Calcium Hypochlorite Composition with Transient Color Indicator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Calcium hypochlorite treatments in recreational water systems lack visual feedback for end-users to confirm effective dispersion, as calcium hypochlorite is colorless when dissolved in water, making it difficult to ascertain biocidal activity.
Innovation Solution
A water treatment composition containing calcium hypochlorite and an oxidizable pigment or dye, which provides a transient color when dissolved, serving as a visual cue for biocidal activity, and is coated with a water-soluble material to prevent premature bleaching, with the composition being free of surfactants to avoid foaming.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If calcium hypochlorite is used as a treatment for recreational water systems, then biocidal activity is provided, but visual feedback for confirming effective dispersion is lacking because calcium hypochlorite is colorless when dissolved in water
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color changes by incorporating an oxidizable dye into the calcium hypochlorite composition. The dye remains intact during storage but oxidizes and changes color when contacted by water, providing visual feedback that the composition has been effectively dispersed and is providing biocidal activity. This resolves the contradiction by adding visual information without compromising the biocidal function.
2Loss of information
If a transient color indicator is added to provide visual feedback, then visual signal of biocidal activity is provided, but premature bleaching may occur before the composition is administered to the water
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by coating the oxidizable dye particles with a water-soluble material before administration. This coating protects the dye from premature oxidation and bleaching during storage and handling. When the composition is administered to water, the coating dissolves first, allowing the dye to then oxidize and provide the visual signal. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining color stability until the moment of use.
3Productivity
If surfactants are added to the composition, then dispersion efficacy may be improved, but foaming of the recreational water occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the taking out principle by removing surfactants from the composition formulation. Instead of using surfactants to improve dispersion, the patent relies on the natural dissolution properties of the water-soluble coating material and the mechanical action of water circulation to disperse the composition. This resolves the contradiction by eliminating the harmful foaming effect while maintaining adequate dispersion efficacy through alternative mechanisms.
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 transient color indicator provides a visual signal of biocidal activity, ensuring effective dispersion of calcium hypochlorite, allowing end-users to confirm treatment efficacy without altering the water's hue, and preventing foaming in recreational water systems.
Implementation Method 1
The other chamber contains a dye solution bleachable via oxidation from a colored state to a colorless state
Implementation Method 2
The oxidizable pigment and/or the oxidizable dye particles may be provided with a water soluble coating
Data Source
AI summary
A water treatment composition for treating a body of water is provided that provides visual feedback to the end-user of the effectiveness of the composition. The composition contains a majority of calcium hypochlorite particles; and an effective amount of colored particles containing an oxidizable pigment oxidizable dye and a water soluble material. The colored particles release the oxidizable dye to the body of the water to provide a transient color to the recreational water during dissolution of the composition in the body of water, the transient color providing a visual cue to the end-user signaling of the biocidal activity of the composition. Also provided is a method of applying the water treatment composition to recreational water.