Dynamic disinfection method for a vehicle drinking water tank

Abstract

A method for disinfecting a vehicle drinking water tank is disclosed, wherein the method is designed for dynamic disinfection. By providing a vehicle drinking water tank with a spray diffuser, which is arranged inside the vehicle drinking water tank, the disinfecting liquid can be sprayed over substantially the entire inner surface of the tank. Partial filling of the drinking water tank with a disinfecting liquid starts the disinfection method. The dynamics of the disinfection method are achieved by spraying the disinfecting liquid in such a way that a moved film of disinfecting liquid is formed and wets an inner surface of the drinking water tank. Material transport at the inner wall of the tank is improved and mechanical shear forces act on the biofilm, which is to be removed and/or disinfected, in combination with the biochemical disinfection forces.

1 . A vehicle drinking water tank to be filled with drinking water, wherein the vehicle drinking water tank comprises,
 internally, a surface; and   internally, a spray diffuser for wetting the surface inside the vehicle drinking water tank with a disinfecting liquid.   
     
     
         2 . The vehicle drinking water tank according to  claim 1 , wherein the spray diffuser is arranged in the vehicle drinking water tank in such a way that the liquid is distributed in the vehicle drinking water tank in such a way that substantially the entire surface inside the vehicle drinking water tank is provided with a liquid film, without the vehicle drinking water tank having to be filled completely. 
     
     
         3 . The vehicle drinking water tank according to  claim 1 , wherein the spray diffuser is arranged in a central position within a ceiling of the vehicle drinking water tank. 
     
     
         4 . The vehicle drinking water tank according to  claim 1 , wherein the vehicle drinking water tank comprises a connected line system;
 wherein the vehicle drinking water tank comprises a pump device; and   wherein the line system forms a closed circuit together with the vehicle drinking water tank and the pump device.   
     
     
         5 . The vehicle drinking water tank according to  claim 4 , wherein the vehicle drinking water tank comprises a control unit for controlling the pump device; and
 wherein the control unit is configured in such a way that, in a disinfection mode, the control unit controls the pump device for pumping disinfecting liquid through the closed circuit in such a way that a moved liquid film is created over the surface of the vehicle drinking water tank to be disinfected as a result of disinfecting liquid discharge via the spray diffuser.   
     
     
         6 . The vehicle drinking water tank according to  claim 1 , wherein the vehicle drinking water tank comprises a heating device for increasing or stabilising the temperature of the disinfecting liquid. 
     
     
         7 . The vehicle drinking water tank according to  claim 6 , wherein the heating device is arranged inside the pump device. 
     
     
         8 . The vehicle drinking water tank according to  claim 4 , wherein the pump device is arranged outside the vehicle drinking water tank in a line portion of the line system. 
     
     
         9 . The vehicle drinking water tank according to  claim 4 , wherein the line system extends outside the vehicle drinking water tank from an outlet opening of the vehicle drinking water tank to the spray diffuser. 
     
     
         10 . An aircraft comprising a drinking water tank comprising:
 internally, a surface; and   internally, a spray diffuser for wetting the surface inside the vehicle drinking water tank with a disinfecting liquid.   
     
     
         11 . A dynamic disinfection method for a vehicle drinking water tank, said method comprising:
 providing a vehicle drinking water tank with a spray diffuser inside the vehicle drinking water tank,   partially filling the vehicle drinking water tank with a disinfecting liquid, and   spraying the disinfecting liquid in such a way that a moved film of the disinfecting liquid is formed which wets an inner surface of the vehicle drinking water tank.   
     
     
         12 . The disinfection method according to  claim 11 , further comprising:
 providing a closed circuit between the vehicle drinking water tank and an outer line system, and   connecting a pump device, whereby the disinfecting liquid is pumped through the closed circuit .   
     
     
         13 . The disinfection method according to  claim 11 , further comprising:
 connecting a heating device, whereby the temperature of the disinfecting liquid is changed.   
     
     
         14 . The disinfection method according to  claim 13 , further comprising:
 measuring the temperature of the disinfecting liquid in form of a temperature value,   transmitting the measured temperature value to a control unit, and   controlling the heating device by the control unit on the basis of the measured temperature value.   
     
     
         15 . The disinfection method according to  claim 11 , further comprising:
 checking a minimal reaction time, disconnecting the pump device in the event that the minimal reaction time is reached,   continuing pump operation in the event that the minimal reaction time is not reached,   opening an outlet system, whereby the vehicle drinking water tank is relieved of disinfecting liquid,   closing the outlet system, and filling the vehicle drinking water tank with clean water.