Electrochemically Activated Water for Residue-Free Surface Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cleaning systems for hard and soft floors rely on chemical surfactants that leave residues and pose health and environmental concerns, while also requiring the use of detergents that can re-soil surfaces and have adverse effects.
Innovation Solution
The use of electrochemically activated (EA) water, produced by separating an anode and cathode with a membrane that allows selected ion transport, which eliminates the need for chemical surfactants by creating a reactive cleaning solution with enhanced cleaning and sanitizing properties through the generation of meta-stable ions and free radicals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If chemical surfactants are used in cleaning systems, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but residue on surfaces and environmental harm worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces chemical surfactant-based cleaning systems with an electrochemically activated water system. The cleaning mechanism shifts from chemical surface activity to electrochemical reactions that generate reactive species (hydroxyl radicals, hydrogen peroxide, ozone) at the electrode surfaces. This substitution eliminates the need for chemical detergents while maintaining cleaning effectiveness through oxidative degradation of soils and contaminants.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameters of the cleaning liquid from chemically active surfactants to electrochemically active water. By applying electrical potential to water in the presence of electrolytes, the system generates transient reactive species with high oxidation-reduction potential. This parameter change transforms the cleaning mechanism from chemical bonding to electrochemical oxidation, eliminating residue formation while maintaining cleaning power.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If electrochemically activated water is used, then residue-free cleaning is achieved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a multi-functional electrochemical system where a single apparatus performs multiple cleaning tasks. The electrochemically activated water system can clean various surface types (hard floors, soft floors, carpets) and handle different soil types without requiring different chemical formulations. The system integrates water activation, sparging, and cleaning functions into one universal platform, reducing the need for multiple specialized cleaning systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces sparged water as an intermediary medium between the electrochemical activation process and the cleaning action. The sparging process dissolves gases (oxygen, hydrogen peroxide, ozone) generated during electrochemical activation into the water, creating a saturated cleaning solution. This intermediary step enhances the cleaning effectiveness of the electrochemically activated water while allowing control over the reaction products and their delivery to surfaces.
3Reliability
If conventional detergents are used, then cleaning power is maintained, but health and environmental safety worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effects of strong oxidizing agents into beneficial cleaning action. Instead of using pre-formed chemical oxidants that pose health and environmental risks, the system generates reactive oxygen species (hydroxyl radicals, hydrogen peroxide, ozone) in situ through electrochemical reactions. These highly reactive species provide powerful cleaning and sanitizing action but decompose into harmless water and oxygen, eliminating the safety and environmental concerns associated with conventional detergents.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a self-service cleaning system where the cleaning solution is generated on-demand through electrochemical activation of water. The system produces its own reactive cleaning agents through electrochemical reactions at the electrodes, eliminating the need for external chemical detergent supplies. The water is continuously activated and sparged to maintain optimal cleaning properties, and the system can regenerate its cleaning capacity automatically during operation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
EA water effectively cleans and sanitizes surfaces without leaving residues, reducing the need for chemical detergents and minimizing environmental impact, while maintaining effective cleaning power and safety.
Implementation Method 1
electrochemically activated (EA) water, produced by separating an anode and cathode with a membrane that allows selected ion transport
Implementation Method 2
a membrane that permits one-way transport across the membrane of selected ions generated by the cathode or anode
Implementation Method 3
creating a reactive cleaning solution with enhanced cleaning and sanitizing properties through the generation of meta-stable ions and free radicals
Data Source
AI summary
An electrochemically activated fluid is provided, which has an anolyte and a catholyte. For example, a sparged anolyte and a sparged catholyte are provided. In another example, a combined anolyte and catholyte is provided.