Chlorine Dioxide Mixture Stability via Segmented Porous Carriers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing compositions for producing chlorine dioxide gas are not stable during storage and are affected by varying humidity levels, leading to inconsistent production when used.

Innovation Solution

A mixture comprising a chlorine dioxide precursor impregnated in a porous carrier, combined with a proton-generating species, and optionally a water-retaining substance, enclosed in a humidity-activated sachet, which maintains stability and consistent production over time and across different humidity conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If existing compositions for producing chlorine dioxide gas are stored, then they are exposed to varying humidity levels, but their stability deteriorates and production becomes inconsistent

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability during storageVSAvoidcomposition stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The composition is divided into separate components: a chlorine dioxide precursor (sodium chlorite) impregnated on an inert support material, and a proton source (organic acid) impregnated on a separate inert support material. These components are physically separated and only mix upon activation, preventing premature reactions and maintaining stability during storage while ensuring consistent production when activated.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Inert support materials (such as diatomaceous earth, silica gel, or alumina) are used as intermediaries to carry the chemical components. These supports provide a stable matrix that prevents direct interaction between the chlorine dioxide precursor and proton source during storage, while allowing controlled release and reaction when activated, thus maintaining both stability and consistent production.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If existing compositions are exposed to varying humidity levels, then they become activated, but production consistency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresponse to humidity activationVSAvoidproduction consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The composition uses specific inert support materials with controlled pore sizes and surface properties that regulate moisture uptake. The organic acid is selected and dosed to provide a controlled proton release rate. These parameter optimizations ensure that the system responds reliably to humidity activation while maintaining consistent chlorine dioxide production across varying environmental conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates composite materials by impregnating chemical components onto inert support matrices. The composite structure of sodium chlorite on inert support combined with organic acid on separate inert support provides both humidity responsiveness and production consistency, as the inert supports modulate the interaction between components and environmental moisture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 ensures that 90% or greater of chlorine dioxide production is maintained after 27 days of storage and remains consistent across varying humidity levels, with the ability to produce chlorine dioxide gas effectively when activated, enhancing its application in food preservation and other uses.

Implementation Method 1

a chlorine dioxide precursor (e.g., metal chlorites, metal chlorates, chloric acid, and hypochlorous acid) impregnated in a porous carrier

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 2

a proton-generating species (e.g., an organic acid, an inorganic acid, or a salt thereof)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcid dissociation:

Implementation Method 3

the impregnate is dried to 5% water or less

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDesiccation: Desiccation

Data Source

PatentUS9382116B2Mixtures for producing chlorine dioxide gas in enclosures and methods of making the same

Publication Date: 2016.07.05 ICA TRINOVA

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a mixture for producing chlorine dioxide gas provided in an enclosure comprising an impregnate comprising a chlorine dioxide precursor impregnated in a porous carrier and a proton-generating species, wherein the impregnate and proton-generating species are intermixed to produce a stable mixture and the mixture is provided in an enclosure. The present disclosure also relates to methods for producing chlorine dioxide gas.