Effluent-Neutral Cleaning Composition for Brewery Equipment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cleaning compositions for industrial equipment in the food and beverage industries, such as breweries, are not effluent-neutral and can react with carbon dioxide atmospheres, leading to inefficiencies and environmental concerns, while existing solutions like sodium hydroxide require neutralization and are not fully suited for all equipment types.
Innovation Solution
Aqueous cleaning, disinfecting, and sanitizing compositions comprising 0.01-5.0 wt.% potassium tripolyphosphoric acid, 0-5.0 wt.% sodium hydroxide, 0-2.0 wt.% sodium carbonate, 0-2.0 wt.% hydrogen peroxide, and 0-2.0 wt.% peracetic acid, which are used in clean-in-place or sanitize-in-place methods, resulting in effluents consisting mainly of water, reducing environmental impact and allowing for recycling or use as animal feedstock.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sodium hydroxide is used for cleaning brewery equipment, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but harmful reactions with carbon dioxide atmosphere occur and environmental impact increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the cleaning composition by using organic acids (pH 2-6) instead of strong inorganic bases like sodium hydroxide. This parameter change maintains cleaning effectiveness through controlled acidity while eliminating harmful reactions with carbon dioxide atmosphere and reducing environmental impact, as the effluent can be neutralized to near-neutral pH
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs readily available organic acids that can be easily neutralized and disposed of or reused, replacing expensive and problematic caustic solutions. The cleaning composition is designed to be consumed and neutralized, with the effluent safely returned to the environment or process
2Power
If strong alkaline cleaners are used, then cleaning power is improved, but effluent neutralization requirements increase process complexity
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using strong bases that require neutralization with acids, the patent inverts the approach by using organic acids as the primary cleaning agent. This inversion eliminates the need for complex neutralization processes, as the acidic effluent can be easily neutralized with basic materials or naturally buffered systems, simplifying the overall process
3Reliability
If conventional cleaning compositions are used, then cleaning effectiveness is maintained, but environmental sustainability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the potentially harmful acidic effluent into a beneficial or neutral substance by incorporating neutralization steps. The organic acid effluent is neutralized to near-neutral pH, transforming a harmful waste product into a environmentally safe substance that can be discharged or reused, thus converting harm into benefit
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 compositions effectively remove soiled residues from industrial equipment, minimize effluent discharge, and can be safely recycled or reused, reducing environmental impact and converting industrial waste into a valuable resource.
Implementation Method 1
contacting a soiled substrate with a cleaning, sanitizing, or disinfecting composition, such that at least a portion of the soil is removed from the substrate
Implementation Method 2
0-2.0 wt. % hydrogen peroxide, and 0-2.0 wt. % peracetic acid
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods are provided which include a method of cleaning, sanitizing, or disinfecting, wherein the method comprises: contacting a soiled substrate with a cleaning, sanitizing, or disinfecting composition, such that at least a portion of the soil is removed from the substrate; wherein the cleaning, sanitizing, or disinfecting composition consists essentially of one or more food grade agents or a salt thereof; and wherein the method is effluent neutral.