Catholyte Anolyte Sonication Produce Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for de-soiling and disinfecting produce, such as using chlorine, pose toxic concerns and are not effective for soft surfaces like fruits and vegetables, and existing electrolysis methods can damage these surfaces due to low pH acidic solutions and inefficient salt conversion rates.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the use of catholyte solutions produced by water electrolysis, combined with sonication, to de-soil and anolyte solutions to disinfect produce, optimizing pH levels and using laminar flow electrolytic cells for effective de-soiling and disinfection without toxic chemicals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If chlorine is used to sanitize produce, then sanitation capability is improved, but toxic concerns and safety issues worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the sanitizing solution by using electrolyzed water to generate hypochlorous acid (HOCl) in situ, replacing traditional chlorine gas or hypochlorite solutions. This parameter change maintains effective sanitation capability while eliminating toxic gas handling and reducing harmful byproducts, as the electrolyzed solution decomposes into harmless water and oxygen.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces electrolyzed water as an intermediary substance that converts electrical energy into chemical energy (hypochlorous acid) for sanitation. This intermediary approach avoids direct use of toxic chlorine gas while achieving the same sanitization effect through a safer electrochemical conversion process.
2Reliability
If electrolyzed acidic solutions are used to disinfect produce, then sanitation capability is improved, but damage to soft surfaces worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the pH parameter of the electrolyzed solution by controlling electrolysis conditions (salt concentration, current density, electrolysis time) to generate hypochlorous acid at near-neutral pH. This parameter optimization maintains sanitation capability while preventing damage to soft produce surfaces, as extreme pH values are avoided.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses controlled electrolysis to generate only the necessary amount of hypochlorous acid for sanitation without excessive acidification. By limiting the electrolysis duration and controlling current density, the solution achieves effective sanitation (partial action sufficient for disinfection) while avoiding the excessive acidity that would damage produce surfaces.
3Stability of the object's composition
If turbulent flow is used in electrolytic cells, then mixing is improved, but salt conversion rate worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic flow conditions within the electrolytic cell, using controlled agitation or flow patterns that optimize both mixing and conversion. The system dynamically adjusts flow rates and agitation levels to maintain optimal conditions for salt conversion while ensuring adequate mixing of the electrolyte solution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic agitation or pulsing of the electrolyte solution through the electrolytic cell. This periodic action enhances mixing efficiency at certain phases while allowing stable conversion conditions during other phases, optimizing both mixing and salt conversion rate through time-varying flow patterns.
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 enhances de-soiling and disinfection capabilities, reducing bacterial and pathogenic loads on produce while being safe for soft surfaces and environmentally friendly, with the catholyte solution providing a 19% increase in de-soiling and anolyte solution achieving a 1 log unit reduction in microbial load.
Implementation Method 1
de-soiling meat and hide products by saponifying the meat or hide with electrolyzed alkaline water
Implementation Method 2
The electrochemistry of water was described centuries ago in the work of Sir Humphrey Davey, and in the 1837 publication of Michael Faraday entitled 'The Laws of Electrolysis'
Implementation Method 3
The anode produces a product known as anolyte, which has been shown to have strong sanitizing qualities
Implementation Method 4
chlorine is added to water as a gas to produce hypochlorite which is the active sanitizing agent
Implementation Method 5
treating the produce with a catholyte solution to yield a catholyte treated produce; sonicating the catholyte treated produce
Implementation Method 6
treating the produce with a catholyte solution to yield a catholyte treated produce; sonicating the catholyte treated produce
Data Source
AI summary
A method for de-soiling and disinfecting produce, the method including: treating the produce with a catholyte solution to yield a catholyte treated produce; sonicating the catholyte treated produce to yield a sonicated produce; and treating the sonicated produce with an anolyte solution.