Reactive Oxygen Species Formulation for Water Treatment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional reactive oxygen species formulations face challenges such as limited shelf life, low mobility, highly acidic or alkaline oxidants that disrupt natural pH, limited oxidant types, and logistical issues with handling strong oxidizers, leading to ineffective water treatment and remediation.
Innovation Solution
The development of a method to generate alkaline hydrogen peroxide solutions combined with acyl or acetyl donors to produce peracid concentrates with minimal hydrogen peroxide residual, allowing for the creation of reactive oxygen species formulations that can be adjusted to an activated pH range for effective singlet oxygen or superoxide production, and distributed as a liquid, ice, foam, emulsion, or aerosol for point-of-use applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If conventional reactive oxygen species formulations are used, then oxidation capability is achieved, but shelf life is limited and stability is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The formulation is segmented into multiple components: a peroxide source (hydrogen peroxide), an acylating agent (acetic acid or acetyl chloride), and a stabilizer. These components are kept separate or in low-reactivity forms until activation, preventing premature decomposition and extending shelf life while maintaining stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system prepares all necessary components in advance (peroxide, acylating agent, stabilizer) but prevents the actual reactive oxygen species generation until the moment of use by controlling pH and keeping components separated or in stable forms, thus achieving both long shelf life and reliable activation when needed.
2Productivity
If strong oxidizers are used for effective water treatment, then oxidation efficiency is improved, but handling and mobility become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses stable intermediaries (peroxide compounds, acylating agents) that can be easily handled and transported, which then convert to highly reactive oxygen species at the point of use. The stabilizer acts as another intermediary to control the reaction rate and prevent premature activation, solving both efficiency and handling issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes key parameters (pH, temperature, concentration) at the point of use to activate the reactive oxygen species. The formulations are designed to be stable under storage conditions but undergo parameter changes (acidification, heating, mixing) during application, enabling easy handling while maintaining high oxidation efficiency when needed.
3Power
If highly acidic or alkaline oxidants are used, then oxidation power is increased, but natural pH balance is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses pH as a controllable parameter that is changed only at the point of use. The formulations are designed to work at or near neutral pH during storage and transport, then undergo controlled acidification or alkalization during application to generate reactive oxygen species. This allows high oxidation power when needed while minimizing pH disruption to the environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates local zones of high reactivity at the point of application where reactive oxygen species are generated, while the bulk formulation remains at neutral pH. This localized activation allows strong oxidation where needed without disrupting the overall pH balance of the treated water.
4Reliability
If conventional formulations are used, then some oxidation capability is achieved, but toxic byproduct formation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system controls reaction parameters (pH, temperature, stoichiometry) to favor the formation of desired reactive oxygen species while minimizing toxic byproducts. By adjusting the pH and using specific peroxide-to-acylating-agent ratios, the reaction pathway is directed toward productive oxidation rather than harmful byproduct formation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts potentially harmful side reactions into beneficial outcomes by using the reaction byproducts (such as acetate from acetic acid) as buffer components that help control pH and stabilize the formulation, thereby reducing toxic byproduct formation while maintaining oxidation capability.
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 the stability and mobility of reactive oxygen species, reduces toxic byproduct formation, and allows for effective oxidation of substrates across a wider pH range, improving water treatment and remediation efficiency while minimizing logistical and safety concerns.
Implementation Method 1
leads to very high localized heating as cavitation bubbles collapse resulting in the thermal dissociation of hydrogen peroxide to hydroxyl radicals
Implementation Method 2
Ultraviolet light activation of hydrogen peroxide occurs by the absorption of ultraviolet light, typically in the wavelength range of 180 to 220 nanometers, which leads to dissociation of hydrogen peroxide forming hydroxyl radicals
Implementation Method 3
Fenton catalyst activation of hydrogen peroxide occurs when a reduced iron species, Fe2+, is oxidized by hydrogen peroxide thereby producing hydoxyl radical, .OH, and an oxidized iron species, Fe3+
Implementation Method 4
Ultrasound activation of hydrogen peroxide in aqueous solution occurs when ultrasound waves induce cavitation of water forming bubbles, which leads to very high localized heating as cavitation bubbles collapse
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for generating reactive oxygen species formulations useful in various oxidation applications. Exemplary formulations include singlet oxygen or superoxide and can also contain hydroxyl radicals or hydroperoxy radicals, among others. Formulations can contain other reactive species, including other radicals. Exemplary formulations containing peracids are activated to generate singlet oxygen. Exemplary formulations include those containing a mixture of superoxide and hydrogen peroxide. Exemplary formulations include those in which one or more components of the formulation are generated electrochemically. Formulations of the invention containing reactive oxygen species can be further activated to generate reactive oxygen species using activation chosen from a Fenton or Fenton-like catalyst, ultrasound, ultraviolet radiation or thermal activation. Exemplary applications of the formulations of the invention among others include: cleaning in place applications, water treatment, soil decontamination and flushing of well casings and water distribution pipes.