Abstract:
An iodine purification process comprising; a source of fluid; means for delivery of iodine to the source of fluid for use in the purification process; the process further comprising means for recovery of the iodine and/or iodine and/or other iodine species derived from the iodine, from said fluid.

Description:
BACKGROUND  
         [0001]    The present invention relates to treatment processes using iodine and more particularly relates to improved methods and processes for sanitisation/disinfection of water reticulation networks such as but not limited to cooling towers, swimming pools, water tanks, waste water, sewerage and water washing of consumables such as but not limited to food products and drinking water wherein the concentration of active iodine in iodine enriched water used in the disinfecting processes can be maintained within a predetermined optimum range. More particularly the invention relates to processes and methods for disinfection using iodine enriched water wherein the water is constantly recharged with iodine and wherein iodide and iodine bi-products and other iodine species may be continuously removed from the processes and converted to iodine for either recharging said water or for retention and further re-use in the process.  
         PRIOR ART  
         [0002]    Chlorine and Iodine are well known as agents for microbiological control in water supply systems. Iodine has a number of advantages over Chlorine..  
           [0003]    Disadvantages of chlorine used as a microbiological agent include the following:  
           [0004]    1 Formation of by products (trihalomethanes and chloro- furanones—THM&#39;s) that have been found to be mutagenic and carcenogenic and are subject to increasing worldwide government regulation.  
           [0005]    2 As chlorine is a gas at room temperature it is extremely toxic.  
           [0006]    3 Chlorine is corrosive potentially adding a significant cost to accelerated equipment replacement.  
           [0007]    4 Chlorine has high sensitivity to changes in pH and temperature and is only effective in a narrow band of pH and to achieve this desired pH level requires constant monitoring and adjustment.  
           [0008]    5 Continued use can significantly affect the quality of the wash water that is required to be disposed of at the end of a disinfection process leading to the growing need to treat this waste water prior to disposal.  
           [0009]    6 Chlorine is required to be used in many sanitation operations involving food stuffs at high levels (up to 250 ppm) to achieve acceptable microbial kill rates.  
           [0010]    While there is growing pressure to reduce bacterial loads on foodstuffs this must be balanced against the disadvantages of increased use of chlorine which is undesirable for the above reasons. In recognition of the advantages of use of iodine as a purification and disinfecting agent, a number of systems have been developed which employ molecular iodine in the sanitization of water for drinking purposes and for use in processes which include disinfection of sewage, foodstuffs and waste water.  
           [0011]    Iodine is the preferred sanitizing agent in the food industry as it is acknowledged as a more effective user friendly sanitizing agent than chlorine. In addition, depending upon the concentrations, it is safe, can be effectively used at reduced concentrations (up to ten times less) than chlorine yet with a higher microbial kill rate. Iodine (unlike chlorine) does not produce any harmful substances such as carcinogens, and if nearly all by-products are removed, can produce an environmentally safe waste water. Being a solid at room temperatures and supplied, immersed in water, the potentially harmful effects of exposure to a concentrated sanitizing agent such as chlorine are removed, significantly improving environmental work conditions. Furthermore, iodine is less corrosive than chlorine reducing corrosive effects from the use of a biocide.  
           [0012]    A number of United States patents disclose the use of iodine in conjunction with processes for purification of water. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,888,118 discloses a water purification process in which the water is passed through a mass of nylon 4 complex with iodine. The treated water is subsequently passed through nylon 4 to remove iodine from the water.  
           [0013]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,176,836 discloses a new and improved water purification process or method by introduction of molecular iodine into the water supply to impart a desired iodine residual wherein the water is passed through an iodinated anion exchange bed wherein the concentration of I 2  in the flowing water gradually decreases and the ion bed is recharged by treatment with an aqueous iodine solution produced by flowing water through a bed of iodine crystals having connections in parallel with the ion exchange bed and activated periodically e.g. by a timer, by measured flow of water or by residual level to recharge the bed. That system provides for long term microbiological control in water suitable for potable activities. The bed of Iodine crystals is provided with connections for flowing water there through to produce a concentrated (substantially saturated) aqueous iodine solution which is passed through the iodinated resin bed to recharge the bed with bound iodine.  
           [0014]    One of the difficulties with the known systems is to maintain an optimum amount of active iodine delivered into the target water supply for the specified purpose. To date there has been no effective system which can effectively and economically guarantee the delivery of exactly the right amount of active iodine at higher levels into the water used to wash produce in the case where iodine is used for food sanitization or into water delivered through reticulation networks, not only to prevent waste of iodine and economic loss but also to ensure that there is an acceptable minimum of active iodine.  
           [0015]    Iodine recovery processes are known whose objective is to recover iodine to compensate for gradual reduction of I 2  in the flowing water and to provide a desired iodine residual. The process described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,176,836 is distinguished from previous systems by providing a continuous long term microbiological control process in a water supply particularly in space vehicle applications wherein I 2  is released into the water stream flowing through a suitable anion exchange resin.  
           [0016]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,919,374 discloses a method and apparatus for producing bacteria free iodine species containing drinking water for farm animals under continuous dynamic water flow to produce a saturated iodine species containing aqueous solution at a pre selected temperature and blending the saturated solution with a second water flow to produce a diluted iodine species bacterium free aqueous solution.  
           [0017]    The following United States patents disclose prior art processes in which iodine is employed, each of which is incorporated herein by reference: U.S. Pat. No. 4,131,645, U.S. Pat. No. 5,356,611 U.S. Pat. No. 5,464,603 U.S. Pat. No. 5,639,452 U.S. Pat. No. 6,139,731, U.S. Pat. No. 6,004,465. The processes described in those US patents do not teach the use of means to effectively and economically control delivery of iodine in a water stream, nor do they disclose collection and conversion of iodide to iodine species for re use in the process.  
           [0018]    Iodinated resin beds are known as a means for recharging a water supply with a minimum amount of active iodine. The recharging is effected by treatment with an aqueous iodine solution produced by flowing water through a bed of iodine crystals. The iodine residual is monitored and the bed recharged where necessary by adjusting the flow rate of water through the bed of iodine crystals. This is an expensive method of monitoring the level of active iodine and the resin rich in bound iodine is very expensive. In addition, the capacity of the resin is limited and reloading techniques in the field would be difficult to maintain in high water flow conditions. Also, this process is best suited to low level (&lt;4 ppm) delivery of active iodine usually in a clean filtered water environment. This is due to the slow dissolving rate of iodine from known iodine beds and the limitation of the release rate and saturation of the anion exchange resins.  
           [0019]    An ideal level of active iodine to be maintained in a water supply process system for food sanitization purposes is in the range of 10 ppm to 25 ppm although some applications may require higher concentrations. When iodine is used in food sanitizing applications, it may react with organic matter in which case the active iodine can be quickly exhausted to the point where there is none left for microbiological control. Also, iodide can build up in iodine wash water solutions causing a further conversion of active iodine into iodide species thereby causing a further diminution of the bacteriocidal effect of the process.  
           [0020]    If resins are used to deliver active iodine, this will necessitate continual monitoring of iodine concentration and it will also require recharging the target water stream with active iodine. It is expensive to replace resin so it is ideal that the resin life be prolonged for as long as possible. Saturation of resin with 46% weight Iodine will produce around 4 ppm active iodine release. However, the operating range of these resins is limited and they all exhibit a severe depletion curve becoming ineffective at approximately 40% saturation. In other words, there is only a narrow band of approximately 6% by way of volume within which the resins will operate before requiring recharging.  
           [0021]    Known iodine resins such as those available from the corporations Dow Chemicals, Purolite, Rohm &amp; Haas etc can deliver up to 4 ppm of active iodine but the ideal level to be maintained for food operations is 10 ppm to 25 ppm. The known iodine purification processes are limited in their applications because they;  
           [0022]    do not teach a practical method of continuously delivering concentrations of active iodine up to 25 ppm within a high volume flow rate environment;  
           [0023]    do not teach how to provide for the constant removal of iodide and iodide specie bi-products from the wash water;  
           [0024]    do not teach how to stop the exhaustion of active iodine by interaction with the iodide specie present in the wash water;  
           [0025]    do not teach a process that can use iodine as a sanitation biocide for use in environments that have high organic and bacteria loads;  
           [0026]    do not teach a process to collect iodide bi-products and convert the iodide back into iodine;  
           [0027]    and to date have primarily been applied to water supply systems for drinking water. The known processes do not teach an economic method or arrangement for maintaining the iodine level at a predetermined optimum level. Furthermore, the prior art does not teach the application of controlled iodine purification processes to water reticulation networks and in such applications as fruit and vegetable washing, fresh cut food operations, food processing plants, swimming pools, cooling towers, town water supplies, tanks and the like. A controlled iodine delivery process would be one in which the level of iodine can be maintained at a predetermined optimum level and without constant manual intervention and monitoring. The prior art does not teach such a process alone or in combination with a recovery process in which surplus iodine and iodide can be recovered from the process for respective re use and conversion to iodine for reuse.  
           [0028]    Elemental iodine is a biocidally active form of iodine that has been used as a water disinfectant for almost a century. It is also widely used as a sanitising compound in the food processing industry. Chlorine solution (especially hypochlorites) have been widely using by growers as a sanitising wash for many fruits and vegetables. However, the strong oxidizing effect of chlorine in water with a moderate to high organic load results in a number of different complex compounds (trihalomethanes or THM) which can become a significant environmental hazard. There are strong reasons to minimise the excessive use of chlorine on foods, particularly due to THM levels. Chlorine dips can also cause soil pollution with continuous re use on farms.  
           [0029]    Besides the environmental and health benefits of using the iodine for washing fresh produce, it is also reported that iodine is more active against a number of organisms in water, than chlorine (Koponen et al. 1993). The efficiency of iodine for the control of  Escherichia coli  in dirty water was found to be greater than that of chlorine especially at the higher temperature and pH values (Ellis et al., 1993). Effectiveness of iodine on pathogenic organisms at low concentration (Oliver et al., 1991) has been reported to be cost effective and less hazardous for the users (Oliver et al., 1991).  
         INVENTION  
         [0030]    The present invention seeks to provide an improved process, method and apparatus for maintaining the level of active iodine in a process for sanitizing such consumables as foods stuffs or in a water reticulation network and more particularly provides a purification process which includes extraction of iodide and surplus iodine from the process and subsequent conversion of iodide to iodine for reuse within the process.  
           [0031]    It is one object of the invention to provide a process and method for sanitization of water used in food sanitization and in reticulation networks that reduces labor and which requires no pre mixing of chemicals or pH adjustment to maintain optimum levels of iodine and biocidal action.  
           [0032]    It is a further object to provide a process, apparatus and method that provides a more accurate method of delivery of a strong biocide such as iodine into a target wash water stream, wherein the process ensures such wash water remains rich in active iodine and the process remains pure without the build up of iodide by-products which in turn deplete iodine in a wash tank.  
           [0033]    It is a further object of the process and method to deliver a controlled amount of iodine biocide accurately and constantly and at the same time removing the same amount of iodine specie present in a wash water. The process then ensures an accurate level of biocide is maintained at all times. It is a further object of the present invention to maintain a constant pre determined active biocide level in a water stream used in a variety of applications.  
           [0034]    It is a further object to provide an environmentally friendly system for providing an efficacious method of controlling bacteria at the same time as removing bi-products of the biocide used.  
           [0035]    It is a further object of the process to provide means for accurate control and measurement of a biocide in solution and further means to enable recordal of that information for confirmation of accuracy of the process.  
           [0036]    It is a further object of the invention to provide the option for control mechanisms to accurately measure the available biocide in solution and for that information to be used to vary the level of dosage and delivery of biocide into the process.  
           [0037]    In one broad form the present invention comprises;  
           [0038]    an iodine purification process comprising;  
           [0039]    a source of fluid;  
           [0040]    means for delivery of iodine to said source of fluid for use in said purification process;  
           [0041]    the process further comprising means for recovery of said iodine and/or iodide and/or other iodine species derived from said iodine from said fluid.  
           [0042]    Preferably, the process further comprises means for conversion of iodine species derived from the iodine delivered to said solution to iodine(I 2 ) wherein the iodine/iodide or the other derivative iodine species are recovered on an anion exchange resin.  
           [0043]    The iodine/iodide or the other derivative iodine species may be converted via conventional chemical means for recovery of iodine. The conversion may be performed either as part of the process or off site remote from said process. According to one embodiment, the conversion may be effected by an electrowinning process. Alternatively, the conversion may be performed remote from said process using green sand as a catalyst. The iodine/iodide or said other derivative iodine species may be separated from the anion exchange resin by washing the resin with a solution of potassium hydroxide.  
           [0044]    According to one embodiment, the water is charged with a predetermined concentration of iodine; wherein the process includes; a continuous water supply to or for one or more applications; a source of iodine intermediate the source of the main water supply and a treatment station fed by the main water supply; wherein delivery of the iodine is maintained at a predetermined concentration within a predetermined range in a water stream delivered from the water supply. The predetermined concentration of iodine provides a predetermined level of purification of the water stream.  
           [0045]    Preferably, the concentration of iodine delivered to the water stream is maintained by use of an iodine formulation having a high surface area which is capable of fast dissolving in a water flow stream. The iodine concentration is maintained in the flow stream irrespective of the flow rate, temperature of the water stream and level of contamination of said water. Preferably, the predetermined concentration of iodine is proportionate to a level of contamination of said water stream.  
           [0046]    In another embodiment, the process includes an anion exchange resin capable of absorbing iodide and iodine species. The resin collects the iodine species for reuse in said process and is removable from the collection station. The water purification process may be applied in food treatment, water reticulation installations including swimming pools, cooling towers, water supplies, water tanks and town water.  
           [0047]    In another broad form, the present invention comprises; a conversion process for conversion of iodine species to iodine (I 2 ) wherein the iodine species for conversion by the conversion process is derived from an iodine purification process, the process comprising;  
           [0048]    a source of fluid;  
           [0049]    means for delivery of iodine to said source of fluid for use in said purification process;  
           [0050]    the iodine purification process further comprising means for recovery of said iodine and/or iodide and/or other iodine species derived from said iodine from said fluid prior to conversion to I 2  by said conversion process.  
           [0051]    Preferably the iodine/iodide or other derivative iodine species are recovered prior to the conversion process on an anion exchange absorption resin.  
           [0052]    The conversion may be performed either as part of the purification process or remote from the process by an electrowinning process, a catalyst or other conversion process.  
           [0053]    Alternatively, the conversion process is performed using green sand as a catalyst.  
           [0054]    In another broad form the present invention comprises a process for the continuous iodine assisted purification of water during use in applications including the washing of consumables such as foodstuffs and in water reticulation installations; wherein, said water is charged with a predetermined concentration of iodine; wherein the process includes; a continuous water supply to or for one or more said applications;  
           [0055]    a source of iodine intermediate said source of said main water supply and a treatment station fed by said main water supply; wherein said source of iodine is maintained at a predetermined concentration of elemental iodine within a predetermined range in a water stream delivered from said water supply;  
           [0056]    wherein said predetermined concentration of iodine provides a predetermined level of purification of said water stream.  
           [0057]    According to a preferred embodiment, the concentration of iodine is maintained by use of an electrodeposited particulate iodine formulation having a high surface area which is capable of fast dissolving in a water flow stream.  
           [0058]    The iodine concentration is maintained in the flow stream irrespective of the flow rate of the water stream and level of contamination of said water; wherein said concentration of elemental iodine in said water stream is maintained by controlled release of iodine from said source.  
           [0059]    In another embodiment an anion exchange release resin is charged with a predetermined amount of elemental iodine wherein the anion exchange release resin is located between the source of iodine and the treatment station. The anion exchange release resin is housed in one or more sealed containers.  
           [0060]    The process further comprises a collecting station for collecting iodide and/or iodine or iodine species from water delivered downstream of said treatment station. In one embodiment, the means for collecting iodide and/or iodine species comprises an in line anion exchange collection resin. The resin collects the iodide for conversion to iodine for reuse in the process wherein the iodide and/or iodine species collection resin is removable from the collection station. The iodide is stripped from the resin at a location remote from the process. One means for conversion of said iodide and/or iodine species comprises an electrochemical process conducted remote from the sanitizing process.  
           [0061]    After collection of surplus iodine and/or iodide or other iodine species from water delivered from the treatment station, the water is either recirculated through the process or dumped to waste.  
           [0062]    Water recirculated through the process may be recharged with iodine by passing through iodine crystals prior to entry into the treatment station which may comprise a reservoir. Another means for converting iodide and/or iodine species is an in line catalyst. Alternative conversion means comprise an in line or off site electrochemical process or chemical reactions. Preferably, the chemical reactions employ the use of known oxidants which may be selected from permanganate, dichromate, hydrogen peroxide, bromate, iodate, chlorate, cerium, copper, chlorine and bromine.  
           [0063]    In another broad form of a method aspect, the present invention comprises;  
           [0064]    a method of iodine purification in a fluid stream charged with a source of fluid; the method including the steps of;  
           [0065]    a) providing means for controlled delivery of iodine to said source of fluid for use in said purification process and delivering iodine to said fluid;  
           [0066]    b) recovering said iodine and/or iodide and/or other iodine species derived from said iodine from said fluid after said purification.  
           [0067]    The method comprises the further step of converting of iodine species derived from the iodine delivered to the solution to iodine (I 2 ) and the further step of prior to conversion, collecting the iodine/iodide or said other derivative iodine species on an anion exchange resin. The conversion may be performed remote from said process. Alternatively, a collection and conversion may be in line as part of the purification process. The conversion step is according to one embodiment performed by an electrowinning process.  
           [0068]    According to another embodiment of the method aspect, the conversion step is performed remote from the process using green sand as a catalyst.  
           [0069]    The method preferably comprises the further step of separating the iodine/iodide or said other derivative iodine species from the anion exchange resin wherein the separation step may comprise washing the resin with a solution of potassium hydroxide.  
           [0070]    According to the method aspect, the supply water is charged with a predetermined concentration of iodine; wherein the process includes; a continuous water supply to or for one or more applications;  
           [0071]    a source of iodine intermediate said source of said main water supply and a treatment station fed by said main water supply; wherein said source of iodine is maintained at a predetermined concentration of elemental iodine within a predetermined range in a water stream delivered from said water supply;  
           [0072]    wherein the predetermined concentration of iodine provides a predetermined level of purification of the water stream.  
           [0073]    Preferably, the concentration of iodine delivered to the water stream is maintained by use of an iodine formulation which has a high surface area and is capable of fast dissolving in a water flow stream wherein the iodine concentration is maintained in the flow stream irrespective of the flow rate, temperature of the water stream and level of contamination of said water.  
           [0074]    Preferably, the predetermined concentration of iodine is proportionate to the level of contamination of said water stream. The method may comprise the further step of charging an anion exchange release resin with a predetermined amount of elemental iodine. The method steps of the water purification process may be applied in food sanitization, water reticulation installations including swimming pools, cooling towers, water supplies, water tanks and town water.  
           [0075]    According to one embodiment there is provided a purification process for use in the purification of food products and of water in installations such as swimming pools, cooling towers, domestic water reticulation networks, portable water supplies, water tanks and the like. In a typical arrangement according to one embodiment of the invention, there is provided a specially prepared iodine (BioMaxA™) located in a sealed cartridge or canister enclosed in a sealed canister. This BioMaxA™ iodine has a high surface area relative to existing forms of commercially available iodine and is specially formulated to quickly dissolve in water providing a constant saturated solution of iodine. The level of saturation is affected by temperature. The sealed canister is attached to a water flow line for delivery of a predetermined concentration of saturated iodine solution in order to achieve a required final concentration of iodine for the selected sanitation application. Preferably, a control valve is used to ensure that a target concentration of saturated iodine solution is released into the main water flow. The control valve is responsive to or is preset to temperature variations and final iodine concentration required. An amalgamation of both water streams being the main water flow and the saturated solution charged with iodine ensures a final diluted concentration of iodine is achieved in line with process requirements.  
           [0076]    The process may be computer controlled to maintain predetermined optimum operating levels. Known methods of computer control of fluid flow parameters can be used to monitor iodine and iodide levels. These may include the use of probes and/or sensors located to detect predetermined parameter levels. Where there is no or minimal bacteria in the installation or food stuff under treatment, iodine may not be used up. Thus, iodine demand will be a function of microbiological load and reactions with organic matter. As iodine can be quickly exhausted when it reacts with organic matter, (albeit to a lesser extent than chlorine), there is a need to continually monitor available iodine for microbiological control.  
           [0077]    The process may includes the use of various anion exchange absorption resins capable of extracting the iodide species that are created by the action of the iodine reacting with the organic matter found in the water. These anion exchange resins will also remove surplus iodine from the water stream, thereby ensuring that the level of iodine or iodine specie within the system never exceeds the target concentration rate of iodine.  
           [0078]    According to one embodiment, the process includes the use of a conversion process to process the iodide species captured by the anion exchange resins and convert these iodide species back to a preferred BioMaxA™ iodine. Although there are known means for this conversion they are expensive and inefficient and have not been applied in a continuous iodine santization process. The present invention seeks to provide a process for the purification of water used in sanitizing food stuffs and in installations which employ water reticulations wherein the process includes a step of conversion of iodide to iodine in an efficient and economic manner.  
           [0079]    According to one embodiment, the process includes the collection of iodine and iodide surplus to the process on a series of two or more anion exchange resin columns. Once collected, these resin columns are taken offsite for processing. This involves firstly stripping of the iodide from the resin columns. There are a number of different ways that this could be achieved—for example by the use of a solution of potassium hydroxide. According to one embodiment, once stripped, this solution is mixed with sulphuric acid and results in the production of potassium sulfide, hydrogen gas and a concentrated iodide solution. This iodide solution is then passed on to the next stage of the conversion process for production of iodine.  
           [0080]    According to one embodiment, the conversion process involves the use of an electrochemical electro-winning process (such as that described in the applicant&#39;s co pending Australia patent application No PQ8915) which is capable of conversion of iodide to iodine to supplement existing iodine used in the system. This electro-winning process generates a particular form of high surface area fast dissolving iodine crystals which precipitates from the solution and is then available for reuse in the process.  
           [0081]    In one broad form the present invention comprises:  
           [0082]    A process for sanitizing water used in the washing of consumables such as foodstuffs and in installations using water reticulation such as swimming pools, water supplies, cooling towers, water tanks, town water by washing or flushing with iodine enriched water: means for maintaining a concentration of elemental iodine within a predetermined range in a water stream used in said sanitizing process;  
           [0083]    the process comprising: a closed or open water reticulation network including;  
           [0084]    a source of main water supply for delivery to a treatment station:  
           [0085]    a source of iodine disposed intermediate said source of main water supply and said treatment station: wherein effluent from said treatment station flows through at least two receptacles for holding an anion exchange collection resin capable of collecting said iodine and iodide created by the process which is retrieved for further use in the process.  
           [0086]    Preferably, the anion exchange resin receptacles holding iodide collected from water exiting said treatment station are taken off site for stripping of iodide and conversion to iodine using a conversion process to regenerate iodine for further re use in the process According to one embodiment, said at least two receptacles discharge effluent for reuse in the process or for discharge from the process.  
           [0087]    According to an alternative embodiment, the process further comprises at least one receptacle for holding an anion exchange release resin charged with a predetermined amount of elemental iodine and disposed intermediate said source of iodine and said treatment station In another embodiment the process includes a conversion station for conversion of iodide and/or iodine species. According to this embodiment, the conversion station is in line and is disposed immediately prior to the iodine crystal canister/s but without an anion collecting resin cartridge; wherein the water stream is recirculated.  
           [0088]    In its broadest form the present invention comprises;  
           [0089]    A purification process using iodine for decontamination, the process comprising;  
           [0090]    a source of water for one or more water consuming applications and providing a water stream in said process;  
           [0091]    a delivery station intermediate said source of water and a treatment station;  
           [0092]    a source of iodine at the delivery station and means to enable release into said water stream of said iodine; wherein the iodine in said water stream is maintained at a predetermined concentration to provide a predetermined level of purification of said water stream and/or objects in contact with said water stream in the treatment station;  
           [0093]    means for recovery from said water stream of said iodine and/or iodide and/or other iodine species derived from said iodine; and  
           [0094]    means for conversion of all said recovered iodine species derived from said iodine delivered to said stream to iodine as used in this system.  
           [0095]    In its broadest form of the method aspect the present invention comprises:  
           [0096]    a method of iodine purification of a water stream and/or objects therein; the method including the steps of;  
           [0097]    a) providing a source of water for one or more water consuming applications and providing a water stream as part of a the purification process;  
           [0098]    b) providing an iodine delivery station intermediate said source of water and a treatment station;  
           [0099]    c) providing a source of iodine at the delivery station and means to enable controlled release into said water stream of said iodine;  
           [0100]    d) charging water with a predetermined concentration of the high surface area iodine  
           [0101]    e) recovering said iodine and/or iodide and/or other iodine species derived from said iodine from said fluid after said purification;  
           [0102]    f) converting the iodine and/or iodide and/or other iodide species to iodine (I2)for reuse in the purification process.  
           [0103]    In another broad form according to the method aspect, the present invention comprises; a method for sanitizing water used in the washing of consumables such as foodstuffs and in installations using water reticulation such as swimming pools, water supplies, cooling towers, water tanks, town water by flushing or washing with iodine enriched water wherein a concentration of elemental iodine is maintained within a predetermined range in a water stream;  
           [0104]    the method comprising the steps of:  
           [0105]    a) placing a source of iodine intermediate a source of main water supply and a treatment station fed by said main water supply:  
           [0106]    b) placing at least one receptacle for containing an anion exchange release resin charged with a predetermined amount of elemental iodine between said source of elemental iodine and said treatment station;  
           [0107]    c) providing a conversion station capable of converting iodide to iodine at ambient temperatures using air as an oxidant and placing the station in communication with water exiting said treatment station;  
           [0108]    d) and/or passing water through said source of iodine for enriching said main water supply with iodine, prior to introducing water from said main water supply into said at least one release resin receptacles; and/or  
           [0109]    e) passing water through said at least one receptacle containing said anion exchange release resin:  
           [0110]    f) allowing said at least one release resin receptacle to release water having a predetermined concentration of elemental iodine into water from said water supply;  
           [0111]    h) using water having said predetermined concentration of iodine water in the decontamination of consumables such as foodstuffs or in installations using water reticulation such as swimming pools, water supplies, cooling towers, water tanks, town water;  
           [0112]    i) converting iodide and iodine species to iodine at said conversion station.  
           [0113]    According to a preferred embodiment the method comprises the further steps of  
           [0114]    j) recirculating water from said treatment station  
           [0115]    k) repeating steps (d)-(i).  
           [0116]    Preferably said conversion step is effected at said conversion station using an electrowinning process, a catalyst or chemical process.  
           [0117]    In another broad form according to the method aspect, the present invention comprises; a method for sanitizing water used in the washing of consumables such as foodstuffs and in installations using water reticulation such as swimming pools, water supplies, cooling towers, water tanks, town water by flushing or washing with iodine enriched water; wherein a concentration of elemental iodine is maintained within a predetermined range in a water stream; the method comprising the steps of:  
           [0118]    a) placing a source of iodine intermediate a source of main water supply and a treatment station fed by said main water supply:  
           [0119]    b) placing at least one receptacle for containing an anion exchange release resin charged with a predetermined amount of elemental iodine between said source of elemental iodine and said station;  
           [0120]    c) placing at least one further receptacle for holding an anion exchange collection/ absorbing resin capable of collecting the iodide created by the sanitization;  
           [0121]    d) passing water through said source of iodine for enriching said main water supply prior to introducing water from said main water supply into said at least one release resin receptacles:  
           [0122]    e) allowing said at least one release resin receptacle to release water having a predetermined concentration of elemental iodine into water from said water supply;  
           [0123]    f) passing water through said treatment station and using water having said predetermined concentration of iodine water in the decontamination of consumables such as foodstuffs or  
           [0124]    g) passing water with said predetermined concentration of iodine through installations using water reticulation such as swimming pools, water supplies, cooling towers, water tanks, town water.  
           [0125]    h) passing water exiting said treatment station through said anion exchange collecting resin for collection of iodide and/or iodine species:  
           [0126]    i) removing iodide and or iodide species from said resin;  
           [0127]    j) converting said collected iodide or iodine species to iodine using an electrowinning process, a catalyst or chemical reactions.  
           [0128]    According to a preferred embodiment the method comprises the further steps of;  
           [0129]    k) recirculating water discharged from said collection resins through said process.  
           [0130]    l) repeating steps (d)-(i)  
           [0131]    According to a preferred embodiment, the method comprises the further steps; of stripping iodide from said resin and recharging said resin to its original condition and prior to stripping said iodide from said resin, washing all organic matter dirt and foreign chemicals and the like from the resin rich in iodide.  
           [0132]    According to one embodiment, the method comprises the further steps; of stripping iodide from said resin and recharging said resin to its original condition and converting the iodide to iodine using an electrochemical electrolysis process capable of converting iodide to iodine; and prior to stripping said iodide from said resin, washing all organic matter dirt and foreign chemicals and the like from the resin rich in iodide.  
           [0133]    In another broad form according to the method aspect, the present invention comprises; a method for sanitizing water used in the washing of consumables such as foodstuffs and in installations using water reticulation such as swimming pools, water supplies, cooling towers, water tanks, town water by flushing or washing with iodine enriched water: wherein a concentration of elemental iodine is maintained within a predetermined range in a water stream; the method comprising the steps of:  
           [0134]    a) providing a source of iodine intermediate a source of main water supply and a treatment station fed by said main water supply:  
           [0135]    b) providing at least one receptacle for holding an anion exchange collection resin capable of collecting iodide and or iodine species created by the process and remaining in water exiting the said treatment station;  
           [0136]    c) passing water from said treatment station through said anion exchange collecting resins:  
           [0137]    d) passing water through said source of iodine for enriching said main water supply prior to introducing water from said main water supply into said treatment station;  
           [0138]    e) removing iodide and or iodide species from said resin;  
           [0139]    f) converting said collected iodide and/or or iodine species to iodine using an electrowinning process, a catalyst or chemical reactions.  
           [0140]    According to a preferred embodiment the method comprises the further steps of;  
           [0141]    g) recirculating water from said treatment reservoir;  
           [0142]    h) repeating steps (a)-(g).  
           [0143]    In another broad form according to the method aspect, the present invention comprises; a method for sanitizing water having said predetermined concentration of iodine seater in the decontamination of consumables such as foodstuffs and in installations using water reticulation such as swimming pools, water supplies, cooling towers, water tanks, town water by washing with iodine enriched water wherein a concentration of elemental iodine is maintained within a predetermined range in a water stream; the method comprising the steps of;  
           [0144]    a) placing a source of iodine intermediate a source of main water supply and a treatment station fed by said main water supply:  
           [0145]    b) passing water through said source of iodine for enriching said main water supply;  
           [0146]    c) using water having said predetermined concentration of iodine water in the decontamination of consumables such as foodstuffs or in installations using water reticulation such as swimming pools, water supplies, cooling towers, water tanks, town water;  
           [0147]    d) taking water from said treatment station and delivering it to a conversion station wherein iodide and/or iodine species in said water may be converted to iodine by an electrowinning process, a catalyst or a chemical process.  
           [0148]    e) recirculating water from said conversion for reuse in sanitization.  
           [0149]    In an alternative form the present invention comprises:  
           [0150]    a process for maintaining a concentration of elemental iodine within a predetermined range in a water stream used in a process for sanitizing water in the decontamination of consumables such as foodstuffs and in installations using water reticulation such as swimming pools, water supplies, cooling towers, water tanks, town water by flushing or washing with water having said predetermined concentration of iodine; wherein the process comprises: a water reticulation network including a source of main water supply for delivery to a treatment station : a source of iodine disposed intermediate said source of main water supply and said treatment reservoir;  
           [0151]    at least one receptacle for holding an anion exchange release resin charged with a predetermined amount of elemental iodine and disposed intermediate said source of iodine and said treatment station: wherein, effluent from said treatment station is in communication with an iodide/absorption collection resin which receives said effluent from said reservoir and prior to recirculation through said process; wherein said iodide collecting resin may be removed from the system and stripped of collected iodide whereupon a resultant iodide solution is passed through a conversion station capable of conversion of iodide to iodine thereby providing an iodine rich solution for reuse in said primary process.  
           [0152]    According to a preferred embodiment the conversion of iodide to iodine is effected by an electrowinning process, catalyst such as green sand or a chemical process.  
           [0153]    Preferably, when said collecting resin is removed from said process it is taken to a laboratory/factory in which the conversion will take place.  
           [0154]    In an alternative form the present invention comprises:  
           [0155]    a process for maintaining a concentration of elemental iodine within a predetermined range in a water stream used in a process for sanitizing water in the decontamination of consumables such as foodstuffs and in installations using water reticulation such as swimming pools, water supplies, cooling towers, water tanks, town water by flushing or washing with water having said predetermined concentration of iodine; wherein the process comprises: a water reticulation network including a source of main water supply for delivery to a treatment station: a source of iodine disposed intermediate said source of main water supply and said treatment reservoir;  
           [0156]    wherein, effluent from said treatment station is in communication with an iodide/absorption collection resin which receives said effluent from said reservoir and prior to recirculation through said process; wherein said iodide collecting resin may be removed from the system and stripped of collected iodide whereupon a resultant iodide solution is passed through a conversion station capable of conversion of iodide to iodine thereby providing an iodine rich solution for reuse in said primary process.  
           [0157]    According to a preferred embodiment the conversion of iodide to iodine is effected by an electrowinning process, catalyst such as green sand or a chemical process.  
           [0158]    In an alternative form the present invention comprises:  
           [0159]    a process for maintaining a concentration of elemental iodine within a predetermined range in a water stream used in a process for sanitizing water in the decontamination of consumables such as foodstuffs and in installations using water reticulation such as swimming pools, water supplies, cooling towers, water tanks, town water by flushing or washing with water having said predetermined concentration of iodine; wherein the process comprises: a water reticulation network including a source of main water supply for delivery to a treatment station: a source of iodine disposed intermediate said source of main water supply and said treatment reservoir;  
           [0160]    wherein, effluent from said treatment station is in communication with an in line conversion station capable of conversion of iodide to iodine thereby providing an iodine rich solution for reuse in said sanitization process.  
           [0161]    According to a preferred embodiment the conversion of iodide to iodine is effected by an electrowinning process, catalyst such as green sand or a chemical process.  
           [0162]    In an alternative form the present invention comprises:  
           [0163]    a process for maintaining a concentration of elemental iodine within a predetermined range in a water stream used in a process for sanitizing water in the decontamination of consumables such as foodstuffs and in installations using water reticulation such as swimming pools, water supplies, cooling towers, water tanks, town water by flushing or washing with water having said predetermined concentration of iodine; wherein the process comprises: a water reticulation network including a source of main water supply for delivery to a treatment station: a source of iodine disposed intermediate said source of main water supply and said treatment reservoir;  
           [0164]    at least one receptacle for holding an anion exchange release resin charged with a predetermined amount of elemental iodine and disposed intermediate said source of iodine and said treatment station: wherein, effluent from said treatment station is in communication with an in line conversion station capable of conversion of iodide to iodine thereby providing an iodine rich solution for reuse in said primary process.  
           [0165]    According to a preferred embodiment the conversion of iodide to iodine is effected by an electrowinning process, catalyst such as green sand or a chemical process.  
           [0166]    In another broad form, the present invention comprises:  
           [0167]    a conversion process for conversion of iodide and/or iodine species to iodine (I2) wherein said iodine species for conversion by said conversion process are collected from an iodine purification process, the process comprising;  
           [0168]    a source of water for one or more water consuming applications and providing a water stream in said process;  
           [0169]    a delivery station intermediate said source of water and a treatment station;  
           [0170]    a source of iodine at the delivery station and means to enable release into said water stream of the iodine; wherein,  
           [0171]    said water is charged with a predetermined concentration of the iodine;  
           [0172]    wherein release of said iodine into said water stream is maintained at a predetermined concentration within a predetermined range in a water stream fed by said water supply; wherein said predetermined concentration of iodine provides a predetermined level of purification of said water stream. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0173]    The present invention will now be described in more detail according to preferred but non limiting embodiments and with reference to the accompanying illustrations wherein:  
         [0174]    [0174]FIG. 1 shows a flow diagram of an iodine purification process according to one embodiment, wherein iodine or iodide or iodine species is collected from a water stream by an absorbing resin and iodide is converted off site by either an electrowinning process, a catalyst or other chemical conversion process for reuse in the purification process.;  
         [0175]    [0175]FIG. 2 shows a flow diagram of an iodine purification process according to one embodiment, wherein iodine or iodide or iodine species is converted in line by either an electrowinning process, a catalyst, chemical or other conversion process for reuse in the purification process.;  
         [0176]    [0176]FIG. 3 shows a flow diagram of an iodine purification process according to one embodiment, wherein iodine is delivered to a treatment station via an iodine release resin and surplus iodine or iodide or iodine species is collected from a water stream by all absorbing resin and iodide is converted off site by either an electrowinning process, a catalyst or other conversion process for reuse in the purification process.;  
         [0177]    [0177]FIG. 4 shows a flow diagram of an iodine purification process according to one embodiment, wherein iodine is delivered to a treatment station via an iodine release resin and surplus iodine and/or iodide or iodine species is converted in line by either an electrowinning process, a catalyst or other conversion process for reuse in the purification process. 
     
    
       [0178]    The invention will be described according to various embodiments as applied in a treatment process using a reservoir or wash tank. It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the process according to alternative embodiments is also adaptable to water reticulation networks, cooling towers, swimming pools and other water consuming appliances.  
         [0179]    Referring to FIG. 1 there is shown an iodine based purification process for sanitizing consumables such as food stuffs by washing in a water stream. The process is adaptable to water reticulation systems, such as cooling towers, swimming pools and water consuming appliances. The process will principally be described with reference to its application to food sanitization in a reservoir. According to one embodiment the process comprises a source of water indicated by arrow  1  which would preferably be delivered from a mains supply or self contained supply such as a gravity feed reservoir. The process optionally comprises a circulating pump  2 , and an optional filter  3  located upstream of an iodine crystals canister/s  4 . One or a plurality of canisters may be used depending upon process requirements. Canisters  4  receive water via water stream  22  and discharge water via flow line  17  and  18  to main water supply flow line  21 . Flow line  21  is in communication with a treatment station  5  which may be a reservoir. Canisters  4  each comprise iodine crystals and supply the water supply line  21  via lines  17  and  18  with a saturated iodine solution. An iodinated solution from iodine canister  4  is delivered via lines  17  and  18  to reservoir  5  in which biocidal treatment of consumables such as foodstuffs may take place. Water exiting reservoir  5  is directed along a flow line represented by arrow  6  where it enters iodine absorption resin canisters  7  and  8 . Iodine absorption canisters  7  and  8  recover iodide from water stream  6  following which water effluent from canister  7  and  8  is either recirculated through the process via a water stream indicated by arrows  9  and  10  or discharged to waste via a water stream indicated by arrow  11 .  
         [0180]    According to the embodiment of FIG. 1, iodine absorption canisters  7  and  8  are taken off site whereupon the collected iodide or iodine species undergoes conversion at a conversion station  12 . The conversion may take place using a conversion process which may be selected from an electrowinning process  13 , a catalyst conversion process  14  or alternative process  15  such as use of conventional chemical reactions employing known oxidants. Iodine produced by those processes may be collected in collection tank  16  for later reuse in the sanitization process. The catalyst process  14  is capable of converting iodide to iodine by oxidation using air at ambient temperatures. The catalyst used is preferably green sand although it will be appreciated that other suitable catalysts may be used in the conversion of iodide to iodine.  
         [0181]    According to one embodiment, the system is adapted for recirculation such that water exiting the treatment reservoir is eventually reintroduced into the sanitization process once it has exited absorption resin canisters  7  and  8 . Recirculated water may be passed through the iodine canisters  4  where the water will be enriched with iodine. Water rich in iodine will be delivered via flow line  17  and  18  to flow line  21  and to treatment reservoir  5  as previously described.  
         [0182]    Referring to FIG. 2 there is shown an alternative iodine based purification process for sanitizing consumables such as food stuffs by washing in a water stream. The process which is a variation of the process described in FIG. 1 is also adaptable to water reticulation systems, such as cooling towers, swimming pools and water consuming appliances. According to one embodiment the process comprises a source of water indicated by arrow  1  which would preferably be delivered from a mains supply or self contained supply such as a gravity feed reservoir. The process optionally comprises a circulating pump  2 , and an optional filter  3  located upstream of an iodine crystals canister  4 . One or a plurality of canisters may be used depending upon process requirements. Canisters  4  receive water via water stream  22  and discharge water via flow line  17  and  18  to main water supply flow line  21 . Flow line  21  is in communication with a treatment station  5  which may be a reservoir. Canisters  4  each comprise iodine crystals and supply the water supply line  21 via lines  17  and  18  with a saturated iodine solution. An iodinated solution from iodine canister  4  is delivered via line  17  and  18  to engage flow line  21 . As before, the canisters each comprise iodine crystals and supplies the water supply line  17  with a saturated iodine solution. Water is delivered to reservoir  5  in which biocidal treatment of consumables may take place. Water exiting reservoir  5  is directed along a path represented by arrow  6  where it enters in line conversion station  12 . A conversion process may be selected from an electrowinning process  13 , a catalyst conversion process  14  or alternative process  15  such as conventional chemical reactions using known oxidants. Iodine enriched water produced by those processes is reintroduced into the sanitization process via water stream indicated by arrows  9  and  10 .  
         [0183]    The catalyst process  14  is according to the FIG. 2 embodiment capable of converting iodide to iodine by oxidation using air at ambient temperatures. The catalyst used is preferably green sand although it will be appreciated that other suitable catalysts may be used in the conversion of iodide to iodine.  
         [0184]    The process is adapted for recirculation such that water exiting the treatment reservoir  5  is eventually reintroduced into the process preferably via conversion station  12  upstream of the filter  3  which filters out any impurities. Water rich in iodine will be delivered to treatment reservoir S via iodine crystals canister  4  and flow line  17 ,  18  and  21 .  
         [0185]    Referring to FIG. 3 there is shown an iodine based purification process substantially the same as the process described in FIG. 1, for sanitizing consumables such as food stuffs by washing in a water stream. The process comprises a source of water indicated by arrow  1  which would preferably be delivered from a mains supply or self contained supply such as a gravity feed reservoir. The process optionally comprises a circulating pump  2 , and an optional filter  3  located upstream of an iodine crystals canister  4 . One or a plurality of canisters may be used depending upon process requirements. Canisters  4  are in indirect communication with a treatment station  5 . Canisters  4  receive water via water stream  22  and discharge water via flow line  17  and  18  to main water supply flow line  21 . Flow line  21  is in communication with iodine release resins  19  and  20 . Water passes through release resins  19  and  20  prior to entry into reservoir  5  thereby supplementing iodine delivered to the process from canister  4 . The iodinated solution from iodine canister  4  delivered via lines  17  and  18  to reservoir  5  may be employed in biocidal treatment of consumables such as foodstuffs. Water exiting reservoir  5  is directed along a path represented by arrow  6  as before where it enters iodine absorption resin canisters  7  and  8 . The remainder of the process is as described for the embodiment of FIG. 1. As with the embodiment of FIG. 1 once iodide and other iodine species are collected by collection resins  7  and  8  the water stream may be recirculated or dumped to waste depending upon process requirements.  
         [0186]    Referring to FIG. 4 there is shown an alternative iodine based purification process for sanitizing consumables such as foodstuffs by washing in a water stream. The process which is a variation of the process described in FIG. 2 is also adaptable to water reticulation systems, such as cooling towers, swimming pools and water consuming appliances. According to one embodiment the process comprises a source of water indicated by arrow  1  which would preferably be delivered from a mains supply or self contained supply such as a gravity feed reservoir. The process optionally comprises a circulating pump  2 , and an optional filter  3  located upstream of an iodine crystals canisters  4 . One or a plurality of canisters may be used depending upon process requirements. Canisters  4  are in indirect communication with a treatment reservoir  5 . Canisters  4  receive water via water stream  22  and discharge water via flow lines  17  and  18  to main water supply flow line  21 . Flow line  21  is in communication with iodine release resins  19  and  20 . Water passes through release resins  19  and  20  prior to entry into reservoir  5  thereby supplementing iodine delivered to the process from canister  4 .. As before the canisters each comprise iodine crystals and supplies the water supply with a saturated iodine solution. Water exiting reservoir  5  is directed along a path represented by arrow  6  where it enters in line conversion station  12 . The remainder of the process is as described for the embodiment of FIG. 2.  
         [0187]    The catalyst process  14  is according to the FIG. 2 embodiment capable of converting iodide to iodine by oxidation using air at ambient temperatures. The catalyst used is preferably green sand although it will be appreciated that other suitable catalysts may be used in the conversion of iodide to iodine.  
         [0188]    The process is adapted for recirculation such that water exiting the treatment reservoir  5  is eventually reintroduced into the process via conversion station  12  upstream of the filter  3  which filters out any impurities. Water rich in iodine will again be delivered to treatment reservoir  5  via iodine crystals canister  4  and release resins as previously described.  
         [0189]    In each of the embodiments described Iodine canisters  4  will receive water from the main supply system which will mix with a high surface area fast dissolving iodine specie held in the iodine canisters. There is a controlled release of iodine specie by use of such means as a control valve. According to the embodiments of the process of FIGS. 3 and 4, the iodine supply canister/s  4  may be disposed in series or parallel with resin beds  19  and  20  and water recharges the resin bed with iodine solution. In each of the embodiments of the process described, the iodine canister will preferably be activated when the resin beds require recharging and this will be measured by flow of water or by iodine residual. The flow of water exiting filter  3  may be directed along the path represented by arrow  21  where the resin beds in canisters  19  and  20  are not in need of recharging. When resin beds  19  and  20  require recharging with a predetermined proportion of water delivered in the direction of arrow  22  so that it passes through iodine canister/s  4  via lines  17  and  18  prior to entering main water flow line  21  and prior to entry into release resins  19  and  20 .  
         [0190]    In the case of the embodiments of FIGS. 3 and 4, the iodine release resin beds in canister  19  and  20  will each contain a suitable amount of anion exchange resin suitably charged with elemental iodine to a predetermined level. The anion exchange resins will release water with an iodine concentration of between 0.5 and 100 parts per million of elemental iodine into the main water flow. The iodine enriched product may be then used as a treatment in such applications as biocidal treatment of consumables such as food products introduced into reservoir  5  for sanitizing.  
         [0191]    This is a cost effective and efficient way of ensuring that the levels of iodine are maintained at an acceptable and measurable level through the sanitizing process.  
         [0192]    According to the embodiments of FIGS. 2 and 4, where a catalyst is selected for use at conversion station  12  the catalyst converts iodide to iodine at ambient temperatures using air as the oxidant. The iodine rich solution is then recycled back into the sanitizing process as previously described. According to one embodiment the catalyst may be green sand.  
         [0193]    More than one resin may share the same canister. According to the embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 3 iodide absorbing resins when removed from the process for off site processing are stripped of iodide. The resin is washed of all foreign matter including chemicals, dirt and organic matter leaving an exchange resin rich in iodide. The iodide is stripped from the resin and the resin is recharged to its original condition. The iodide may be converted to iodine using an electrochemical electrolysis process, a catalyst, conventional chemical reactions or other conversion option.  
         [0194]    In an alternative embodiment, the iodine delivery step may be initiated from a remote location. For instance a remote computer may monitor iodine, iodide or iodine species levels and adjust the delivery of iodine according to process requirements. In addition, the sanitization processes may be supplemented with iodine delivered from a remote location. In this embodiment, iodine canisters may be located remote from the process, whereupon a controlled delivery of the iodine may be effected by a PLC once process performance data and parameters which may be determined via probes, have been down loaded into the computer.  
       TEST RESULTS  
       [0195]    By way of example, simulation tests were conducted to determine the efficacy of the process and methodology of the invention applied to food sanitization and more particularly to determine if use of a controlled delivery of iodine into a wash solution at predetermined concentrations would result in effective sanitization of fruits and vegetables.  
         [0196]    The process and method of the invention described herein according to its various forms provide a capability for delivery of precisely controllable levels of iodine, which can, if appropriately used, overcome the problems caused by the use of chlorine in wash water.  
         [0197]    This study intended to examine the efficacy of iodine as a sanitiser as applied by the controlled process of the invention described herein. The efficacy tests for iodine have been evaluated by analysing for total bacteria and fungal counts found on the surfaces of fruits and vegetables. Some of the organisms found on the surfaces of fruits and vegetables are harmful (or pathogenic) to humans and some are harmful and pathogenic to the fruits and vegetables. Reducing significantly the background levels of bacteria and fungi on fruit and vegetables will have beneficial effects on both the safety of eating the sanitised food and shelf life of the foodstuff.  
         [0198]    Representative fruits and vegetables were chosen from each of the major categories of fruits and vegetables. While the basic efficacy data was obtained with clean water, tests were also carried out for efficacy of iodine on fruits and vegetables in presence of dirt. Dirt would normally be found in any commercial treatment situation. The time used for dipping was typically one minute, however, efficacy as a consequence of varying the time of dipping was also studied.  
       MATERIALS AND METHODS  
       [0199]    Post harvest dipping trials were conducted with iodine solutions, along with a chlorine solution, for washing freshly harvested fruits and vegetables to control natural organisms on the surface of the produces. The germicidal effect of iodine was examined by dipping the produce in a number of different ways as described below.  
       Source and Quality of Fruit and Vegetables  
       [0200]    All the fruit and vegetables used in the experiments were obtained directly from growers. No washing or cleaning of any type was done on the produce. This meant that the bacteria and fungi were a typical representation of normal levels present when the produce comes into the packing shed for treatment and packing.  
         [0201]    A. Tests With Laboratory Dipping  
         [0202]    Efficacy tests of elemental iodine at a range of concentrations were performed in 5 to 10L containers in the laboratory. With careful adjustment of levels and only a small number of samples being used for each freshly prepared dip, this method was used for oranges, potatoes, peaches, nectarines, tomatoes, lettuce and bean sprouts.  
         [0203]    Fruits and vegetables (orange, apple, peach, nectarine and tomato) were dipped for 1 min taking 10 fruits at a time in 5-10L of solution of set concentrations. For lettuce a total of 5 outer leaves were taken randomly from different heads and dipped in 5L of water for 1 min. For bean sprouts, 5 perforated bags of bean sprouts each containing about 120 g of sprouts were dipped in fresh solutions.  
         [0204]    B. Tests Performed with an Iodine Sanitiser Unit According to the Invention  
         [0205]    These tests were performed using an iodine Sanitiser Unit. Dip levels of 150 L of iodine solutions were used in the treatment tank, with overall system flow rates of 30 or 60 L/min. The iodine unit was adjusted to the required concentration by adjusting the proportion of the flow going through an iodine delivery canister. Once this was done, the unit kept the iodine concentration at a constant level, with continuous recharging of iodine in the treatment tank to keep a constant concentration.  
         [0206]    Crops tested with this unit were apples, avocadoes, potatoes, lettuce, strawberries and rockmelons.  
         [0207]    In the iodine unit, 15 fruits/tubers of apple, potato and avocado, 30 strawberries, 6 rockmelons and 6 heads of lettuce were dipped in the (150 L) tank of iodine solutions for 1 min. For chlorine dip, 25 L solutions at 30 ppm were used for dipping the same number of fruits/tubers. The water control treatment was dipped in fresh water in the iodine unit tank with continuous circulation through pump.  
         [0208]    C. Dipping Time  
         [0209]    The effect of dip timing on efficacy test of iodine and chlorine was examined. Crops tested were potatoes at 30 ppm and oranges at 3.3 ppm of iodine and chlorine. In these experiments the produces were dipped for 1, 2 and 4 min for the efficacy of the chemicals. Dippings were done in a 5-10 L container at a set concentration as above.  
         [0210]    D. Dirt Effects  
         [0211]    Effects of dirt on efficacy of iodine and chlorine on tomato and apple using the Sanitiser Unit according to the invention at 30L min.  
         [0212]    For the test of the influence of dirt on iodine and chlorine efficacy on fruits and vegetables, an amount of dirt and organic material (clay loam soil and broccoli puree at a concentration of 0.5% of weight to dip volume) was added to dip tank in two installments 30 min apart. The water in the tank was circulated continuously through the filter of the iodine unit, which over time trapped more and more of the dirt. The produce wag dipped in the treatment tank solution in at 0 min (before dirt), 5, 20 and 50 min from the start of the experiment.  
         [0213]    E. Residues  
         [0214]    Residual effect of iodine on orange potato, peach, nectarine and tomato.  
         [0215]    Fruits and vegetables were dipped in 30 and 60 ppm of solution and the samples for iodine assessment were taken 3-6 hours after dipping and 3 days after dipping. The amount of iodine and iodide residues on fruits and vegetables were assessed following the ‘method of analysis for determination of total iodine in foods’ as recommended by National Health and Medical Research Council (June, 1986).  
       Total Bacteria and Total Fungal Testing  
       [0216]    Efficiency of the chemicals was studied by observing the killing rates of naturally occurring surface organisms on fruits and vegetables. After dipping in chemicals, fruits and vegetables were allowed to air dry for a minimum of three hours before taking samples for counting the population of the organisms. The samples from the smooth or semi-smooth surface of fruits and vegetables were collected by cleaning a 9 cm 2  area on the surface with a wet, sterile cotton bud. The cotton bud was then placed in a vial with 10 ml of sterile water. Fruits or vegetables with rough surface like strawberry and rockmelon, the whole fruit (strawberry) or a cut portion of rockmelon skin (20 cm 2 ) were shaken in a stomaching bag with 50-70 mls of 1% peptone solution and then taken about 10 ml of sample for counting the organisms. For each treatment a sample was taken from each of the 5 different fruits/vegetables. These samples were then used for counting the bacteria and fungal colonies after culturing dilutions on NA or PDA culture media. Samples (0.25 ml) from the dilutions were spread on NA plates in duplicate and incubated at 20-25 degrees C. for 2-3 days before counting the number of colonies. The number of bacteria and fungal colonies were then calculated per cm 2  of the surface area and converted to log 10  values.  
       RESULTS  
       [0217]    Besides being expressed as total count per cm 2 , the results were converted to log10 units as is commonly used in food microbiology. The efficacy of the chemicals are also indicated by the log 10  reduction value, with the reduction made in comparison with the undipped control treatment. This was used rather than the dipped control because the water used in the dipped control especially of the 150L treatment tank, may contain traces of chlorine and therefore not give a true ‘control’ value.  
         [0218]    The following tables provide results of chemical treatments on selected fruits and compares iodine treatment to chlorine.  
         [0219]    Peach (Lab Dipped)  
                                                         TABLE 1                                       Bacterial population per cm 2     Fungal population per cm 2              Chemical   Actual   Log 10     Log 10     Actual   Log 10     Log 10         treatments   count   count   reduction   count   count   reduction               Control   2170   3.31   0.00 a*   185   2.26   0.00 a*       (undipped)       Control   1054   3.01   0.30 ab   128   2.09   0.16 ab       (dipped)       Iodine    469   2.65   0.66 b    66   1.81   0.45 ab       3.3 ppm       Iodine    83   1.9   1.41 c    17   1.00   1.26 c        10 ppm       Iodine     8.5   0.41   2.90 e    2.3   0.23   2.03 d        30 ppm       Chlorine    79   0.85   2.46 de    3.2   0.29   1.97 d        30 ppm                          
 
         [0220]    Iodine increased in effectiveness up to 30 ppm, with a similar pattern for bacteria and fungi. Log10 reductions of greater than 2 show iodine being very effective at 30 ppm against both bacteria and fungi. Bacterial control by iodine was more effective than fungal control by iodine. There was a major increase in effectiveness going from 10 to 30 ppm. Iodine was more effective than chlorine for bacteria (with 10 ppm iodine being equal to 30 ppm chlorine) than for fungi.  
         [0221]    Potato (Sanitizing Unit)  
                                                         TABLE 2                                       Bacterial population per cm 2     Fungal population per cm 2              Chemical   Actual   Log 10     Log 10     Actual   Log 10     Log 10         treatments   count   count   reduction   count   count   reduction               Control   906   2.92   0.00 a*   127   2.03   0.00 a       (undipped)       Control   716   2.82   0.10 a    20   1.28   0.79 b       (dipped)       Iodine   370   2.54   0.39 ab    2   0.07   1.96 d       10 ppm       Iodine   260   2.34   0.58 b    3   0.04   1.99 d       20 ppm       Iodine   249   2.38   0.54 b    3   0.40   1.63 cd       30 ppm       Chlorine   378   2.56   0.38 ab    4   0.62   1.46 c       30 ppm                          
 
         [0222]    Iodine was of limited effectiveness against bacteria. The effectiveness was greater against fungi this time, with good log10 reduction between 1.5 and 2 for concentrations between 10 and 30 ppm. There was no greater control as concentration increased for 10 to 30 ppm. Fungal control by iodine was more effective than bacterial control. The increased effectiveness against fungi in this experiment is believed to be due to the more effective delivery of iodine by the Sanitising Unit according to the invention. Fungi are a more serious cause of the loss of keeping quality on potatoes under most conditions than bacteria, so iodine treatment would be effective for potatoes.  
         [0223]    Lettuce (Sanitizing Unit)  
                                                         TABLE 3                                       Bacterial population per cm 2     Fungal population per cm 2              Chemical   Actual   Log 10     Log 10     Actual   Log 10     Log 10         treatments   count   count   reduction   count   count   reduction               Control   3077   3.39   0.00 a*   20     1.32   0.00 a       (undipped)       Control   1261   3.06   0.33 a   14     1.04   0.28 a       (dipped)       Iodine    130   2.03   1.36 b    1.03   −0.12   1.44 bc       10 ppm       Iodine    79   1.64   1.74 bc    0.44   −0.35   1.67 bc       20 ppm       Iodine    38   1.51   1.89 c    0.44   −0.35   1.67 bc       30 ppm       Chlorine    14   0.71   2.11 d    0.44   −0.35   1.67 bc       30 ppm                          
 
         [0224]    Iodine increased in effectiveness up to 30 ppm, with a similar pattern for bacteria and fungi. Log10 reductions of greater than 1.5 show iodine being effective at 20 and 30 ppm against fungi. Bacterial control by iodine was more effective than fungal control. There was a major increase in effectiveness going from 10 to 30 ppm. Chlorine was more effective than iodine for bacteria. Iodine was equivalent in effectiveness to chlorine for fungi.  
         [0225]    The Iodine Sanitiser Unit according to the embodiments of the invention described and with their constant delivery resulted in large improvements in effectiveness compared to laboratory dipping.  
         [0226]    Apple (Iodine Sanitization unit)  
                                                         TABLE 4                                       Bacterial population per cm 2     Fungal population per cm 2              Chemical   Actual   Log 10     Log 10     Actual   Log 10     Log 10         treatments   count   count   reduction   count   count   reduction               Control   160     2.14   0.00 a*   104     1.99   0.00 a       (undipped)       Control    93     1.95   0.20 a    60     1.70   0.29 a       (dipped)       Iodine    10     0.20   1.94 b    3.2   −0.56   2.55 bc       10 ppm       Iodine    6.7     0.086   2.05 b    1.8   −0.37   2.36 bc       20 ppm       Iodine    1.4   −0.40   2.54 bc    0.1   −1.00   2.99 c       30 ppm       Chlorine    4.0     0.28   1.86 b    1.8   −0.13   2.12 b       30 ppm                          
 
         [0227]    Iodine increased in effectiveness up to 30 ppm, with a similar pattern for bacteria and fungi. Log10 reductions of greater than 2 show iodine being very effective at 30 ppm against both bacteria and fungi. Fungal control by iodine was more effective than bacterial control. There was a major increase in effectiveness going from 10 to 30 ppm. Iodine was considerably more effective than chlorine for bacteria and fungi. While the effectiveness is greatest at 30 ppm, iodine is so effective against apples that 20 ppm is still very effective, especially for fungi which are a bigger problem for keeping quality.  
         [0228]    Strawberry (Sanitization Unit)  
                                                         TABLE 5                                       Bacterial population per cm 2     Fungal population per cm 2              Chemical   Actual   Log 10     Log 10     Actual   Log 10     Log 10         treatments   count   count   reduction   count   count   reduction               Control   16405   4.19   0.00 a*   878   2.93   0.00 a       (undipped)       Control   10550   3.96   0.23 ab   864   2.87   0.057 a       (dipped)       Iodine    4230   3.62   0.57 bc   115   1.97   0.95 cd       10 ppm       Iodine    3443   3.52   0.67 bcd    71   1.83   1.10 d       20 ppm       Iodine    2085   3.19   1.01 cd    39   1.03   1.90 e       30 ppm       Chlorine    3710   3.53   0.66 bcd   519   2.62   0.31 a       30 ppm                          
 
         [0229]    Iodine is of lower effectiveness for bacteria, but gives good control against fungi at higher concentrations. Log10 reductions of almost 2 for fungi shows that iodine gives very significant control at 30 ppm. Fungal control by iodine was considerably more effective than bacterial control by iodine. There was only a slight increase in effectiveness going from 10 to 30 ppm. Iodine was considerably more effective than chlorine for bacteria and fungi, with levels of 10 ppm iodine being more effective than 30 ppm chlorine.  
                                                         TABLE 6                                       Bacterial population per cm 2     Fungal population per cm 2              Chemical   Actual   Log 10     Log 10     Actual   Log 10     Log 10         treatments   count   count   reduction   count   count   reduction               Control   843   2.92   0.00 a*   121   2.05   0.00 a       (undipped)       Control   571   2.74   0.17 a    72   1.84   0.21 a       (dipped)       Iodine    22   1.27   1.64 d    13   1.10   0.96 b       10 ppm       Iodine    14   1.02   1.90 de    7.6   0.54   1.51 cd       20 ppm       Iodine    6.6   0.72   2.19 e    3.1   0.26   1.79 de       30 ppm       Chlorine    23   1.22   1.70 d    9.3   0.94   1.11 bc       30 ppm                          
 
         [0230]    Iodine increased in effectiveness up to 30 ppm, with a similar pattern for both bacteria and fungi. Log10 reductions of greater than 1.5 show iodine being effective at 30 ppm against both bacteria and fungi. Bacterial control and fungal control by iodine was similar. There was a major increase in effectiveness going from 10 to 30 ppm. Iodine was more effective than chlorine for bacteria (with 10 ppm iodine being equal to 30 ppm chlorine), it was similarly more effective for fungi.  
         [0231]    Rockmelon (Sanitization Unit)  
                                                         TABLE 7                                       Bacterial population per cm 2     Fungal population per cm 2              Chemical   Actual   Log 10     Log 10     Actual   Log 10     Log 10         treatments   count   count   reduction   count   count   reduction               Control   124,380   5.09   0.00 a*   750     2.86   0.00 a       (undipped)       Control    94,827   4.97   0.12 a   493     2.60   0.25 a       (dipped)       Iodine    19,514   4.26   0.83 b    55     1.55   1.31 d       10 ppm       Iodine    14,456   4.15   0.93 bc    0.80   −0.10   2.95 e       20 ppm       Iodine    10,028   3.98   1.10 cd    0.80   −0.10   2.95 e       30 ppm       Chlorine    10,752   4.03   1.06 bcd    0.80   −0.10   2.95 e       30 ppm                          
 
         [0232]    There was only moderate activity of iodine against bacteria, however, the levels of background bacteria were extremely high. For more normal background levels of fungi, excellent control was found by iodine, with no extra benefit in efficacy found going from 20 to 30 ppm. Log10 reductions of considerably more than 2 show iodine being very effective at 20 and 30 ppm against fungi. Fungal control by iodine was more effective than bacterial control. Iodine was of equivalent effectiveness to chlorine for both bacteria and fungi.  
         [0233]    Tomato with Dirt (Sanitization Unit)  
                                                         TABLE 8                                       Bacterial population per cm 2     Fungal population per cm 2              Chemical   Actual   Log 10     Log 10     Actual   Log 10     Log 10         treatments   count   count   reduction   count   count   reduction               Control   117   2.08   0.00 a*   36     1.57   0.00 a       Iodine    9   0.95   1.17 efgh    2.7     0.11   1.46 hi       (20 ppm)        0 min       Iodine    47   1.67   0.41 abc    1.6   −0.12   1.68 i        5 min       Iodine    21   1.32   0.77 cde    3.8     0.53   1.04 defgh       20 min       Iodine    22   1.33   0.75 cde    3     0.13   1.45 ghi       50 min       Chlorine    12   0.98   1.03 defg    3     0.23   1.34 fghi       (30 ppm)        0 min       Chlorine    15   1.17   0.92 def    4.7     0.62   0.94 def        5 min       Chlorine    23   1.38   0.74 cd    9     0.86   0.71 cd       20 min       Chlorine    36   1.56   0.46 bc   25     1.30   0.26 ab       50 min                          
 
         [0234]    The initial level of iodine (20 ppm) and chlorine (30 ppm) used in the dip gave a reduction of bacteria and fungi by about 1 log 10  units. The addition of dirt and broccoli puree raises the level of bacteria on the surface of the tomatoes, despite the presence of sanitisers in the dip. This is because high levels of bacteria were present in the added dirt and these raised levels were transferred to the surface of the tomatoes. After 5 min of adding dirt, iodine was less active than that of chlorine against bacteria, but was more active against fungi. As iodine was recharging into the tank at its set concentration, it reactivated over time and showed increased effectiveness in controlling the organisms in the later treatments. On the contrary, chlorine was not recharging and its concentration was reducing over time after addition of dirt and reduced the effectiveness against the organisms. Over time, and as dirt levels build in the dip, iodine becomes more and more effective in comparison to chlorine.  
         [0235]    Apple with Dirt (Sanitization Unit)  
                                                         TABLE 9                                       Bacterial population per cm 2     Fungal population per cm 2              Chemical   Actual   Log 10     Log 10     Actual   Log 10     Log 10         treatments   count   count   reduction   count   count   reduction               Control   126   2.01   0.00 a*   59     1.73   0.00 a       Iodine    5   0.31   1.71 fg    0.44   −0.35   2.09 g        0 min       Iodine    60   1.74   0.28 a    0.8   −0.21   1.95 g        5 min       Iodine    6   0.73   1.29 cdcf    4     0.47   1.27 cdef       20 min       Iodine    5   0.48   1.53 defg    5     0.12   1.62 ef       50 min       Chlorine    3   0.25   1.77 fg    3     0.20   1.53 defg        0 min       Chlorine    26   1.03   0.99 bcd    7     0.60   1.14 cde        5 min       Chlorine    22   1.07   0.94 bc    6     0.67   1.07 bcde       20 min       Chlorine    56   1.69   0.33 a   19     1.22   0.52 ab       50 min                          
 
         [0236]    The initial level of iodine and chlorine in the dip gave a reduction of bacteria and fungi by about 1.5 log 10  units. It is noticeable that the addition of dirt and broccoli puree raises the level of bacteria on the surface of the apples. This is because high levels of bacteria were present in the added dirt and these higher levels were transferred to the surface of the apples. After 5 min of adding dirt, iodine was less active than that of chlorine against bacteria, but was found to be more active against fungi. As iodine was recharging into the tank at its set concentration (20 ppm), it reactivated over time and showed increased effectiveness in controlling the organisms in the later treatments. On the contrary, chlorine was not recharging and its concentration was reducing over time after addition of dirt and reduced the effectiveness against the organisms. Over time, and as dirt levels build in the dip, iodine becomes more and more effective in comparison to chlorine.  
         [0237]    These results clearly show the efficacy of iodine as a sanitiser against bacteria and fungi found on fresh fruit and vegetables (see Summary Table below).  
         [0238]    Application of iodine by the Iodine Sanitiser Unit was found to be considerably more effective than using an iodine dip. Over the range of products and concentrations used, iodine was found to be considerably more effective than an equivalent concentration of chlorine. This is particularly so if the iodine was added with the Iodine Sanitiser Unit.  
         [0239]    With some crops, iodine controlled bacteria best and with other crops it controlled fungi best. It seems the ISU especially assists with iodine control against fungi. The required concentration to give a very good reduction in bacteria or fungi of 1.5 log 10  (or a 30 fold reduction in concentration) varied considerably from crop to crop and suggests that different concentrations should be recommended for different types of crops.  
       Summary Table of Efficacy Results  
       [0240]    [0240]                                                                                 Fungi - dose for               Better Control of   Bacteria - dose for   ˜1.5 log 10     Better control by iodine/       Crop   Bacteria/Fungi   ˜1.5 log 10  reduction   reduction   chlorine                                Orange (L)*   Bacteria   30   30   Chlorine       Nectarine (L)*   Bacteria   3.3   10   Iodine       Peach (L)*   Bacteria   10   30   Iodine       Potato (L)*   Fungi   &gt;30   &gt;30   Iodine       Potato (ISU)   Fungi   &gt;30   10   Iodine       Tomato (L)   Fungi   20   20   Iodine       Lettuce (L)   Bacteria   30   &gt;30   Chlorine       Lettuce (ISU)   Fungi   20   10   Iodine       Bean sprouts (ISU)   —   30   30   Iodine       Apples (ISU)   Fungi   10   10   Iodine       Strawberry (ISU)   Fungi   &gt;30   30   Iodine       Avocado (ISU)   Bacteria   10   20   Iodine       Rockmelon (ISU)   Fungi   &gt;30   20   Same effectiveness                            
         [0241]    The effect of adding high levels of dirt to both the iodine and chlorine dips in a recirculating mode demonstrated that as dirt levels and time of dip usage increased, the Iodine Sanitiser Unit was considerably superior to chlorine. The results also demonstrated that increasing the dip concentration using iodine dips from one to four minutes was equivalent in effectiveness to doubling the dip concentration.  
         [0242]    It will be recognised by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and modifications may be made to the invention as broadly described herein such as but not limited to use of substitutes for the resins without departing from the overall spirit and scope of the invention.  
         [0243]    THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:  
         [0244]    1 A purification process using iodine for decontamination, the process comprising;  
         [0245]    a source of water for one or more water consuming applications and providing a water stream in said process;  
         [0246]    a delivery station intermediate said source of water and