Chemical Combination for Generation of Disinfectant and Heat

Abstract

This invention comprises a lightweight, portable chemical combination of reagents for sterilizing or disinfecting objects in the absence of electrical power or fire. The chemical combination includes a chemical oxidant with the capacity to liberate a biocidal intermediate, a chemical reductant of the oxidant with the capacity to react with the oxidant, and an effector to induce a reaction between the oxidant and reductant. In one embodiment, the oxidant comprises chlorite, the reductant comprises sulfite, and the effector comprises ascorbate. In another embodiment, the chemical combination comprises the oxidant, reductant, effector and iron-activated magnesium. When water or water solutions are added to either embodiment, the chemical combination generates heat, steam and a biocidal intermediate that can destroy contaminating microorganisms. In one embodiment, the biocidal intermediate is a halogen-based biocidal intermediate, such as chlorine dioxide. In another embodiment, the biocidal intermediate is a halogen-free biocidal intermediate.

1 - 12 . (canceled) 
   
   
       13 . A chemical combination of constituents, for reacting to generate a biocidal intermediate, for use in disinfecting and sterilizing objects, said constituents comprising:
 a liquid solvent comprising an aqueous solution such as water or water solutions having the capacity to function as a source of steam;   a non-halogen chemical oxidant having the capacity to liberate a biocidal intermediate;   a chemical reductant having the capacity to reduce said chemical oxidant;   an electron-transfer effector compound having a capacity to induce electron-transfer reaction chemistry between said chemical oxidant and said chemical reductant in order to cause said chemical oxidant to liberate a biocidal intermediate said effector being a reducing sugar; and   a metallic reductant and an activator, said metallic reductant being chosen from the group consisting of Li, Na, K, Be, Ca, Zn, their corresponding amalgams, and mixtures thereof, and the activator being chosen from the group consisting of V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, or any other transitional or more noble metal than magnesium and mixtures thereof, having the capacity to reduce said liquid solvent; wherein upon said combination of the constituents, the effector initiates a reduction of the oxidant by a transfer of an electron from the oxidant to the effector for causing a release of heat, a decrease in solution pH, and a release of biocidal intermediate in heated gaseous and aqueous forms, said reaction between the effector and oxidant inducing chemical reaction between the oxidant and reductant for producing heat and increasing solution pH for generating heated biocidal intermediate at approximately neutral pH of about 5 to 8 for affecting said objects to expose any contaminating microorganisms to said intermediate and sterilizing said objects; and wherein said electron-transfer reaction is exothermic and generates heat, said heat sufficient for converting said aqueous solution to steam for further sterilizing said objects.   
   
   
       14 - 24 . (canceled) 
   
   
       25 . The chemical combination according to  claim 13  wherein said chemical oxidant is chosen from persulfate and hydrogen peroxide. 
   
   
       26 . The chemical combination according to  claim 13  wherein said chemical oxidant is a halogen-free chemical oxidant. 
   
   
       27 - 32 . (canceled) 
   
   
       33 . The chemical combination according to  claim 13  wherein the chemical reductant is chosen from the group consisting of sodium sulfite, sodium dithionite, hypophosphorus acid, and iron(II). 
   
   
       34 . (canceled) 
   
   
       35 . (canceled) 
   
   
       36 . The chemical combination according to  claim 13  wherein the biocidal intermediate is a halogen-free biocidal intermediate. 
   
   
       37 . The chemical combination according to  claim 13  wherein said water solution is a salt-water solution. 
   
   
       38 . The chemical combination according to  claim 13  wherein said constituents are varied in appropriate quantities and/or relative proportions. 
   
   
       39 . The chemical combination according to  claim 13  wherein said combination occurs in an enclosed container for producing and maintaining in the container an environment of disinfecting biocide gas and/or solution and an atmosphere of steam or high relative humidity and temperature for a period of time sufficient to destroy any contaminating microorganisms and/or chemicals present. 
   
   
       40 . The chemical combination according to  claim 13  wherein said metallic reductant is configured in a form having a high surface area.