Peracetic acid (PAA) is a highly effective biocidal oxidizer that retains its efficacy even in the presence of organic soil, making disinfection with peracetic acid an excellent choice for removing surface contaminants such as proteins on medical tubing like endoscopic tubes. Since its introduction in 1988, PAA has been utilized in automated machines to chemically sterilize a variety of medical, surgical, and dental instruments, including endoscopes and arthroscopes, through a microprocessor-controlled, low-temperature sterilization method widely adopted across the United States.
Broadening Applications of PAA
The primary uses of PAA extend to healthcare and food sanitation due to its ability to decompose into environmentally benign components—oxygen and water. However, its application is expanding into industrial wastewater treatment. Food processors and breweries, for instance, increasingly use PAA to pretreat organic waste before further treatment and discharge. This practice aligns with longstanding traditions in Europe, where peroxygen chemical compounds have been used for years, and now, U.S. water treatment companies are looking at PAA as a viable alternative to halogenated disinfectants like chlorine.
Benefits and Challenges of Using PAA
Peracetic acid, an organic compound created by combining acetic acid with hydrogen peroxide and a catalyst, emits an odor that resembles vinegar and is typically sold in a solution that includes acetic acid, peroxide, and water. Registered as a disinfectant by the U.S. EPA in 1985, PAA offers several advantages:
- Environmentally Friendly: PAA breaks down into acetic acid, water, and oxygen after oxidation, posing minimal risk when discharged into water bodies containing organic material. Its rapid decomposition ensures minimal residual chemicals remain.
- Regulatory Freedom: With few current regulations impacting its use due to its quick breakdown and non-formation of harmful disinfection byproducts (DBPs), PAA stands out as a preferable choice.
- Extended Shelf Life: Compared to other disinfectants like sodium hypochlorite, which has a shelf life of about 90 days, PAA can remain effective for six months to two years.
Despite these benefits, PAA has its drawbacks:
- Highly Corrosive: Handling PAA requires caution as it can damage skin, eyes, lungs, metals, and some polymers. It necessitates the use of protective gear and well-ventilated environments.
- Varied Efficacy: While instantly lethal to bacteria and fungi, PAA is less effective against protozoa and viruses, including pathogens like Giardia and Cryptosporidium, though it is effective against SARS-CoV-2 on hard surfaces.
- Cost and Availability: Generally, PAA is more expensive and less widely available than chlorine-based alternatives, but as its use becomes more mainstream, these factors are expected to improve.
The Power of Peracetic Acid in Disinfection
Peracetic acid is a versatile and powerful oxidizing agent effective against a wide range of pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi, without leaving harmful residues or by-products. Its efficacy and relatively low environmental impact make it an ideal choice for maintaining high standards of hygiene.
Grundfos Smart Digital Dosing: A Game Changer in Precision
The integration of Grundfos’ SMART Digital dosing pumps into the application of PAA has set new standards in precision and efficiency. These pumps are equipped with variable-speed stepper motors that allow for precise control of chemical dosing, minimizing waste and maximizing disinfection effectiveness. Grundfos’ innovative drive strategies such as AutoDeaeration and AutoFlowAdapt ensure smooth and continuous dosing, which is critical in maintaining consistent disinfection levels throughout the processing line.
Case Study: Safe Foods and Grundfos Collaboration
Grundfos’ SMART Digital dosing technologies are revolutionizing food safety with Illinois Process Equipment (IPE) at the forefront of deploying these solutions. A pertinent example of these technologies in action is seen in this Case Study regarding Safe Foods and Grundfos. Safe Foods, a company dedicated to providing safe food to over 250 million people each day, faced challenges with the consistent dosing of PAA. By partnering with Grundfos and leveraging the SMART Digital dosing pump, they enhanced the safety and consistency of their sanitation practices for consistently safe food products.
The smart technology embedded in these pumps allows for real-time monitoring and precise control, enabling Safe Foods to reduce downtime, lower maintenance costs, and significantly cut chemical expenses.
Benefits of Smart Digital Dosing Pumps
- Accuracy and Safety: The SMART Digital pumps ensure accurate dosing, reducing the risk of chemical overuse or under-dosing, which can be critical in maintaining food safety standards.
- Operational Efficiency: With features like 100% stroke length and continuous monitoring, these pumps facilitate smoother operations with less intervention needed.
- Cost-Effectiveness: By optimizing chemical use and reducing waste, these pumps offer substantial cost savings over time.
- Real-Time Monitoring: The ability to track dosing operations in real-time helps in immediate troubleshooting and enhances overall process transparency.
IPE and Grundfos: A Partnership for Advanced Pump Solutions
At Illinois Process Equipment, we are proud to partner with Grundfos to offer the SMART Digital Dosing Pump and a comprehensive lineup of other Grundfos products. As Chicagoland’s premier pump service and repair facility, IPE delivers fully integrated services from system design and engineering to installation, testing, and maintenance.
Our commitment extends to providing turnkey solutions for all industrial pump needs, ensuring that each installation is optimized for the specific operational demands.
Why Choose IPE?
Choosing IPE means benefiting from:
- Custom maintenance and repair programs designed to minimize costly downtime.
- A full-service repair center and authorized Grundfos service partner.
- Expert technical capabilities and a state-of-the-art repair facility.
- Energy audits, condition monitoring, and real-time data analytics.
With a focus on individual customer needs and a deep understanding of industrial processes, our experienced staff of engineers and service technicians are dedicated to providing the best solutions tailored to each client’s specifications. The role of smart dosing technology coupled with peracetic acid in food safety cannot be overstated.
As industries strive to meet higher standards of safety and efficiency, partnering with leaders in the field like IPE and utilizing advanced solutions like Grundfos pumps ensure that your operations are safe, efficient, and sustainable. To learn more about how these technologies can transform your food processing operations, contact Illinois Process Equipment today. Let us help you integrate the best in safety and efficiency into your processes.
