Chlorine Dioxide Foam Sanitization for Animal Husbandry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for sanitizing environments in animal husbandry face challenges in effectively combining high expansion foam with disinfection agents to eliminate pathogens without compromising foam quality or animal welfare, particularly in agricultural disease control scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the introduction of a high expansion foam with a foaming agent and a gas, adjunctively combined with a chlorine dioxide composition to sanitize and disinfect spaces and surfaces, ensuring effective pathogen elimination while maintaining foam performance and animal safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If high expansion foam is introduced to stun or kill animals, then animal welfare is improved by avoiding prolonged asphyxiation, but the ability to simultaneously disinfect the space is compromised due to foam quality degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces chlorine dioxide as an intermediary substance that can function in both foam and gas phases. The chlorine dioxide composition is applied either mixed with the foam solution before generation or introduced as a gas into the foam-filled space, allowing it to penetrate and disinfect without degrading the foam structure. This intermediary approach enables simultaneous achievement of animal stunning and space disinfection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite system combining foam (for stunning) and chlorine dioxide (for disinfection). The foam solution may contain chlorine dioxide dissolved or dispersed within it, or the chlorine dioxide is introduced as a separate gas phase that coexists with the foam. This composite approach allows both functions to operate together without mutual interference.
2Reliability
If conventional disinfectants are added to foam, then disinfection capability is improved, but foam stability and quality deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state and concentration parameters of chlorine dioxide to maintain foam stability. By using chlorine dioxide at specific concentrations (effective for disinfection but not excessive), and controlling its introduction method (dissolved in foam solution vs. gas phase), the patent achieves disinfection while preserving foam quality. The parameter optimization allows both functions to coexist.
Solution Approach 2:
Chlorine dioxide acts as an intermediary that can exist in multiple phases (dissolved in liquid foam solution or as gas). This dual-phase capability allows it to provide disinfection functionality without necessarily being incorporated into the foam matrix in a way that would degrade foam stability. The intermediary nature enables flexible application methods that preserve foam quality.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If low levels of active disinfectant are used, then chemical exposure risks are reduced, but pathogen elimination effectiveness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent ensures continuous exposure of pathogens to chlorine dioxide throughout the foam contact period. The foam delivers chlorine dioxide continuously to all surfaces and particles in the space, maintaining effective concentration over the entire contact time. This continuous action allows lower initial concentrations to achieve the same cumulative disinfection effect, reducing chemical exposure risks while maintaining effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the three-dimensional foam structure to distribute chlorine dioxide throughout the entire space volume, not just on surfaces. The foam bubbles penetrate and coat all surfaces, dust particles, and equipment, delivering disinfectant in multiple dimensions simultaneously. This dimensional distribution maximizes the effectiveness of low levels of active agent by ensuring comprehensive coverage.
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 method achieves effective disinfection of pathogens, including viruses, at low active agent levels, ensuring thorough surface coverage and dust particle disinfection, thereby supporting sanitary agricultural procedures and reducing health risks.
Implementation Method 1
a foam comprising a foaming agent and a gas is introduced to the space; the foam is admitted to sufficiently fill the space
Implementation Method 2
a composition comprising an effective amount of chlorine dioxide is introduced adjunctively to the foam; the chlorine dioxide composition is admitted to sufficiently sanitize or disinfect the space and surfaces
Data Source
AI summary
Methods of performing sanitary procedures in a defined space are disclosed that comprise; introducing to said space a foam comprising a foaming agent and a gas; adjunctively to introducing the foam, introducing to said space a composition comprising an effective amount of chlorine dioxide; and admitting the foam to sufficiently fill said space, thereby admitting the chlorine dioxide composition to sufficiently sanitize the space and surfaces of subjects and/or objects present therein. Sanitizer and/or disinfectant products are also disclosed, comprising a foaming agent and an aqueous disinfectant and/or sanitizing composition comprising chlorine dioxide and an effect supporting surfactant system.