US 12,246,101 B2
System for fluid sterilization
Michael Papadopoulos, Seal Beach, CA (US); Christian Papadopoulos, Seal Beach, CA (US); Mark Papadopoulos, Seal Beach, CA (US); and James Ray Lewis, Pasadena, CA (US)
Filed by Michael Papadopoulos, Seal Beach, CA (US)
Filed on Dec. 16, 2019, as Appl. No. 16/716,462.
Application 16/716,462 is a continuation of application No. 15/950,980, filed on Apr. 11, 2018, granted, now 10,512,701, issued on Dec. 4, 2019.
Application 15/950,980 is a continuation in part of application No. 15/664,868, filed on Jul. 31, 2017, granted, now 10,213,517, issued on Feb. 26, 2019.
Application 15/664,868 is a continuation of application No. 15/249,097, filed on Aug. 26, 2016, granted, now 9,757,485, issued on Sep. 12, 2017.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/211,576, filed on Aug. 28, 2015.
Prior Publication US 2021/0308291 A1, Oct. 7, 2021
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. A61L 2/04 (2006.01); A61L 2/24 (2006.01); B01D 1/00 (2006.01); B01D 1/02 (2006.01); B01D 3/06 (2006.01); B01D 3/42 (2006.01); C02F 1/00 (2023.01); C02F 1/02 (2023.01); C02F 1/06 (2023.01); C02F 103/00 (2006.01)
CPC A61L 2/04 (2013.01) [A61L 2/24 (2013.01); B01D 1/0017 (2013.01); B01D 1/0082 (2013.01); B01D 1/02 (2013.01); B01D 3/06 (2013.01); B01D 3/42 (2013.01); C02F 1/008 (2013.01); C02F 1/02 (2013.01); C02F 1/06 (2013.01); A61L 2202/14 (2013.01); C02F 2103/008 (2013.01); C02F 2201/005 (2013.01); C02F 2209/02 (2013.01); C02F 2209/03 (2013.01); C02F 2301/066 (2013.01); C02F 2303/04 (2013.01); Y02W 10/37 (2015.05)] 14 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system for fluid sterilization, comprising:
an inlet for operative connection to a fluid source to provide fluid along a flow path for sterilization by the system;
a heating section in fluid communication with the inlet along the flow path, the heating section is coupled to a source of heat, the heating section heats pressurized fluid therein above prescribed thresholds for temperature, pressure, and dwell time to achieve a desired level of sterilization;
a heat exchanger having a first path and a second path in thermal communication therebetween
the first path receives fluid traveling from the inlet and outputs the fluid towards the heating section to preheat fluid prior to entering the heating section with heat from the second path, and
the second path positioned to receive fluid downstream of the heating section to cool outflow of the heating section via thermal transfer to the first path; and
a plurality of valves disposed along the flow path, including a first valve positioned downstream of the inlet and upstream of the first path of the heat exchanger, a second valve positioned downstream of the first path of the heat exchanger and upstream of the heating section, and a third valve disposed along the flow path configured for proportional control of fluid flow therethrough;
a plurality of sensors disposed along the flow path, including (a) a temperature sensor positioned on the flow path downstream of the heating section and upstream of the second path of the heat exchanger, and (b) a pressure sensor; and
a digital controller in operative communication with the plurality of sensors to receive measurements therefrom and in operative control of at least the third valve to control flow through the system to ensure prescribed pressure and temperature profiles across prescribed ranges for pressure and temperature to achieve the desired level of sterilization without need of maintaining a fixed temperature or a fixed pressure within any portion of the system, including the heating section.