Control of gaseous hydrogen peroxide concentration during sterilization

摘要

On line and essentially continuous measurements of hydrogen peroxide vapor in the presence of water vapor can be made using near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy using fiber optic cables to transmit infrared radiation between, e.g, a sterilization chamber and the NIR instrument. Measurement of hydrogen peroxide concentration in the foregoing manner is incorporated into a control system which automatically adds gaseous hydrogen peroxide to the sterilization chamber when the measured concentration falls below a precalculated value. Such a control system ensures the presence in the sterilization chamber of an adequate concentration of gaseous hydrogen peroxide to effect sterilization throughout the sterilization procedure.