Systems and methods for producing aqueous solutions and gases having disinfecting properties and substantially eliminating impurities

Abstract

A system for disinfecting and purifying aqueous solutions and water for drinking purposes comprising an outer pouch, a disinfectant generating device, and an inorganic coagulant. The disinfectant generating device is provided with a membrane shell defining at least two compartments which house a first reactant, a second reactant, and an inorganic coagulant. The disinfectant generating device is capable of producing a disinfectant when exposed to water or moisture and the disinfectant exits the compartment through the membrane shell. The inorganic coagulant aid the formation of flocs of the suspended dispersed particles in the aqueous solution.

1 . A system for producing a disinfectant comprising: 
 an outer pouch;    a disinfectant generating device stored within the outer pouch; and    at least one inorganic coagulant stored within the outer pouch,    wherein the disinfectant generating device comprises a membrane shell defining at least two compartments, the compartments containing a first dry reactant and a second dry reactant, wherein each compartment is provided with an outer membrane defining walls of the device and a wick means providing physical separation of the first and second dry reactants, whereby the first and second dry reactants react with each other upon exposure of the device to water or moisture to generate a disinfectant, and whereby the disinfectant exits the compartments through the membrane shell of the device.    
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one inorganic coagulant may be stored outside of and separated from or within the disinfectant generating device and is selected from the group consisting of: ferric sulfate, ferric chloride, ferrous sulfate, aluminum sulfate, polyaluminum chloride, sodium aluminate, chlorinated copper, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one polymeric coagulant, wherein the at least one polymeric coagulant is stored outside of and separated from the disinfectant generating device and is selected from the group consisting of: cationic polyelectrolytes, polyDADMAC, epiDMA, anionic polyelctrolytes, nonionic polyelctrolytes, polyacrylamide polymers, copolymers, terpolymers, organic polymers, water extract, moringa oleifera, chitin, and mixtures thereof within the disinfectant generating device.  
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one polymeric coagulant is stored within the disinfectant generating device.  
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one hydrophilic colloid stored within the outer pouch, wherein the at least one hydrophilic colloid is stored outside of and separated from or within the disinfectant generating device, and wherein the at least one hydrophilic colloid is selected from the group consisting of: activated silica, bentonite, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the disinfectant generating device further comprises at least one water soluble membrane sealably connected to an outer membrane of the device, forming a third compartment.  
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein at least one surfactant is stored within the third compartment of the disinfectant generating device.  
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one surfactant is selected from the group consisting of: anionic surfactant, linear alkylbenzene sulfonate, alcohol ethyoxysulfates, alkyl sulfate, nonionic surfactant, alcohol ethoxylate, cationic surfactant, quaternary ammonium compounds, amphoteric surfactants, imidazoline, betaines, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein at least one fragrance material is stored within the third compartment of the disinfectant generating device.  
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one fragrance material is selected from the group consisting of: linalyl formate, isoamyl acetate, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein at least one additive is stored within the third compartment of the disinfectant generating device.  
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one additive is selected from the group consisting of: suds stabilizers, alkylamine oxides, suds suppressors, alkyl phosphates, antiredeposition agents, polycarbonates and polyethylene, colorants, pigments, dyes, corrosion inhibitors, odium silicate, opacifiers, titanium dioxide, polymers, processing aids, clays, sequestrants, chelating agents, sodium citrate, complex phosphates, EDTA, precipitating agents, sodium carbonate, sodium silicate, ion exchange builders, zeolites, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first dry reactant and the second dry reactant are in a form selected from the group consisting of: powders, granules, pellets, tablets, agglomerates, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first dry reactant and the second dry reactant are in a form of a tablet.  
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first dry reactant is selected from the group consisting of: sodium chlorite, calcium chlorite, potassium chlorite, barium chlorite, magnesium chlorite, alkali metal chlorites, alkaline earth metal chlorites, sodium chlorate, tetraacetylethylenediamine (TAED), sodium bromide, sodium bisulfite, alkali metal chlorites, alkaline earth metal chlorites, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the second dry reactant is selected from the group consisting of: sodium bisulphate, citric acid, mandelic acid, boric acid, lactic acid, tartaric acid, maleic acid, malic acid, glutaric acid, adipic acid, acetic acid, formic acid, sulfamic acid, sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, phosphoric acid, fumaric acid, phosphoric anhydride, sulfuric anhydride, water soluble organic acid anhydrides, maleic anhydride, water soluble acid salts, calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, magnesium nitrate, lithium chloride, magnesium sulfate, aluminum sulfate, sodium acid sulfate, sodium dihydrogen phosphate, potassium acid sulfate, potassium dihydrogen phosphate, sodium persulfate, oxalic acid, peroxygen compounds, sodium percarbonate, sodium perborate, urea hydrogen peroxide, potassium monopersulfate, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the disinfectant is selected from a group consisting of: chlorine dioxide, peracetic acid, chlorous acid, hydrogen peroxide, bromine, sulfur dioxide, carbon dioxide, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         18 . A tablet for producing a disinfectant, comprising a first dry reactant, a second dry reactant, and an inorganic coagulant, whereby the first and second dry reactants of the tablet react with each other upon exposure of the tablet to water or an aqueous solution to generate a disinfectant in the solution.  
     
     
         19 . A device for producing a vapor having disinfecting properties when exposed to ambient moisture, comprising: 
 at least two outer membranes permeable to moisture and vapor; and    at least one inner membrane sealed to the at least two outer membranes along at least two edges of the device,    wherein the outer membranes and the inner membrane together form a first compartment and a second compartment separated by the inner membrane, wherein the first compartment is provided with a first dry reactant and the second compartment is provided with a second dry reactant, whereby the vapor having disinfecting properties is generated and released to the atmosphere from the device when the first dry reactant in the first compartment is hydrated by moisture penetrating the outer membranes, and the hydrated first dry reactant is transported across the inner membrane to contact the second dry reactant in the second compartment to generate the vapor having disinfecting properties.    
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 19 , further comprising at least one deliquescent material stored within the first compartment or the second compartment of the device.  
     
     
         21 . A system for producing a disinfectant selected from the group consisting of: peracetic acid, chlorous acid, hydrogen peroxide, bromine, sulfur dioxide, and carbon dioxide, comprising: 
 a disinfectant generating device comprising a membrane shell defining at least two compartments;    a first reactant selected from the group consisting of: tetraacetylethylenediamine (TAED), sodium bromide, sodium bisulfite, sodium carbonate, and chlorite compounds; and    a second reactant selected from the group consisting of: peroxygen compounds, sodium percarbonate, sodium perborate, urea hydrogen peroxide, potassium monopersulfate compounds, citric acid, fumaric acid, and other acid compounds.