Electrochemical enhancement of detergent alkalinity
First Claim
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1. A method for increasing alkalinity of a detergent comprising:
- (a) providing an electrochemical cell configured with at least one hydrogen consuming anode, at least one hydroxide producing cathode and an ion-selective membrane;
(b) introducing an electrolyte solution into said electrochemical cell, wherein said solution comprisesa catholyte comprising a detergent composition having a neutral pH, andan anolyte selected from the group consisting of an alkali metal carbonate, alkali metal bicarbonate, alkali metal sesquicarbonate and mixtures thereof; and
(c) applying an electric current across said anode and cathode for electrochemical production of hydroxide and hydrogen at said cathode and carbon dioxide and water at said anode and said electrochemical production of hydroxide increases the pH of said detergent to at least 12.
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Abstract
A device for in-situ production of caustic and increasing alkalinity of a detergent and methods for increasing alkalinity of a detergent are disclosed. In particular, in situ electrochemical conversion of bicarbonate, sesquicarbonate or carbonate sources into caustic provides a safe means for increasing alkalinity of a detergent for a variety of cleaning applications. The invention further discloses methods for cleaning using the electrochemically enhanced detergent according to the invention.
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18 Claims
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1. A method for increasing alkalinity of a detergent comprising:
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(a) providing an electrochemical cell configured with at least one hydrogen consuming anode, at least one hydroxide producing cathode and an ion-selective membrane; (b) introducing an electrolyte solution into said electrochemical cell, wherein said solution comprises a catholyte comprising a detergent composition having a neutral pH, and an anolyte selected from the group consisting of an alkali metal carbonate, alkali metal bicarbonate, alkali metal sesquicarbonate and mixtures thereof; and (c) applying an electric current across said anode and cathode for electrochemical production of hydroxide and hydrogen at said cathode and carbon dioxide and water at said anode and said electrochemical production of hydroxide increases the pH of said detergent to at least 12. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A device for in-situ production of caustic and increasing alkalinity of a detergent comprising:
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(a) an electrochemical cell configured with at least one hydrogen consuming anode, at least one hydroxide producing cathode and an ion-selective membrane, wherein an electric current is applied across said anode and cathode for electrochemical production of hydroxide and hydrogen at said cathode and carbon dioxide and water at said anode; (b) an electrolyte solution source for said electrochemical cell, wherein said electrolyte solution comprises a catholyte comprising a detergent composition, and an anolyte selected from the group consisting of an alkali metal carbonate, alkali metal bicarbonate, alkali metal sesquicarbonate and mixtures thereof; and (c) an outlet for dispensing a product stream of the detergent having an increased pH of at least 12 exiting from the electrochemical cell. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for cleaning using an electrochemically enhanced detergent comprising:
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(a) obtaining a detergent composition having an increased pH of at least 12 from an electrochemical cell, said cell comprising; (i) at least one hydrogen consuming anode, at least one hydroxide producing cathode and an ion-selective membrane, wherein an electric current is applied across said anode and cathode for electrochemical production of hydroxide and hydrogen at said cathode and carbon dioxide and water at said anode; (ii) an electrolyte solution source for said electrochemical cell, wherein said electrolyte solution comprises a detergent composition and a source of an alkali metal carbonate, alkali metal bicarbonate, alkali metal sesquicarbonate or mixtures thereof; (iii) an outlet for dispensing a product stream of an electrochemically enhanced detergent having a pH of at least 12; and (b) contacting an article with said electrochemically enhanced detergent, such that the article is cleaned. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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Specification