Abstract: A method and control apparatus for the safe and effective ultimate disposal of spent biocidal gases such as alkylene oxides after their use in a reactor, including hopsital-type gaseous sterilizers, to reduce the concentration of viable organisms present as contaminants in articles treated in the reactor. The disposal is carried out in a manner to prevent air contaminating release of objectionable material into the atmosphere. The process includes the steps of pumping the biocidal gas from the reactor, delivering the gas to a combustion chamber fitted with a flue gas stack, and igniting and burning the gas in the combustion chamber in the presence of and aided by an added auxiliary combustible fuel augmented by a supply of air. Safety devices such as temperature controls and sensors, flame sensors, flash arrestors, and automatic shut off valves minimize potential hazards.

Abstract: In the treatment of articles with a sterilant gas such as an alkylene oxide, and the circulation of the gas throughout a treatment chamber containing the articles to be treated, a gas circulating system completely devoid of electrical contacts, switches, electrical motors and other potentially dangerous electrical components which could cause explosive ignition of the sterilant gas. The circulation system includes a fluid-driven turbine-like impeller completely isolated from the sterilant gas, and drivingly coupled to a fan blade which serves to force the gas through conduits and to circulate and recycle the sterilant gas throughout the treatment chamber. In a second embodiment of the invention a magnetically coupled drive is used to actuate the sterilant-circulating fan.