Virus and bacteria inactivation by CO2 bubbles in solution

Abstract

The availability of clean water is a major problem facing the world. In particular, the cost and destruction caused by viruses in water remains an unresolved challenge and poses a major limitation on the use of recycled water. Here, we develop an environmentally friendly technology for sterilising water. The technology bubbles heated un-pressurised carbon dioxide or exhaust gases through wastewater in a bubble column, effectively destroying both bacteria and viruses. The process is extremely cost effective, with no concerning by-products, and has already been successfully scaled-up industrially.

Humidified Warmed CO2 Treatment Therapy Strategies Can Save Lives With Mitigation and Suppression of SARS-CoV-2 Infection: An Evidence Review

“…Carbon dioxide gas is an antiviral, antibacterial, and anti-infection agent effective not only on solid surfaces but also in aqueous solutions and water treatment settings (17). Heated, un-pressurized carbon dioxide bubbled through wastewater or aqueous media effectively destroys both waterborne bacteria and viruses (18). Moreover, supercritical CO 2 can in-activate and eliminate coronaviruses from an animal, human tissues and solid surfaces (19)(20)(21).…”

“…Even though the mechanism of inactivation of microorganisms by CO 2 is not yet resolved, there are a number of hypotheses that have been proposed to explain the unique disinfection action of CO 2 gas (28). CO 2 gas is far superior to other similar gases, with much higher viral inactivation rates at lower temperatures (18-100 • C) without the need for pressurization (18,29). CO 2 interacts with water moisture to generate carbonic acid (pH 4.18), a reduced pH could affect virus and microbial cell inactivation, as lipid membrane stability is disrupted and permeability to carbon dioxide increases (30, 31).…”

“…The warm atmospheric pressure CO 2 gas during DPCD is suggested to have high viral inactivation effect by penetrating the virus capsid due to the high density of CO 2 with a high interfacial area (α) produced by the continuous CO 2 -moist contact surface area (29). Following this; CO 2 can bind inside the capsid proteins through acid/base interactions (35), producing the high virus inactivation rates (18). Also, when compared with other gases (Air, O 2 , N 2 , and Argon), CO 2 gas has the highest inactivated viruses and bacteria rates in different NaCl solutions, even at ambient temperatures and normal atmospheric pressure (18).…”

“…Following this; CO 2 can bind inside the capsid proteins through acid/base interactions (35), producing the high virus inactivation rates (18). Also, when compared with other gases (Air, O 2 , N 2 , and Argon), CO 2 gas has the highest inactivated viruses and bacteria rates in different NaCl solutions, even at ambient temperatures and normal atmospheric pressure (18). Recently, Edwards et al demonstrate the effectiveness of aerosol administration of nasal saline comprising calcium and sodium salts diminishes exhaled particles and acts as a new natural defense against airborne pathogens in the human airways (36).…”

Kohlendioxid-Bäder (CO2-Bäder)

“…In zahlreichen Studien wurden in vitro Effekte von CO 2 auf häufige Bakterien-taxa untersucht[24][25][26], darunter auch Staphylococcus aureus. Garrido et al zeigten jüngst in einem in Nature publizierten Artikel Effekte von CO 2 auf Mikro-Organismen im Wasser[27].…”