Abstract:
A decontamination arrangement is disclosed for use in pharmaceutical applications. The decontamination arrangement includes a space to be decontaminated, which may be an isolation space, and a cleaning device designed for extracting gaseous and/or vaporous decontaminants, in particular hydrogen peroxide, from the air in the space. The cleaning device is configured so that the air in the space circulates through it by means of at least one fan. A method for removing gaseous and/or vaporous decontaminants from a space is also disclosed.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The invention relates in general to decontamination devices and methods, and more particularly to devices and methods for decontamination using decontamination agent vapor. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    An isolator for pharmaceutical applications is known from EP 0604925 B1. This isolator comprises a manipulator space to be decontaminated, above which a “circulating air generator space” comprising a circulating air fan is disposed. The space to be decontaminated is equipped with double-glazed panes, between which a flow duct is formed. This makes it possible for ambient air to be circulated between the manipulator space and the circulating air space using the circulating air fan during the decontamination process. For decontamination, hydrogen peroxide steam is normally used, and is generated by means of a hydrogen peroxide vaporizer. The vaporizer is normally arranged in a line that runs from the space to be decontaminated—so as to aspirate the air enriched with decontaminant steam—and runs back into the space to be decontaminated in a region downstream of the vaporizer so as to release the air enriched with decontaminant into the space to be decontaminated. 
         [0003]    The previously described decontamination device has a fresh air connection, through which conditioned (i.e., dried and heated or cooled) fresh air can be fed so as to blow decontaminant out from the space to be decontaminated once decontamination has been performed. In this way, the device flushes the space. This “flushing” requires a considerable amount of time, which may be from three to ten hours depending on the size of the isolator and the desired (minimum) decontaminant concentration to be achieved, for example of 1 part per million (ppm) or less. The fresh air conditioning devices used in practice comprise a feed air fan (a fresh air fan), which is normally designed so that an air change rate of approximately 150 times per hour can be achieved in the space to be decontaminated and in all spaces in fluid connection thereto. For example, the fresh air fan can feed a volume 150 times the volume of the space per hour. 
         [0004]    Known decontamination arrangements in the exhaust air duct are currently provided with a catalytically acting purification device, which, during the flushing of the space to be decontaminated, removes decontaminant from the air in the space before it is discharged into the ambient surroundings, thus protecting the environment. The purification device consists of a catalyst, which, in turn, consists of MnO 2  balls provided as bulk material. 
         [0005]    One drawback of the known decontamination arrangements is the long flushing time (i.e., purification time) required in order to reduce decontaminant concentration to a desired level in the air drawn from the space to be decontaminated. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    Proceeding from the above-described prior art, an object of the invention is to provide an improved decontamination arrangement, with which it is possible to reduce the decontaminant concentration in the air in the space to be decontaminated, in a shorter period of time than has heretofore been possible. A further object is to provide a decontamination method which can reduce the above-mentioned period of time. In some embodiments, energy consumption is also reduced as compared to prior methods and arrangements. 
         [0007]    In general, this object is achieved in some embodiments where a purification device is arranged so that the air in a space to be decontaminated can be circulated through the purification device using at least one fan. With regard to a general method, the object is achieved by circulating the air in the at least one space to be decontaminated through a purification device using a fan, where the decontaminant is removable from the air in the space by means of the purification device. In some embodiments the decontaminant is catalytically removable. 
         [0008]    Advantageous developments of the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims. All combinations of at least two features disclosed in the description, the claims and/or the figures fall within the scope of the invention. To prevent repetition, features disclosed in accordance with the apparatus are also understood to be disclosed and claimed in accordance with the method. Features disclosed in accordance with the method are likewise to be understood to be disclosed and claimable in accordance with the apparatus. 
         [0009]    In principle, it is possible to minimize the time required to reduce the decontaminant concentration to a desired level by providing an accordingly dimensioned fresh air conditioning device. However, this would be associated with increased installation costs and spatial requirement for the larger installation and also with considerably higher energy costs, since a substantially greater amount of air would have to be conditioned, that is to say dried to the desired humidity and heated or cooled to the desired temperature. To avoid these drawbacks, the invention includes placing a preferably catalytically acting purification device in a decontamination arrangement according to the invention in such a way that, once decontamination is complete, the air in the space to be relieved of the decontaminant present therein is circulated through the purification device by means of a fan. Flushing is thus not carried out with fresh air, or at least not only with fresh air, but with the air from the space to be decontaminated initially still being charged with decontaminant. This air is fed multiple times through the purification device, whereby the decontaminant concentration is reduced each time. A fan is preferably used to circulate the air from the space to be decontaminated and is larger (i.e., more powerful) than the fresh air supply fan so as to reduce the flushing time further. As will be explained in greater detail below, the fan is preferably not a fan that is to be provided in addition, but rather may be a circulating air fan, which, in many cases, is already installed for the space, and which is generally designed in the case of isolator applications in such a way that a constant air flow rate of 0.45 meters/second (m/s) can be achieved with the operation of the isolator. The invention thus reduces the flushing time without requiring a larger fresh air conditioning device, since the circulated air from the space to be decontaminated will already be conditioned. Where necessary, fresh air is additionally fed during the flushing process by a fresh air feed line, which is provided where necessary by circulating the air from the space to be decontaminated through the purification device so as to maintain a specific required static air pressure in the space to be decontaminated, (e.g., in an isolator space), and/or so as to further minimise the flushing time. Where necessary, excess air is released into the ambient surroundings through an exhaust air line provided additionally with a purification device as required. In particular in the case of locks to be decontaminated, it is also possible, during the flushing process, to dispense with a fresh air feed and/or a discharge of air from the space to be decontaminated into the ambient surroundings. 
         [0010]    As previously noted, it is preferable that the purification device is a catalyst or that the purification device comprises a catalyst. If a hydrogen peroxide steam is used as a decontaminant, it has been proven to be preferable to use MnO 2  or palladium as a catalyst, with which the decontaminant can be chemically cleaved. In principle, it is possible, depending on the type of decontaminant used, to use purification devices based on other operating principles. It is essential that the gaseous and/or vaporous decontaminant present in the air in the space to be decontaminated is made safe, that is to say is either cleaved or bonded or converted in such a way that it is safe for the respective, preferably pharmaceutical, application. 
         [0011]    It is particularly expedient, for embodiments in which the decontamination arrangement comprises an “isolator”, if the purification device is arranged in a circulating air generator space is arranged above the actual space to be decontaminated. The circulating air generator space is a fan serving as a circulating air fan, with which an airflow, preferably a laminar airflow, can be generated during normal operation of the space to be decontaminated. In some embodiments, flow is from top to bottom and is at a flow rate of 0.45 m/s. In apparatuses or spaces to be decontaminated which are designed differently, for example in locks for feeding contents to be packaged, pharmaceuticals, etc. to a space to be decontaminated, it is possible to arrange the purification device in a flow duct (e.g., a circulating air duct), in some cases together with the fan, where the flow duct is arranged so that air provided with decontaminant is aspirated from the space to be decontaminated, in particular the lock, and the at least partially purified air can be delivered back into the space to be decontaminated. The flow duct is, in some embodiments, a bypass. In other embodiments the flow duct is a bypass between a fresh air line for feeding fresh air into the space to be decontaminated and an exhaust air line for discharging air from the space to be decontaminated into the ambient surroundings. In preferred embodiments, both the fresh air line and the exhaust air line can each be closed at a point so that the air to be purified can be circulated through the bypass, preferably without the air in the space to be decontaminated escaping through the fresh air line to the fresh air conditioning device and/or through the exhaust air line into the ambient surroundings. 
         [0012]    As previously noted, it is preferred if the fan used to circulate the air to be purified through the purification device is a circulating air fan, which is typically already part of the ventilation system for the space, and which is typically laminar, during operation of the space to be decontaminated. In this way, an additional, separate, fan is not required, thus minimizing installation costs. 
         [0013]    For embodiments in which the decontamination arrangement comprises an isolator, for example biotech or pharmaceutical applications, it is preferable that a high-efficiency particulate air filter, for example a “HEPA filter” or an “ULPA filter,” be arranged downstream of the fan, which may serve as a circulating air fan, in the direction of flow. Thus, arranged, during operation of the apparatus (e.g., the isolator), the circulated air from the space to be decontaminated is purified of any particulate matter which may still be present before flowing into the space to be decontaminated, which may be a manipulator space. It is preferable if the purification device, which in some embodiments may be functioning catalytically, is arranged upstream from the high-efficiency particulate air filter so that decontaminant can diffuse into the high-efficiency particulate air filter from the direction of the space to be decontaminated (from below). In principle, it is possible to arrange the purification device upstream from the fan so that the fan sucks the air from the space to be decontaminated through the purification device. However, it is most preferable that the purification device be arranged between the fan and the high-efficiency particulate air filter, preferably in a flow duct which runs from the circulating air generator space and which runs into the space to be decontaminated or into a region (i.e., an intermediate space) above the space to be decontaminated, and in particular into a region above a membrane (explained below in greater detail) for generating a laminar airflow, in particular directed from top to bottom. It is also preferable that at least one feed line for feeding decontaminant is arranged in such a way that the previously mentioned purification device is bypassed when the decontaminant is fed, so as to prevent freshly fed decontaminant from being eliminated before the decontamination phase is complete. The at least one feed line preferably runs above the membrane so that the fed gaseous and/or vaporous decontaminant is distributed uniformly therethrough and reaches the space to be decontaminated in a uniformly distributed manner. In some preferred embodiments, a plurality of feed lines are provided for feeding decontaminant so as to bypass the purification device. With the invention, should a region between the purification device and the high-efficiency particulate air filter not be sufficiently decontaminated, decontaminant is fed directly into a region between the purification device and the high-efficiency particulate air filter by means of a branch line from at least one feed line. 
         [0014]    It is particularly expedient, in particular for the design of the decontamination arrangement as an isolator, if a membrane, for example a screen printing mesh, is arranged downstream of the high-efficiency particulate air filter. In some embodiments, the membrane is located directly above the space to be decontaminated, which, in some embodiments is a manipulator space. The membrane may convert the airflow generated by the circulating air fan into laminar flow, preferably having a flow rate of approximately 0.45 m/s. It is particularly preferable if the at least one feed line used for feeding the decontaminant ends in a region above the membrane so as to avoid (i.e., bypass) the purification device. 
         [0015]    It is particularly expedient if the decontamination arrangement comprises a feed device for feeding the gaseous and/or vaporous decontaminant. This feed device may comprise means for generating the gaseous and/or vaporous decontaminant, in particular a vaporizer, preferably formed as a flash vaporizer, with which liquid decontaminant can be vaporised to generate decontaminant steam. The feed device preferably runs via a feed line into the space to be decontaminated and/or above a membrane provided for generating laminar airflow. An exhaust air line may also be provided, through which air from the space to be decontaminated can be discharged, for example, into the ambient surroundings. It is particularly expedient, during the conditioning phase, during which the space to be decontaminated is enriched with decontaminant until a desired concentration is reached, if the exhaust air line is opened and decontaminant, in particular vaporous decontaminant, is fed with the aid of compressed air from pressure tanks or pressure cylinders or with the aid of conditioned fresh air. In other words, it is preferable to use compressed air or fresh air decontaminant conditioning, that is to say if air from the space to be decontaminated is not aspirated and enriched, so as to at prevent condensation of decontaminant in the space to be decontaminated. During the conditioning phase, a valve and/or an exhaust air fan in the exhaust air line may be controlled in such a way that a desired air pressure is maintained in the space to be decontaminated. In addition, or as an alternative, the control of the amount of exhaust air, to set a required pressure in the space to be decontaminated, may be carried out during normal operation of the space to be decontaminated. The exhaust air line may be opened during the decontamination phase following the conditioning phase, and decontaminant may be fed at low concentration, where necessary, by means of carrier air. 
         [0016]    In a further embodiment of the invention, the decontamination apparatus advantageously includes a fresh air conditioning device. The fresh air condition device may be used for heating/cooling and, where necessary, drying, ambient air (fresh air), wherein the fresh air conditioning device conveys the fresh air into the space to be decontaminated, preferably via a circulating air generator space. With the invention, it is not necessary to provide an over-dimensioned fresh air conditioning device for actual operation in order to achieve shorter flushing times (decontaminant purification times). The fresh air conditioning device is preferably designed in such a way that, in the space to be decontaminated and in all spaces in direct fluid connection to this space, an air change rate of 160 times or less per hour by means of conditioned air is possible with the disclosed device. The fresh air conditioning device may, in some embodiments, be smaller, so that an air change rate of at most 100 times or at most 50 times or less per hour is possible. 
         [0017]    As mentioned in the introduction, it is known from the prior art to arrange an MnO 2  catalyst in the exhaust air line (that is to say not with circulating air operation) to clean hydrogen peroxide from the air to be discharged into the ambient surroundings. MnO 2  is normally provided as bulk material in a container, through which the exhaust air can flow. A drawback of the bulk material catalyst is that it involves a comparatively high flow resistance, which requires a greater power of the fan so as to ensure the required flow rate of 0.45 m/s during operation. In a development of the invention, to minimise the disadvantageous flow resistance with maximum effective surface area, the catalyst material is advantageously not provided in the form of bulk material, but rather is provided as a coating on a carrier structure. The carrier structure may be coated with MnO 2  or palladium. The carrier structure may have a maximum surface area so as to provide the greatest possible effective catalyst surface in the smallest space possible. It is particularly preferable if the carrier structure is formed from a metal foam, which is open-pored, wherein the metal foam is coated with MnO 2 , in particular electrolytically. In some embodiments, the metal foam is an aluminium foam or a nickel foam. In further embodiments, a manganese sulphate solution is suitable, with the aid of which a manganese dioxide film can be applied electrolytically to the carrier structure, in particular the metal foam surface. The metal foam may consists of 50% nickel, 22% iron, 22% chromium and 6% aluminium. Alternatively, it is conceivable to form the metal foam from 73% iron, 22% chromium and 6% aluminium. To coat the metal foam, the foam may be used as an anode in an electrolyte process, wherein manganese dioxide from a manganese sulphate electrolysis bath is deposited at the anode when a voltage is applied. 
         [0018]    In some embodiments the space to be decontaminated is a biotech or pharmaceutical manipulator space, that is to say a space which can be accessed via gloves, which in particular are connected rigidly to the space. In addition or as an alternative, the space to be decontaminated may be a space for the handling of pharmaceuticals and/or a filling space, comprising a filling device for filling pharmaceuticals. The space to be decontaminated may consist of a combination of a manipulator space and a filling and/or handling space, wherein the filling and/or handling space is arranged below the manipulator space. In some embodiments, a circulating air generator space comprising a circulating air fan is located above the manipulator space. 
         [0019]    It is particularly expedient if the space to be decontaminated has a volume of at least 0.8 dm 3 , preferably of at least 1 m 3  or 5 m 3 , particularly preferably of at least 10 m 3 , even more preferably of at least 20 m 3  or more. It is also conceivable to decontaminate and flush an entire building space using the invention. 
         [0020]    The invention also includes a method for removing (lowering the concentration) of gaseous and/or vaporous decontaminant, in particular of hydrogen peroxide steam, from a space to be decontaminated, in particular by using a decontamination arrangement (e.g., a decontamination apparatus) as previously described. The invention does not involve flushing the space to be decontaminated with fresh air, or not only with fresh air, but rather to circulate the air from the space to be decontaminated charged with decontaminant through a purification device which is designed to remove decontaminant, at least to a large extent, from the air from the space to be decontaminated. In some embodiments, this removal is achieved using a catalytic process. 
         [0021]    In some embodiments, the fan, which may be a circulating air fan for generation of a laminar airflow during operation of the space to be decontaminated, is switched off or remains switched off at least over the majority of a conditioning phase, preferably during the entire conditioning phase, during which the space to be decontaminated is enriched with decontaminant. The same applies during the phase of action, that is to say the actual decontamination phase, during which the decontaminating action of the decontaminant takes hold. Air in the space to be decontaminated enriched with decontaminant is thus actively prevented from being conveyed through the purification device during the aforementioned phases, whereby decontaminant would be removed. 
         [0022]    In one embodiment of the method according to the invention, an exhaust air line is opened during the conditioning phase, at least temporarily, preferably over the majority, preferably during the entire period, and ambient air (fresh air), which is conditioned in particular, and/or compressed air, which is filled in particular or generated by a compressor, is/are used instead of air from the space to be decontaminated to inject gaseous or vaporous decontaminant. It is thus preferable to provide “fresh air conditioning” or “compressed air conditioning” with decontaminant, whereby condensation can be minimized. 
         [0023]    The invention relates to a device for generating decontamination agent vapor, particularly hydrogen peroxide vapor, comprising an evaporator body, a heating unit for heating the evaporator body and a plurality of feed channels for feeding decontamination liquid to be evaporated, which in a preferred embodiment is a liquid containing hydrogen peroxide. The invention preferably relates to a so-called flash vapor generator, also known as a high-speed vapor generator. The invention further relates to a preferably pharmaceutics-based assembly comprising a space to be decontaminated, particularly an isolator and/or a lock, and a device for generating decontamination agent vapor. 
         [0024]    The invention further relates to a decontamination arrangement, in particular for pharmaceutical applications, comprising a space to be decontaminated, sometimes referred to as an isolation space, and a purification device designed to extract gaseous and/or vaporous decontaminants (e.g., particular hydrogen peroxide), from the air in the space. The invention also relates to a method for removing gaseous and/or vaporous decontaminants, in particular hydrogen peroxide steam, from a space to be decontaminated. In one embodiment, this is done by means of a decontamination arrangement designed as described above. In some embodiments, the step of feeding decontaminant into the space to be decontaminated is performed prior to flushing, the method is a combined decontamination/decontaminant removal method. 
         [0025]    Further advantages, features and details of the invention will emerge from the following description of preferred exemplary embodiments, given with reference to the drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0026]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of the basic structure of an exemplary embodiment of a decontamination arrangement according to the invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 2  shows a decontamination arrangement formed as an isolator, comprising a manipulator space as the space to be decontaminated and a circulating air generator space, likewise to be decontaminated, above the manipulator space; and 
           [0028]      FIG. 3  shows a schematic illustration of the basic structure of an alternative decontamination arrangement, comprising a lock, for example, as the space to be decontaminated. 
       
    
    
       [0029]    In the figures, like elements and functionally like elements are denoted by like reference signs. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0030]      FIG. 1  is a schematic block diagram of the structure of an exemplary decontamination arrangement  1  for pharmaceutical applications. This arrangement comprises an isolator  2  having a space  3  to be decontaminated, which in the exemplary embodiment is shown as a manipulation space which is accessible externally by means of gloves by an operator. Where desired, a filling space comprising a filling device for filling pharmaceuticals can be provided beneath the manipulator space. The manipulator space and the filling space form a space unit to be decontaminated (space  3  to be decontaminated). 
         [0031]    A circulating air generator space  4  having a fan  5  serving as a circulating air fan may be located above the space  3  to be decontaminated. This circulating air generator space is designed in such a way that, with the aid of the fan  5 , a uniform airflow  6  having a flow rate of approximately 0.45 m/s can be generated from top to bottom in the space  3  to be decontaminated during normal operation. The fan generates a turbulent flow, which is converted into a laminar flow by means of a membrane (as will be explained in greater detail later), where desired, in combination with a high-efficiency particulate air filter. 
         [0032]    A purification device  7  may arranged downstream of the fan  5  in the direction of flow. The purification device  7  may consist of a carrier housing for a catalyst  8 —an MnO 2  catalyst in the illustrated exemplary embodiment for cleaving hydrogen peroxide steam. The catalyst  8  may be formed by a metal foam coated by means of MnO 2  so that there is low flow resistance when air flows through the catalyst  8  and the catalyst  8  is formed with a small volume. 
         [0033]    A high-efficiency particulate air filter  9 , for example a HEPA filter or a ULPA filter, may be arranged downstream of the purification device  7  in the direction of flow. The airflow generated by the fan reaches an intermediate space  10  after the high-efficiency particulate air filter  9 , where the intermediate space is defined from beneath by a membrane  11 . In some embodiments, the membrane  11  may be made of a screen printing mesh. The membrane  11  may convert the airflow into laminar airflow  6 , which has the aforementioned flow rate of 0.45 m/s during operation. The air thus flows downwardly in the space  3  to be decontaminated, and from there upwardly in the direction of arrows  12  into flow ducts  13 , which are formed between isolator walls  14 , for example formed by glass plates, and inner transparent plates  15 , which may be made of glass, arranged parallel to the isolator walls  14  and spaced at a distance therefrom. The air from the space to be decontaminated conveyed by the fan  5  can thus flow back into the circulating air generator space  4  through these flow ducts  13 , where the air is then aspirated again by means of the fan  5 . The air from the space to be decontaminated is thus circulated through the purification device  7  during operation of the fan  5 . 
         [0034]    So as to use and operate the isolator  2 , more specifically the space to be contaminated, as intended, it must first be decontaminated. To this end, a feed device  16  is provided, with the aid of which gaseous and/or vaporous decontaminant can be fed, in particular mixed with carrier air. The feed device  16  comprises a central supply line  17 , which in the exemplary embodiment shown serves as a distributor line. In the exemplary embodiment, a total of four feed lines  18  exit from the supply line  17  and run into the intermediate space  10  above the membrane  11 , bypassing the purification device  7 . The decontaminant is thus distributed in the intermediate space  10  during the conditioning phase, passes downwardly through the membrane  6  and can then flow upwardly to an exhaust air line  19  in the direction of arrow  12  through the flow ducts  13 . In some embodiments, the exhaust air line is open during the conditioning phase, such that the isolator is enriched with decontaminant. An exhaust air fan  20  can be provided in the exhaust air line  19  and can be used to selectively suck up air from the isolator  2 . The pressure of the air from the space to be decontaminated may be controlled via the exhaust air fan  20  in the exhaust air line  19 . Since air from the space to be decontaminated can escape through the exhaust air line  19 , the decontaminant distributes in the actual space  3  to be decontaminated and also uniformly in the circulating air generator space  4 . Since, during the conditioning phase, air from the space to be decontaminated is discharged through the exhaust air line  19  (using, where desired, the exhaust air fan  20 ), condensation of the decontaminant over the peripheral walls is prevented. 
         [0035]    In the exemplary illustrated embodiment, the feed device  16  comprises a compressed air source  22  for carrier air (e.g., a compressed air cylinder), and a vaporizer  23 , with the aid of which decontaminant, in this case hydrogen peroxide, fed from a storage container  24 , can be vaporised. The vaporizer  23  has corresponding heaters  25 . A preliminary heater  26  is arranged upstream of the vaporizer  23  so as to heat the compressed air (carrier air) suitably. 
         [0036]    In exemplary alternative embodiments, the feed device  16  may be formed as described below and as denoted by reference sign  27 . In this case, the main difference with the prior embodiments is that the feed device  27  has a supply fan  28  for feeding fresh air, as opposed to the feed device  27  of the previous embodiments. This fresh air may be suitably conditioned, that is to say dried and heated/cooled. A fresh air conditioning device (which will be explained in greater detail later) can also be arranged downstream of the vaporizer  23 , either connected directly to the fresh air line or bypassing the fresh air line. A separate conditioning device can thus be omitted. 
         [0037]    Decontaminant may first be fed during a conditioning phase, during which the exhaust air line  19  is opened, irrespectively of the carrier air (compressed air or conditioned fresh air). Following the conditioning phase, once the decontamination phase is complete (i.e., where the desired decontaminant concentration is set or reached), the feed device  16  or  27  is switched off or disconnected, and decontaminant is removed from the space  3  to be decontaminated. To this end, the fan  5 , which was switched off during the conditioning phase and the decontamination phase, is switched on so that the air in the space  3  is circulated through the purification device  7 , thus reducing the decontaminant concentration by the catalytic action of the catalyst  8 . Once the desired minimal concentration is reached, for example 1 ppm, 0.5 ppm, or less, it is possible to switch to normal operation of the space  3  to be decontaminated. 
         [0038]    In  FIG. 1 , a fresh air conditioning device  29  is shown, which, in the illustrated embodiment, is a fresh air fan  30 . The fresh air fan  30  may be configured to facilitate an air change rate of 150 times per hour is possible in the isolator. The fresh air can be cooled by means of a cooling device  31  or heated by means of a heating device  32 . In some embodiments, the air is dried. The fed fresh air flows into the circulating air generator space  4  via a filter  33  formed as a HEPA or ULPA filter. It can be seen that the fresh air line  34 , which leads to the filter  33 , can be shut off by means of a valve  35 . During normal use, fresh air is fed into the system via the fresh air conditioning device  29  so as to compensate for an unavoidable pressure loss during operation, for example due to leakage points in a filling space, which may exist. Leakage points are in particular unavoidable if goods, for example filled pharmaceutical containers, have to be removed, generally continuously, from the space  3  to be decontaminated. The desired pressure in the isolator  1  may be controlled via the exhaust air fan  20  in the exhaust air line  19 . 
         [0039]    It will be appreciated that it is not necessary to feed fresh air via the fresh air line  34  during the flushing phase (the circulating air phase), that is, during purification of the air from the space to be decontaminated. However, the flushing process may be accelerated further by using such a fresh air feed. 
         [0040]    So as to ensure the flow rate of 0.45 m/s, the fan serving as a circulating air fan during operation may be made larger (for example, at least twice as powerful), and in the exemplary embodiment about five times larger (i.e., five times more powerful), than the fresh air fan  30 . Providing a larger fan will provides desirably larger volume flow (e.g., a volume flow which is five times greater) through the purification device  7  as compared to the amount of fresh air which can be fed through the fresh air line  34 . 
         [0041]    In  FIG. 1 , an optional branch line  36  is shown. This branch line connects at least one feed line  18  to a region of the flow duct between the purification device  7  and the high-efficiency particulate air filter  9  to ensure that this intermediate region is also decontaminated sufficiently. 
         [0042]      FIG. 2  shows an exemplary structure of an isolator  2 . The space  3  to be decontaminated may be formed as a manipulation space and may be accessible by hand via openings  37  by means of gloves (not shown) which are fixed on the isolator and seal the openings  37 , as can be seen. Plates  15 , which may be glass plates, are located behind the isolator walls  14  formed of glass. These plates  15  may form flow ducts  13 , through which air can flow from the space to be decontaminated into the circulating air generator space  4  arranged above. A fresh air line  34  runs into this circulating air generator space via a filter  33 . The high-efficiency particulate air filter  9  is located in the circulating air generator space  4 . The purification device  7 , which may include an MnO 2  catalyst) may be arranged above the high-efficiency particulate air filter, but below a fan  5  formed as a circulating air generator fan that aspirates air from the circulating air generator space  4  and can thus circulate it through the purification device  7 . 
         [0043]    In the exemplary embodiment shown, the manipulator space sits on a frame  38 , indicated schematically. It will be appreciated, however, that an upwardly open filling space, in particular containing a filling machine, or another space, may be provided instead of the frame  38 , the space forming part of the space  3  to be decontaminated. 
         [0044]      FIG. 3  shows a schematic illustration of the structure of an alternative decontamination arrangement  1 , which, in the exemplary embodiment shown, comprises a lock  39  as the space  3  to be decontaminated. A fresh air line  34 , which is arranged upstream of a fresh air conditioning device (not shown) runs via a filter  33  (e.g., a HEPA or ULPA filter) into the space  3  to be decontaminated. An exhaust air line  19 , which can be closed by means of a valve  21 , runs from the space  3  to be decontaminated. A valve  35  formed as a shut-off valve is arranged upstream of the filter  33  in the fresh air line  34 . In the direction of flow, the fresh air line  34  is connected downstream of the valve  35  and upstream of the valve  21  via a circulating air line  40  formed as a bypass, in which a fan  5  and a purification device  7 , functioning catalytically in this case, are arranged. The circulating air line  40  can be shut off by a valve  42 ,  41 , both before and after the purification device  7  in the direction of flow. The valves  41 ,  42  are closed during a decontamination phase, and decontaminant is fed, for example, via the fresh air line  34  or a separate feed line (not shown). The valve  21  is open. Where desired, an optional exhaust air fan  20  is additionally operated. After the purification phase following the decontamination phase, at least the valve  21 , and preferably also the valve  35 , is/are closed, and the air from the space  3  to be decontaminated is circulated through the circulating air line  40  and thus through the purification device  7  so as to extract decontaminant from the air over this path. In some embodiments, this decontaminant extraction is performed by chemical cleaving. 
       LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS 
       [0000]    
       
         
           
               1  decontamination arrangement (decontamination apparatus) 
               2  isolator 
               3  space to be decontaminated 
               4  circulating air generator space 
               5  fan 
               6  airflow 
               7  purification device 
               8  catalyst 
               9  high-efficiency particulate air filter 
               10  intermediate space 
               11  membrane 
               12  direction of arrow 
               13  flow ducts 
               14  isolator wall 
               15  plates 
               16  feed device 
               17  supply line 
               18  feed lines 
               19  exhaust air line 
               20  exhaust air fan 
               21  valve 
               22  compressed air source 
               23  vaporizer 
               24  storage container 
               25  heaters 
               26  preliminary heater 
               27  alternative feed device 
               28  supply fan 
               29  fresh air conditioning device 
               30  fresh air fan 
               31  cooling device 
               32  heating device 
               33  filter 
               34  fresh air line 
               35  valve 
               36  optional branch line 
               37  openings 
               38  frame 
               39  lock 
               40  circulating air line 
               41  valve 
               42  valve