Zinc Enriched Water pH Control Process
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current zinc enriched drinking waters face issues with zinc sedimentation and insolubility in certain pH conditions, leading to non-homogeneous concentration and interaction with plastic bottles, which reduces bioavailability and effectiveness of zinc fortification.
Innovation Solution
A production process involving pH measurement and acidification of water to maintain a pH below 7, followed by adding zinc in a soluble form (0.8-5 mg/l) with optional magnesium and calcium, ensuring less than 10% sedimentation over 12 months, and ozonation for microbial control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If zinc is added to water with pH over 7.5 to 8.5, then zinc enrichment is achieved, but zinc combines with water molecules to form insoluble hydroxides leading to sedimentation and non-homogeneous concentration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pH parameter of the water from alkaline (pH > 7.5) to acidic (pH < 7.0) to prevent zinc hydroxide precipitation. By controlling the pH parameter below 7.0, zinc remains in soluble form and does not form insoluble hydroxides, thus maintaining both zinc concentration and solubility stability during storage.
2Quantity of substance
If zinc precipitates as insoluble hydroxide, then zinc enrichment is achieved, but zinc interacts with plastic bottle walls and becomes unabsorbable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical state of zinc by controlling pH below 7.0, preventing precipitation of insoluble zinc hydroxide. This ensures zinc remains in a soluble, bioavailable form that does not interact with plastic bottle walls, maintaining reliable zinc absorption throughout the storage period.
3Quantity of substance
If zinc is added to water without pH control, then zinc fortification is achieved, but sedimentation occurs during storage reducing product quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements pH control below 7.0 as a critical manufacturing parameter to prevent zinc sedimentation. This ensures homogeneous zinc distribution throughout the water during storage, maintaining consistent zinc concentration and product quality without visible sediment.
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 process stabilizes zinc in a soluble form, preventing interaction with bottle walls and ensuring optimal absorption, supporting zinc fortification and public health efforts while maintaining water quality and taste.
Implementation Method 1
Acidifying the water matrix in order to get a final water product having a pH lower than 7
Implementation Method 2
ozonation for microbial control
Data Source
AI summary
The invention concerns a production process of a zinc enriched drinking water, also called final water product, which, starting from a water matrix comprising drinking water, comprises, a first step of: Measuring the pH of the water matrix (step A), and then, in one order or the other, the steps of: Acidifying the water matrix (step B) in order to get a final water product having a pH lower than 7, and Adding zinc (step C) in a concentration comprised between 0.8 mg/l et 5 mg/l, so that sedimentation of zinc in the final water product is lower than 10% of soluble zinc over a period of 12 months at a maximum temperature of 40° C. The invention also concerns a zinc enriched drinking water composition and packaged zinc enriched drinking water.