The Technology
ElectroChemical Activation (ECA) is the process used to generate liquid biocides known as Neutral Electrolyzed Water (ECA Anolyte) – super-oxidized water that is non-toxic, pH neutral and has an extended shelf life.
“Super-oxidized water” – also known as anolyte – is water that has had an electric current passed through it, thereby generating a number of oxidized species. This is an electrochemical (or oxidation- reduction) process.Specifically, it is an electrolysis process.
In the early development of “Super-Oxidized Water”, electrolytic cells were only capable of generating small volumes of acidic electrolyzed water (AEW) with a limited shelf life and corrosive, toxic properties.
In recent years, neutral electrolyzed water (‘NEW’) has been developed as a high-level non-corrosive disinfectant, able to penetrate cell membranes more effectively in comparison with acidic electrolyzed water (‘AEW’) or Sodium Hypochlorite or other traditional chemical disinfectants.
“Super-Oxidized Waters” are generated by ElectroChemical Activation of a dilute NaCI (brine) solution passing through an electrolytic cell.
Electrolytic CellECA technology utilizes Electrolytic Cells where the anode chamber is separated by an unidirectional permeable membrane from the cathode chamber. The Electrolytic Cell allows migration of ions through the membranes and separation of such ions and prevention of production of high levels of Hypochlorous Acid.
The ECA electrolysis process is one in which positive and negative electrodes are submerged in a solution containing positive and negative ions.
Positive ions (cations) are drawn towards the negative electrode, where they receive electrons from the electron-rich cathode and neutral atoms or molecules are formed.
At the anode (positive electrode) negative ions (anions) are attracted, which give up their additional electrons to the electron-depleted anode.