Two-Part Chlorine Dioxide Disinfectant With Selective Color Indication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing two-part chlorine dioxide disinfectant systems lack reliable verification methods to ensure effective generation and presence of chlorine dioxide, and are prone to user errors due to unreliable pH changes and the need for laboratory facilities for concentration determination.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of anthocyanin, anthocyanidin, or betanin dyes in the disinfectant system that selectively change color in the presence of chlorine dioxide, allowing visual or opto-electronic verification of its generation and uniform distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a single disinfectant solution is used, then storage and handling are simple, but it cannot provide visual information about disinfectant strength or application adequacy
Solution Approach 1:
The disinfectant system is divided into two separate parts: a colourless disinfectant solution and a colourless indicator solution. This segmentation allows each component to have specialized functions while maintaining simplicity in storage and handling of individual bottles.
Solution Approach 2:
A colour-changing indicator substance acts as an intermediary between the disinfectant and the user. When the indicator solution mixes with the disinfectant solution, the colour change provides visual feedback about disinfectant strength and application adequacy without requiring complex monitoring equipment.
2Loss of information
If colour indicators are added to disinfectant bottles, then visual monitoring is possible, but the bottles become difficult to identify and distinguish
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the disinfectant and indicator into different bottles, both colourless when stored separately. This allows clear identification of bottle contents through transparency while enabling colour development only when the solutions are mixed during application.
Solution Approach 2:
The indicator is prepared separately in its colourless state and only activated when mixed with the disinfectant solution during the application process. This preliminary preparation maintains bottle identifiability while ensuring colour indication occurs at the appropriate time for monitoring.
3Loss of information
If the colourless indicator solution is applied first, then the disinfectant can be monitored, but the indicator may be wasted if not followed by sufficient disinfectant
Solution Approach 1:
The colourless indicator solution is applied to the surface first as a preparatory step, creating a visible layer that will subsequently change colour when the disinfectant is applied. This ensures the indicator is in place before disinfectant application begins.
Solution Approach 2:
The colour change provides immediate feedback about whether sufficient disinfectant has been applied. If the colour change is incomplete or absent, users can immediately recognize insufficient application and apply more disinfectant, preventing waste of the indicator solution.
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
Provides reliable visual and electronic confirmation of chlorine dioxide production, ensuring efficacy and safety by avoiding interference from other disinfectants and temperature variations.
Implementation Method 1
The colour indicator is a water-soluble substance which changes colour in response to the pH of a disinfectant solution
Data Source
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AI summary
A disinfectant system comprises a first part comprising a first reagent in a carrier medium; and a second part which is miscible with the first part and which comprises a second reagent in a carrier medium. The first reagent and the second reagent will react when mixed to provide a chlorine dioxide disinfecting composition. The first part or the second part further comprises an anthocyanin, anthocyanidin or betanin dyestuff, which oxidises in the presence of chlorine dioxide to produce a visible colour change upon mixing of the first reagent with the second reagent, and the colour change does not occur upon exposure of the dyestuff-containing part to a disinfecting composition comprising hydrogen peroxide and/or peracetic acid.