On site generation of alkalinity boost for ware washing applications
First Claim
1. A method of electrochemically increasing alkalinity of a detergent comprising:
- providing an alkali metal carbonate, bicarbonate or sesquicarbonate source to an anode chamber of an electrolytic cell, wherein said electrolytic cell comprises said anode chamber and a cathode chamber;
causing the alkali metal carbonate, bicarbonate or sesquicarbonate source to undergo electrolysis, wherein said electrolysis increases hydroxide concentration in the alkali metal carbonate, bicarbonate or sesquicarbonate source;
removing carbon dioxide from said alkali metal carbonate, bicarbonate or sesquicarbonate source, wherein the resulting decrease in carbon dioxide in the alkali metal carbonate, bicarbonate or sesquicarbonate source and the increase in hydroxide concentration in the alkali metal carbonate, bicarbonate or sesquicarbonate source produces increased hydroxide alkalinity in the alkali metal carbonate, bicarbonate or sesquicarbonate source;
recirculating the contents of the anode chamber directly into the cathode chamber; and
generating a detergent use solution having increased hydroxide alkalinity compared to the original alkali metal carbonate, bicarbonate or sesquicarbonate source provided to the electrolytic cell.
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Abstract
Methods for enhancing alkalinity and performance of ash-based detergents are disclosed. Nonhazardous ash-based detergent alkalinity is enhanced through increasing the ratio of sodium hydroxide to ash-based alkalinity. Methods according to the invention do not require the addition of chemical ingredients, do not generate additional waste streams and use the entirety of the ash-based detergent. The methods according to the invention provide alkalinity-enhanced detergent use solutions that are sufficiently concentrated for adequate cleaning capability while only requiring minimal amounts of the use solution to be dispensed for an in situ cleaning process.
171 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of electrochemically increasing alkalinity of a detergent comprising:
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providing an alkali metal carbonate, bicarbonate or sesquicarbonate source to an anode chamber of an electrolytic cell, wherein said electrolytic cell comprises said anode chamber and a cathode chamber; causing the alkali metal carbonate, bicarbonate or sesquicarbonate source to undergo electrolysis, wherein said electrolysis increases hydroxide concentration in the alkali metal carbonate, bicarbonate or sesquicarbonate source; removing carbon dioxide from said alkali metal carbonate, bicarbonate or sesquicarbonate source, wherein the resulting decrease in carbon dioxide in the alkali metal carbonate, bicarbonate or sesquicarbonate source and the increase in hydroxide concentration in the alkali metal carbonate, bicarbonate or sesquicarbonate source produces increased hydroxide alkalinity in the alkali metal carbonate, bicarbonate or sesquicarbonate source; recirculating the contents of the anode chamber directly into the cathode chamber; and generating a detergent use solution having increased hydroxide alkalinity compared to the original alkali metal carbonate, bicarbonate or sesquicarbonate source provided to the electrolytic cell. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of increasing alkalinity of a detergent use solution on site comprising:
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causing an alkali metal carbonate, bicarbonate or sesquicarbonate source to undergo electrolysis in an anode chamber of an electrolytic cell, wherein said electrolytic cell comprises said anode chamber and a cathode chamber, wherein the alkali metal carbonate, bicarbonate or sesquicarbonate detergent source is a concentrated detergent solution from a dispenser; recirculating the contents of the anode chamber directly into the cathode chamber; decreasing the ratio of ash to hydroxide alkalinity from about 100;
0 to between about 95;
5 to about 70;
30 in a detergent use solution generated from the output of said electrolytic cell; andproviding said detergent use solution to an onsite cleaning application. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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12. The method of 11 wherein water is provided to the cathode chamber of the electrolytic cell.
Specification