A fill assembly sterilization method and system for a blow/fill/seal machine utilizes a closed loop circulation of sterilant containing gas. A typical sterilant is nitrogen dioxide in humidified air. The closed loop includes a shroud that defines a plenum and encloses the fill system. Optionally, at least one high efficiency particulate absorption (HEPA) filter is provided in the closed loop. Sterility assurance level of 10.sup.6 can be achieved by subjecting the fill system to the sterilizing gas for at least 20 minutes at a temperature in the range of about 18 C. to about 30 C. Preferred sterilant gas is humidified air containing about 10 to about 20 milligrams of nitrogen dioxide per liter.

A fill assembly sterilization method and system for a blow/fill/seal machine utilizes a closed loop circulation of sterilant containing gas. A typical sterilant is nitrogen dioxide in humidified air. The closed loop includes a shroud that defines a plenum and encloses the fill system. Optionally, at least one high efficiency particulate absorption (HEPA) filter is provided in the closed loop. Sterility assurance level of 10.sup.6 can be achieved by subjecting the fill system to the sterilizing gas for at least 20 minutes at a temperature in the range of about 18 C. to about 30 C. Preferred sterilant gas is humidified air containing about 10 to about 20 milligrams of nitrogen dioxide per liter.

A fill assembly sterilization system for a blow/fill/seal machine utilizes a closed loop circulation of sterilant containing gas. A typical sterilant is nitrogen dioxide. The closed loop includes a shroud that defines a plenum and encloses the fill system. Optionally, at least one high efficiency particulate absorption (HEPA) filter is provided in the closed loop. Sterility assurance level of 10.sup.6 can be achieved by subjecting the fill system to the sterilizing gas for at least 20 minutes at a temperature in the range of about 18 C. to about 30 C.

A fill assembly sterilization system for a blow/fill/seal machine utilizes a closed loop circulation of sterilant containing gas. A typical sterilant is nitrogen dioxide. The closed loop includes a shroud that defines a plenum and encloses the fill system. Optionally, at least one high efficiency particulate absorption (HEPA) filter is provided in the closed loop. Sterility assurance level of 10.sup.6 can be achieved by subjecting the fill system to the sterilizing gas for at least 20 minutes at a temperature in the range of about 18 C. to about 30 C.

Described herein is an improved conversion of nitrous oxide (N.sub.2O) present as a by-product in a chemical process to NO.sub.x which can be further converted to a useful compound or material, such as nitric acid.

Described herein is an improved conversion of nitrous oxide (N.sub.2O) present as a by-product in a chemical process to NO.sub.x which can be further converted to a useful compound or material, such as nitric acid.

The invention relates to a method for generating a product gas stream (G), comprising the steps: provision of a process gas stream (P), generation of a reactive gas stream (R) from the process gas stream (P) at reduced pressure, provision of a compressed gas stream (D) and mixing the reactive gas stream (R) with the compressed gas stream (D) with formation of a product gas stream (G).

The invention further relates to an apparatus (1) for generating a product gas stream (G), comprising a discharge chamber (2), a compressed gas line (12), a reactive gas line (11), which is realized separately from the compressed gas line (12), a product gas line (13) and a mixing chamber (3), which can be brought into flow connection with the compressed gas line (12) and the reactive gas line (11) in such a way, in that, in the mixing chamber (3), the compressed gas stream (D) can be mixed with the reactive gas stream (R) to form a product gas stream (G), wherein the mixing chamber (3) can be brought into flow connection with the product gas line (13) in such a way that the product gas stream (13) can be discharged from the apparatus (1) by means of the product gas line (13).

The invention relates to a method for generating a product gas stream (G), comprising the steps: provision of a process gas stream (P), generation of a reactive gas stream (R) from the process gas stream (P) at reduced pressure, provision of a compressed gas stream (D) and mixing the reactive gas stream (R) with the compressed gas stream (D) with formation of a product gas stream (G).

The invention further relates to an apparatus (1) for generating a product gas stream (G), comprising a discharge chamber (2), a compressed gas line (12), a reactive gas line (11), which is realized separately from the compressed gas line (12), a product gas line (13) and a mixing chamber (3), which can be brought into flow connection with the compressed gas line (12) and the reactive gas line (11) in such a way, in that, in the mixing chamber (3), the compressed gas stream (D) can be mixed with the reactive gas stream (R) to form a product gas stream (G), wherein the mixing chamber (3) can be brought into flow connection with the product gas line (13) in such a way that the product gas stream (13) can be discharged from the apparatus (1) by means of the product gas line (13).

A sterilant source for use in a portable sterilant system includes a gas-impermeable vial, a frangible ampule containing a first sterilant gas precursor material, disposed within the gas-impermeable vial, a second sterilant gas precursor material, disposed within the gas-impermeable vial and outside the ampule. The first and second sterilant gas precursor materials are selected to be mutually reactive to generate a sterilant gas. The system further includes an activation mechanism, actuatable to break the frangible ampule to release the first sterilant gas precursor material to allow it to react with the second sterilant gas precursor material to generate the sterilant gas.

A sterilant source for use in a portable sterilant system includes a gas-impermeable vial, a frangible ampule containing a first sterilant gas precursor material, disposed within the gas-impermeable vial, a second sterilant gas precursor material, disposed within the gas-impermeable vial and outside the ampule. The first and second sterilant gas precursor materials are selected to be mutually reactive to generate a sterilant gas. The system further includes an activation mechanism, actuatable to break the frangible ampule to release the first sterilant gas precursor material to allow it to react with the second sterilant gas precursor material to generate the sterilant gas.