Solution having biocidal activity

Abstract

A method and apparatus for the electrochemical treatment of an aqueous solution in an electrolytic cell is described. Output solution having a predetermined level of available free chlorine is produced by applying a substantially constant current across the cell between an anode and a cathode while passing a substantially constant throughput of chloride ions through the cell.

1 . A biocidal solution having a pH of from 5 to 7 and an available free chlorine (AFC) concentration of about 3 parts per million (ppm) to 300 ppm. 
     
     
         2 . The biocidal solution of  claim 1 , wherein the AFC concentration is approximately 100 to 250 ppm. 
     
     
         3 . A method of disinfecting a medical instrument comprising exposing the medical instrument to the biocidal solution of  claim 2 . 
     
     
         4 . A method of treating a venous leg ulcer in a patient comprising administering the biocidal solution of  claim 1  to the leg ulcer. 
     
     
         5 . A method of disinfecting poultry or fish comprising exposing the poultry or fish to the biocidal solution of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         6 . A method of breaking down bacterial biofilm comprising exposing the biofilm to the biocidal solution of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         7 . A method of producing the biocidal solution of  claim 1  comprising:
 providing an electrochemical cell comprising an anode chamber having an anode and a cathode chamber having a cathode;   supplying a saline solution to the anode chamber and the cathode chamber;   applying a current across the cell between the anode and the cathode; and   obtaining the biocidal solution from the electrochemical cell.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein obtaining the biocidal solution comprises obtaining the solution from the anode chamber. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein applying a current comprises applying a current of 8 amps when the surface area of the anode is approximately 100 cm 2 . 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein a larger proportion of the saline solution is fed to the anode chamber than is fed to the cathode chamber. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein 80% of the saline solution is fed to the anode chamber and 20% of the saline solution is fed to the cathode chamber. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising applying a substantially constant current across the cell between the cathode and the anode and passing a substantially constant throughput of chloride ions through the electrochemical cell. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein supplying a saline solution comprises forming a saline solution by combining a diluent potable tap water and a concentrated salt solution. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein forming a saline solution comprises feeding the concentrated salt solution by pulsatile means into a flow of the diluent water to produce the saline solution. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the concentrated salt solution is pulsed into a continuous flow of the diluent water through a plurality of apertures along the flow path to produce a uniformly mixed saline solution. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein supplying a saline solution comprises supplying a substantially constant concentration of a saline solution to the anode chamber and the cathode chamber. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising recirculating a portion of the catholyte produced in the cathode chamber into the anode chamber.