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

[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.

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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