Alkali Persulfate Cleaning Solution for Low-Temperature Surface Decontamination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current cleaning and disinfection methods for surfaces in food and pharmaceutical production require high temperatures, leading to high thermal energy costs and inefficiencies, especially when using alkali metal hydroxides or strong oxidizing agents.

Innovation Solution

A method using an aqueous cleaning solution comprising alkali metal hydroxide, persulfate, and organic phosphonate at temperatures between 10°C to 80°C, which maintains effective cleaning and disinfection performance, reducing the need for thermal energy and extending the stability of oxidizing agents.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If high temperatures (above 80°C) are used for cleaning with alkali metal hydroxides or strong oxidizing agents, then cleaning efficiency is improved, but thermal energy costs increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning efficiencyVSAvoidthermal energy costs
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical parameters of the cleaning solution by introducing persulfate and organic phosphonate in specific ratios (0.1-5% persulfate, 0.01-1% organic phosphonate) to enable effective cleaning at lower temperatures (10-80°C), thereby reducing thermal energy costs while maintaining cleaning efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite cleaning solution system combining alkali metal hydroxide, persulfate, and organic phosphonate that work synergistically to achieve effective cleaning at reduced temperatures, where the combination of these components produces a cleaning effect greater than the sum of individual components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Power

If strong oxidizing agents are used at high temperatures, then oxidizing effect is enhanced, but the duration of action is reduced due to faster decomposition

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoxidizing effectVSAvoidduration of oxidizing effect
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention optimizes the concentration parameters of persulfate (0.1-5%) and organic phosphonate (0.01-1%) to achieve a balance between oxidizing power and stability, allowing the oxidizing effect to persist longer at lower temperatures compared to conventional high-temperature treatments

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The organic phosphonate acts as a stabilizing intermediary that protects the persulfate from rapid decomposition, extending the duration of the oxidizing effect while maintaining effective cleaning performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

This method significantly reduces energy costs and extends the duration of the oxidizing effect, allowing for efficient cleaning and disinfection of metallic, ceramic, and glass surfaces at lower temperatures, effectively removing contaminants and inactivating microorganisms.

Implementation Method 1

aqueous cleaning solution comprising at least one alkali metal hydroxide, at least one persulfate and at least one organic phosphonate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOxidation: Oxidation

Implementation Method 2

cleaning solutions based on alkali metal hydroxides

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSaponification:

Implementation Method 3

bringing the surface to be cleaned into contact with an aqueous cleaning solution

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical reaction: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentEP3615647B1Method for cleaning surfaces
Publication Date: 2022.07.27 THONHAUSER
  • EP3615647B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3615647B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3615647B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Method for cleaning and/or disinfecting surfaces, preferably metal, ceramic and/or glass surfaces, which are soiled with fat deposits, protein deposits, carbohydrate deposits and/or burned-on food residue, comprising the step of bringing the surface to be cleaned into contact with an aqueous cleaning solution including at least one alkali hydroxide, at least one persulphate and optionally at least one organic phosphonate at a temperature of 10°C to 80°C. The invention also relates to a kit for cleaning and/or disinfecting surfaces, preferably metal surfaces, comprising: a) a container including at least one alkali hydroxide, b) a container including at least one persulphate and optionally at least one organic phosphonate; and optionally c) a container including at least one alkali salt of permanganic acid, ferric acid and/or chromic acid.