System and method for sterilization of objects

A system for producing Hydrogen Peroxide in situ for sterilization of objects, the system comprising:

• a pumping unit, at a first end of the system, to supply a Hydrogen Peroxide solution of 30-35% concentration at a prespecified pressure and a prespecified rate;
• a vaporizing unit, fluidically connected to the pumping unit, to receive the Hydrogen Peroxide solution and vaporize the pressurized Hydrogen Peroxide solution;
• a vacuum pump fluidically connected at a second end of the system thereby generating a negative vacuum pressure between the vaporizing unit and the vacuum pump,
• a drying unit, fluidically connected between the vaporizing unit and the vacuum pump to perform a dry purging procedure on the vaporized Hydrogen Peroxide solution, the drying unit comprising:
• a fifth inlet connected to the vaporizing unit to receive the vaporized Hydrogen Peroxide solution,
• an inner membrane tube defining a first flow path for the vaporized Hydrogen Peroxide solution,
• an annular purge-gas passage surrounding the inner membrane tube the annular passage having:
• a purge-gas inlet disposed distal to the fifth inlet to receive a dry purge gas, and
• a purge-gas outlet disposed proximal to the fifth inlet to discharge a wet purge gas,
• wherein, at least under the effect of the negative vacuum pressure generated by the vacuum pump, the inner membrane tube is to cause water vapor to diffuse therethrough into the annular passage while vaporized Hydrogen-Peroxide is retained within the inner membrane tube;
• and
• a fifth outlet fluidically connecting the drying unit to the vacuum chamber to output concentrated Hydrogen Peroxide vapors substantially devoid of water vapor from the inner membrane tube;
• and
• a vacuum chamber, fluidically connected between the drying unit and the vacuum pump, to receive the concentrated Hydrogen Peroxide vapors for the sterilization of the objects,
• wherein the vacuum pump is to cause movement of the Hydrogen Peroxide vapors at least from the vaporizing unit to the vacuum chamber, and
• wherein the system further comprises a degasser that removes the dissolved gases from the Hydrogen Peroxide solution by applying vacuum to a semi-permeable membrane, the degasser is fluidically connected between the pumping unit and the vacuum pump such that the Hydrogen Peroxide vapors received at the vacuum chamber are substantially devoid of gases, wherein the Hydrogen Peroxide is generated in situ.