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BioIonix FS food safety |
The BioIonix Electrochemical Disinfection Technology
The BioIonix disinfection process is a breakthrough advance in electrochemistry that uses a patented and proprietary electrochemical field to disinfect and destroy (oxidize) contaminants in a wide variety of liquid streams. This process generates powerful compounds useful in microbial disinfection, oxidation and other applications.
While researchers have known that electrochemical reactions can disinfect and break down contaminants in liquid streams for over 100 years, significant challenges have prevented this technology from being used by industry. In certain applications the treatment plates would become coated with proteins, minerals, metals and other contaminants that caused their performance to rapidly deteriorate. In others the plates have had serious problems with erosion. As gaps between the plates were increased to permit high flow rates and prevent plugging, process performance and energy efficiencies typically went down dramatically or stopped altogether.
Through its research program, BioIonix has been able to overcome many of these problems and mitigated the effects of others. It has converted what has generally been considered a direct current (DC) process into a hybrid alternating current (AC) one, using proprietary frequencies that match the treatment modality and reactor module design. BioIonix utilizes advanced catalytic ceramic plate materials that optimize specific performance parameters and extend running times. In addition, the BioIonix automated control system optimizes energy efficiencies.
How the BioIonix Process Works
The BioIonix process differs from conventional electrolysis in a number of ways. Electrolysis uses direct current (DC) to deposit metals onto substrates or to generate simple molecules like hydrogen or oxygen. In contrast, BioIonix electrochemistry uses a proprietary hybrid alternating current power mode to enhance the electrochemistry and ensure long running times and plate life. Special catalytic ceramic plate materials are used. Energy efficiencies are enhanced, metals and minerals flow through without depositing themselves on the reactor plates, and products containing oil, fats, proteins and other similar processing challenges can be effectively treated.
The BioIonix process treats contaminants in liquid streams by applying a hybrid electrochemical field as the liquid passes through a reactor module. This generates a variety of complementary disinfecting oxidants, BioIonix Super OxidantsTM, that combine hydroxyl radicals and a variety of superoxides that disinfect virtually instantaneously, with safe, low-level chlorine-based residual disinfection agents. The diagram below shows the primary disinfectants produced by the BioIonix process.
- Fast Acting. In the BioIonix process, very fast acting hydroxyl radicals and superoxides are generated directly in the liquid stream. The very short-lived hydroxyl radicals are the second most reactive molecules known to man and disinfect and oxidize contaminants in a tiny fraction of a second (nanoseconds). The superoxides are highly reactive forms of oxygen. Together, hydroxyl radicals and superoxides are called reactive oxygen species. They disinfect by mutating and breaking down the DNA of pathogens, and affecting other cellular mechanisms.
- Quick Acting. In addition, most liquid streams targeted by BioIonix contain at least trace quantities of salt, sodium chloride. In such cases the BioIonix process directly generates controlled levels of hypochlorous acid (HOCl), a quick-acting (seconds) molecule that kills bacterial pathogens. It is the primary chlorine-based biocide. It disinfects by reacting with the cytoplasm of cells to produce nitrogen-chlorine bonds with cell proteins. This causes a series of reactions that stops cell metabolism.
- Slow Acting Residual. Depending on pH, some of this hypochlorous acid is converted to sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), commonly called bleach. While hypochlorite is not a particularly good disinfectant itself, it is a long-lasting molecule that is gradually reconverted back to hypochlorous acid, resulting in long-term residual disinfection. In many applications, this permits the cost-effective treatment of a small side stream rather than the entire flow itself. Because these disinfectant levels are carefully managed by BioIonix’s proprietary dose control process, this helps prevent the generation of undesired chlorinated byproducts.
The BioIonix process offers a solution to difficult liquid disinfection problems in a number of different industries. Contact us to discuss your specific process challenges.