Apparatus to control reaction of peroxide and alkaline

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus designed to control the application of the previously uncontrollable reaction of a peroxide composition and an alkaline composition, and accurately maintain the desired composition ratios for removal of and destruction of microbiological and organic contamination on a surface safely and without waste of the materials. The apparatus may also be used to maintain the highest demulsifying and antimicrobial activity of an organic acid composition blended with a peroxide composition by limiting contact time and the level of degradation of the components of the organic acid composition. A method of using the apparatus is provided for removing biofilm, bacteria, fungal cells, spores, fragments, and hyphae, microbiological slime, and organic contaminants from porous and non-porous surfaces, maintaining the integrity and life expectancy of the substrates, and increasing their resistance to new biofilm formation and microbiological deposition.

Claims

1. An apparatus for supplying a peroxide composition and an additional composition simultaneously for removal and destruction of microbiological and organic contamination on a surface comprising; a power module, a means to activate the power module, a pump connected to the power module, a pump intake line, wherein one end of the pump intake line is connected to the pump and the other end is connected to at least one pump check valves system, wherein each of the pump check valve systems further comprises; a pump check valve, wherein the check valve is attached to the pump intake line and a check valve line, a solenoid valve, wherein the solenoid valve is connected to the check valve line and a composition input line, a composition pick up tube, wherein the composition pick up tube is connected to the composition intake line and an input check valve, and the input check valve is connected to a filter screen, a pump discharge line connected to the pump, an injector connected to the pump discharge line, an injector intake line, wherein one end of the injector intake line is connected to the injector and the other end is connected to at least one injector valve system, wherein at least one injector valve system further comprises; a solenoid valve, wherein the solenoid valve is attached to the injector intake line and a composition intake line, a composition pick up tube, wherein the composition pick up tube is connected to the composition intake line and an input check valve, and the input check valve is connected to a filter screen, a metering device, wherein the metering device is located at the intersection of the injector and the injector intake line, an injector output line, wherein one end of the injector output line is connected to the injector and the other end is connected to a spray line, a one way check valve, wherein the one way check valve is connected to the spray line and a spray nozzle, wherein the power module further comprises a means to activate the solenoid valves individually and a means to activate the pump.

2. A method of using the apparatus of claim 1 to remove biofilm, microbiological deposition, and organic soils and contaminants from a surface by an operator, wherein: the at least one pump check valve system comprises a first pump check valve system, the composition pick up tube of the first pump check valve system is placed by the operator in a peroxide composition reservoir, wherein the peroxide reservoir comprises a peroxide composition, the operator activates the power module, the solenoid valve of the first pump check system that has been placed by the operator in the peroxide reservoir, and the pump, and applies the peroxide composition directionally to the surface with the spray nozzle.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein: the composition pick up tube of the at least one injector valve system is placed by the operator in an alkaline composition reservoir which comprises an alkaline composition, the operator activates the power module, the solenoid valve of the first pump check system that has been placed in the peroxide reservoir, the solenoid valve of the at least one of the injector valve systems that has been placed in the alkaline reservoir and the pump, and applies a blend of the alkaline composition and peroxide composition directionally to the surface with the spray nozzle.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein: the composition pick up tube of the at least one injector valve system is placed by the operator in an organic acid composition reservoir which comprises an organic acid composition, the operator activates the power module, the solenoid valve of the first pump check system that has been placed in the peroxide reservoir, the solenoid valve of the at least one of the injector valve systems that has been placed in the organic acid reservoir and the pump, and applies a blend of the organic acid composition and peroxide composition directionally to the surface with the spray nozzle.

5. A method of using the apparatus of claim 1 to remove biofilm, microbiological deposition, and organic soils and contaminants from a surface by an operator, wherein; the at least the at least one pump check valve system comprises a first pump check valve system and a second pump check valve system, the composition pick up tube of the second pump check valve system is placed by the operator in an additional chemical composition reservoir, wherein the additional chemical composition reservoir comprises an additional chemical, the operator activates the power module and the solenoid valve of the second pump check system that has been placed by the operator in the additional chemical reservoir and the pump, and applies the additional chemical composition to the surface with the spray nozzle.

6. The method of claim 2 wherein the peroxide composition is hydrogen peroxide in a concentration of at least 5%.

7. The method of claim 2 wherein the peroxide composition comprises hydrogen peroxide in a concentration of at least 20%.

8. The method of claim 5 wherein the additional chemical is a degreaser.

9. The method of claim 4 wherein the organic acid is caprylic acid.

10. The method of claim 3 wherein the blend of the alkaline composition and peroxide composition has a pH greater than 9.

11. The method of claim 2 wherein a pesticidal composition is added to the peroxide composition.

12. The method of claim 3 wherein a pesticidal composition is added to the alkaline composition.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the spray line further comprises a wand.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means to activate the power module is a remote transmitter.

15. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means to activate the solenoid valves individually is a remote transmitter.

16. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means to activate the power module is a switch located on a control panel.

17. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the control panel further comprises a selector switch, wherein the selector switch allows for the operator to activate each solenoid individually.

18. The method of claim 11 wherein the pesticidal composition further comprises a color indicator.

19. The method of claim 12 wherein the pesticidal composition further comprise a color indicator.

20. The method of claim 5 wherein the additional chemical is an antimicrobial surface protection composition.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0076] FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention wherein the peroxide composition and an alkaline composition, with the alkaline composition being injected with the peroxide composition on the output side of the pump.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0077] The preferred embodiment of apparatus 32 of FIG. 1 comprises a power module 27, which powers a positive displacement pump 1, as well as solenoid valves 11, 12, and 13. In a preferred embodiment, the solenoid valves 11, 12, and 13 are stainless steel, 24 volt DC and 20 watt. However, alternative solenoid valves may be used. The apparatus further comprises an alkaline input line 30, a hydrogen peroxide input line 29, an additional chemical line 28, and an output line 31.

[0078] The alkaline input line 30, further comprises chemical pick up tube 24 and composition intake line 15. The suction end of chemical pick up tube 24 further comprises an input check valve 5 with a filter screen 33. Chemical pick up tube 24 is attached to composition intake line 15, which is then attached to solenoid valve 11. Solenoid valve 11 is then attached to injector 2 by injector intake line 18. In a preferred embodiment, the injector is a Hydra-Flex Chem-Flex injector, U.S. Pat. No. 8,8807,158, that is a downstream injector designed for 0.5 gallons per minute and operates on differential pressure. It is understood that alkaline input line 30 would be placed within a reservoir 36 of the desired composition such that suction of that composition could be achieved. Preferably the composition reservoir 36 and alkaline input line 30 are color coordinated to avoid confusion. Alternatively, reservoir 36 may comprise an organic acid.

[0079] The hydrogen peroxide input line 29, further comprises chemical pick up tube 25 and composition intake line 16. The suction end of chemical pick up tube 25 further comprises an input check valve 6 with a filter screen 34. Chemical pick up tube 25 is attached to composition intake line 16, which is then attached to solenoid valve 12. Solenoid valve 12 is then attached to pump check valve 8 by check valve line 19. It is understood that hydrogen peroxide input line 29 would be placed within a reservoir 35 of the desired composition such that suction of that composition could be achieved. Preferably the composition reservoir 35 and hydrogen peroxide input line 29 are color coordinated to avoid confusion.

[0080] The additional chemical input line 28, further comprises chemical pick up tube 26 and composition input line 17. The suction end of chemical pick up tube 26 further comprises an input check valve 7 with a filter screen 35. Chemical pick up tube 26 is attached to composition intake line 17, which is then attached to solenoid valve 13. Solenoid valve 13 is then attached to pump check valve 9 by check valve line 20. It is understood that additional chemical input line 28 would be placed within a reservoir 35 of the desired composition such that suction of that composition could be achieved. Preferably the composition reservoir 35 and additional chemical input line 28 are color coordinated to avoid confusion. In a preferred embodiment, the additional chemical composition comprises any additional chemical needed for the desired result, including, but not limited to tile and grout cleaner or a degreaser.

[0081] Pump check valves 8 and 9 are attached to pump intake line 10, which is attached to pump 1. Pump intake line 10 is preferably stainless steel. Check valves 8 and 9 prevent any back up into the check valve lines 19 and 20. Pump 1 is further attached to injector 2 by pump discharge line 21. Output line 31 comprises injector output line 22, which is attached to injector 2, and spray line 23, which is attached to output line 22. The end of spray line 23 comprises one way check valve 3 and nozzle 4. In a preferred embodiment, nozzle 4 is a stainless steel spray nozzle. Additionally, spray line 23 may comprise a wand for easier application.

[0082] Pump check valves 8 and 9 are plastic one way check valves with a crack pressure of 3 pounds. However, it is understood that alternative check valves may be used. Input check valves 5, 6 and 7 are preferably one way foot/check valves that are plastic, however other materials may be used. Check valve 3 is preferably a stainless steel one way check valve with a hastelloy spring with a crack pressure of 3 pounds. Chemical pick up tubes 24, 25, and 26, as well as lines 15-23, pump discharge line 21, and injector intake line 18 are preferably made from ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber, however, it is understood that alternative material may be used.

[0083] The preferred pump output of the embodiment of FIG. 1 is 0.67 gallons per minute which through injector 2 creates a pressure of 275 to 300 psi. The injector 2 is designed to operate with a 70% pressure loss across the injector 2, which when used with an appropriately sized nozzle creates an application pressure of 75 to 90 psi. A pressure gauge and voltmeter may be used to monitor the pump.

[0084] In the preferred embodiment, the power module 27 further comprises a DC power supply, terminal strips and a radio receiver. However, it is understood that any electrical equipment may be used as needed. The power module 27 is connected to a power switch (not shown) that allows the user manually start power to the apparatus and to select for the use of alkaline input line 30, hydrogen peroxide input line 29, and/or additional chemical input line 28. It is understood that any or all of the input lines may be selected based upon need. The power module 27 may be controlled from a remote transmitter 14, wherein transmitter 14 controls when power is supplied to open solenoid valves 11, 12, and 13. Transmitter 14 and/or the power switch should contain an emergency stop. Additionally, transmitter 14 may control the power switch, input selection and all other electronic components.

[0085] In the embodiment of FIG. 1, a singular feed of hydrogen peroxide may be selected by the operator. Once the power is turned on from a power switch (not shown) controlling the power module 27, the operator selects only the hydrogen peroxide feed, which controls solenoid valve 12. The selection may be made from the power switch on the apparatus 32 or the transmitter 14. Once solenoid valve 12 is open, the pump motor 1 will start. The hydrogen peroxide then flows from reservoir 35, through chemical pick up tube 25, through composition intake line 16, through check valve line 19, through pump check valve 8 to pump 1. The feed then travels to injector 2 at 250 to 300 psi pressure that creates a pressure drop across the injector 2 and creates suction on the downstream side of the injector 39 to injector output line 22. The flow then moves to check valve 3 to nozzle 4. Check valve 3 operates to prevent further flow once the apparatus has been turned off. The check valve 3, with a crack pressure of 3 pounds, also acts as a safety release for when the pressure in the hose and/or wand exceeds 3 pounds.

[0086] The alkaline composition may be added to the hydrogen peroxide feed. In this embodiment, the operator selects the dual feed of alkaline and hydrogen peroxide. The dual feed selection will open solenoid valve 12 as described above and will also open solenoid valve 11. The alkaline composition then flows from reservoir 36, through the chemical pick up tube 24, through composition intake line 15, through solenoid valve 11, through injector intake line 18 and to injector 2. The alkaline composition is metered into the flow of hydrogen peroxide by a metering orifice 40 installed at the connection of injector intake line 18 and injector 2. The ratio is typically 1:20 parts hydrogen peroxide. Alternatively, when an organic acid composition is used in place of the alkaline composition, the organic acid composition is blended with the peroxide composition in a ratio between 1:8 to 0.01:20.

[0087] In a further embodiment, the additional chemical composition, preferably a degreaser or tile and grout cleaner may be used. In this embodiment, solenoid valves 11 and 12 closed and solenoid valve 13 will be opened. The additional composition flows from reservoir 38, through chemical pick up tube 26, through composition intake line 17, through check valve line 20, through pump check valve 9, to pump 1, through pump discharge line 21 to injector 2 and through output line 31.

[0088] In a further embodiment, the apparatus 32 may be enclosed within a box 41 or panel preferably of non-corrosive metal. In such an embodiment, the power switch and selection capabilities would be placed on the exterior of the box 41. And chemical pick up tubes 24, 25, and 26, and spray line 23 would extend from the interior or the box to the exterior for ease of use.

[0089] The apparatus 32 of FIG. 1 is designed to create the chemical reaction of the alkaline and hydrogen peroxide at the point of application. Waste and heat buildup are minimized by creating a reaction on when needed.