Decontamination and detoxification UVC device

The present invention relates to facilities to emit UV radiation-rich flashes, to decontaminate or detoxificr of the surfaces, for example the skin of foods such as fruits or vegetables. The operation of detoxification aims to significantly reduce some mycotoxins such as Patulin. Patulin is a molecule toxic result of the metabolism of some present molds on fruits and vegetables.

Radiation UV, and in particular UVC (180-280nm), presents a strong biocide action towards potentially pathogens or undesirable agents such as bacteria, viruses, fungi or yeasts,... or toxic agents such as Patulin.

11 has thus proposed to use sources of UV radiation at base of lamp flashes.

To be effective, the flashes must convey an important energy, which is a problem of evacuation of the generated calories and outfit of the materials used.

In addition, flashes lights can in some situations do not emit enough, for example due to an accidental short-circuit that makes the electric arc is created outside or partially in the lamp. radiation may also be inappropriate, because of the aging of the lamp which tends to cloud the quartz of the envelope. Currently, the extent of the current generated towards the lamp allows to ensure that flash has been issued or that the required dose of UVC has been produced.

H is also a need to ensure the traceability of UV emission, so notably to ensure that treatment of decontamination or detoxification has been completed.

The invention is designed especially to meet this need and further production of UV radiation facilities.

It does this according to a first of its rich in UV, in particular UVC radiation aspects thanks to a device of decontamination by emission of light flashes, with:

-a flash lamp,

-a reflector, including arranged behind the flash lamp, to return the light emitted by the lamp to an output window,

-a UV detector to measure the UV radiation emitted by the lamp.

The presence of the UV sensor allows to know the level of UV radiation actually emitted. So, you can firstly check that the flash has been produced, and on the other hand to ensure that production of UV level is expected.

The reflector can make a hole and the UV detector can be placed behind this hole. This allows to completely integrate the UV detector in the installation and to associate a UV detector with each flash lamp used. UV detection can be done as close to the lamp and thus provide a reliable picture of the emitted radiation.

The diameter of the hole is preferably less than or equal to 5 mm, better is between 0.75 and 1, 25mm, being for example of 1 mm.

A large part of industrial applications require a seal of the optical head. In this case, the output window can have a transparent glass UV, preferably synthetic quartz, and Assembly by gluing preferably at its periphery to a support frame. Surveillance of the breaking of the glass becomes a major security feature in large number of food applications.

Preferably, the glass is coated on its periphery of a first s metallic track ' extending along at least one great side of the glass.

This first track can extend according to a loop open, the ends of which are located in preference to the level of a small side of the glass. The metallic track can be connected electrically to a detector of electrical continuity, and be used to detect a possible hairline fracture of the glass. Indeed, such a crack will interrupt the electrical conduction of the track, which can be detected by the sensor of electrical continuity. To ensure this conductive track breaking, its thickness is still better than Ι ηι, preferably less than 1 ΟΟμηι, better less than 1 Ομπι, the metal track can be covered on its outer side of an electrical insulation, including silica, which may have been deposited under vacuum. This reduces the risk of disruption to the reading of the conductivity of the track. Preferably, the track turned on the side of the flash lamp.

A second runway, without constraint of thickness, may be filed on the glass on the outer side. It can be superimposed on a joint of glue ensuring Assembly of the glass and the frame. This second track can create screen towards the incident UV radiation to protect the joint of glue. This avoids a premature aging of the seal under the action of the UVC.

A solution is to bring together in the same track two functions, from monitoring of breakage of the glass and other part of the sealing protection against UV RAYS emitted by the lamp. The track must be thin enough to ensure the break in the case of a breaking glass, and have really preferenti a metal thickness of at least lOOnm to block UV radiation to it, and preferably be positioned on the side of the joint.

The support frame can be assembled on a box containing the reflector, with interposition of a gasket.

The UV sensor is preferably worn by an eCard arranged above the reflector.

The device may include a radiator of the reflector support, with gorges formed between fins and in which are received circulation of coolant tubes, including water.

The tubes are preferably retained by pliers inserted between the fins. It is advantageous to not stick or hard fix the radiator tubes to allow a slight shift, and good positioning if necessary, these relatively to the radiator.

The reflector is preferably set on the body of the heater with interposition of a thermal conductive foil. This allows to distribute the heat from the lamp on the length of the radiator.

The tubes can be inserted at their ends in collectors with seals, preferably from the o-rings, s ' applying on the tubes.

Collectors can also receive the ends of the flash lamp.

The flash lamp can be received in an envelope in quartz, engaged in the collectors.

Preferably, the device has a control circuit memorizing a history of emission of UV of the flashes from the radiation detected by UV detector.

The invention has still object, according to another of its aspects, independently or in combination with the above, a production of UV device, including:

a flash lamp,

-a window through which the flashes are emitted, the glass with a conductive track forming an open loop connected to an electronic circuit to detect a breaking glass by rupture of the electrical continuity of the said track.

The invention has still object, according to another of its aspects, independently or in combination with the above, a production of UV device, including:

a flash lamp,

-a window through which the flashes are emitted, the glass being stuck by a joint of glue to a support frame, the glass with a metal track overlapping the sealing and protecting it from the emitted UV radiation at its periphery by the lamp.

The invention has still object, according to another of its aspects, independently or in combination with the above, a production of UV device, including:

-a flash lamp,

-a reflector to bounce light emitted by the flash to an output window,

-the reflector support radiator, the radiator with a body with fins and between tubes in which circulate a liquid cooling, the tubes being struck hard against the body of the heater preferably by tongs and received freely at their ends in collectors, with interposition of an o-ring between the tube and the collector at its ends.

All additional features presented on the occasion of the description of the first aspect of the invention also apply to these other aspects.

The invention's object, according to another of its aspects, using a device according to the invention to destroy pathogens or undesirable agents, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi or yeasts, or the destruction of toxic agents such as Patulin. We can thus exposing food UV radiation, including of fruits or vegetables, before such processing them to make a puree or compote.

Food can be moved by being driven in rotation, under installation.

The dose of UV radiation emitted by the corresponding lamp, using the above UV detector measured advantageously with every flash. Preferably, it stores information related to the show UV for each flash as well as the number of executed flashes.

You can change the energy sent in the lamp according to the radiation emitted by the lamp, measured previously, in order to compensate for the variation of the characteristics of emission based on the aging of the lamp.

The electrical continuity of the aforementioned track can Berlin could be measured, preferably before and/or after each flash, in order to detect the State of the window.

Preferably, in order to obtain a reduction of toxin by at least a factor of 2, preferably at least 10, better than 100, we shall ensure that:

• you train in rotation on 360 °, at a minimum, the object to be treated, in order to treat the entire surface of this object. the frequency of the flashes is such that during the minimum rotation of 360 ° of the object to treat, we have at least 1 flash every 180 ° or better a minimum flash every 120 °, or

• at a distance of 10cm, the optical head delivers a fluence (or energy density) in joules/cm2 between 1 and 3, or

• at a distance of 10cm, the optical head delivers power density range from 2kW/cm2 to 15kW/cm2, and/or

· the flash of light emitted is rich in UVC, which is present a spectral distribution such as at least 20% of the energy lies between 200nm and 315nm

The invention is thus still a process of destruction of pathogens present on the surface of objects such as fruit or vegetables, including destruction of Patulin, with the steps of:

train in rotation to 360 °, at a minimum, the objects to process, submit the surface of objects thus drawn to the rich light in (JVC emitted by a or several lamps flashes, the energy density of the flashes is such that the surface of the objects is exposed to an energy of at least 1 J/cm2, at a density of power density of at least)

2 kW/cm2, and that at least 20% of the energy received is between 200 and 315nm.

To train the rotating objects, we can bring the objects under the windows of light emission through a conveyor with rollers moving with objects and on which they are based, being driven in rotation at least rolls when they pass under such windows. In particular, the rollers can come in contact with a band of friction that causes them to roll on it. Alternatively, the rollers are toothed wheels that come into a commitment with a chain or belt notched extending below the windows to show solidarity. Treated objects can be apples. Surface that causes the rotation of the rollers may be static, in which case, it's the speed of the rollers that adjusts their speed of rotation, or mobile, which allows to precisely control the speed of rotation of the rollers.

The flashes can cause the generation of ozone inside the speakers with the lamps.

Generated ozone can degrade certain materials in contact. For example, the reflector, when aluminium, can oxidize and produce alumina, in the form of a fine powder that is deposited on the glass and obscures the light gradually.

Advantageously, each speaker is available an oxygen absorber that allows to purge air from the oxygen and reduce the formation of ozone.

Thus installed in the enclosure, preferably in an area not directly exposed in the light of the flash lamp, a container, for example in the form of bag, containing a substance capable of reacting with the oxygen in the air to remove it from the enclosure.

The substance is a sufficient to transform all the oxygen present initially in the volume of the speaker, and to maintain a reduced rate of oxygen in the enclosure during sought, given the small leaks that may exist.

At each maintenance operation, the substance is renewed.

The substance is for example in form of powder, conditioned in sachets. The substance can be iron, particularly of iron carbonate, which reacts according to the reaction 4 FeCQ3 + 6 ¾0 + 02→ 4 Fe (OH)3 + 4 C02.

The advantage of such a substance is also to absorb moisture from the air, and generate the C02 which avoids a depression of the speaker layout.

It is also possible to add a specific moisture, such as silica gel absorber.

We can use a non-ferrous oxygen absorber, such as an ascorbate or sodium bicarbonate.

The bags containing the substance oxygen absorber can be arranged in a metal basket perforated, in contact with the substance contained in the enclosure.

The invention can be better understood to read the detailed description will follow, open-ended, examples of implementation and review of the attached drawing, which:

-1 shows, schematic and partial way, in prospect, an installation of treatment according to the invention.

-figure 2 represents isolation, in perspective, an optical block figure 1 installation,

-3 shows in cut longitudinal, partial and schematic, the optical block of figure 2,

-figure 4 is a cross-cutting, partial and schematic, the optical block, cut

-figure 5 isolation represents the closing of the optical plate,

-figure 6 shows a detail of mounting the cover plate on the housing of the optical block,

-figure 7 represents the closing plate top view.

-figure 8 is a longitudinal cutting according to VDI-VIII of figure 7,

-figures 9 and 10 represent details of realization of the reflector, and

-figures 11 and 12 illustrate two examples of conveyors that can be used in a schematic way.

Shown partially in figure 1 a 10 decontamination facility according to the invention, with a 1 1 chassis on which are attached one or more optical blocks 20, number two in the example shown.

Food or other products to decontaminate are moved under the optical blocks 20, using any conveyor adapted. Alternatively, installation is arranged to emit UV radiation to a surface decontaminate, that is for example the floor or the wall of a room.

Installation 10 includes a power supply, not shown, to electrically each optical block 20.

Installation 10 includes also the means of cooling by circulation of a liquid, preferably water.

The optical blocks 20 advantageously each, as shown in figure 2, an elongated shape according to a longitudinal axis X, and can include each case 30 fitted at the front of a handful of 31 facilitating the development on and removal of the chassis 11.

Referring to figure 3, we see that each optical block 20 contains a lamp flash 21, preferably straight axis X, whose ends are received in 22 collectors.

The lamp 21 runs inside an envelope in the form of quartz sleeve 23, which defines a space where can circulate coolant around the lamp.

As can be seen particularly in figure 4, block 20 contains a 40 radiator in which are fixed 41 tubes, driven also by coolant. This 40 radiator supports, on the side of the lamp, reflector 1 10.

1 10 reflector can be formed of a sheet aluminum polished on its face turned to the 21 lamp, and coated on the face with a layer of quartz which protects it from oxidation. The polishing of the reflector can be made electrolytically.

A sheet 115 a high thermal conductivity material, preferably a film loaded ceramic, thermal conductivity superior or equal to 2W/m., is interposed between the reflector 1 10 and 40 radiator.

41 tubes are received in gorges 42 formed between 43 40 radiator fins, and the bottom of semicircular section is adapted to their diameter.

Preferably, maintaining the 41 in the 40 radiator tubes is carried out without glue, which facilitates mounting and maintenance.

In particular, the lack of glue allows larger tolerances of mounting at the level of insertion of the tubes 41 in 22 collectors.

A thermally conductive paste is preferably arranged in the gorges

42, to improve thermal conduction between the tubes of 41 and 40 radiator.

41 tubes are received, as shown in figure 10, at their ends in 22 collectors, which ensure the interconnections required for their coolant supply. 150 rings may apply to and effect on the 41 tubes.

41 tubes can be kept in the corresponding grooves 42 by pliers 45 based on the 43 fins. These 45 tongs can be put in place after the installation of the 41 tubes in 22 collectors.

In operation, coolant circulates in parallel in 41 tubes and the 23 envelope.

The 30 case is closed by a closing plate 50 inferiorly.

This last includes a window 52 and a support frame 53 in opaque material, such as metal. The 52 glass is preferably in synthetic quartz, and between 1, 5 and 5mm, 2mm, for example.

The 53 framework defines a window delimited by a thin ledge 55, on which the 52 glass is fixed using an adhesive 56.

A gasket 60 can, as shown in figure 6, be received in a throat 61 30 case and apply the framework 53 at its periphery.

In order to protect the adhesive of the UV radiation emitted by the flash lamp, the 52 glass door a first 70 metal track which forms screen to this radiation. The first 70 track is located on the face of the 52 glass facing the outside. The metal of the first track is preferably aluminum and made at least 100 nm in thickness, preferably. The first track has a width that is large enough to fully protect the adhesive, for example a few mm wide, particularly between 4 and 6 mm wide, and extends on all the edge of the glass. The 56 adhesive stretches between the first track 70 and 55 edge.

The 52 glass door also, in the example shown, a second metal track which forms a loop opened on the periphery of the inner face, turned toward the flash lamp.

Contacts 80 can be welded on the second track 76. Preferably, it is coated, with the exception of the welding of the contacts area, a layer of electrical insulation, such as silica, in order to avoid that dirt or other contact with metal that would come to cover the second track distort the measurement of conductivity.

The second track 76 for example is less broad than the first, and done for example 4.5 mm wide.

In this example, the first and second tracks are located on faces opposite the glass 52, but in a Variant both tracks can be located on the same side if the first is isolated electrically from the second.

In case of fracture of the glass 52, conduction of the second track 76 between 80 contacts suspended, which can be detected electrically by a suitable electronic circuit.

It is possible to interrupt the emission of flashes and point out the anomaly.

The optical block 20 has a detector 100 UV radiation, mounted on a PCB 101, fixed relatively to the 40 radiator.

The 100 detector receives the radiation emitted by the lamp 21 through a 105 crossing the 40 radiator and 1 10 reflector. 105 hole made for example 1 mm in diameter.

The distance between the entrance of the hole 105 side lamp 21 and 100 detector, for example between 1, 5 and 2.5 cm.

The 100 detector allows to know the amount of UVC issued with every flash and check that the optical block 20 issues of the desired dose.

The 100 detector is preferably made of a photodiode preferably in (Al) GaN (Aluminium-Gallium-Nitride) for a significant gain in the UVC band.

10 installation can include an electronic circuit which acts on the power of the lamp 21 settings to compensate for the wear of the. For example, when the lamp tends to darken, you can increase the intensity of the current in order to emit more UV radiation.

Installation can be arranged to save the quantity of UVC issued with every flash, so as to enable the detection of a failure and allow traceability of the performed decontamination.

The installation can be a cleaning system of the 52, on the outer side glass, by projection of water under pressure.

The invention is not limited to the example that has been described. In particular, we can change the shape of the reflector or the radiator without getting out of the framework of the present invention.

The invention advantageously applies to treatment of fruits or vegetables, and especially of apples, in order for example to eliminate Patulin or any other mycotoxincs present on their surface.

Installation according to the invention comprises advantageously means to address all of the surface of fruits or vegetables, making perform these at least one rotation on themselves during their passage under the treatment heads that emit UVC-rich flashes.

One represented in figure I I a first example of such a facility. It includes a 200 conveyor that runs in a closed loop and pass the treatment heads 20, for example three. Products to treat are deposited in 201 upstream of the treatment on the conveyor 200 heads, and are recovered downstream from them, 202.

The conveyor 200 has 210 rolls that rely on the products.

A friction band 215 extends to the level of the heads of treatment so that a little upstream and downstream of these and 210 rolls come in contact. The friction Strip 215 brings 210 rolls to turn on themselves at the level of the treatment heads, resulting in products in rotation. The diameter of the rollers is chosen so that products will conduct at least one rotation on themselves during their passage under the treatment heads 20, receiving several rich UVC flashes, which together significantly their entire surface.

In the example shown in figure 11, the 215 friction band is fixed. You can also substitute a belt driven rotating in the opposite direction of progression of the conveyor 200 so as to cause products to treat at the desired speed, adapted to the treatment to be used.

In the variant of figure 12, 210 rolls are supportive of each gear 230 and a chain or timing belt 225 comes in contact with each sprocket 230 under the treatment heads 20 to lead the roll 210 corresponding to the desired rotation speed. Preferably, this chain or timing belt moves in the opposite direction of the 210 rollers, which allows to increase the relative speed between the two.

Advantageously, as previously noted, an oxygen absorber is located in the enclosure containing the lamp.

The expression ' with a ' must be understood as being synonymous with "comprising at least one", unless the contrary is specified.
CLAIMS

1 device (10) decontamination and detoxification by emission of UV, in particular UVC radiation-rich light flashes, with:

-a lamp flash (21),

-a reflector (1 10), preferably located at the back of the flash lamp, to return the light emitted by the lamp to an output window,

-a UV detector (100) to measure the UV radiation emitted by the lamp (21).

2 device according to claim 1, the reflector (110) with a hole

(105) and the UV detector being placed behind this hole.

3 device according to claim 2, the diameter of the orifice (105) being less than or equal to 5 mm, better being between 0.75 and 1.25 mm.

4 device according to one any of claims 1 to 3, the output window with a window (52) assembled at its periphery to a support frame (53) and coated on its periphery of at least a metal track (70 s;76) ' extending along at least one great side of the glass) (52)

5. apparatus according to claim 4, with a track (76) s ' extending according to an open loop whose ends are preferably at the level of a small side of the glass (52), this metallic lead (76) being electrically connected to a detector of electrical continuity.

6 device according to claim 4 or 5, with a lead (70) overlapping a glue joint (56) ensuring Assembly of the glass (52) and the support frame (53), this track (70) screen towards the incident to protect this UV radiation forming joint of glue (56).

7 device according to one any claims 4 to 6, the glass with its periphery a track on the one hand having a function of protection against UV radiation, a glue (56), ensuring gasket Assembly of the glass (52) and the framework for support (53), and other hand a detection function of a hairline fracture of the glass being in the form of open-loop and in being connected electrically to a detector of electrical continuity.

8. According to one feature any of claims 4 to 7, the support frame (53) being assembled on a case (30) containing the reflector, with interposition of a gasket (60).

9 device according to one of claims 1 to 8, the UV detector (100) being carried by an eCard (101) located above the reflector.

10 device according to one any of claims 1 to 9, with a radiator reflector (110) support (40), with gorges formed between fins (43) and in which are received (41) tubes of coolant circulation.

1-1. Device according to claim 10, tubes (41) being held by clips (45) inserted between the fins (43).

12 device according to one any of claims 1 to 11, with a control circuit memorizing a history of strobes UV emission from the radiation detected by the UV detector (100).

13 device according to one any of claims 1 to 12, the reflector

(1 10) being attached to the radiator (40) with interposition of a conductive foil 115 of conductivity thermal superior or equal to 2W/m.K.

14. device according to claim 13, tubes (41) being inserted at their ends in collectors (22) equipped with gaskets, preferably from the o-rings (150), applying on the tubes (41).

15 device according to claim 14, the collectors (22) also receiving the ends of the lamp flash (21).

16 device scion claims 14 or 15, the lamp flash (21) being received in an envelope in quartz (23) engaged in collectors (22).

17. use of device (10) according to one u any of claims 1 to 16 to destroy pathogens or undesirable agents, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi or yeasts.

18. use of a device according to claim 17, in which exposed to radiation UV of foods, including fruits or vegetables.

19. use of a device according to one of the claims 17 or 18, in which we measure the dose of UV radiation emitted by the lamp (21), using the UV detector with every flash (100).

20. use of a device according to one any of claims 17 to

19, in which it stores information related to the issuance of each flash UV.

21. use of a device according to one any of claims 17 to

20, in which we change the energy sent in the lamp (21) depending on the radiation emitted by the lamp, measured previously, in order to compensate for the variation characteristics of emission based on the aging of the lamp.

22. use of a device according to one any of claims 17 to

21, including a connection to claim 4, the electrical continuity of the track (76) being measured before and/or after each flash.

23. production of UV device, including:

a flash lamp,

-a window through which the flashes are emitted, the glass with a conductive track (76) forming an open loop connected to an electronic circuit to detect a breaking glass by rupture of the electrical continuity of the said track.

24. production of UV device, including:

a flash lamp,

-a window through which the flashes are emitted, the glass being stuck by a joint of glue to a support frame, the glass to its periphery a track metal (70) overlapping the sealing and protecting it from the emitted UV radiation by the lamp.

25 production of UV device, including;

-a flash lamp,

-a reflector to bounce light emitted by the flash to an output window,

-the reflector support radiator, the radiator with a body with fins and between tubes in which circulate a liquid cooling, the tubes being struck hard against the body of the radiator and receipts freely at their ends in collectors, with interposition of an o-ring between the tube and the collector at its ends.

26 device according to any preceding claim, the flash lamp being contained in an enclosure, and the latter containing a substance absorbing oxygen from the air in the enclosure.

27. device according to claim 26, the substance with a ferrous compound, preferably iron carbonate.

28 device claims 26 or 27, being powdery substance.

29 device according to one of the claims 26-28, the substance being conditioned in sachets.

30 method for destruction of pathogens present on the surface of objects such as fruits or vegetables, including destruction of Patulin, including the steps of:

-train more 360 ° rotation the objects to process,

-submit the objects thus trained to a light rich in UV emitted by a surface or several lamps flashes, the energy density of the flashes being such as the surface of the objects being exposed to an energy density of at least U/cm2, to at least 2 J power density W / cm2, and at least 20% of the energy received is between 200 and 315nm.

31. process according to claim 30, resting objects on a conveyor with rollers moving with the objects being driven in rotation at least rolls when they pass under the light emission windows, rollers coming in contact with a band of friction that causes them to roll on it or being supportive of gear wheels coming to commitment with a timing belt or a string s ' extending under the windows to show.