Compositions and Methods for Electrolytic Cleaning of a Material

Abstract

Compositions and methods are provided for electrolytic cleaning of a material. Compositions and methods include electrochemical modification of a carrier fluid tailored for the removal of a target contaminate from the material. Compositions and methods can include booster compounds and modified pH for enhanced cleaning capacity.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]This invention relates to advanced electrolytic cleaning compositions and methods by which pollutants, contaminants and pathogens are removed from surfaces. Embodiments include providing environmentally preferred cleaning and disinfecting materials. The scope of this technology includes the means (instrumentation, methodologies, and formulations) for delivering these materials. Further, the addition of biodegradable, environmentally preferable cleaning booster(s) can be diluted into the charged fluid(s) conveniently at the point of use embodiments herein to replace and / or augment the use of traditional cleaning chemicals. The adoption of this novel approach delivers superior environmental hygiene for personal and public use while having minimal impact on the balance of the natural environment.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Since the dawn of civilization where people have congregated in communal groups there has been a need to maintain personal, public, ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011]Embodiments of the present invention act directly on the electrochemical charge balance between the solid-liquid / solid-solid interface to reversibly alter the electrochemical potential and overcome the technical impediments to efficiently clean a surface. The charged fluids generated, as described herein, directly modify the electrochemical properties of the contaminants to facilitate release of the contaminants and increase cleaning efficiency by controlling and overcoming the electrochemical charge that trapped, fixed, or adsorbed, the contamination in place. Embodiments of the present invention utilize the electrochemical state of a carrier fluid to address variations in bonding potential, and release the fluid and contaminants for improved and or selective cleaning efficiency. Easy manipulation of electronic potentials allows for utility to create a product that can be tailored to remove a wide range of pollutants that are attracted, and adsorbed, by varying electrostatic forces, A properly adjusted charged carrier fluid will remove pollutants and prevent their reattachment (re-adsorption) to the surface being cleaned.

[0015]Embodiments herein include controlling the electric potential of a solution by adjusting current density, total dissolved solids (TDS) and constituents, electrode size and type, membrane type, electric current, voltage, fluid dwell time, or a combination of any of these or other variables. This allows a user to “tailor” a cleaning fluids' electric potential so as to maximize efficiency for use on the task at hand. Embodiments of the present invention also provide predetermined compositions readily available at a filling port, e.g., to refill a squirt bottle with glass cleaner. Other embodiments provide a control at a user interface which can be used to “dial-in” a cleaner, pre diluted within the system, to provide a cleaning material tailored for the task at hand.

[0016]Further, embodiments of the present invention generate powerful oxidizing fluids utilizing a variety of materials. The oxidation strength of the fluid can be modified as needed depending on the application requirement. Traditionally chlorine, or a chlorinated compound, is typically used as a disinfectant due to availability, cost and utility, (has been proven to kill 99% of the organisms and pathogens that cause disease and illness). Chlorine, oxygen, ozone, and even quaternary ammonium compounds are all chemicals used as oxidizers to remediate biological contaminants. These compounds oxidize, or “steal”, electrons from the cell wall of biologic substances thereby making them effective sanitizers. In terms of microbial action, an oxidizer pulls electrons away from the pathogenic cell membrane causing it to become destabilized and leaky. Destroying the integrity of the cell membrane leads to rapid cell death. Oxidizers then continue to oxidize, or “burn” up, the biologic remains leaving simplified organic residues which are no longer pathogenic and harmlessly rinsed away into the waste effluent. For this reason, oxidizers are also effective at killing viral pathogens as well. An effective chlorine oxidizer in a chlorine sanitizer is hypochlorous acid, HOCl. As such, embodiments herein include oxidizing cleaning and / or sanitization fluid having a tailored electric potential.

[0019]Embodiments of the invention also include adjustment and control of the carrier fluid pH, eH, and / or redox potential to improve efficiency of the disinfection process. As the reducing potential of compositions increase, a greater pH of the carrier fluid is required. Conversely, the lower the reducing potential (increased oxidizing potential) used, typically the lower the pH of the carrier fluid required. Using an appropriately charged fluid in conjunction with other components, added to address specific removal requirements, significantly improves contaminant removal efficiency.

[0020]Post injection of various cleaning boosters, surfactants, sequestering agents and / or other compounds to adequately address various aspects of the mechanisms required for cleaning is readily accomplished herein. The addition of cleaning boosters may be required to address and assist capillary penetration where contaminants are entrapped by imbibition of the contaminant into the texture and micro-pores of the surface being cleaned. Boosters may be used to reduce surface tension or increase the wetting phase wettability thus creating a low contact angle at the solid-liquid interface. This allows the wetting phase to penetrate into subsurface capillaries, and deliver the charge from the electrochemically altered fluid to satisfy and release the electrostatic bonding potential of the contaminant.

[0022]Finally, compositions and methods disclosed herein control the electrochemical state of a treated surface without the introduction of expensive, complex, or toxic synthetic chemicals thus reducing overall cost and logistical requirements. By providing compositions and methods herein for cleaning or sanitizing a surface we can create a means or apparatus utilizing compositions and methods to produce safe cleaning and disinfecting materials on site, conveniently at the point of use. Using embodiments of the present invention we can maintain the hygiene of our personal and public environments in a sustainable way without sacrificing the natural balance and health of the global environment. This unique and unexpected approach allows for environmentally friendly cleaning to be conducted safely, utilizing the molecular mechanisms which hold contaminants to the surfaces people come into contact with every day at a lower cost than current conventional methods thus significantly advancing the state-of-the-art.

Problems solved by technology

Early civilizations determined that open sewage and poor personal hygiene lead to horrific pathogenic outbreaks.

Research over time has shown that continually increasing levels of these chemical residues are responsible for a wide variety of environmental problems including toxic and mutagenic effects to local fauna and flora, particularly in aquatic ecosystems.

One problem with this approach is that most of these chemical concentrates are very toxic until they are diluted prior to use.

This certainly is an issue upon accidental personal contact with these compounds as many will cause severe eye, skin, and / or mucous membranes irritation.

Indeed, as the number of concentrates increases in different cleaning tasks there is the ever present danger of cross chemical reactions which not only complicate the task of determining their final fate in the environment but may provide dangerous sources of chemical exposure not previously anticipated.

It has also become abundantly clear that transportation expenses make up an ever increasing portion of the cost for any salable item.

At some point, cost of fuel needed to deliver cleaning chemicals to the point of use will become cost prohibitive.

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