Anti-microbial and oxidative co-polymer

Abstract

A water-insoluble polymeric oxidizing medium is contemplated that has a plurality of polymerized N-pyridinium vinylbenzyl triiodide or tribromide moieties whose pyridinium rings bear two substituents, R 1 and R 2 , that are independently a hydrido or a C 1 -C 4 alkyl group, and correspond in structure to the formula A process for preparing aseptic water and an apparatus useful for carrying out that process, both of which utilize a contemplated polymeric oxidizing

1 . A water-insoluble polymeric medium having a plurality of polymerized N-pyridinium vinylbenzyl triiodide moieties whose pyridinium rings bear two substituents, R 1  and R 2 , that are independently a hydrido or a C 1 -C 4  alkyl group, said polymerized N-pyridinium vinylbenzyl triiodide or tribromide moieties corresponding in structure to the formula 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
     
     
         2 . The polymeric medium in accordance with  claim 1  wherein one of said R 1  and R 2  substituents is a C 1  group. 
     
     
         3 . The polymeric medium in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said R 1  and R 2  substituents are both hydrido groups. 
     
     
         4 . The polymeric medium in accordance with  claim 1  that has a triiodide ion content of about 0.1 to about 1.0 moles per liter. 
     
     
         5 . The polymeric medium in accordance with  claim 1  that is free of water-elutable iodine. 
     
     
         6 . A water-insoluble polymeric medium having a plurality of polymerized N-pyridinium vinylbenzyl triiodide moieties in which the triiodide ion content is about 0.1 to about 1.0 moles per liter, said medium being free of water-elutable iodine. 
     
     
         7 . The polymeric medium in accordance with  claim 6  wherein the triiodide ion content is about 0.2 to about 0.5 moles per liter. 
     
     
         8 . The polymeric medium in accordance with  claim 6  wherein said medium is macroreticular. 
     
     
         9 . The polymeric medium in accordance with  claim 8  wherein said macroreticular medium comprises free-flowing particles. 
     
     
         10 . A process for forming an aseptic fluid from a fluid containing microbial contamination comprising the steps of:
 (a) providing a vessel containing a water-insoluble polymeric medium having a plurality of polymerized N-pyridinium vinylbenzyl triiodide or tribromide moieties of the structure   
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein R 1  and R 2  are independently a hydrido or a C 1  alkyl group; 
         (b) introducing to the vessel an influent of microbially contaminated fluid that is clear and free from visible precipitate to contact the insoluble medium; 
         (c) maintaining said fluid in contact with said insoluble medium for a time period sufficient for microbes present in the influent to be killed by said triiodide ions and form aseptic fluid; and 
         (d) discharging the aseptic fluid from the vessel as an effluent. 
       
     
     
         11 . The process in accordance with  claim 10  wherein one of said R 1  and R 2  substituents is a C 1  alkyl group. 
     
     
         12 . The process in accordance with  claim 10  wherein said R 1  and R 2  substituents are both hydrido groups. 
     
     
         13 . The process in accordance with  claim 10  wherein said polymeric medium has a triiodide ion content of about 0.1 to about 1.0 moles per liter. 
     
     
         14 . The process in accordance with  claim 10  wherein said fluid is water. 
     
     
         15 . A process for forming aseptic water from an aqueous solution containing microbial contamination comprising the steps of:
 (a) providing a vessel containing a water-insoluble polymeric medium having a plurality of polymerized N-pyridinium vinylbenzyl triiodide moieties in which the triiodide concentration is about 0.1 to about 1.0 moles per liter;   (b) introducing to the vessel an influent of microbially contaminated water that is clear and free from visible precipitate to contact the insoluble medium;   (c) maintaining said water in contact with said insoluble medium for a time period sufficient for microbes present in the influent to be killed by said triiodide ions and form aseptic water; and   (d) discharging the aseptic water from the vessel as an effluent.   
     
     
         16 . The process in accordance with  claim 15  wherein the influent contains coliform or  Pseudomonas aeruginosa.    
     
     
         17 . The process in accordance with  claim 15  wherein medium is macroreticular. 
     
     
         18 . The process in accordance with  claim 15  wherein the triiodide ion content is about 0.2 to about 0.5 moles per liter. 
     
     
         19 . An apparatus for preparing an aseptic fluid that comprises:
 a vessel having an inlet, an outlet and a water-insoluble polymeric medium in a polymeric medium-containing region;   said water-insoluble polymeric medium comprising a plurality of polymerized N-pyridinium vinylbenzyl triiodide moieties whose pyridinium rings bear two substituents, R 1  and R 2 , that are independently a hydrido or a C 1 -C 4  alkyl group, said polymerized N-pyridinium vinylbenzyl triiodide or tribromide moieties corresponding in structure to the formula   
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein the medium is supported and contained within the medium-containing region. 
       
     
     
         20 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 19  wherein one of said R 1  and R 2  substituents is a C 1  group. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 19  wherein said R 1  and R 2  substituents are both hydrido groups. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 19  that has a triiodide ion content of about 0.1 to about 1.0 moles per liter. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 19  that is free of water-elutable iodine. 
     
     
         24 . An apparatus for preparing aseptic water that comprises:
 a vessel having an inlet, an outlet and a water-insoluble polymeric medium in polymeric medium-containing region;   said water-insoluble polymeric medium comprising a plurality of polymerized N-pyridinium vinylbenzyl triiodide or tribromide moieties in which the triiodide ion content is about 0.1 to about 1.0 moles per liter, and is free of water-elutable iodine;   wherein the medium is supported and contained within the medium-containing region.   
     
     
         25 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 24  wherein the triiodide ion content is about 0.2 to about 0.5 moles per liter. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus in accordance with  claim 24  wherein said medium is macroreticular. 
     
     
         27 . The apparatus according to  claim 24  wherein said vessel includes a first flow-permitting support positioned between the outlet and the medium-containing region. 
     
     
         28 . The apparatus according to  claim 24  wherein said vessel includes a second flow-permitting support positioned between the inlet and the medium-containing region. 
     
     
         29 . The separation apparatus according to  claim 24  wherein said inlet and outlet are separated from each other. 
     
     
         30 . The separation apparatus according to  claim 24  wherein said the inlet and outlet are at opposite ends of the apparatus. 
     
     
         31 .- 50 . (canceled)