Plasma activated water for disinfecting home appliances and bleaching

Abstract

A home appliance having a water cycle, in particular a dishwasher, a washing machine or a dryer, wherein a plasma generator for generating a cold atmospheric pressure plasma is integrated into the water cycle so that it can activate water circulating in the home appliance. Moreover, a home appliance comprising a plasma generator, which generates active species having a bleaching activity in the water circulating in the home appliance. Also provided is a process for operating a home appliance having a water cycle, wherein plasma activated water is generated and circulated in the home appliance and the use of a plasma generator to generate active species having a bleaching activity in the water circulating in a home appliance.

1 . A home appliance configured to run a water cycle, the home appliance comprising:
 a plasma generator configured to generate a cold atmospheric pressure plasma integrated into the water cycle to plasma activate water circulating in the home appliance, wherein the plasma generator is provided with a chlorine source to generate active chlorine species having a bleaching activity in the water circulating in the home appliance.   
     
     
         2 . The home appliance according to  claim 1 , wherein the chlorine source is brine. 
     
     
         3 . The home appliance according to  claim 1 , wherein the plasma generator is integrated at a sucking nozzle or a pressure outlet of a circulation pump. 
     
     
         4 . The home appliance according to  claim 1 , wherein the plasma generator is integrated into a fresh water supply line. 
     
     
         5 . The home appliance according to  claim 1 , wherein the plasma generator is integrated into a supply line of a reservoir for fresh and/or washing water. 
     
     
         6 . The home appliance according to  claim 1 , wherein the plasma generator is integrated at an inlet site of a steam generating line. 
     
     
         7 . The home appliance according to  claim 1 , wherein the plasma generator is integrated downstream of a water leakage safety system of a water supply pocket. 
     
     
         8 . The home appliance according to  claim 1 , wherein the plasma generator is integrated downstream at an outlet of a water softener. 
     
     
         9 . The home appliance according to  claim 1 , wherein the plasma generator is integrated in a metering unit. 
     
     
         10 . The home appliance according to  claim 1 , wherein the plasma generator is integrated in a separated line of a water switch. 
     
     
         11 . The home appliance according to  claim 1 , wherein the plasma generator is visible to a user from outside of the home appliance. 
     
     
         12 . A process of operating a home appliance having a water cycle according to  claim 1 , comprising:
 generating and circulating, in the water cycle, plasma activated water containing:   active oxygen species having a bleaching activity and   active chlorine species having a bleaching activity.   
     
     
         13 . The process according to  claim 12 , wherein generating and circulating, in the water cycle, plasma activated water occurs when fresh water is circulated through the home appliance and the home appliance is not loaded with washing or drying goods. 
     
     
         14 . A method comprising using a plasma generator provided with a chlorine source to generate active oxygen species having a bleaching activity, and to generate active chlorine species having a bleaching activity, in water circulating in a home appliance. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the active oxygen species having the bleaching activity is hydrogen peroxide, and wherein the active chlorine species having the bleaching activity is hypochlorite. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the home appliance is a dishwasher or a washing machine. 
     
     
         17 . The home appliance according to  claim 1 , wherein the home appliance is a dishwasher, a washing machine or a dryer. 
     
     
         18 . The home appliance according to  claim 1 , wherein the active chlorine species is or comprises hypochlorite. 
     
     
         19 . The home appliance according to  claim 8 , wherein the water softener comprises a brine tank, and wherein the plasma generator is configured to generate active chlorine species from the brine. 
     
     
         20 . The process according to  claim 12 , wherein the active oxygen species having the bleaching activity is hydrogen peroxide, and wherein the active chlorine species having the bleaching activity is hypochlorite.