Non-enzymatic Hydrogen Peroxide Removal from Peracids

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional peroxycarboxylic acid compositions contain high levels of hydrogen peroxide, which hinder antimicrobial efficacy and stability, necessitating a non-enzymatic, non-destructive method to reduce hydrogen peroxide content while maintaining bleaching effectiveness.

Innovation Solution

The use of solid active oxygen coordinating compounds like urea, urea copolymers, and polyvinylpyrrolidone to selectively coordinate and remove hydrogen peroxide from peroxycarboxylic acid compositions, forming a stable complex suitable for bleaching applications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If hydrogen peroxide is added to peroxycarboxylic acid compositions to improve shelf stability, then stability is improved, but antimicrobial efficacy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshelf stabilityVSAvoidantimicrobial efficacy

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies extraction by removing hydrogen peroxide from the peroxycarboxylic acid composition through contact with solid urea or other active oxygen coordinating compounds. The hydrogen peroxide is selectively coordinated and removed from the equilibrium mixture, leaving the peroxycarboxylic acid composition with improved antimicrobial efficacy while maintaining adequate shelf stability through the remaining peracid components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If enzymatic agents are used to reduce hydrogen peroxide content, then antimicrobial efficacy is improved, but the method becomes destructive and limited to dilute solutions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveantimicrobial efficacyVSAvoidapplicability to concentrated compositions

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses solid urea or other active oxygen coordinating compounds as intermediary substances that selectively coordinate with hydrogen peroxide in the peroxycarboxylic acid composition. This intermediary approach allows non-enzymatic, non-destructive removal of hydrogen peroxide from both dilute and concentrated compositions, expanding applicability while maintaining improved antimicrobial efficacy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the enzymatic biological system with a chemical coordination system using solid urea or other active oxygen coordinating compounds. This substitution eliminates the limitations of enzymatic methods (destructiveness, dilution requirements) while achieving the same goal of reducing hydrogen peroxide content to improve antimicrobial efficacy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If hydrogen peroxide is removed from peroxycarboxylic acid compositions, then antimicrobial efficacy is improved, but bleaching effectiveness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveantimicrobial efficacyVSAvoidbleaching effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent selectively extracts only the excess hydrogen peroxide from the peroxycarboxylic acid composition while maintaining the peroxycarboxylic acid components that provide both antimicrobial and bleaching activity. By removing hydrogen peroxide selectively through coordination with solid urea, the composition achieves improved antimicrobial efficacy while retaining adequate bleaching effectiveness from the peracid components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

This approach enhances antimicrobial efficacy, reduces odor, and generates a stable, reusable bleaching agent with improved shelf-stability and bleaching performance, effectively addressing the limitations of conventional methods.

Implementation Method 1

The active oxygen coordinating compound further provides a stable complex with the hydrogen peroxide suitable for use as an active bleaching source

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCoordination:

Implementation Method 2

the use of solid urea and other active oxygen coordinating compounds is disclosed herein to reduce the amount of hydrogen peroxide in a peroxycarboxylic acid composition

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCoordination:

Data Source

PatentUS9012504B2Non-enzymatic removal of hydrogen peroxide from peracids

Publication Date: 2015.04.21 ECOLAB USA INC

AI summary

Peroxycarboxylic acid compositions having reduced hydrogen peroxide content are generated according to the invention, having enhanced antimicrobial efficacy. Simultaneously, a stable hydrogen peroxide and active oxygen coordinating compound complex is generated and has utility as a recycled bleaching component. In particular, methods of using an active oxygen coordinating compound to selectively and non-destructively remove hydrogen peroxide are provided. Preferred active oxygen coordinating compounds suitable for use with the peroxycarboxylic acid compositions include nitrogen-containing compounds, preferably urea, urea copolymers and/or derivatives, PVP, PVP copolymers and/or derivatives, and/or inorganic carbonates.