Electrochemical Generation of Quaternary Ammonium Compounds
First Claim
1. A method for producing a solution, the method comprising:
- electrolyzing a first solution comprising a quaternary ammonium compound in solution; and
producing a second solution comprising a quaternary ammonium hypohalite in solution.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Method and apparatus for electrochemical generation of quaternary ammonium hypohalite salts, which may be combined with the capabilities of free chlorine to form a novel biocidal system. An aqueous solution preferably comprising dissolved quaternary ammonium halide salts is electrolyzed, which converts the halide component of the quaternary ammonium salt to the corresponding halogen. The halogen dissolves in the aqueous solution producing hypohalous acid and hypohalite anion. A combination of one or more quaternary ammonium compounds and a halide salt, surfactant, and/or germicide may be electrolyzed. The solution may be incorporated into a delivery system for example, a spray bottle or hand sanitizer, or as part of a dispensing system whereby quaternary ammonium halide salts absorbed onto wipes can be dispensed as quaternary ammonium hypohalite salts.
14 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A method for producing a solution, the method comprising:
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electrolyzing a first solution comprising a quaternary ammonium compound in solution; and producing a second solution comprising a quaternary ammonium hypohalite in solution. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of producing a solution, the method comprising:
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electrolyzing a first solution comprising a first quaternary ammonium compound in solution and a second component; and producing a second solution comprising a second quaternary ammonium compound in solution and a second compound. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A device for dispensing a disinfecting solution, the device comprising:
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a flow through electrolytic cell comprising an anode and a cathode, said electrolytic cell configured to electrolyze a quaternary ammonium compound in solution; and a spray nozzle for dispensing the electrolyzed solution. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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21. A device for dispensing wipes comprising a solution, the device comprising:
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a supply of wipes, said wipes comprising a quaternary ammonium compound; an anode; and a cathode; wherein said wipes are disposable between said anode and said cathode, at which time the quaternary ammonium compound is electrolyzed. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24)
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25. A method for on demand generation of a quaternary ammonium hypohalite solution, the method comprising:
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signaling a desired amount of a first solution comprising a quaternary ammonium hypohalite in solution to be produced; mixing a second solution comprising a quaternary ammonium compound in solution with a third solution comprising a halogen solution, the amounts of the second solution and third solution corresponding to the desired amount of the third solution; producing the desired amount of the third solution; and dispensing the desired solution immediately or prior to significant degradation of the third solution. - View Dependent Claims (26)
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Specification