Non-oxidizing buffered membrane disinfectant
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional disinfectants for filtration membranes are often oxidizing and can damage membrane materials, limiting their use and reducing membrane lifespan, while existing cleaning compositions for hard surfaces are not compatible with membrane filtration applications, necessitating a need for a non-oxidizing disinfectant solution that extends membrane life and prevents microbial growth.
Innovation Solution
A non-oxidizing, buffered disinfectant solution comprising an aqueous solvent, hydrotrope, strong acid surface cleanser, biocidal active, and buffer agent, with optional anionic surfactant, configured to maintain a pH greater than 1.8, which is specifically designed for use in membrane disinfection processes without causing chemical degradation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If oxidizing-based disinfectants are used to disinfect membranes, then microbial growth is effectively prevented, but the membrane material is damaged and lifespan is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the disinfectant by using non-oxidizing biocidal agents instead of oxidizing agents. This parameter change allows effective disinfection while preventing oxidative damage to the membrane material, thus extending membrane lifespan while maintaining disinfection effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive, long-lasting but damaging oxidizing disinfectants with cheaper, non-oxidizing biocidal agents that work effectively for their intended purpose without causing long-term damage. The focus shifts from using durable but harmful agents to using agents that achieve the disinfection goal without compromising membrane integrity
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional cleaning agents are used to clean membranes, then fouling is removed, but chemical degradation occurs and operating life is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical parameters of cleaning agents by adjusting pH levels and using non-oxidizing formulations. This allows effective removal of fouling while preventing chemical degradation of the membrane material, thus extending operating life while maintaining cleaning effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces buffer agents as intermediaries that moderate the chemical environment during cleaning. These buffers prevent extreme pH conditions that would cause membrane degradation while still allowing effective cleaning of fouling, thus protecting membrane operating life
3Reliability
If acidic sanitizing compositions are used to sanitize membranes, then microbial contamination is prevented, but the membrane material is damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pH parameter from highly acidic to a more moderate range using buffer agents. This parameter change maintains sanitization effectiveness by preventing microbial growth while avoiding the membrane damage caused by extreme acidity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potentially harmful effect of strong acidity into a beneficial moderate pH environment. By using buffer agents, the system achieves effective sanitization without the harmful side effects of acid damage, turning a harmful approach into a beneficial one
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
The solution effectively disinfects membranes without damaging them, extends membrane lifespan, and meets regulatory requirements by preventing microbial growth and biofilm formation, while being compatible with membrane materials and processes.
Implementation Method 1
a biocidal active, preferably, at least two biocidal actives
Implementation Method 2
a buffer agent, wherein the solution has a pH greater than about 1.8
Data Source
AI summary
A non-oxidizing, buffered disinfectant concentrate is provided to be included in a solution used to disinfect a membrane. The solution applied to the membrane is configured to have a pH that is compatible with the membrane. The disinfectant concentrate includes an aqueous solvent; a hydrotrope; a strong acid surface cleanser; a biocidal active, preferably, at least two biocidal actives; a buffer agent; and, optionally, an anionic surfactant. The biodical active may be selected to function both as a biocide and as a weak acid/buffer combination. A disinfectant solution applied to the membrane includes from about 0.1 wt % to about 3.5 wt % of this disinfectant concentrate.