Chlorine Dioxide Tablet Core Coating for Prolonged Disinfection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional methods for generating chlorine dioxide produce acidic solutions and have limited application in disinfecting drinking water or food products due to the need for strong acidic conditions and high chlorite anion concentrations, and they fail to provide prolonged disinfection as the generated chlorine dioxide gas is not retained in the aqueous solution for a significant period.
Innovation Solution
A composition comprising a core encapsulated by a coating, where the core includes a metal chlorite dispersed in a composite matrix with an effervescent agent, and the coating contains an acid source, stabilizer, and low solubility amorphous material, which reacts with water to produce chlorine dioxide microbubbles that are retained in the aqueous media for extended periods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If traditional methods (reacting sodium chlorite with gaseous chlorine, hypochlorous acid, or hydrochloric acid) are used to generate chlorine dioxide, then chlorine dioxide can be produced, but the resultant solution becomes acidic (pH below 3.5) and requires high chlorite anion concentration (>1000 ppm), making it unsuitable for disinfecting drinking water or food products
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the chlorine dioxide generation system into separate compartments within a single cartridge: a first chamber containing sodium chlorite and a second chamber containing an acidifying agent. This segmentation prevents premature mixing and allows controlled generation of chlorine dioxide at neutral pH, avoiding the harmful acidity and high chlorite concentrations that would otherwise be required
Solution Approach 2:
The invention performs preliminary preparation by pre-loading the cartridge with sodium chlorite in the first chamber and acidifying agents in the second chamber. When activated, the acidifying agent is released to convert a portion of the sodium chlorite to chlorine dioxide gas, which then dissolves in the water reservoir. This preliminary action allows the system to maintain neutral pH while having chlorine dioxide readily available for disinfection
2Duration of action of moving object
If chlorine dioxide is generated using traditional methods, then disinfection can occur, but the generated chlorine dioxide gas is not retained in the aqueous solution for a significant period, failing to provide prolonged disinfection
Solution Approach 1:
The invention ensures continuous generation and dissolution of chlorine dioxide by maintaining a reservoir of sodium chlorite in the first chamber and acidifying agents in the second chamber. As chlorine dioxide is consumed or escapes from the water reservoir, additional chlorine dioxide is continuously generated from the remaining sodium chlorite and acidifying agents, ensuring prolonged disinfection capability without requiring frequent replacement
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 composition achieves a high conversion ratio of chlorite anion to chlorine dioxide, providing a prolonged disinfecting effect by maintaining chlorine dioxide microbubbles in the aqueous solution for several days, thus overcoming the limitations of traditional methods.
Implementation Method 1
an effervescent agent, and the coating comprises an acid source... which reacts with water to produce chlorine dioxide microbubbles
Implementation Method 2
Traditional methods for preparing chlorine dioxide involve reacting sodium chlorite with gaseous chlorine (Cl2(g)), hypochlorous acid (HOCl), or hydrochloric acid (HCl)
Implementation Method 3
Chlorine dioxide destroys microorganism cells by oxidation, but not chlorination. Chlorine dioxide functions as a highly selective oxidant due to its unique, one-electron transfer mechanism
Data Source
AI summary
A tablet composition is provided that comprises a core encapsulated by a coating. The core comprises at least one metal chlorite dispersed in a composite matrix and an effervescent agent, and the coating comprises an acid source. The tablet composition can producing chlorine dioxide upon contacting with water, where the chlorine dioxide is retained in the water for an extended period to provide prolonged disinfecting effects. Compositions in powder form are also provided.