US 11,326,261 B2Granted

Alkaline and chlorine solutions produced using electro-chemical activation

AssigneeDiversey, Inc.

InventorJan E. Veening

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Abstract

An electro-chemical activation (ECA) system includes an anode chamber, a cathode chamber, and a neutralization chamber. The anode chamber includes an anode configured to convert water having an alkaline-metal chloride into an anodic electrolyte that includes hypochlorous acid. The cathode chamber includes a cathode configured to convert water into a cathodic electrolyte. The neutralization chamber includes a neutralization cathode configured to remove protons from the anodic electrolyte after it leaves the anode chamber. The ECA system is configured to recirculate the anodic electrolyte back through the anode chamber and the neutralization chamber at least one more time to produce a concentrated chlorine solution. The ECA system is further configured to recirculate the cathodic electrolyte back through the cathode chamber at least one additional time to produce a concentrated alkaline solution.

Claims19

Dependent claims

An electro-chemical activation (ECA) system, comprising:

a chamber cell comprising
an anode chamber comprising an anode, wherein the anode is configured to convert water having an alkaline-metal chloride into an anodic electrolyte comprising protons and hypochlorous acid;
a cathode chamber comprising a cathode, wherein the cathode is configured to convert water into a cathodic electrolyte;
and
a first membrane separating the anode chamber from the cathode chamber;
and
a neutralization cell separate from the chamber cell, the neutralization cell comprising
a neutralization chamber in fluid communication with the anode chamber, the neutralization chamber comprising a neutralization cathode and a neutralization anode, wherein the neutralization chamber is configured to neutralize the protons of the anodic electrolyte and increase a pH level of the anodic electrolyte from the anode chamber while increasing a concentration of the hypochlorous acid,
wherein the ECA system is configured to recirculate the anodic electrolyte back through the anode chamber and the neutralization chamber multiple times to produce a concentrated chlorine solution;
and wherein the ECA system is further configured to recirculate the cathodic electrolyte back through the cathode chamber multiple times to produce a concentrated alkaline solution,
wherein the ECA system further comprises an electronic controller configured to receive an indication of the pH level of the anodic electrolyte and to control power to the cathode and the neutralization cathode based on the indication of the pH level of the anodic electrolyte so as to perform operations comprising
operating the ECA system in a production mode to generate the anodic electrolyte comprising the protons and the hypochlorous acid;
operating the ECA system in a neutralization mode to increase the pH level of the anodic electrolyte while increasing the concentration of the hypochlorous acid;
and
alternating operation between the production mode and the neutralization mode.

12 more elements

An electro-chemical activation (ECA) system, comprising:

a chamber cell comprising
an anode chamber comprising an anode, wherein the anode is configured to convert water having an alkaline-metal chloride into an anodic electrolyte comprising protons and hypochlorous acid;
a cathode chamber comprising a cathode, wherein the cathode is configured to convert water into a cathodic electrolyte;
and
a first membrane separating the anode chamber from the cathode chamber;
and
a neutralization cell separate from the chamber cell, the neutralization cell comprising
a neutralization chamber in fluid communication with the anode chamber, the neutralization chamber comprising a neutralization cathode and a neutralization anode, wherein the neutralization chamber is configured to neutralize the protons of the anodic electrolyte and increase a pH level of the anodic electrolyte from the anode chamber while increasing a concentration of the hypochlorous acid, wherein the ECA system is configured to recirculate the anodic electrolyte back through the anode chamber and the neutralization chamber multiple times to produce a concentrated chlorine solution;
and wherein the ECA system is further configured to recirculate the cathodic electrolyte back through the cathode chamber multiple times to produce a concentrated alkaline solution;
and wherein the first membrane is configured to hinder the migration of between the anode chamber and the cathode chamber.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 16/302,208Filed 5 May 2017 · us provisional application
Priority: 17 May 2016
Published: US 2019/0276940 A112 Sep 2019
Granted: 10 May 2022
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification31 codes

C25B 1/46
Simultaneous production of alkali metal hydroxides and chlorine, oxyacids or salts of chlorine, e.g. by chlor-alkali electrolysis: in diaphragm cells
A47L 15/4238
Arrangements to sterilize or disinfect dishes or washing liquids: by using electrolytic cells
C02F 1/4618
Devices therefor; Their operating or servicing: for producing "ionised" acidic or basic water
C02F 1/4674
By electrooxydation: with halogen or compound of halogens, e.g. chlorine, bromine