Aluminium Ion Mediator Enhances Peracid Biocidal Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for preventing microbial growth in process waters, such as those used in the pulp and paper, metal, and food industries, face inefficiencies with peracetic acid alone, requiring additional biocides and potentially causing corrosive effects or pH imbalances, and lack cost-effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
The method involves adding aluminium ions to process water at a concentration of at least 0.05 ppm, in combination with peracids like performic acid, to enhance biocidal performance and reduce the need for peracids, thereby improving microbial killing efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If peracetic acid is used alone as biocide, then cost is reduced, but efficiency is reduced in the long run due to selection of microbes producing higher amounts of extracellular material
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces aluminium ions as an intermediary substance that mediates between peracetic acid and microbial cells. The aluminium ions form complexes with extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) produced by microbes, preventing these substances from protecting the microbes against peracetic acid. This allows peracetic acid to penetrate and kill microbes effectively even when they produce high amounts of protective extracellular material, thus maintaining biocidal efficiency without increasing peracetic acid dosage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite biocidal system combining peracetic acid with aluminium ions. This composite approach leverages the oxidative power of peracetic acid together with the EPS-binding capability of aluminium ions, resulting in a synergistic effect where the combination is more effective than either substance alone, particularly against microbes producing protective extracellular materials.
2Reliability
If peracetic acid is used together with non-oxidizing biocide, then biocidal activity is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameter of the biocide system by introducing aluminium ions that alter the interaction mechanism between the biocide and microbes. Instead of using a complex mixture of multiple biocides, the aluminium ions modify the existing peracetic acid system's parameters by binding to EPS, thereby enhancing peracetic acid's effectiveness without requiring additional biocide components or complexifying the treatment system.
3Reliability
If high doses of performic acid are used to kill microbes, then killing effect is improved, but pH is lowered causing corrosive effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces aluminium ions as an intermediary that binds to extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) produced by microbes. This binding prevents EPS from protecting microbes against peracetic acid penetration, thereby enhancing the biocidal effectiveness of lower doses of performic acid. By using aluminium ions as a mediator, the system achieves improved microbial killing without requiring high doses of performic acid that would lower pH and cause corrosion.
4Reliability
If peracids are used to prevent microbial growth, then biocidal performance is achieved, but cost efficiency is reduced due to high peracid consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces aluminium ions as an intermediary substance that binds to extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) produced by microbes, preventing these substances from protecting microbes against peracetic acid. This intermediary action enhances the penetration and killing effectiveness of peracetic acid, allowing lower dosages to achieve the same biocidal performance, thereby improving cost efficiency while maintaining reliable biocidal action.
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 approach significantly increases the efficacy of peracids, allowing for reduced peracid usage, improved killing of freely swimming microbes, and environmental acceptability without corrosive effects, while maintaining process water quality.
Implementation Method 1
the efficiency of peracids and in particular performic acid can be improved by adding aluminium ions
Implementation Method 2
the biocidal performance of said peracid or a mixture of peracids in the process water is thereby improved
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for the prevention of microbial growth in process waters. The method comprises adding aluminium ions into process water prior to or with the addition of a peracid or a mixture of peracids to maintain soluble aluminium concentration in the process water on the level of at least 0.05 ppm. The addition of aluminium ions enhances the biocidal performance of peracid or a mixture of peracids in the process water.