Abstract:
The length of time that a disinfecting alkali-metal hypochlorite solution remains active may be controlled by providing for the presence therein of an alkali-metal alpha-hydroxy-beta-sulfosuccinate at pH 2 to 12, reducing the pH to a level below about 9. 5, and heating after a desired time, the sulfosuccinate having very little reactivity with the hypochlorite at room temperature, but being more reactive to destroy substantially all of the hypochlorite at elevated temperatures. An additional advantage of the aforementioned solution lies in the ability of the alkali-metal alpha-hydroxy-beta-sulfosuccinate to serve as a detergent builder, sequestrant, and descaling agent at appropriate concentrations and pH levels.