Method of purifying or cleansing a body of liquid

Abstract

A method of purifying or cleansing a body of liquid is provided. The body of liquid, typically water, containing one or more contaminants is contacted with a biocide comprising hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) in combination with a catalyst for enhancing the activity thereof, the catalyst preferably comprising a superoxidedismutase formed from the combination of elemental copper (Cu), silver (Ag), manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn) so as to eliminate, in whole or in part, the contaminant(s). The biocide formulation may be an aqueous solution or suspension of biocide, or may be a solid composition in the form of a tablet which is soluble in water. The tablet contains a compound which reacts with H 2 O to form hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) and also typically contains oxides, sulphates or phosphates of Cu, Mn and Zn and silver oxide or silver acetate, together with a binder and/or effervescent.

1 . A method of puking or cleansing a body of liquid containing one or more contaminants, the method including the step of contacting the body of liquid with a biocide comprising hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) in combination with a catalyst br enhancing the activity of, so as to eliminate, in whole or in part, the contaminant(s).  
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the liquid is water.  
     
     
         3 . A method according to either of claims  1  or  2 , wherein the catalyst comprises a superoxidedismutase formed from a combination of elemental copper (Cu), silver (Ag), manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn).  
     
     
         4 . A method according to any one of  claims 1  to  3 , wherein the biocide formulation is an aqueous solution or suspension of the biocide.  
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 4 , wherein the H 2 O 2  is present in the biocide solution or suspension in an amount of about 0.000003% to about 15% v/v.  
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 5 , wherein the H 2 O 2  is present in the biocide solution or suspension in an amount of about 0.003% to about 3% v/v.  
     
     
         7 . A method according to any one of  claims 3  to  6 , wherein the Cu, Mn, Zn and Ag are present in an amount of about 100 ppb to about 1000 ppm.  
     
     
         8 . A method of purifying or cleansing a body of liquid containing one or more contaminants, the method including the step of contacting the body of liquid with a biocide comprising a compound which reacts with H 2 O to form hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ), in combination with a catalyst for enhancing the activity of the H 2 O 2  so formed, so as to eliminate, in whole or in part the contaminant(s).  
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 8 , wherein the liquid is water.  
     
     
         10 . A method according to either of claims  8  or  9 , wherein the catalyst comprises a superoxidedismutase formed from a combination of elemental copper (Cu), silver (Ag), manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn).  
     
     
         11 . A method according to any one of  claims 8  to  10 , wherein the biocide formulation is a solid composition in the form of a tablet which is soluble in water.  
     
     
         12 . A method according to any one of  claims 8  to  11 , wherein the compound which reacts with H 2 O to form H 2 O 2  is sodium perborate (NaBO 3 ).  
     
     
         13 . A method according to either of claims  11  or  12 , wherein the tablet further contains Cu—, Mn—, and Zn oxides, sulphates or phosphates, and silver oxide (Ag 2 O) or silver acetate (CH 3 COOAg), which release elemental Cu, Mn, Zn and Ag, respectively when dissolved in the body of liquid.  
     
     
         14 . A method according to any one of  claims 11  to  13 , wherein the tablet further includes a binder or effervescent.  
     
     
         15 . A biocide formulation for cleansing or puking a body of liquid, the biocide formulation including: 
 hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ); and    a catalyst for enhancing the activity of H 2 O 2 .    
     
     
         16 . A biocide formulation according to  claim 15 , wherein me catalyst comprises a superoxidedismutase formed from a combination of elemental copper (Cu), silver (Ag), manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn).  
     
     
         17 . A biocide formulation according to either of claims  15  or  16 , wherein the H 2 O 2  is present in an amount of about 0.000003% to about 15% v/v; and Cu, Mn, Zn and Ag are present in an amount of about 100 ppb to about 1000 ppm.  
     
     
         18 . A biocide formulation according to  claim 17 , wherein the H 2 O 2  is present in an amount of about 0.003% to about 3% v/v, the Cu, Mn and Zn are present in an amount of about 3 to 20 ppm; and the Ag is present in an amount of about 3 to 30 ppm.  
     
     
         19 . A biocide formulation for cleansing or purifying a body of liquid, the biocide formulation including: 
 a compound which reacts with H 2 O to form hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ); and    a catalyst for enhancing the activity of the H 2 O 2  so formed.    
     
     
         20 . A biocide formulation according to  claim 19 , which further includes Cu—, Mn—, and Zn oxides, sulphates or phosphates which release elemental Cu, Mn and Zn when dissolved in the body of liquid; silver oxide (Ag 2 O) or silver acetate (CH 3 COOAg) which releases elemental Ag when dissolved in the body of liquid; and a binder or effervescent.