Abstract: An automated self-propelled pool cleaner having a housing, a water pump for moving water through the housing, drive means for moving the pool cleaner over the surface of the salt water pool to be cleaned, and an integral electrochemical chlorine generator mounted in the housing, includes a processor/controller that is programmed to activate the chlorine generator, the pump and drive means in predetermined operational sequences that minimize wear and tear on the water pump and drive means, while at the same time distribute and maintain a safe level of sanitizing chlorine in the pool, to thereby obviate the need for an in-line chlorinator or other chemical additive treatments; an optional automated sensor device can be provided to activate a secondary maintenance program which enables the pool cleaner to operate over prolonged periods of time as the sole means for filtering and sanitizing the pool water.

Abstract: An electrochemical process for the production of sodium hypochlorite is disclosed. The process may potentially be used to produce sodium hypochlorite from seawater or low purity un-softened or NaCl-based salt solutions. The process utilizes a sodium ion conductive ceramic membrane, such as membranes based on NASICON-type materials, in an electrolytic cell. In the process, water is reduced at a cathode to form hydroxyl ions and hydrogen gas. Chloride ions from a sodium chloride solution are oxidized in the anolyte compartment to produce chlorine gas which reacts with water to produce hypochlorous and hydrochloric acid. Sodium ions are transported from the anolyte compartment to the catholyte compartment across the sodium ion conductive ceramic membrane. Sodium hydroxide is transported from the catholyte compartment to the anolyte compartment to produce sodium hypochlorite within the anolyte compartment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to process to prepare a chlorine-containing compound using an aqueous salt solution containing at least 100 g/l of sodium chloride and a contaminating amount of polyvalent cations comprising the steps of (i) preparing an aqueous salt solution containing at least 100 g/l of sodium chloride and at least 0.01 ppm of polyvalent cations by dissolving a sodium chloride source in water, (ii) adding an effective amount of at least one positive retention enhancing component to the aqueous solution, (iii) subsequently subjecting the solution to a nanofiltration step, thereby separating the solution into a retentate which is enriched for polyvalent cations and a permeate which is the purified aqueous salt solution, (iv) reacting the chloride anions in the permeate to a chlorine-containing compound by an electrolysis step, and (v) recycling at least part of the retentate to dissolution step (i).

Abstract: An electrochemically activated fluid is provided, which has an anolyte and a catholyte. For example, a sparged anolyte and a sparged catholyte are provided. In another example, a combined anolyte and catholyte is provided.

Abstract: A bipolar multi-purpose electrolytic cell for high current loads has a frame, two electrode edge plates with metal electrode sheet, and power supply and of bipolar plates. Each includes a plastic electrode base body with electrode rear spaces and/or with coolings spaces that are incorporated on one or both sides: incorporated supply and discharge lines for the electrolyte solutions and the cooling medium, metal electrode sheets which are applied to both sides of the base body and are solid and/or perforated in the electrochemically active area: electrolyte sealing frames, which rest on the solid metal electrode sheets and which are made of flexible plastic, and: ion exchanger membranes, which rest on the perforated metal electrode sheets and/or on the electrolyte sheets and/or on the electrolyte sealing frames and which are provided for separating the electrode spaces.

Abstract: A water treating apparatus is provided which is capable of producing a hypochlorous acid-containing electrolytic water having a satisfactory sterilizing ability in a household. The water treating apparatus is an apparatus for producing hypochlorous acid in for-treatment water containing a salt by use of an electrochemical reaction which occurs in the for-treatment water when a direct current voltage is applied to at least a pair of electrodes oppositely disposed in the for-treatment water, wherein the direct current voltage to be applied to the electrodes is obtained by smoothing an alternating voltage of domestic use power supply into direct current power of a predetermined voltage, an electrode having titanium covered with a coating containing at least palladium or-ruthenium is used as an anode, and at most 90% of the salt added to the for-treatment water is converted into hypochlorous acid by the electrochemical reaction.

Abstract: Method of controlling biofouling and microorganism population levels in a water system, comprising adding to the water a redox buffer and oxidizing thereafter. The redox buffer may be a peroxide or hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), which is added to the water. The redox buffer keeps the redox potential between about 250 to 450 mV. The oxidant may include a halogenating chemical which is chosen from among the hypohalite species, such as HOCl, NaOCl, NaOBr, HOBr, OBr−, OCl−, Br2, Cl2 and acid solutions. The acid solution is selected from among those containing (Cl2+HCl), (Br2+HBr), (Br2+HCl), trichlorocyanoric acid (TCCA), bromochlorodimethyl hydantoin (BCDMH), dibromodimethyl hydantoin (DBDMH), dichlorodimethyl hydantoin (DCDMH), and other halogen agents, preferably an active chlorine donor or sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) or hypohalide acid (HOX), such as hypochlorous acid (HOCl) or hypobromous acid (HOBr), or hypohalite ion OX, wherein X is Cl or Br, or halohydantoin.

Abstract: An electrolysis unit (10) has an ion selective barrier (20) for separating an anodic chamber (12) from a cathodic chamber (14). An electrolyte within the unit includes a precursor, such as potassium acetate, or acetic acid. A positive potential is applied to an anode (16) within the anodic chamber, resulting in the generation of a variety of shorter and longer lived oxidizing species, such as peracetic acid, hydrogen peroxide, and ozone. In one preferred embodiment, a solution containing the oxidizing species is transported to a site where articles, such as medical instruments, are to be decontaminated. The oxidizing species are generated as needed, avoiding the need to store hazardous decontaminants.