Oxidation method and compositions therefor

Abstract

The present invention generally relates to an improved two-part oxidizing system, as well as oxidizing compositions and methods for making and using the same, and in a particular embodiment to a two-part oxidizing system that, when mixed, yields an oxidizing composition. The two-part oxidizing system includes a metal chlorite first part, and an acid second part where the acid is sodium acid sulfate or a derivative thereof.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention generally relates to an improved two-part oxidizing system, as well as oxidizing compositions and methods for making and using the same, and in a particular embodiment to a two-part oxidizing system that, when mixed, yields an oxidizing composition. The two-part oxidizing system includes a metal chlorite first part, and an acid second part where the acid is sodium acid sulfate or a chemical moiety that provides the bisulfate ion in situ. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Many diseases arise from the growth and spread of microorganisms that can affect all aspects of life, from human health, to animal health, to food and water safety, to the safety of the environments we live in. Oxidizers and disinfectants have found wide spread application in all these areas. Hospitals perform rigorous programs to disinfect and sterilize their environments. Consumer homes are replete with disinfectant hand cleaners, sprays, hard surface cleaners, ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0016] Surprisingly, it has been discovered that sodium acid sulfate or a moiety which delivers the bisulfate ion (HSO4−) in solution is just as effective an acid activator as citric acid at forming metastable chlorous acid compositions with many of the same advantages of citric acid but without the disadvantages described above. This is extremely unexpected because sodium acid sulfate is a mineral acid which has been traditionally associated with the rapid formation of chlorine dioxide. First, sodium acid sulfate does not have negative effects on wastewater treatment or the environment. Specifically, sodium acid sulfate is not a sequestrant so it does not negatively react with a metal-containing coagulant. Further, less sodium acid sulfate needs to be used to generate chlorous acid so fewer ions are present in solution to harm the bacteria in a water treatment plant or the biota in the receiving stream. Second, sodium acid sulfate is available as a GRAS (generally recognized as safe), or food additive acid, which means it can be applied directly to a food product as an antimicrobial composition. Third, sodium acid sulfate based AC compositions do not discolor chicken wings to the extent that citric acid based AC compositions do. Fourth, sodium acid sulfate is less sensitive to water hardness ions so less sodium acid sulfate is needed than citric acid if a plant is using hard water. Fifth, the pH of sodium acid sulfate does not level out the way that the pH of the buffering citric acid does, which allows for greater range of control and flexibility over the pH by a formulator. Sixth, sodium acid sulfate is a mineral acid which means that it does not leave behind carbon residues for bacteria to grow on. Finally, sodium acid sulfate is more readily available than citric acid and less expensive.

[0019] In some embodiments, the present invention relates to an environmentally friendly or “green” acidified chlorite composition that the consumptions of fewer water treatment chemicals in the treatment of wastewater and less energy than acidified chlorite compositions formed using an organic acid and forms fewer solids that need to be disposed of. In some embodiments, the present invention relates to an acidified chlorite composition that produces fewer ions in the wastewater than acidified chlorite compositions formed using an organic acid.

[0020] In some embodiments, the present invention relates to an acidified chlorite composition that does not negatively impact the turbidity of the wastewater or the removal of phosphorous from the wastewater as is the case with citric acid based AC compositions.

Problems solved by technology

Disinfectants are widely used on farms where the difference between healthy and sick animals can mean the difference between profitability and loss.

However, organic acids, and citric acid in particular, have several undesirable side effects.

Most of the wastewater treatment costs in food processing facilities are associated with adding coagulants and flocculants to the water.

Citric acid is a sequestrant and interferes with the ability of the coagulant to work effectively because the cations of the coagulant (that is the metal ions) are tied up to the citric acid and is no longer free to neutralize the surface charges of the fats and oils in the water.

More coagulant must be added to neutralize the fats and oils which increases the operation costs of a plant.

The process quality goes down and the manpower needed to make the process work increases which means increased costs for the plant.

More flocculant must be added which also increases the operation costs for the plant.

However, sometimes the solids contain too many metal cations to be used as a feed additive.

However, depositing material in landfills is environmentally undesirable and not all states allow this practice.

In addition to increasing the solids, citric acid usage increases the turbidity of the wastewater.

High turbidity or high solids in the wastewater is undesirable because it creates places for bacteria to grow in the water.

Further high turbidity increases the COD or chemical oxygen demand of the wastewater which is undesirable.

Organics are undesirable because they provide a food for bacteria to grow.

Further, wastewater discharge rules limit the quantity of organics that can be in the effluent wastewater.

Finally, high turbidity or high solids in water is aesthetically undesirable.

Another undesirable side effect of citric acid on wastewater treatment is the diminished removal of phosphorous from the wastewater.

Consequently, the phosphorous must be removed or the plant has to pay to have it be removed or is fined if the phosphorous level is not low enough.

However the citric acid causes the phosphorous to remain in solution in the wastewater, which makes it more difficult to remove during the wastewater treatment process.

With this dilution, the resulting contribution of 100 to 280 ppm of ions may negatively impact the health of the biota in the receiving streams.

In recent years, high energy costs, high water costs, high wastewater disposal costs, high solid waste disposal costs, and high raw material costs have become a reality for plant operators.

Additionally, awareness continues to increase on protecting the environment by recycling instead of depositing materials in landfills, using less water, using less energy, protecting resources, and generally negatively impacting the environment as little as possible.

In addition to negative side effects on wastewater treatment, the use of organic acids, and citric acid in particular, have several other undesirable characteristics.

The result is that significantly more citric acid must be used in order to generate a sufficient amount of chlorous acid which increases costs for the plant.

Also, citric acid has been observed to discolor chicken wings which creates an undesirable product for the consumer.

Finally, because citric acid is an organic acid, it can potentially leave behind carbon residues that bacteria can grow on which is undesirable.

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