Cyanuric Acid Salt pH Control for Recreational Water Chlorination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing formulations for recreational water chlorination using electrolytic chlorine generators face challenges in maintaining optimal pH levels and stability, leading to increased maintenance and inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

A solid composition comprising a potassium or sodium salt of cyanuric acid, a mixture of tetraborate salt and boric acid, and optionally sodium or potassium chloride, which is added to recreational water to achieve a pH range of 7 to 8, enhancing chlorine stability and effectiveness through electrolysis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a borate buffer system is used to control pH in chlorinated water, then pH stability is improved, but the system fails to control other problems such as excessive buffering agent requirements and increased maintenance

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovepH stabilityVSAvoidbuffering agent quantity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the pH parameter of the cyanuric acid salt from conventional high pH (7.0-9.0) to a lower pH range (5.8-7.3). This parameter change allows the cyanuric acid salt to provide both pH buffering and cyanuric acid functionality simultaneously, reducing the need for separate borate buffer systems and decreasing the total quantity of buffering agents required in the water.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention makes the cyanuric acid salt serve multiple functions: it provides cyanuric acid for chlorine stabilization, acts as a pH buffering agent, and contributes to overall water stability. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated buffer systems, reducing the total substance quantity while maintaining pH control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If conventional cyanuric acid salts with high pH are used, then chlorine stabilization is achieved, but dissolution rate is slow and excessive buffering agents are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechlorine stabilizationVSAvoiddissolution rate
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the pH parameter of the cyanuric acid salt to a lower range (5.8-7.3), which significantly improves the dissolution rate while maintaining adequate chlorine stabilization capability. The optimized pH balance allows faster dissolution without sacrificing the reliability of chlorine stabilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If pH is not properly controlled in the range of 7-8, then chlorine effectiveness and stability are reduced, but maintaining this range requires excessive buffering agents and increased maintenance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechlorine effectivenessVSAvoidmaintenance requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The cyanuric acid salt serves dual purposes: stabilizing chlorine and buffering pH within the optimal 7-8 range. This multi-functionality maintains chlorine effectiveness while reducing maintenance requirements by eliminating the need for separate buffer system management and reducing the frequency of pH adjustments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

By optimizing the pH parameter of the cyanuric acid salt to (5.8-7.3), the invention enables the substance to automatically buffer the water pH within the optimal 7-8 range, maintaining chlorine effectiveness while minimizing maintenance intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 provides improved pH control and stability, reducing the need for excessive pH buffering agents and maintenance, while ensuring efficient chlorine production and prolonged dissolution rates of the cyanuric acid salt.

Implementation Method 1

Electrolytic chlorine generators are used to produce chlorine in the form of hypochlorite from chloride ion present in recreational water

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrolysis: Electrolysis

Data Source

PatentUS7399418B2Formulation and method for chlorinating recreational water
Publication Date: 2008.07.15 MORTON SALT INC

AI summary

A solid composition comprising: (a) a sodium or potassium salt of cyanuric acid; and (b) a mixture of a tetraborate salt and boric acid in amounts sufficient to produce a pH from 7 to 8. Optionally, the composition further comprises sodium chloride or potassium chloride.