A NEW POINT-OF-USE DISINFECTION METHOD

由水传播微生物引起的传染病的暴发是一个主要的公共卫生问题。传染病可以从许多来源传播，包括饮用水和娱乐用水，如果没有适当的维护，甚至在高度净化的水源中也可能发生。防治水传播疾病的一个潜在手段是广泛实施使用点消毒系统。然而，由于成本和工艺的限制，许多现有的消毒方法作为使用点处理方法并不可行。本提案所述工作的目的是开发一种小规模的使用点臭氧发生器。臭氧之所以有吸引力，是因为它是一种有效的杀生剂，产生的有害反应相对较少；然而，小规模产生臭氧既困难又昂贵。第一阶段研究论证了小规模自给式臭氧发生器的可行性，该发生器可以低成本大规模生产。这种新方法有可能为世界上小型或经济困难的社区、农村社区、高密度社区和不发达地区提供重要的水处理能力。需要无污染饮用水和超纯净水的医院也可以从这种治疗中受益。第二阶段将集中于：(L)臭氧发生器的设计优化；(2)设备的水消毒和运行能力的优化。拟议的商业应用：有相当大的需要使用消毒技术来补充现有的使用点净水方法。鉴于医疗保健设施、餐馆、食品服务机构、酒店和家庭中使用的大量使用点设备，市场机会是巨大的。据估计，这个市场在美国每年的价值超过15亿美元(世界其他地区为30亿美元)。为了支持商业化活动和长期商业化目标，已向Lynntech，Inc.颁发了两项关于电化学臭氧产生的专利。第三项专利将在大约3个月内颁发。

Outbreaks of infectious diseases caused by waterborne microbes are a major public health concern. Infectious agents can be transmitted from many sources, including drinking water and recreational water and can occur even in highly purified water sources if not properly maintained. A potential means to combat the transmission of disease from water is through the widespread implementation of point-of-use disinfection systems. However, many existing disinfection methods are not viable as point-of-use treatments because of cost and process limitations. The aim of the work described in this proposal is to develop a small scale point-of- use ozone generator. Ozone is attractive because it is a potent biocide that produces relatively few harmful reaction by products; however, ozone is difficult and expensive to generate on a small scale. The Phase I study demonstrated the feasibility of a small scale seif-contained ozone generator that can be mass produced at low cost. The new method has the potential to provide an important water treatment capability to small or economically depressed communities, rural communities, high density neighborhoods and underdeveloped regions of the world. Hospitals requiring contaminant-free drinking water and ultra pure cleaning water could also benefit from this type of treatment. The Phase II will focus on: (l) optimization of the ozone generator's design; and, (2) optimization of the device's water disinfection arid operational capabilities. PROPOSED COMMERCIAL APPLICATION: There is a considerable need for disinfection technology to complement existing point-of -use water purification methods. The market opportunity is substantial, given the large number of point-of-use devices used in health care facilities, restaurants, food service establishments, hotels and in the home. This market is estimated to be worth over $1.5 billion annually in the U.S. ($3 billion for the rest of the world). In support of the commercialization activities and long term commercialization goals, two patents on electrochemical ozone generation have issued to Lynntech, Inc. A third will issue in approximately 3 months.