Peracid Spray Composition Using Polymers to Reduce Misting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional peroxycarboxylic acid compositions result in significant misting and vaporization, leading to inhalation risks and reduced efficacy due to the formation of small particles that can cause respiratory distress and non-compliance with regulatory limits.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of high molecular weight polymers, such as guar gum or polyethylene oxide, to increase the droplet size of peroxycarboxylic acid compositions to greater than 50 microns, reducing misting and vapor pressure while maintaining effective spray patterns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional peroxycarboxylic acid compositions are sprayed onto surfaces, then cleaning and disinfecting efficacy is achieved, but significant misting and vaporization occur causing inhalation risks and respiratory distress
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameter of droplet size by incorporating high molecular weight polymers (molecular weight ≥1,000,000) into the peroxycarboxylic acid composition. This increases the median droplet size to greater than 50 microns, transforming the spray characteristics from fine mist to larger droplets that settle faster and are less inhalable, thereby reducing respiratory hazards while preserving cleaning efficacy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite composition by combining peroxycarboxylic acid (0.1-10% w/v) with high molecular weight polymers (0.01-1% w/v). This composite structure allows the polymer to act as a droplet size modifier while the peroxycarboxylic acid maintains its antimicrobial and cleaning functions, achieving both safety and efficacy simultaneously
2Object-affected harmful factors
If high molecular weight polymers are added to increase droplet size, then inhalation risk is reduced, but spray pattern effectiveness may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent carefully controls the polymer concentration parameter (0.01-1% w/v) to achieve the optimal balance between droplet size enlargement and sprayability. This parameter optimization ensures that droplets are sufficiently large (>50 microns median size) to reduce inhalation risk while remaining small enough to maintain effective spray patterns for surface application
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates local quality differences in the spray composition by using polymers with specific molecular weight characteristics (≥1,000,000) that provide localized thickening and droplet enlargement effects without uniformly compromising the overall spray flow characteristics. This allows different regions of the spray to have appropriate properties for both safety and application effectiveness
3Object-affected harmful factors
If peroxycarboxylic acid concentration is reduced to decrease vapor levels, then inhalation risk is lowered, but cleaning activity and effectiveness are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The high molecular weight polymer acts as an intermediary substance that modifies the physical behavior of the peroxycarboxylic acid composition without interfering with its chemical cleaning and disinfecting mechanisms. The polymer mediates between the acid's volatility and the desired droplet size, allowing full concentration of active ingredient to be used while controlling vaporization through physical encapsulation in larger droplets
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 increased droplet size significantly reduces inhalation risks and maintains antimicrobial efficacy, preventing health issues like nose and throat irritation and ensuring effective cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting without compromising on spray pattern and microbial kill rates.
Implementation Method 1
high molecular weight polymers, such as guar gum or polyethylene oxide, to increase the droplet size of peroxycarboxylic acid compositions to greater than 50 microns, reducing misting and vapor pressure
Implementation Method 2
Incorporation of high molecular weight polymers, such as guar gum or polyethylene oxide, to increase the droplet size of peroxycarboxylic acid compositions
Data Source
AI summary
Aqueous compositions for cleaning, sanitizing, and/or disinfecting using peroxycarboxylic acid compositions in combination with a high molecular weight polymer are provided. The compositions have a modified droplet size of the peroxycarboxylic acid composition when sprayed onto a surface in need of cleaning, sanitizing, and/or disinfecting. The compositions and methods of making and/or employing increase the use solution droplet size when sprayed to reduce the vapor level in the air to provide a composition having reduced inhalation risk coupled with the cleaning, sanitizing, and/or disinfecting properties.