Two-Component Cleaning Formulation for Rapid Microbial Kill
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cleaning and disinfecting solutions are inadequate for effectively eliminating a wide range of microorganisms, odors, and toxic materials from various environments without damaging surfaces, and they often require long disinfection times and are unstable.
Innovation Solution
A two-component formulation comprising an aqueous alkaline solution with a non-ionic surfactant, quaternary ammonium compounds, and triamine, combined with an aqueous acidic hydrogen peroxide solution, which is mixed just before application, providing rapid and synergistic antimicrobial action while decomposing or neutralizing harmful substances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional cleaning and disinfecting solutions are used, then some level of cleaning is achieved, but they fail to effectively eliminate a wide range of microorganisms, odors, and toxic materials while often damaging surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The disinfectant is divided into two separate components that are mixed immediately before use. Component 1 contains the alkaline solution with surfactants and quaternary ammonium compounds, while Component 2 contains the acidic hydrogen peroxide solution. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function without the stability issues of pre-mixed formulations, achieving high effectiveness against microorganisms and contaminants while preventing surface damage through controlled activation of the hydrogen peroxide only at the moment of application.
Solution Approach 2:
The formulation utilizes changes in pH and chemical reactivity parameters. Component 1 is maintained at alkaline pH (8-10) for stability and cleaning effectiveness, while Component 2 contains acidic hydrogen peroxide solution. When mixed, the pH neutralizes and the hydrogen peroxide decomposes into water and oxygen, transforming from a potentially damaging oxidizing agent into a safe byproduct. This parameter change allows the system to achieve high reliability in eliminating contaminants while eliminating harmful effects on surfaces.
2Productivity
If strong disinfectants are used to kill microorganisms rapidly, then disinfection speed improves, but the formulations become unstable and require long disinfection times
Solution Approach 1:
The formulation is segmented into two stable components that can be stored separately for extended periods. Component 1 (alkaline solution with surfactants and quaternary ammonium compounds) and Component 2 (acidic hydrogen peroxide solution) remain stable in their separate states. The unstable, highly reactive disinfecting action is only generated when the components are mixed immediately before application, providing both formulation stability during storage and rapid disinfection action when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The surfactants and quaternary ammonium compounds in Component 1 perform preliminary cleaning and surface preparation actions before the hydrogen peroxide from Component 2 is activated. This preliminary action removes organic matter and prepares the surface, allowing the subsequently activated hydrogen peroxide to work more efficiently and rapidly on microorganisms, thereby increasing disinfection speed without compromising formulation stability during storage.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multi-functional formulations are used to address various contaminants, then versatility improves, but the formulations become complex and difficult to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The multi-functional disinfectant is segmented into two components, each with a specific functional focus. Component 1 contains cleaning agents (surfactants) and antimicrobial agents (quaternary ammonium compounds), while Component 2 contains the oxidizing agent (hydrogen peroxide). This segmentation simplifies manufacturing by allowing each component to be produced and stabilized separately using straightforward formulations, avoiding the complexity of creating a single stable multi-component mixture. The versatility against various contaminants (microorganisms, odors, toxic materials) is achieved through the synergistic combination of these simpler, easier-to-manufacture components when mixed.
Solution Approach 2:
The two-component system achieves universality in contaminant elimination through the complementary actions of its components. The quaternary ammonium compounds provide broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, the surfactants handle organic contaminants and odors, and the hydrogen peroxide provides oxidation capability for toxic materials and spores. This multi-functionality is achieved through a relatively simple two-component structure that can be manufactured easily, with each component containing specific ingredients tailored to particular functions rather than attempting to include all functions in a single complex formulation.
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 formulation achieves 99.99999% kill rate of molds, bacteria, viruses, and insect eggs within seconds, with residual effectiveness and rapid surface reoccupation within 30 minutes to 4 hours, without damaging treated surfaces or causing corrosive or bleaching effects.
Implementation Method 1
an aqueous acidic hydrogen peroxide solution
Implementation Method 2
decompose, neutralize, or otherwise inactivate reactive compounds
Implementation Method 3
an aqueous alkaline solution containing a non-ionic surfactant, at least one quaternary ammonium compound
Implementation Method 4
kill 99.99999% of all molds, bacteria, viruses and their spores
Implementation Method 5
The pH of the first component is maintained within the range of about 8 to about 10 by inclusion of the alkaline base
Implementation Method 6
The formulation obtained by mixing the two components... providing rapid and synergistic antimicrobial action
Data Source
AI summary
A disinfectant, sanitizer, germicide, mildicide, virucide, deodorizer, decontaminator and cleaning formulation for cleaning porous and non-porous materials in hospitals, institutions, farms, hotels, cruise ships, homes, schools and other environments is provided. The cleaning formulation comprises a first component including an aqueous alkaline solution containing a surfactant, a triamine, and a quaternary halide and a second component containing an aqueous stabilized hydrogen peroxide solution. The formulation is activated by combining and mixing the two components. The activated formulation can be applied to a surface to be cleaned and/or sanitized with standard techniques. The two components can also be provided as a disinfectant/sanitizer kit.