Sodium Chlorite Tablet Composition for Sustained Algal Control

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for controlling algal growth in water, such as engineering solutions and direct addition of algaecides, are inefficient and harmful, leading to rapid consumption and non-selective suppression of aquatic organisms, while also producing unwanted disinfection by-products.

Innovation Solution

A sodium chlorite tablet formulated with a matrix material and binding agent, which is dissolvable in water to release sodium chlorite for sustained algal control, with concentrations between 0.5 wt.% and 20 wt.%, and optionally includes activating agents or co-disinfectants.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If direct addition of algaecides to water is used, then algal growth control is achieved, but rapid consumption of algaecides occurs and non-selective suppression of aquatic organisms happens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealgal growth controlVSAvoidnon-selective suppression of aquatic organisms

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The algaecide is segmented into a tablet form with controlled release mechanism, allowing gradual dissolution and sustained release of sodium chlorite into water, preventing rapid consumption and non-selective suppression of aquatic organisms while maintaining effective algal growth control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The release rate of sodium chlorite is controlled by adjusting tablet dissolution parameters, ensuring sustained release over time rather than immediate release, thereby reducing harmful effects on aquatic organisms while maintaining algal control effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If direct addition of algaecides to water is used, then algal growth control is achieved, but harmful disinfection by-products are produced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealgal growth controlVSAvoiddisinfection by-products

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The algaecide is segmented into a tablet form with controlled release mechanism, allowing gradual dissolution and sustained release of sodium chlorite into water, preventing rapid consumption and non-selective suppression of aquatic organisms while maintaining effective algal growth control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The release rate of sodium chlorite is controlled by adjusting tablet dissolution parameters, ensuring sustained release over time rather than immediate release, thereby reducing harmful effects on aquatic organisms while maintaining algal control effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If engineering solutions such as solar-powered circulation units and underwater mixers are used, then water circulation is improved, but large amounts of energy are consumed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater circulationVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the algal control function from complex engineering systems and implements it through a simple dissolvable tablet, eliminating the need for energy-consuming circulation units and mixers while maintaining effective algal growth control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a simple, inexpensive, dissolvable tablet as the algal control mechanism, replacing complex and energy-consuming engineering solutions with a straightforward chemical release system that requires no external energy input

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 tablet provides sustained inhibition of algal growth, reducing algal concentrations by up to 92.8% compared to controls, while minimizing impact on aquatic environments and avoiding harmful by-products.

Implementation Method 1

The sodium chlorite tablet is dissolvable in water for the release of the sodium chlorite for controlling the growth of algae in the water

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDissolution: Solvation

Implementation Method 2

The growth of algae can lead to the production of toxins and disinfection by-products (DBPs), such as trihalomethanes and haloacetic acids

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOxidation: Oxidation

Data Source

PatentUS20250344700A1Sodium chlorite tablet for controlling algal growth in water and method of making the same

Publication Date: 2025.11.13 THE HONG KONG UNIV OF SCI & TECH

AI summary

The sodium chlorite tablet includes sodium chlorite in a matrix material. The sodium chlorite has a concentration between 0.5 wt. % and 20 wt. % of the sodium chlorite tablet. The sodium chlorite tablet further includes a binding agent having a concentration less than or equal to 5.0 wt. % of the sodium chlorite tablet. The sodium chlorite tablet is made by mixing the matrix material with the sodium chlorite to form a first mixture. The binding agent is mixed into the first mixture to form a second mixture. The second mixture is tableted to form the sodium chlorite tablet. Alternatively, the sodium chlorite tablet may be made by diluting colloidal silica sol in water. The sodium chlorite is added to the diluted colloidal silica sol to form a mixture, and the mixture is placed in a tablet mold and allowed to convert the colloidal silica sol into a gel.