Dry Reactant Disinfectant Generator with Wick-Mediated Water Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for producing chlorine dioxide are costly, require skilled labor, and are prone to premature activation by ambient moisture, limiting their use due to high maintenance and safety concerns, especially in applications requiring small quantities or remote use.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a protective outer pouch with a disinfectant generating device containing two dry reactants that react to produce chlorine dioxide or other disinfectants upon exposure to water, along with an inorganic coagulant for impurity removal, and optional polymeric and organic coagulants for flocculation, housed in a membrane shell with wick means for controlled water absorption and reaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional chlorine dioxide generators are used to produce disinfectant, then large-scale disinfection capability is achieved, but device complexity and maintenance requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the disinfectant generation process into separate functional components: a disinfectant generating device containing dry reactants, a water source, and optional coagulants for impurity removal. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall system compared to conventional generators.
Solution Approach 2:
The disinfectant generating device uses dry reactants that can be replaced rather than maintaining complex generator equipment. The device itself can be disposed of after use, eliminating maintenance requirements and reducing long-term costs while still providing adequate disinfection capacity.
2Productivity
If conventional chlorine dioxide generation methods are used, then sufficient disinfectant is produced for large-scale operations, but skilled labor and high maintenance costs are required
Solution Approach 1:
The system is designed to be self-activating by simply adding water to the dry reactants in the disinfectant generating device. The chemical reaction occurs automatically without requiring skilled operators or complex control systems, making the system easy to operate while maintaining adequate disinfectant production.
Solution Approach 2:
The dry reactants are pre-prepared and packaged in the disinfectant generating device before use. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for complex operational procedures during actual disinfection, allowing unskilled personnel to operate the system by simply adding water.
3Duration of action of moving object
If chlorine dioxide is stored in vapor or liquid state, then disinfectant availability is improved, but stability and safety deteriorate due to explosion risks
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the physical state of the disinfectant from stored vapor or liquid chlorine dioxide to dry solid reactants that generate chlorine dioxide on-demand when water is added. This parameter change from stored active disinfectant to stored precursors eliminates explosion risks while maintaining disinfectant availability through controlled generation.
Solution Approach 2:
Water acts as an intermediary that triggers the chemical reaction between dry reactants to produce chlorine dioxide. This intermediary approach allows the system to store stable dry materials and only generate the active disinfectant when needed, avoiding the safety issues of storing concentrated chlorine dioxide in vapor or liquid form.
4Ease of operation
If dry reactants are exposed to ambient moisture, then disinfectant generation is initiated, but premature activation occurs before intended use
Solution Approach 1:
The disinfectant generating device uses a protective pouch or membrane to encapsulate the dry reactants, preventing contact with ambient moisture during storage. The pouch is designed to be breached or opened only when water is intentionally added for activation, ensuring reliable storage stability while maintaining simple activation operation.
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 system effectively produces disinfectants like chlorine dioxide while minimizing premature activation and maintenance, enabling efficient disinfection and purification with reduced operational costs and improved safety, suitable for various applications including remote use.
Implementation Method 1
The wick means or the inner membrane is provided in connection with the membrane shell and extends into one or both compartments for absorbing water or moisture and transporting water or moisture into at least one of the compartments
Implementation Method 2
Each compartment includes at least one dry reactant capable of reacting and producing a disinfectant upon exposure of the device to water or ambient moisture
Implementation Method 3
at least one inorganic coagulant for substantially removing impurities in water or the aqueous solutions
Implementation Method 4
at least one polymeric coagulant and at least one organic hydrophilic colloid for aiding flocculation of impurities in water or the aqueous solutions
Data Source
AI summary
A system for disinfecting and purifying aqueous solutions and water for drinking purposes comprising an outer pouch, a disinfectant generating device, and an inorganic coagulant. The disinfectant generating device is provided with a membrane shell defining at least two compartments which house a first reactant, a second reactant, and an inorganic coagulant. The disinfectant generating device is capable of producing a disinfectant when exposed to water or moisture and the disinfectant exits the compartment through the membrane shell. The inorganic coagulant aid the formation of flocs of the suspended dispersed particles in the aqueous solution.