Electrolysis-Based Pool Sanitisation With Stable Chlorine Dioxide
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water sanitization methods, particularly those using chlorine and chlorine dioxide, face challenges such as strong odors, skin and eye irritation, pH imbalance, labor-intensive dosing, equipment corrosion, and safety hazards, while chlorine dioxide's commercial viability is limited by high production costs, instability, and safety concerns.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the direct addition of sodium chlorite and/or sodium chlorate to water, combined with hydrogen peroxide, and conversion to chlorine dioxide using an electrolysis cell, controlled by a system that maintains optimal chlorine dioxide levels, reducing safety risks and operational costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If chlorine is used to sanitise pool water, then sanitisation effectiveness is improved, but strong taste and smell irritation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical parameters by using chlorine dioxide (ClO2) instead of traditional chlorine (Cl2), and further modifies it to chlorite (ClO2-) and chlorate (ClO3-) forms through controlled reduction. This parameter change eliminates the strong odor and taste associated with molecular chlorine while maintaining sanitisation effectiveness, as the ionic forms do not volatilize and cause irritation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes phase transitions by converting chlorine dioxide gas into dissolved ionic forms (chlorite and chlorate) in water. This phase transition from gaseous to dissolved state eliminates the harmful vapor phase that causes odor and taste irritation, while the dissolved ions remain effective for water sanitisation.
2Reliability
If pH level is reduced below 7 to achieve sanitisation, then sanitisation is improved, but eye and skin irritation and corrosion of metal components occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical parameter from relying on low pH (acidity) for sanitisation to using chlorine dioxide-based ionic compounds. These compounds provide sanitisation through oxidation rather than acidity, allowing pH to be maintained in the comfortable range of 7.2-7.6 while achieving effective sanitisation without the harmful effects of acidic conditions.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If pH level is increased above 8 to reduce acidity, then corrosion and irritation are reduced, but chlorine activity becomes slowed and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the active sanitising agent from molecular chlorine (whose activity is pH-dependent) to chlorine dioxide-based ions (chlorite and chlorate). These ions maintain consistent sanitisation activity across a broader pH range, particularly at higher pH levels where traditional chlorine becomes ineffective, thus resolving the trade-off between comfort and sanitisation efficiency.
4Reliability
If manual chlorine dosing is performed, then sanitisation control is improved, but labor intensity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention enables self-service operation through automatic dosing systems that monitor pool water conditions and automatically add the appropriate amount of sodium chlorite or sodium chlorate. The system self-regulates based on tested parameters, eliminating the need for manual intervention while maintaining precise sanitisation control.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces manual mechanical dosing operations with automated chemical dosing systems. By using sodium chlorite or sodium chlorate that can be automatically dissolved and distributed through the pool circulation system, the system eliminates manual labor while maintaining control through automated monitoring and dosing mechanisms.
5Extent of automation
If salt chlorinators are used to convert salt to chlorine, then automated operation is improved, but salt and calcium build up on cells requiring manual cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical parameter from using chloride-based electrolysis (salt chlorinators) to using chlorine dioxide-based compounds (sodium chlorite or sodium chlorate). This chemical substitution eliminates the electrolysis process that causes salt and calcium build-up on cells, as the new system uses direct chemical dissolution and oxidation without electrochemical reactions on electrode surfaces.
6Extent of automation
If continuous salt chlorinator operation is used, then automated dosing is improved, but incorrect dosing occurs due to site-specific factors
Solution Approach 1:
The invention incorporates feedback mechanisms where pool water parameters (such as chlorine demand, pH, and temperature) are continuously monitored and fed back to the dosing system. Based on this feedback, the system automatically adjusts the dosing rate of sodium chlorite or sodium chlorate to account for site-specific factors like sunlight, temperature, and bather load, ensuring precise dosing despite varying conditions.
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 achieves stable, long-lasting sanitization with reduced maintenance, effective pathogen elimination, and improved safety, maintaining chlorine dioxide levels for up to 5 days without gas-off or UV degradation, and allows operation at lower TDS levels.
Implementation Method 1
converting the sodium chlorite and/or sodium chlorate to chlorine dioxide in an electrolysis cell which is in fluid communication with a water circulation system of the body of water
Implementation Method 2
A method involving the direct addition of sodium chlorite and/or sodium chlorate to water, combined with hydrogen peroxide, and conversion to chlorine dioxide
Data Source
AI summary
A method of sanitising a body of water including the steps of adding sodium chlorite and/or sodium chlorate to the body of water and converting the sodium chlorite and/or sodium chlorate to chlorine dioxide in an electrolysis cell which is in fluid communication with a water circulation system of the body of water.