The disinfectant is manufactured in an electrolytic process, based on a technique in which a chemical compound is decomposed into its component parts under the action of an electrical current and converted into new compounds. For this, a membrane cell electrolysis reactor is used in the Aquadron. It consists of two reaction compartments which are delimited by electrode surfaces (called anode and cathode according to convention) and separated by a porous intermediate membrane.
The use of suitable materials such as noble metal electrodes and inert membranes prevents undesired, additional chemical reactions during electrolysis. The small ions, essentially the components of the dissolved pure salt (brine), can only pass through the membrane with the help of the electric field between the electrodes. The molecules created in the anodic and cathodic spaces cannot mix, thereby preventing the formation of oxyhydrogen gas.
In the INNOWATECH ECA® process, a pure saline (brine) solution is split into two phases within the membrane cell at a defined voltage and electric current strength. The electrolysis water used to prepare the brine should be free of disturbing ions and hardness. For this reason, INNOWATECH Aquadron® systems are equipped with a filter system and a softener able to provide zero-degree hardness. Where required, a manganese and iron filter is also applied.
The alkaline brine produced at the cathode side is mainly directed to the anode side. Approximately 90% of the pure saline solution is transformed at the anode into a pH neutral sodium hypochlorite solution, the active ingredient of INNOWATECH anolyte. About 10% of the pure saline solution is transformed at the cathode into a catholyte and is not used as a disinfectant.
An Innowatech Aquadron® station (Aquadron) is used to manufacture Innowatech Anolyte® disinfectant concentrate (Anolyte). The Aquadron is equipped with PLC - control systems (PLC = programmable logic controller) to automate the production of the anolyte concentrate.
The production process of Anolyte is as follows:
Potable water runs through a filter into the conditioning module of the Aquadron, where it is softened to 0.2 ° dH. The softened water is adjusted to the required salt concentration in the brine tank. The salt concentrate is then transferred to the electrolysis reactor in the Aquadron. The manufacturing of Anolyte takes place in the electrolysis reactor and the final product is transferred to a reservoir. From the reservoir, the Anolyte concentrate is injected into water by dosing pumps and transported for application. The application dictates the strength of the concentrate. For example, in the treatment of drinking water, Anolyte is used in concentrations of parts per thousand, while in the treatment of process water it is used with considerably higher concentrates.
The pH neutral disinfectant INNOWATECH Anolyte® is produced with low chloride and chlorate content using electrolysis cells developed in-house. In contrast to other ECA processes, the process is carried out in the neutral pH range where almost no elemental chlorine (Cl2) is produced. This leads to a high stability of the disinfectant solution and low use concentrations in the applications. The creation of disinfection by-products (THM, AOX) is thus almost completely avoided.
Due to the on-site production of the anolyte, there is no aging-related enrichment with chlorate or perchlorate, as found in commercially available chlorine bleaching solutions and the production of chlorine dioxide. In addition to low production costs, the logistics and internal handling of hazardous substances are also reduced.
Anolyte has a very high bactericidal, virucidal and fungicidal effectiveness (about 10 times stronger than chlorine dioxide) and is significantly more material- compatible than conventional disinfectants. Even in high concentrations (5-15%), anolyte is non-corrosive.
The advantages of INNOWATECH technology compared to other processes:
INNOWATECH Anolyte® is not available in a highly concentrated form. This is not necessary, due to the availability of on-site production using electrolysis, even for large quantities. Depending on the electrolysis cell used, the active ingredient concentration is between 200 and 900 ppm and thus below 0.1 percent by weight. This means that there are no hazards or stability problems. The activity of the active ingredient and its stability, which depend on the framework conditions applied during production, are maximized through an optimal manufacturing process.
INNOWATECH Anolyte® has been successfully applied in food processing plants, breweries, water systems and animal production water systems as found in hospitals, dairy farms, broiler farms and intensive vegetable farming in Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium.