"NeelBhasmi", developed at RRCAT, Indore, is an Ultraviolet C (UVC) radiation based mobile system intended for remotely sterilizing the air as well as the surfaces of various objects inside a room at research centers, hospitals, doctors' offices, or any other places of work. It is equipped with eight lamps which emit UVC radiation that kills bacteria and viruses by destroying the molecular bonds that hold their DNA (or RNA) together. The device is capable of sterilizing surfaces kept within one meter distance from the tower in about 5 minutes. For sterilizing a room with a floor area of 10 square meter it will take about 45 minutes.
Disclaimer:
The efficacy of NeelBhasmi in inactivating SARS-Cov-2 (the virus responsible for COVID-19) with the use of UV-C radiation is not yet established. In fact, there is no published report worldwide, as on date, on quantitative dose requirement of UV-C to deactivate SARS-CoV-2. However, efficacy of UV-C light in causing high level of inactivation (~99.9%) of other coronaviruses including two of the near-relatives of SARS-CoV-2, namely, MERSCoV and SARS-CoV-1 is well established. It is pertinent to mention here that the International Ultraviolet Association (IUVA) also conforms to this view and advocates the use of UV-C for inactivating SARS-CoV-2#.
#This is also supported by the recent observation of the researchers at Columbia University, USA (http://www.mta.info/press-release/mta-headquarters/mta-launches-first-ever-pilot-uvc-proven-kill-covid-19)
After the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, ultraviolet (UV) light disinfection method has drawn significant attention because of its well-known efficacy against a broad range of microbial and viral agents found in a variety of environments. The short-wavelength part (typically, 200 to 280 nanometers) of the ultraviolet spectrum, termed germicidal UV or UV-C, has been proved to be the most effective at disinfection.
The high energy UV-C radiation is strongly absorbed by the genetic material (DNA or RNA bases) of the microorganisms damaging their molecular structure (via a process called photo-dimerization) and thereby, destroying their ability to replicate and thus infect. A vast body of literature demonstrates the efficacy of UV-C light in causing high level of inactivation (~99.9%) of various corona viruses including two of the near-relatives of SARS-CoV-2, namely, MERSCoV and SARS-CoV-1.
Thus, justifiably, it is widely believed that disinfection using UVC radiation, at an appropriate dose, can play a major role in reducing the transmission of SARS-CoV-2, thereby mitigating the risk of acquiring an infection in contact with the virus
Highlights of NeelBhasmi:
The product designed at RRCAT, Indore is an UVC light based mobile sterilization device, termed "NeelBhasmi" which uses single wavelength (254 nm) UVC radiation generated by low-pressure mercury lamps. The device utilizes commercially available off-the-shelf UVC lamps and electronic control circuits. The device offers multiple degrees of freedom of the UVC light sources and thus provides very efficient utilization of the UVC radiation for sanitization purpose. It has a movable trolley base mounted with 4 wheels. It operates from a 230 V mains supply and consumes a maximum of 300 W of electrical power. The device is intended for inactivate various micro-organisms including corona viruses the air as well as the surfaces of various objects inside a room at rooms, laboratories, hospitals, doctors' offices, or many other places of work. The device has the facility of remote on-off control as well as auto-switch-off in case of unsafe conditions. It uses eight numbers of tubular UV lamps each rated for 13 W UVC radiation at 254 nm. The device is capable of sterilizing surfaces kept within one meter distance from its lamps in about 5 minutes. For sterilizing a typical room with a floor area of 10 m2 it will take about 45 minutes.
Following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, ultraviolet (UV) radiation based disinfection method has drawn significant attention because of its well-known efficacy against a broad range of microbial and viral agents found in a variety of environments. The short-wavelength part (typically, 200 to 280 nanometers) of the ultraviolet spectrum, termed germicidal UV or UV-C, has been found to be the most effective at disinfection.
The high energy UV-C radiation is strongly absorbed by the genetic material (DNA or RNA bases) of the microorganisms damaging their molecular structure (via a process called photo-dimerization) and thereby, destroying their ability to replicate and thus infect. A vast body of literature demonstrates the efficacy of UV-C light in causing high level of inactivation (~99.9%) of various coronaviruses including two of the near-relatives of SARS-CoV-2, namely, MERSCoV and SARS-CoV-1. Thus, justifiably, it is widely believed that disinfection using UV-C radiation, at an appropriate dose, can play a major role in reducing the transmission of SARS-CoV-2, thereby mitigating the risk of acquiring an infection in contact with the virus.
The developed device is intended for decontaminating the air as well as the surfaces of various objects inside a room at research centers, hospitals, offices, or many other places of work. It uses eight numbers of 30 W UV-C lamps. The system is capable of sterilizing surfaces kept within one meter distance from the tower in about 5 minutes. For sterilizing a room with a floor area of 10 square meter it will take about 45 minutes.
Sr. No. | Specification | Value |
---|---|---|
1 | Principle of working | UV-C radiation exposure |
2 | No. of UV-C lamps | 8 (Philips TUV (Xtra) 30 W or equivalent) |
3 | Electrical power of lamp | 30 W (per lamp) |
4 | UV-C Output | (Watts/Lamp) 13 W typical and 104 W (Total) |
5 | Wavelength | 254 nm |
6 | Number of arms | 4 (with 2 lamps on each of the arms) |
7 | Arm Length | 685 mm |
8 | Adjustable Height of the lamps | 1220 mm at the lowest position to 2440 mm at the highest position |
9 | Arm rotation | 360 degree |
10 | Illumination angle | 30 – 145 degree (adjustable) |
11 | No of Wheels: 4, Lockable Wheels: 2 | |
12 | Weight | ~ 40 kg |
13 | Remote Control | RF remote Connectivity up to 10 m ( typical) |
14 | Switch | Independent on-off control for lamps on each arm |
15 | Timer setting | 0 – 60 min (adjustable) |
16 | Safety | Auto switch off based on motion sensing |
17 | Motion sensor | Passive infrared sensor with a range of up to 10 m and sensing angle of 180 degree |
18 | Power Supply | 230 V AC , 50 Hz |
19 | Total power consumption | 300 W (max) |
Typical Exposure time requirements
The following table provides the required time of UV-C exposure for inactivating SARS-CoV-2
Sr. No. | Distance of the surface from the lamp (cm) | Required exposure time |
---|---|---|
1 | 30 | 30 s |
2 | 50 | 55 s |
3 | 100 | 4.5 min |
4 | 120 | 6.5 min |
5 | 150 | 30 s |
6 | 200 | 20 min # |
# Area effectively covered in horizontal surface by a horizontal lamp will be more than 15 square meter. |
The exposure times have been calculated considering one UVC lamp (13 W UVC output) in operation and assuming the required irradiation dose (for inactivating SARS CoV-2) ~1.5 times higher than the mean dose reported* for inactivating various other coronaviruses known as on date.
(*Fluence (UV Dose) Required to Achieve Incremental Log Inactivation of Bacteria, Protozoa, Viruses and Algae Revised, updated and expanded by Adel Haji Malayeri1, Madjid Mohseni, Bill Cairns2 and James R. Bolton)
NeelBhasmi can be effectively used for decontamination of rooms/ office spaces to inactivate various micro-organisms including corona viruses and this is achieved by enough exposure of UV-C radiation.
Warning: UV-C radiation is dangerous for human and other mammals. Follow detailed instructions provided in the operating manual.Special features of NeelBhasmi
User guidelines
Facility and Manpower Requirement for production of NeelBhasmi
Special Note for technology transferee
The basic product design can be easily adapted for specific application requirements like, NeelBhasmi with one arm can be developed where there is no need of 4 arms or where maximum vertical arm movement is less than 2440 mm or the design concept can be adapted to provide 360 degree UV-C radiation in different physical formats (e.g. chamber) for the stated application, that is inactivation of various micro-organisms including corona viruses. Various such models with minor variations can be easily fabricated by the transferee. However considering reliable and safe operation of the product the transferee should get the model type approved from RRCAT, Indore. As per standard terms and conditions of technology transfer, RRCAT, Indore will provide necessary handholding support at the discretion of competent authority at RRCAT, Indore for a period of one year after technology transfer.