Instant Steam Takes On Antibiotic Resistant 'Superbugs' Like MRSA

Science Daily ^ | 8-1-2007 | Society Of Chemical Industry

[blam]

Source: Society of Chemical Industry
Date: August 1, 2007

Instant Steam Takes On Antibiotic Resistant 'Superbugs' Like MRSA

Science Daily — A method for making instant steam, without the need for electricity, promises to be useful for tackling antibiotic resistant 'superbugs' like MRSA and C. difficile, as well as removing chewing gum from pavements and powering environmentally friendly cars, reports Nina Morgan in Chemistry & Industry, the magazine of the SCI.

'The value of instant steam lies in creating truly portable steam that can be generated intermittently on demand,' says Dave Wardle, business development director at Oxford Catalysts.

The company is already in talks with UK specialist steam supplier OspreyDeepclean about possible applications for steam cleaning hospitals, Wardle adds. An as-yet unpublished 2006 study at University College London Hospital, commissioned by OspreyDeepclean, showed that dry steam applied at temperatures ranging from 150 to 180 C could destroy bacteria, including MRSA and Clostridium difficile, in less than two seconds, without the use of chemicals.

The new technology, devised by scientists at UK firm Oxford Catalysts, employs a precious metal catalyst to generate the steam at temperatures up to 800 C in just a couple of seconds, at room temperature and pressure. Steam produced by the technology is so-called 'dry' steam, generated by the highly exothermic reaction between methanol and hydrogen peroxide. While too expensive to replace the vast quantities of steam used routinely by industry, a reaction chamber the size of a sugar cube can pump steam at a rate of 7L/minute at temperatures up to 800 C.

The first application is likely to be a GumBuster backpack for removing chewing gum from pavements and other surfaces. The patented GumBuster technology currently requires a minimum of 3kW of electrical power to generate the steam used by each operator and relies on generators carried on trolleys or vans. Use of the catalyst technology 'will make the system more portable and make it possible to place the steam when we need it, where we need it,' says Thomas Stuecken, chief commercial officer at Proventec, the parent company of OspreyDeepclean.

Other more speculative applications for the steam for powering rockets and cars, and to provide mobile and portable power generation, are currently being considered.

Note: This story has been adapted from a news release issued by Society of Chemical Industry.

[PeterPrinciple]

I find the gum on the sidewalks disgusting and always said that the person who figures out how to get rid of it will be rich.

I wonder how much a franchise will cost?

[LetsRok]

I had a summer job a King’s Dominion outside of Richmond, VA in 1982. My crew worked the night shift from 6pm - 6am cleaning the park with a firehose for $3.80/hr. The firehose was the best way to blast the gum, soda, food stains from the pavement. Worst way to spend a summer ever.

[Dr. Bogus Pachysandra]

I want a new Stanley Steamer! If they’d had instant steam way back then, the company might still be in business.

[spunkets]

"dry steam applied at temperatures ranging from 150 to 180 C could destroy bacteria, including MRSA and Clostridium difficile, in less than two seconds, without the use of chemicals."

What do they think methanol and peroxide are? Anyway, why don't they just use a torch? It's unlikely a tech is going to "flame" all the surfaces evenly and get a 100% clean. It would be simpler, cheaper and more effective to just use bleach. That's what they should use on the surface infections anyway.

"Other more speculative applications for the steam for powering rockets and cars, and to provide mobile and portable power generation, are currently being considered."

thermal efficiency depends directly on a temp difference. This stuff doesn't burn very hot.

[tanuki]

I remember touring Windsor Castle as a teenager. Any gilded thoughts I had of the monarchy were ruined by the sight of the ancient stone gutters literally caked with old chewing gum. That and the loud punks in the underground pretty much sum up my impression of Old Blighty in the ‘seventies.

[Vroomfondel]

... methanol and hydrogen peroxide ... a reaction chamber the size of a sugar cube can pump steam at a rate of 7L/minute at temperatures up to 800 C...

And a slightly larger reaction chamber can launch a small payload.