Abstract
A method is presented for rapid and uniform sterilization and deodorization of dielectric surfaces. The technology is applicable to the inside surface of PET or glass bottles, polymer caps, plastic tubes, etc. The treatment is based on a pulsed RF discharge in air at atmospheric pressure (eventually with addition of argon) creating a nonequilibrium plasma on the treated surface. The plasma effectively destroys microorganisms in vegetative or sporulent form. It also slightly etches the polymeric material, removing some atomic layers and, thereby, cleaning it from aromatic organic components (deodorization). The process is short: PET bottles 1.5 L, in particular, can be treated in about 20 msec. The results of surface analysis and microbiological, chromatography, and spectroscopy tests are discussed. A device has been developed and integrated into an industrial-filling machine for online sterilization and deodorization of the inside surface of PET bottles before filling, and for sterilization of caps and bottle necks before seaming. It allows cold asceptic filling at a rate of 36,000 bottles per hour.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
REFERENCES
F. Galtier, La Stérilisation, Pharmacopie, Soins et Thérapie. Collection Sous La Direction de A. Dauphin, M. du Forestel, eds., Arnette Blackwell (1996).
W. P. Menashi, U. S. Patent 3.383.163 (1964).
P. Koulik. Dynamical plasma operating (DPO) of solid surfaces. Plasma jets in the development of new materials technology. Proc. Intern. Workshop Frunze, September, 1989.
J. R. Roth, C. Lui, and M. Laroussi, Experimental generation of a steady-state low discharge at atmospheric pressure, IEEE Intern. Conf. Plasma Sci. Tampa, FL, June 1–3, 1992.
P. Koulik. Atmospheric non-equilibrium plasma surface treatment. Proc. 11th Intern. Colloq. Plasma Processes (CIP 97) May 25–29, 1997, p. 145.
G. Genbaïev, A. Enguelsht. Two jet plasmatrons. ILIM, ed., Frunze, USSR (1983).
P. Koulik et al., GB patent no. 2271044 940330 DW9411 H05H-001/50, Publication no. WO9212610 (1992).
P. Koulik et al., GB patent no. 2271124 A940406 DW9412 C23C 004/12, Publication no. WO9212273 (1991).
P. Koulik, S. Begounov, and S. Goloviatinskii, IST SA Patent application PCT/CH96/0046, Publication no. WO97/183/43 (1995).
P. Koulik, S. Begounov, and S. Goloviatinskii, IST SA Patent application PCT/CH98/00196 (1997).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Koulik, P., Begounov, S. & Goloviatinskii, S. Atmospheric Plasma Sterilization and Deodorization of Dielectric Surfaces. Plasma Chemistry and Plasma Processing 19, 311–326 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1021604027855
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1021604027855