Apparatus for disposal of spent sterilant or biocidal gases

A biocidal gas disposal system for the withdrawal of biocidal gas from a reactor vessel after treatment of articles held temporarily in the reactor vessel to reduce concentrations of viable organisms present in said articles as contaminants thereof,

• said system including pump means connected to the reactor vessel, said pump means having gas input port means and gas exhaust port means for withdrawal and discharge of biocidal gas from the reactor vessel,
• combustion chamber means for receiving biocidal gas withdrawn from the reactor vessel,
• burner means within said combustion chamber means for combustion of biocidal gas delivered thereto,
• sensor means for sensing the presence and absence of a flame within said combustion changer means, and means responsive to sensing of absence of a flame within said combustion chamber means to effect closure of said valve means thereby to prevent further input to and build up of biocidal gas concentrations in said combustion chamber means,
• gas conduit means connecting the reactor vessel to said burner means in said combustion chamber means,
• flame arrestor means interposed in said conduit means between the reactor vessel and said combustion chamber means to prevent flash-back from said combustion chamber means,
• valve means connected into said gas conduit means for regulating and controlling the rate of withdrawal of biocidal gas from the reactor vessel and delivery to said burner means,
• pressure sensor means for sensing gas pressure within the reactor vessel, and valve control means operatively coupled to said pressure sensor means and to said valve means to regulate operational modes of said valve means as a function of biocidal gas pressure sensed in a reactor vessel,
• air input means for delivery of combustion-supporting air into said combustion chamber means,
• said air input means including a ring channel encircling said combustion chamber means and having air discharge ports annularly disposed therewithin,
• means including pipe means and valve means for introducing a combustible auxiliary gas into said combustion chamber means for burning together with said biocidal gas to promote and to enhance the combustion thereof,
• control means responsive to a drop in pressure of the axuiliary gas below a predetermined lower limit to cut off said burner means, to switch off said pump means and said air fan means, and to shut down said gas recovery and disposal system, and
• flue gas stack means in gas flow communication with and surmounting said combustion chamber means, said flue gas stack means including a discharge opening for venting of combustion products to ambient atmosphere.