis chamber (1) and rate of flow of the electrolyte solution (11).
[0030] The electrolyzed water droplets or particles is mixed with ionized air, created from the high voltage generator (10), where pressurized air is created from compressed air chamber or fan (5). The mixing of ionized air and water droplets before or after coming out of the nozzle is also a novel aspect of the present invention.
[0031] The electrolyzed water solution is passed through a pressurized nozzle or simple nozzle or any other exit sub-system (6) maintained at a high voltage by a high voltage generator, where high voltage is determined by the voltage more than 1KV. Electrolyzed or electrostatic water droplets coming out of the exit further breaks down into micro or nano droplets due to Rayleigh effect. These charged droplets are preferably passed through high electric field to accumulate more charge in each droplet. This allows generation of highly charged water droplets of micro and nano-meter sizes. Moreover, these droplets contain electrolyzed superoxides, which make them a very potent antimicrobial agent. The present invention thus, provides a sterilization or decontamination tool that can be used for sanitization.
[0032] The technology disclosed in this invention can be used for different needs and in different embodiments such as indoor spaces, outdoor spaces, on human beings, on cargos, for hand sanitization, etc. to name a few.
[0033] Another aspect of the present invention is to develop an outdoor sanitization system, where a mist generating machine, in combination with the electrical configuration as depicted in the figure, can be used for sanitization of large spaces.
[0034] In another embodiment, the system as per present invention is developed to fit on the fire brigade vehicles. Water spray system in the fire brigade vehicles can be used for creating droplets or mist which can be charged using high voltage.
[0035] In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, a method for decontamination of indoor spaces is disclosed. The indoor decontamination system can be operated manually or automatically to spray electrolyzed charged water droplets inside an indoor space.
[0036] As per another alternate embodiment of present invention, an automated robotic system for decontamination of indoor spaces in combination of ultraviolet light is disclosed, where the UV light can help in photo-ionization, as well as act as a decontamination agent. The robotic system intelligently operates UV light based on the presence of human being in the given area, as direct exposure to UV light can be harmful. This intelligent robot sprays decontaminating water droplets as per requirement and at desired time intervals. Combination with UV light can make this an even more powerful system.
[0037] Another unique aspect of the present invention is to provide a method for hand sanitization, by which a chemical free hand sanitization method based on the electrolyzed or charged/ionized water droplets is achieved.
[0038] Another aspect of the present invention is a method for full body sanitization of human beings. Being a harmful-chemical free method, this invention can be used for creating tunnels, chambers, or any other structures for decontamination of human beings. As per a specific embodiment, a system to spray decontaminating water can be sprayed inside such structure. The spray system can preferably be a mist type or droplet type as required.
[0039] In addition, other non-living things such as vehicles, cargo etc. can also be decontaminated based on the disclosed technology.
[0040] In another aspect, electrolyzed water or charged water or any combination thereof can be used for different sterilization requirements.
[0041] In another aspect of the present invention, a device for decontamination of food materials such as fruits, vegetables, meat etc. can be carried out by the disclosed technology. In such an embodiment, food material can be decontaminated in a small chamber or directly through running water.
[0042] Flying objects such as drones, kites etc. can also be used for spraying charged water droplets. The present invention also teaches decontamination of moving objects such as airplanes, railways, metros, etc.
[0043] While the present invention has been described with reference to one or more preferred aspects, which aspects have been set forth in considerable detail for the purposes of making a complete disclosure of the invention, such aspects are merely exemplary and are not intended to be limiting or represent an exhaustive enumeration of all aspects of the invention. The scope of the invention, therefore, shall be defined solely by the following claims. Further, it will be apparent to those of skill in the art that numerous changes may be made in such details without departing from the principles of the invention.

We Claim:

1.A system for producing a disinfectant, comprising:
i. an electrolysis chamber (1), to electrolyze an electrolyte solution (2);
ii. an ultrasonic-frequency or piezoelectric generator (9), to convert electrolyzed water into water droplets of varied sizes;
iii. an air ionization sub-system (5), to produce ionized air; and
iv. an exit system (6) consisting a high voltage electric field (7), to electro-spray the disinfectant produced,
wherein, the water droplets or disinfectant of varied sizes, ranging from micro-meter to nano-meter, disinfects air spaces as well as solid surfaces.

2. The system for producing a disinfectant as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electrolysis chamber (1) comprises a plurality of electrodes (3) connected with a voltage supply (4).

3. The system for producing a disinfectant as claimed in claim 1, wherein the air ionization sub-system (5) comprises an air circulating device connected with a high voltage generator.

4. A method for producing a disinfectant through the system claimed in claim 1, comprises:
i. electrolyzing water in the electrolysis chamber (1);
ii. converting the water into micro droplets through the piezoelectric ultrasonic generator (9);
iii. ionizing the air in the air ionizing sub-system (5);
iv. mixing the electrolyzed water droplets with the ionized air;
v. inducing uneven charge in the electrolyzed water droplets mixed with ionized air;
vi. electro spraying water droplets in the environment and associated spaces through a high pressure nozzle or any other spray mechanism;
vii. decontaminating the air space as well as solid surfaces using the disinfectant produced.

5. The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the electrolysis of water depends on the volume of the electrolysis chamber (1) and rate of flow of the electrolyte solution (2).
6. The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the electrolyzed water droplets and ionized air are mixed by mixing the stream of water droplets with the stream of ionized air.