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Electro-chemical activation (ECA) is a proven
technology which was developed in the early
1970s. Since then, the technology has evolved,
through many iterations of various devices, into
an industry which manufactures devices that
produce electrolyzed solutions with applications
in use around the world.
The ECA process that IET employs is a patented technology
that uses an electrolytic cell to temporarily alter the properties
of water. The cell is exclusively manufactured for IET in
the United States and is designed to meet specific IET performance
requirements. The IET electrolytic cell is a specially designed
and patented device consisting of a titanium anode tube, coated
with precious metals, and separated from a titanium cathode
tube by a semi-porous ceramic diaphragm. This unqiue cell
is the key component of the EcaFloŽ equipment produced by
IET.
When the
anode and cathode tubes are electrically charged, a
saline solution may be passed through the cell,
producing anolyte from the anode chamber and
catholyte from the cathode chamber. Anolyte and
Catholyte are two distinctly different streams of
activated water.
Anolyte, produced in the anode chamber of the
cell, is a strong oxidizing solution with a pH
range of 3.5 - 8.5 and an Oxidation-Reduction
Potential (ORP) of +600 to +1200mV. The most
common application of anolyte is as a biocide
agent.
Catholyte, produced in the cathode chamber of
the cell, is an antioxidant, mildly alkaline
solution with a pH range of 10.5 - 12.0 and ORP
of -600 to -900mV. The most common application
of catholyte is as a mild cleaning detergent and
degreasing agent.
 The
application of ECA solutions on working surfaces, processing
equipment, walls, floors, etc., assures that bacteria and
other microorganisms are mitigated on those surfaces. This
is also true of boots, aprons, gloves and other apparel typically
worn in food processing or preparation areas. Catholyte solutions,
when applied to hard surfaces, remove the organic load which
is the protecting barrier and food source for growth of micro-organisms,
and when followed by a surface treatment with anolyte, bacteria
are killed in shorter contact times and in lower concentrations
of FAC than is possible with hypochlorite (bleach) solutions.
Anolyte solutions are also excellent sanitizing agents for
cleaning hands, utinsils and more. The ability to control
pH of the EcaFloŽ Anolyte solutions allows for selecting and
producing the type of solution needed, making the EcaFloŽ
process even more unique.
Application of anolyte solution is allowed by the USFDA
for meat processing and ECA solutions have been used effectively
as fungicides and bactericides in fruit orchards, grape vineyards
and for vegetable processing dips and sprays.
Electro-chemically activated solutions, for the management
of microorganisms, have almost unlimited applications, and
they are produced in an environmentally responsible manner.
Other technologies used to mitigate pathogens are typically
more expensive than EcaFloŽ systems and some have strenuous
safety compliance requirements. Due to the ability of microbes
to adapt to harsh environments, chemicals often become ineffective
long term biocides and allow microbes to survive treatment.
Microorganisms and pathogens cannot become resistant to anolyte
due to the disruption of DNA structure during cell destruction.
Chemicals and their residues exist for long periods of time
and often require buffering before being released into the
environment.
Solutions produced with EcaFloŽ devices use salt
brine to produce metastable products, with a short duration
in the environment, yet possess many beneficial properties.
The cost of EcaFloŽ equipment can be recaptured through savings
achieved by avoiding the cost of compliance issues, such as
the inventory, storage and handling requirements of regulated
chemicals, and the extra labor costs associated with “cradle-to-grave”
accountability of hazardous materials. Because anolyte is metastable
and has a short duration when released in the environment, risk
profiles are reduced where it is used. The reliability of EcaFloŽ
equipment allows for the production of predictable and consistent
solutions, time and time again, at a cost of pennies per gallon.
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