The aim of the research project was a process for disinfecting and deodorizing textile floor coverings based on plasma-activated water vapor.

For this purpose, a suitable process control, i.e., suitable process and plasma parameters, were developed. Furthermore, a functional model of a DBD brush vacuum cleaner (DBD: dielectric barrier discharge) was designed and built, which features innovative plasma technology.

The main components of the functional model are a standard brush-type vacuum cleaner equipped with DBD nozzles and an evaporator for generating the water vapor. The generated plasma-activated water vapor achieved disinfection and deodorization of the treated floor coverings with contact times of 60 s. As before, dirt is removed by brush vacuuming in the same operation.

The new process can be used for daily maintenance cleaning of textile floor coverings, i.e. both for full-surface disinfection, deodorization and soil removal, as well as for stain removal or cleaning and disinfection of local, potentially infectious soiling.

The project results will provide mainly small and medium-sized cleaning service providers with a highly innovative cleaning process for disinfecting and deodorizing textile floor coverings as part of daily maintenance cleaning without the need for additional chemicals.

Since only very small amounts of water are introduced into the textile floor coverings during disinfection and deodorization, they can be cleaned gently and walked on again immediately. The resulting opportunity to expand their market share will enable cleaning service providers to significant improvement of their economic situation.

The research report is available on request from FRT.