Oxidizing Composition for Water System Metabolite Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for controlling biological fouling in industrial water systems, particularly those using oxidizing biocides, often result in taste and odor issues due to the release of microbial metabolites during treatment.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the addition of an oxidizing composition comprising hydrogen peroxide, percarbonate salts, chlorite or alkali metal salts, chlorate or alkali metal salts, and their combinations to an aqueous medium, which oxidizes components such as metals, minerals, and microbial metabolites, thereby controlling taste and odor issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If oxidizing biocides are applied to control biological fouling, then microbial growth is suppressed, but taste and odor issues worsen due to metabolite release
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary oxidation action before disinfection by introducing an oxidizing agent (such as hydrogen peroxide, ozone, or permanganate) to oxidize and remove organic matter and metabolites that cause taste and odor problems. This preliminary oxidation step prevents the formation of harmful metabolites during subsequent disinfection, rather than addressing them after they are formed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an intermediary oxidizing agent that selectively oxidizes taste and odor causing metabolites without directly disinfecting microorganisms. This intermediary substance (such as hydrogen peroxide or ozone) acts as a mediator to remove the harmful metabolites while allowing the primary disinfection process to occur separately, thus solving the contradiction between fouling control and taste/odor management.
2Reliability
If oxidizing biocides are applied for oxidation of metals and manganese, then these contaminants are removed, but taste and odor issues worsen due to metabolite release from microbial cell wall breakdown
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary oxidation to metals and manganese before they can interact with microorganisms and form metabolites. By oxidizing these metals in advance, the patent prevents their role in microbial cell wall breakdown and subsequent metabolite release, thus removing contaminants while preventing taste and odor problems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by using an oxidizing agent that specifically targets and removes the substrates (metals and organic matter) that would otherwise serve as nutrients for microbial growth and metabolite production. This preventive approach stops the chain of reactions that lead to taste and odor issues before they occur.
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 method effectively reduces taste and odor issues in water treated with oxidizing biocides by oxidizing non-microbial contaminants, thereby minimizing the release of secondary metabolites that cause undesirable flavors and aromas.
Implementation Method 1
adding an effective amount of an oxidizing composition to the aqueous medium, wherein the oxidizing composition comprises an ingredient selected from the group consisting of hydrogen peroxide, a percarbonate salt, a peroxy compound, a chlorite or alkali metal salt thereof, a chlorate or alkali metal salt thereof, and any combination thereof, and oxidizing the component
Data Source
AI summary
A method of oxidizing a component of an aqueous medium is provided. The method includes adding an effective amount of an oxidizing composition to the aqueous medium. The oxidizing composition includes an ingredient, such as hydrogen peroxide, a percarbonate salt, a peroxy compound, a chlorite or alkali metal salt thereof, a chlorate or alkali metal salt thereof, or any combination thereof. The method also includes oxidizing the component. The component may be a metal, a mineral, a microbial metabolite, an organic molecule, or combination thereof. The method also includes modulating the application of the oxidizing composition based on a measured aqueous medium parameter.