Monochlorourea Biocide for Industrial Water Microbial Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Uncontrolled growth of microorganisms in industrial water systems leads to product degradation, contamination, and equipment corrosion, with existing oxidizing biocides being highly reactive and inefficient due to non-specific reactions with non-biological materials, necessitating a more stable and effective antimicrobial agent.
Innovation Solution
The use of monochlorourea or modified monochlorourea, produced by adding a chlorine source to an aqueous solution of urea under specific pH conditions, to control microbial growth in industrial water systems, offering high antimicrobial activity with reduced reactivity towards non-biological components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If oxidizing biocides (e.g., chlorine gas, sodium hypochlorite) are used to control microbial growth, then antimicrobial activity is achieved, but reactivity with non-biological materials increases causing inefficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses monochlorourea as an intermediary compound that provides controlled antimicrobial activity while reducing non-specific reactivity. Monochlorourea acts as a mediator between the strong oxidizing power of chlorine and the need for selective microbial inhibition, allowing the active chlorine to be released gradually and specifically at target sites rather than reacting immediately with all available substrates in the water system.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the chemical form of chlorine from free chlorine (highly reactive) to monochlorourea (moderately reactive). This parameter change in chemical structure and reactivity allows the biocide to maintain antimicrobial effectiveness while reducing unwanted side reactions with non-biological materials such as organic matter and metal surfaces in the industrial water system.
2Reliability
If strong oxidizing biocides are used to eliminate microorganisms, then microbial growth control is improved, but corrosion of metal surfaces and degradation of materials increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the potentially harmful high reactivity of chlorine into a beneficial controlled-release mechanism. By incorporating chlorine into the monochlorourea structure, the harmful non-specific oxidation that causes corrosion is transformed into a controlled antimicrobial action. The chlorine is released gradually to target microorganisms specifically, while the overall system becomes less corrosive to metal surfaces and less degrading to organic materials compared to free chlorine.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the oxidation potential and reactivity parameters of the biocide system. Monochlorourea provides a moderated oxidation capability that is sufficient to kill microorganisms but insufficient to cause rapid corrosion or degradation of materials. This parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction between effective microbial control and material preservation.
3Reliability
If biocides are added directly to process water streams for distribution, then planktonic and biofilm microorganisms can be controlled, but non-specific reactions with system components occur reducing efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
Monochlorourea serves as an intermediary that improves biocide efficiency by reducing non-specific reactions. When added to process water streams, monochlorourea selectively targets microorganisms while minimizing reactions with organic matter, inorganic compounds, and equipment surfaces. This intermediary approach ensures that a higher proportion of the biocide's active chlorine is utilized for its intended antimicrobial purpose rather than being consumed by unwanted side reactions.
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
Monochlorourea and modified monochlorourea effectively inhibit microbial growth while being less reactive with non-biological materials, providing a stable and efficient solution for controlling biofilms and planktonic microorganisms in industrial water systems, reducing corrosion and maintaining equipment integrity.
Implementation Method 1
monochlorourea or modified monochlorourea effectively inhibit microbial growth while being less reactive with non-biological materials
Implementation Method 2
produced by adding a chlorine source to an aqueous solution of urea under specific pH conditions
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention comprises a method for controlling (e.g. inhibiting) or killing microorganisms in an aqueous environment. The method includes the addition of an effective amount of monochlorourea or modified monochlorourea to an aqueous solution. This aqueous solution may be a cooling water system, a recreational water system, a water treatment facility, or any circulating water system (i.e. a papermaking facility). A method of producing monochlorourea or modified monochlorourea is also disclosed.