GB943216A - Method of and apparatus for producing chlorine dioxide for immediate use - Google Patents

Abstract

In a continuous process for the production of chlorine dioxide, for example from a solution of a chlorate and a reducing agent, wherein a generator is continuously fed with liquid reactants and the evolved chlorine dioxide is passed, together with a predetermined minimum quantity of inert diluting gas or vapour, to an apparatus where it is utilized, the inert gas or vapour is drawn into the reactor through a throttle by gas propulsion means in such manner that a partial vacuum exists in the reactor and apparatus, said partial vacuum serving to introduce the reactants into the generator; upon a failure of the partial vacuum, the supply of reactants to the reactor is stopped, thus stopping the evolution of chlorine dioxide. Upon such failure, the liquid contents of the generator may additionally be discharged to a tank below the generator, from which chlorine dioxide is vented to the outside atmosphere. In one form, the chlorine dioxide is absorbed by liquid trickling down a tower, and the remaining inert gas is recycled via the throttle. The liquid supplied to the tower may be so arranged as to form a seal, such that on a failure of the liquid supply the seal, and thus the vacuum, is broken by atmospheric air. In this form the atmospheric air may so flow as to sweep the surface of the reacting liquids and thus remove chlorine dioxide, and the air may be at least in part then vented to the outside atmosphere.