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Development Electrolyzed Water
Electrolysis of water is the process of chemically changing water (H2O) or ionizing water into its base elements of Oxygen (O2) and Hydrogen gas (H2) due to an electric current being passed through the water. An electrolyte such as salt is often added to the source water to enhance conductivity and control the process. These Electro-Chemically Activated (ECA) Water fluids have either oxidative properties or reductive properties each of which can be measured as millivolts in the fluids referred to as ORP or Oxidative Reduction Potential.
Electrolysis of water is not a new technology. First demonstrated in 1800, it was developed in the 1860s as a source for hydrogen gas. This core technology as depicted to the right was not drastically altered through most of the 20th century and was initially commercialized in the 1900s to use electrolyzed or oxidative water in the production of chlorine in swimming pools.
The modern development of the electrolysis of common saltwater with a dividing membrane between the electrodes resulted in two separate solutions, mainly comprised of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution referred to as catholyte or alkaline water, and Hypochlorous Acid (HOCl) solution referred to as anolyte or acidic water. The technology is referred to as flat plate technology and was originally developed in Japan. This advancement enabled the effective separation of the two ionized steams of alkaline or catholyte cleaning solutions, and the acidic or anolyte sanitizing solutions.
Additional development was invested in cylindrical cell technology. It involved the use of a ceramic cylindrical type electrode and membrane configuration and is often referred to as Russian coaxial-based technology. As in float plate technology, a saline solution is subjected to electrolysis with a dividing membrane between the electrodes, two separate solutions are produced. These are similar fluids however the fluid’s properties as well as chloride amounts are highly concentrated and require dilution before they can be used in applications or exposed to human contact.
The properties of the water variants from both technologies began being tested in the mid-1900s for commercial purposes. Testing of the Electrolyzed Acidic Water (EAW) demonstrated its effectiveness as a sanitizing agent. Multiple university studies have proven EAW is many times more effective than normal chlorine bleach solutions in eliminating bacteria, molds, mildews, and fungal populations. The Electrolyzed Reduced Water (ERW) or Catholyte was discovered to be extremely effective in breaking down and removing soils and oil buildups in pipes, surfaces, instruments, and tools. EAW has been certified in many countries for use as a cleaner and sanitizer for medical applications. The first form of electrolyzed water that was developed was the acidic type, and it was accepted quickly by the food industry in Japan. It was found to be useful at killing bacteria and parasites on raw fish without altering the sensory characteristics of the fish. It has been used worldwide in cleaning and sanitizing food production equipment as well as effective fruit and vegetable washes for many types of food processing uses.
Fundamentals of Safe pH Water
Safe pH Water provides and supports Electrolysis Generator Systems developed by EAU Technologies. Through years of laboratory and field studies, the EAU engineers determined that the most effective electrolyzed solutions were those where all the water properties were applied at production strength and not diluted. As discussed later, the most effective anti-bacterial results were obtained with EOW of 4 – 5 pH, Cl2 content between 40 – 100 ppm, and an ORP in excess of 950 mv. Coaxial concentrate systems often do not meet the target pH where HOCl content is maximized, and the ORP is effectively eliminated with dilution. Conversely, it was proven that ECA water with the desired attributes could be produced and the values maintained through controlled flat plate technology.
This proprietary EAU cell technology results in two separate solutions tailored for the optimum cleaning and sanitizing parameters. The alkaline cleaning solution (Catholyte) with an effective measure of Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH), improves the primary cleaning process of soil and deposit removal at a faster and more effective rate, and saves energy as well as the costs of expensive, formulated caustic chemicals.
Hypochlorous acidic solution (Anolyte) being comprised of Hypochlorous acid (HOCL) is a weak acid that also occurs naturally in the body to combat infection. It is a powerful sanitizer that is substantially more effective than traditional Chlorine solutions such as Sodium Hypochlorite. It sanitizes rapidly and effectively without the need for heating. This new technology revolutionizes CIP procedures. It helps reduce carbon footprint, shortens CIP and changeover times, and saves energy as well as the costs of expensive, formulated chemicals.
The fundamentals of using natural drinking water with just a bit of food salt added and applying an electrical current to produce a natural disinfectant that is identical with nature’s own have elevated the status of natural disinfection in the dairy, food, and beverage industries as an environmentally friendly solution. The fact that the process is based upon simple electrolysis using only natural ingredients such as water and salt means that Safe pH Water is a truly sustainable solution.
EAU's Unique Generator Design
EAU Empowered WaterTM is uniquely produced through the electrolysis of a solution of sodium chloride or sodium carbonate. As discussed above, a typical simple electrolysis generator has membranes that are permeable and a mixture of anolyte and catholyte will be produced. This is essentially a mixture of sodium hydroxide and hypochlorous acid. This design further restricts the electrolysis operation by not permitting independent flow rates to pass the electrodes. The result is that for every gallon of anolyte produced, a gallon of catholyte must also be produced, AND the fluids will have the same fluid strengths even though the final application will require different fluid amounts and values.
EAU employs a patent-pending membrane material and design positioned between the electrodes, permitting independent electrolysis operations. EAU generators effectively separate the two electrolytes. A variation of the flow rate past the respective electrodes enables different concentrations of the two electrolytes to be obtained. This revolutionary process permits of fluids to be produced in the exact amounts and solution strengths that are required for each application. For instance in Beverage CIP, the amount of Catholyte used for cleaning will vary from the amount of Anolyte needed for sanitation. This “Independent Fluid Production” feature not only best matches the real needs of the application, but also greatly improves system efficiency and waste processed water.
The Patent Pending EAU Flat Plat cell with a Proprietary Membrane separating the cathode from the anode.
