MXPA01001408A - Sulphurous acid generator with air injector - Google Patents

Abstract

This invention presents a sulphurous acid generator which employs a combination of novel blending contact (100, 240) and mixing mechanisms (84, 86, 130) which maximize the efficiency and duration of contact between sulphur dioxide gas and water enriched with air/oxygen to form sulphurous acid (158) in an open nonpressurized system, without employing a countercurrent absorption tower.

Description

GENERATOR OF SULFUR ACID WITH AIR INJECTOR SCOPE OF THE INVENTION This application claims the priority of pending application Series No. 09/13121 filed on August 8, 1998 and series No. (still unassigned), filed on August 5, 1999. 1. Field of the Invention. Only a fraction of the total water supply of the land is available and suitable for agriculture, industry and domestic needs. The demand for water is great and new technologies coupled with the growth of populations increases the demand for water while pollution decreases the limited supply of usable water. The growth of water demand requires "the efficient use of available water sources.The use for water agriculture places it in great demand on the world's water supply.In some communities, water supply can be suitable for cultivation but water quality is inadequate for agriculture because the water is alkaline, alkalinity is an important factor affecting the quality, efficiency and composition of soil and irrigation water. the alkalinity in the irrigation is due to the amount of sodium and calcium in the water or to an elevated pH that provides an irrigation with water that harms the soil, the growth of the crop and the efficiency of the irrigation water. Such water can be used for soil rehabilitation and irrigation by the addition of low pH sulfuric acid to alkaline water to reduce its alkalinity or pH. The invention of this application is directed to a device which generates frequent sulfur in a simplified and efficient manner. In particular, it is directed to a sulfurous acid generator which produces sulphurous acid by the combustion of sulfur for the production of the sulfur dioxide gas. The sulfur dioxide gas is then extracted and kept in contact with water with injected air, eventually making it react with the water and producing frequent sulfides, while virtually eliminating the dangerous emissions of sulfur dioxide gas into the air. 2. Applied technology. There are several sulfurous acid generators in the art. The devices of the prior art use sulfur combustion chambers and absorption towers. However, the known systems use countercurrent flows or pressurized systems as main means for obtaining the generation of sulfurous acid. For example, most devices employ an absorption tower to introduce the largest amount of water to the system in the flow countercurrent to the flow of the sulfur dioxide gas. U.S. Patent No. 4,526,771 refers to the introduction of 90% of the system water in a first stage in a countercurrent flow in the upper part of the absorption tower. In such devices, the integrity of the absorption towers is vital and any deficiency or inefficiency of the absorption tower leads to a decrease in the reaction and results. Other devices use pressurized gas to facilitate the flow of gas through the system, see U.S. Patent No. 3,226,201. However, pressurized devices require expensive manufacturing to ensure that the gas content of the dangerous sulfur dioxide prevents losses. Even negative pressure machines have the disadvantage of requiring a power source to provide capacity to the negative pressure generator such as an output fan. Still other devices have secondary combustion chambers to further oxidize sulfur, see U.S. Patent No. 4,562,771. Most sulfur dioxide generated hazardous or significant levels of unreacted sulfur dioxide gas, which is a pollutant that is harmful and harmful to the environment that surrounds us. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION.

The present invention relates to a sulfurous acid generator which can be used to improve the alkalinity of irrigation water, by adding sulfurous acid which is produced by the generator to alkaline water for the reduction of alkalinity and / or pH of the water. In addition, to obtain a less alkaline water, adding sulfurous acid to alkaline water increases the use of sulfur in water to act as a nutrient, improve the action of capillarity of the soil, increasing cation exchange capacity, and reducing the cost of the recovery of wastewater, fertilizers and tillage. In most of the actions in agriculture, complicated farming machinery is not practical because it requires technical education to work and special knowledge for its service and maintenance. For sulfur generators, improved designs can reduce their cost, simplify their operation, service and maintenance and increase their efficiency and safety, making the machine more practical for use in agriculture. The present invention relates to a sulfurous acid generator that is simple to produce, operate, service and maintain, and which efficiently produces, contains and reacts the sulfur dioxide gas and sulfurous acid without the user's exposure or of other living things in proximity to the machine with the dangerous emissions of sulfur dioxide. It will be appreciated that a specific energy source is not necessarily required by the present invention, and therefore its use is not necessarily restricted to places where a particular energy source, similar to electricity, is available or can be generated for its use. All the above objects are found in the present invention. Different from the prior art, the present invention is designed to increase the amount of water enriched with air / oxygen in contact with the sulfur dioxide gas and the duration of contact of the water with the sulfur dioxide gas without forming any back pressure. significant in the system or leading to an over pressurization or high temperature of the gas to cause the sulfur dioxide gas to flow through the sulfurous acid generator. This reduces the complexity of the sulfurous acid generator and the need for additional equipment such as air compressors used in the prior art devices. The invention mainly relates to a hopper, a combustion chamber, an air injector, a gas line, a mixing tank and an outlet pipe.

The sulfur hopper preferably has a capacity of several hundred kilos of sulfur powder or in the form of flakes. The sulfur hopper can be constructed of various materials or combinations thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the sulfur hopper is constructed of stainless steel and plastic. The hopper for the sulfur is connected to the combustion chamber by means of a passage placed in the base of the hopper for the sulfur. The conduction joints are at the base of the combustion chamber. The weight of the sulfur in the sulfur hopper forces the sulfur to pass through the passage to the base and into the combustion chamber, providing a continuous supply of the sulfur to the combustion. The flow of sulfur can be increased using a drag bucket or an anti-cavitation tilt. The combustion chamber has an ignition inlet on the upper part of the combustion chamber through which the sulfur ignites and an air inlet on one side of the chamber through which oxygen enters for the fuel of the combustion of sulfur. The combustion of sulfur generates the sulfur dioxide gas. In a preferred embodiment, the bottom of the chamber is removable, facilitating access to the chamber for maintenance and service. The combustion chamber is constructed of a material that is capable of preventing the corrosion of sulfur and the heat of combustion, and preferably stainless steel. The sulfur dioxide gas that exists in the combustion chamber through an outlet in the upper part of the combustion chamber is extracted in a first conduit. The first conduit can be made of stainless steel. A water supply is conducted through a second conduit and may be through a water source to the second conduit by means capable of supplying sufficient water and pressure, such as an elevated water tank or a mechanical or electrical pump. Throughout the second conduit, air with its oxygen component is injected into the water at room temperature. The first conduit and the second conduit meet and mate with a third conduit. The third conduit comprises a bent portion, a portion of the content in contact, a stirring portion and means for the discharge of the sulfuric acid and the unreacted sulfur dioxide gas. In the third conduit, the sulfur dioxide gas and / or the oxygen enriched water are contacted with each one for the preparation of the sulphurous acid. The third conduit can be constructed of a polyethylene plastic.

In the mixing portion, the third conduit comprises a means for bringing the sulfur dioxide gas in the first conduit and the water to the second conduit in a contained co-directional flow and in contact with one another. The greater amount of the water used to form the sulfurous acid in the system and the method is introduced into the third conduit and flows through one or more of the stirring portions and the contacting content in the third conduit through the means contact. Therefore, water and sulfur dioxide gas flow through one or more of the contact vessels, naturally discharging by gravity into a mixing tank. The water is introduced in a third conduit, in the co-directional flow with the sulfur dioxide gas and thus create an annular column of water with the sulfur dioxide gas that flows inside the annular column of the water with which mix the water and the sulfur dioxide gas. In the preferred embodiment, the water is introduced into the gas pipe that passes through an eductor, which causes the sulfur dioxide gas to be extracted through the first conduit without the need to pressurize the sulfur dioxide gas. and without the use of an exhaust fan. The water and the sulfur dioxide gas remain in contact with each other for a period of time in which flow is effected through a portion of a third conduit. In the contact area, a portion of the sulfur dioxide gas reacts with water, producing sulphurous acid. The portion of the agitation comprises a means for mixing and agitating the codirectional flow of the sulfur dioxide gas and the sulfurous acid / water. The portions of the stirring increase the reaction and dispersion of the sulfur dioxide gas. Folds in the third conduit or obstructions within the third conduit are contemplated as possible means for mixing and agitation in the agitation portion. The agitation and flow in a co-direction of the sulfur dioxide and water gas further facilitate the reaction of the sulfur dioxide gas with the water in a mixing source. The sulfurous acid and the sulfur dioxide gas flow in a third conduit by means of discharge of the sulphurous acid and the unreacted sulfur dioxide gas. A discharge outlet represents a possible mode by means of discharge of the sulphurous acid and the unreacted sulfur dioxide gas. The discharge outlet allows the contents of the duct to enter a zone of submersion of the gas. Sulfuric acid and unreacted sulfur dioxide gas are discharged into a third conduit and enter the mixing tank. In one embodiment, a landfill divides the mixing tank into two sections, primarily a source section and an outlet or effluent section. Sulfur dioxide and sulfur dioxide gas discharge to the discharge of a third conduit in the source section. As the sulphurous acid is emptied into the mixing tank, a volume of sulfuric acid equal in depth is formed at the height of the spillway. At all times, sulfurous acid and unreacted sulfur dioxide gas are discharged from the third conduit above the level of the liquid and into the source section of the mixing tank. In other words, the discharge from the third conduit is placed sufficiently above the surface of the source, so that the sulfur dioxide gas exists in the pipe that can pass directly into and be submerged within the source while it is in a opening arrangement (not closed). In other words, the discharge of the third conduit does not create any significant retropressure in the flow of the sulphurous acid or the sulfur dioxide gas in the third conduit or in the gas pipe. Never, the vertical closed position of the discharge of the third conduit on the surface of the source reduces the probability that unreacted sulfur dioxide gas will escape from the discharge without it being immersed in the source. The discharge is at a distance from the side wall of the mixing tank towards the center of the source section to allow the source to be efficiently bubbling through the entrance of the sulfurous acid and the unreacted sulfur dioxide gas from the third conduit . As acidic water and gas continue to enter the mixing tank from the third conduit, the level of the source eventually exceeds the height of the landfill. Sulfuric acid is expelled through the landfill and into the effluent or the outlet section of the mixing tank where sulfurous acid exits the mixing tank through the effluent outlet. The upper part of the outlet of the effluent is placed below the height of the landfill and the discharge from the third conduit in order to reduce the amount of free floating of the unreacted sulfur dioxide gas leaving the chamber to through the outlet of the effluent. The free flotation of the unreacted sulfur dioxide gas remains in the mixing tank that rises to the top of the mixing tank. The upper part of the mixing tank is adapted with a lid. Under bubbles of undissolved sulfur dioxide flowing through the outlet of the effluent are trapped by a standard U-shaped trap, forcing the accumulated bubbles back into the mixing tank while the sulfurous acid leaves the system through of a first discharge pipe. To ensure the further elimination of any significant emission of sulfur dioxide gas from the generator to the environment, the sulfur dioxide gas remaining in the mixing tank can be removed by an outlet duct that is coupled with an exhaust vent of the lid of the mixing tank. The outlet conduit defines a fourth conduit. A means for introducing water into the fourth conduit is placed in the fourth conduit. Water entering the fourth conduit can be conducted from a source by any means capable of supplying sufficient water to the fourth conduit. As the water is introduced into the fourth conduit, it reacts with the sulfur dioxide gas that is exiting through the lid of the mixing tank from the absorption tower and produces sulphurous acid. In a preferred embodiment, the water that is introduced into the fourth conduit passes through a second eductor causing the sulfur dioxide gas to be drawn through the outlet and into the fourth conduit. The gas and water are contained and in contact as they move through one or more contact vessels and / or in the agitation portions of the fourth conduit. The sulfurous acid leaves the fourth conduit through a second discharge pipe. In a preferred embodiment, the second discharge pipe also comprises a configuration of a U-trap, upstream of the U-trap, a thin bed allows reactivating the gases to discharge them from the system. The fourth conduit can be constructed of a high density polyethylene plastic. High density polyethylene plastic is preferred for its durability and its resistance to the degradation of ultraviolet rays. It is another object of this invention to eliminate the countercurrent absorption that is had in the prior art. As mentioned, water is introduced into the system to the third conduit and the fourth conduit that can bring the water from the source to a system by any means capable of supplying sufficient water and pressure, such as a permanent elevated water tank. , or a water pump started with diesel, electric or mechanical. These embodiments of the present invention will be apparent from the following description and the appended claims, or may be conducted by practicing the invention as described below. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS. In order to follow the manner in which it has been mentioned above and the advantages of the invention that is obtained, a more particular description of the invention is more extensively mentioned above with reference to, a specific embodiment thereof which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. With the mentioned in the drawings only a typical embodiment of the invention is described and therefore it is not considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained in detail and additional specification through the use of the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the sulfurous acid generator. Figure 2 is a partial side elevational view in section in cross section of the components of the sulfurous acid generator. Figure 3 is an elongated view of a portion of the third conduit. Figure 4 is an enlarged view of a portion of a fourth conduit. Figure 5 is a flow diagram explaining the method of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITIES. Including by reference to the aforementioned figures, the sulfurous acid generator comprises a system which generates the sulfurous acid and keeps the gas substantially in contact with the water for prolonged periods of time substantially, eliminating any significant release of the dioxide gas of dangerous sulfur in the system. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the main elements comprise a hopper for sulfur 20, a combustion chamber 40, a pipe for gas 70, a mixing tank 130, and an outlet duct 210. The main elements they are mounted on a platform 10 to facilitate transportation. The hopper for sulfur 20 comprises a container 24, with an upper surface 26. The upper surface 26 defines a lockable opening, not shown. The container 24 may have any geometric shape, cylindrical as shown, rectangular may also be employed. The surface 26 of the container 24 comprises a lockable opening of a sufficient diameter and in a way that allows the sulfur to be loaded into the hopper . The container 24 comprises an outlet of the hopper 30. The hopper 20 is of such a shape that the sulfur in the hopper 20 is directed towards the outlet of the hopper 30, by gravity fall. The outlet of the hopper 30 allows the sulfur to pass through the hopper 20. A passage conduit 36 communicates between the outlet of the hopper 30, an inlet of the combustion chamber 50 of the combustion chamber 40. In one alternative mode, the container 24 can include a rocker arm 21, which is mounted externally to the container 24. the rocker arm 21 is able to move back and forth as shown by arrow 23. It is connected substantially vertically to the arm of the rocker 21, and extending internally to the container 24, a bar 25 having substantially upwardly extending indentations 27. The fingers 27 extend upwards in the rocker arm of the sulfur supply 23, which can be manipulated forward and backwards, whereby the manipulation of the fingers of the rocker 27 move back and forth to avoid the incavitation of the sulfur that may occur in the hopper 20. The combustion chamber 40 comprises a floor member 42, a side wall of the chamber 44, and ceiling member 46. the floor member 42 defines a perimeter and the roof member 42 is removably attached to the side wall of the chamber 44. the roof member 46 is secured to the side wall 44, the side wall 44, supports the roof member 46. An ignition inlet 52 defined by the roof member 46 has an ignition inlet cover that removably attaches 54. An air inlet 56 defined by the side wall of the chamber 44 has an air inlet cover 58 that is removably attached. The air inlet 56 is positioned substantially opposite the inlet of the duct 50 and may comprise the side wall 44 of the chamber in a tangential manner. The outlet opening 60 in the combustion chamber 40 is defined by the roof member 46. The sulfur that is supplied to the combustion chamber 40 is through an inlet of the conduit 50, which can be ignited through the ignition input 52. The air inlet 56 allows the oxygen, necessary for the combustion process, to enter the combustion chamber 40, which allows regulation of the range of combustion. The opening of the outlet 60 allows the sulfur dioxide gas to pass through the outlet opening 60 and enter the gas pipe 70. The gas pipe 70 has two ends, the first end 78 communicates with the opening of the outlet 60, the second end terminates in the third conduit 76. The gas pipe or the first conduit 70 may comprise a riser pipe 72, and a transverse pipe 74. The riser pipe 72, may communicate with the transverse pipeline. 74 by means of a first joint 90 of angular degree. Disposed and secured the riser pipe 72 by a grid 90 which prevents external contact with the member 72, which is hot when used. The water is conducted through a second conduit 282, at a point at which the second conduit 282 engages the first conduit 70 in a third conduit 76. Along the length of the second conduit 282, an injector 283 disperses additional air in the water. In most applications and those in which the present invention is used to increase crop growth and the like, the ambient air has an oxygen component. The air can be injected into the water forming a differential pressure along the water such that the air is extracted into the water. The air injectors are known. The preferred air injector is the Mazzei® Injector from Mazzei Injector Corporation, Bakersfield, California, E.U.A., Equivalent devices are known or readily discovered by those skilled in the art. The air injector produces additional air in the water flow. The additional entry of air into the water provides a stream of water enriched with air / oxygen. The water enriched with air / oxygen increases the reaction range of the water with the sulfur dioxide gas in the generation of the intermediate sulfur dioxide and finally the sulphurous acid. The inclusion of an air injector has the advantage of producing significantly better results than those of the prior techniques. In addition, similar to other components, of the present invention, the preferred air injector has no moving parts in the operation.

The conduit 76 comprises a means 100 for bringing the sulfur dioxide gas in the first conduit and substantially all the water in the second conduit 282, in a contained codirection flux whereby the sulfur dioxide gas and the water are in Contact one with the other. The codirectional flow medium 100 is shown in Figures 2 and 3, which comprises a central body 102, the central body defines a gas inlet 104, and a gas outlet of the sulfur dioxide 114, the central body comprises an inlet of secondary conduit 106, an outlet of a cooling ring 108, an emitter and an eductor 112. The eductor 112 generates an annular column of water to enclose the outlet of the gas 114. The nature of this flowing water is formed to assist the extraction of the sulfur dioxide gas from the combustion chamber 40, in the gas pipe 70 where the gas comes into contact with the water to form the sulfurous acid. The codirection flow medium 100 allows water to be introduced into the third conduit 76, initially through a second inlet conduit 106. Water entering the codirectional medium 100 passes through the eductor 112 and exits adjacent to the outlet of the sulfur dioxide gas 114. The water that enters the third conduit 76 and begins to be in contact with the sulfur dioxide gas because the sulfur dioxide gas surrounds where the sulfur dioxide and the water contained in contact one with the other. The water and the sulfur dioxide gas react to form the sulfur acid. This first contact contains the portion of the duct 76 that does not obstruct the flow of the sulfur dioxide gas. It is thought that the substantial portion of the sulfur dioxide gas will react with the water in this first contact of the contact area. After the acid and any amount of water (later referred to as "water / acid") and any remaining unreacted gas continue to flow through the third conduit 76, the water / acid and the unreacted sulfur dioxide gas they are mixed and stirred to further facilitate the reaction of the sulfur dioxide with the water / acid. Means for the mixing and stirring of the water / acid flow and of the sulfur dioxide gas are carried out in various ways. For example, as shown in Figure 2, mixing and agitation can be performed by changing the flow direction such as a bend 84 in the third conduit 76. Another example includes placing an object 77 within the third conduit 76 to alter the flow pattern in the third conduit 76. This may comprise an edge that alters the flow, a flange, a shoulder or other member along the path of the codirectional flow in the third conduit 76. By placing an object in the flow path, a straight or substantially straight conduit may be employed. The distinction of this invention in relation to the known art is the mixing and agitation of the water / acid flow and the sulfur dioxide which substantially all the water of the system develops with the sulfur dioxide gas in a codirection flow system open One embodiment of the present invention relates to being able to treat between 175 liters and 1050 of water per minute during the course of the third conduit 76 with contact being maintained with the sulfur dioxide gas. After the water / acid and the sulfur dioxide have passed through the agitation and the mixing portion of the third conduit 76, the water / acid and the unreacted sulfur dioxide gas are again contained in contact with each other to facilitate the reaction between the components and produce the sulfur acid. This is done by contacting the water / acid and the sulfur acid gas in contact with one another. One embodiment is shown in Figure 2, as a portion 85 of a third conduit 76. The portion 85 acts much in the same manner as described above in contact with the contained portion. In a preferred embodiment, additional means for stirring and mixing the codirectional flow of water / acid and sulfur dioxide gas are employed. One modality is. illustrated as a portion 86 of the third conduit 76, in which again the directional flow of the water / acid and the sulfur dioxide gas is directionally altered. In this form, the water / acid and the sulfur dioxide gas are forced to mix and stir, in addition to facilitating the reaction of the sulfur dioxide gas to further produce a concentrate of a sulfur acid. The third conduit 76 also incorporates means for discharging the water / acid and unreacted sulfur dioxide gas prior to the various of the third conduit 76. One embodiment is shown in Figure 2 as the discharge opening 80 defined by the third conduit 76. Discharge opening 80 is preferably placed approximately in the center of the source section, described below. In a preferred embodiment, the discharge 80 is configured so that it is direct to the discharge of the water / acid and of the unreacted sulfur dioxide to the source of immersion 158 without forming a back pressure. In other words, the discharge 80 is sufficiently closed to the surface 133, of the fluid in the immersion source to cause the unreacted sulfur dioxide gas to be forced into the immersion source, but not below the surface of the fluid in the immersion source, which maintains the open nature of the system and prevents the formation of retropressure in the system. The present invention also utilizes a tank 130 having a bottom 132, a side wall of the tank 134, and a lid 164. The tank 130 also comprises a fluid dispersing member 137 for dispersing the bubbles of sulfurous acid and dioxide gas of sulfur through the tank 130. The dispersion member 137 may have a conical shape or any other type of shape which facilitates dispersion. A weir 148 can be attached to one side of the bottom member 132 and is joined to the two sides of the side wall of the tank 134. The weir 148 extends upwardly at a distance below the outlet 80. The landfill 148 dividing the mixing tank 130 into an immersion source 158 and an exit section 152. the third conduit 76 penetrates the side wall of the tank 134 and is placed below the lid 164. An exit aperture 154 is placed in the wall side of tank 134 near bottom member 132 in the discharge section. The drainage opening 154 is connected to the drainage pipe 156. The drainage pipe 156 is adapted with a U-shaped trap. The U-shaped trap acts as a means for forcing the gas levels of the undissolved gas for the return of the sulfur dioxide gas in the chamber 130 to exit through the cover 164 in the ventilation duct 210. As the sulfurous acid flows from the third duct 76, the dump 148 dampens the acid coming from the mixing tank 130 producing a source of bubbling 158 of sulfurous acid. The sulfur dioxide gas is carried but does not react in the sulphurous acid which is carried in the immersion source of the acid 158 due to the proximity of the discharge 80 to the surface 133 of the source 158. The carrier gas is immersed in the bubble immersion source 158. The suspended gas is momentarily bubbling in contact with the acid in the source 158 to further concentrate the acid. As the unreacted gases go up to the source, the unreacted gas is subject to contact with the water and also reacts to further form concentrated sulfuric acid. The combination of the discharge 80 and its close proximity to the surface 133 of the source of the acid 158 forms a means to facilitate and maintain the immersion of the unreacted sulfur dioxide gas discharged from the third conduit into the sulfuric acid immersion source for Substantially reduce the separation of the gas from the unreacted sulfur dioxide from contact with the sulfurous acid to initiate the further reaction of the sulfur dioxide gas in the sulfurous acid in an open system without the sulfur dioxide gas being subjected to discharge from the third conduit to a return pressure or system pressure. That is, the discharge 80 is placed below the level of the top of the dump 148 which is contemplated as inconsistent with an open system. As the sulfurous acid enters the mixing tank 130, from the third conduit 76, the level of the source 132, of the sulphurous acid rises until the acid is poured over the dump 148 into the outlet section 152. the sulfurous acid and the sulfur dioxide gas flows from the mixing tank 130 into the drain pipe 156. The drain pipe 156 is provided with an immersion zone in a U-157 trap in which the sulfur dioxide gas is again mixed in the sulphurous acid and which prevents the sulfur dioxide gas from leaving the drain pipe 156 in any significant amount.

Any amount of the free floating sulfur dioxide gas in the mixing tank 130 rises to the lid 164. The lid 164 is defined by an exhaust vent 202. The exhaust vent 202 can be coupled with a vent 210 the ventilation duct 210 has a first end which engages with the exhaust ventilation 202 and a second end which ends in a fourth duct 220. The ventilation duct 210 may consist of a pipe between the ventilation 202 and the fourth duct 220. The fourth duct 220 comprises auxiliary means 240 for bringing the sulfur dioxide gas into the ventilation duct and substantially all the water in the complementary water duct 294 in a codirectional flux and content with which the dioxide gas remains of sulfur and water that are in contact with one another. As shown in Figures 2 and 4, the auxiliary means have a body 240 defining a gas inlet 244, a gas outlet 252, a complementary water inlet 246, and a water eductor 250. The water entering through the auxiliary means 240 through the complementary water conduit 294, at the inlet 246. The water flows through the eductor as mentioned above as the codirectional medium. The water eductor 250 extracts any amount of the floating sulfur dioxide gas in the outlet vent 210. The water and the sulfur dioxide gas are contacted in a fourth conduit 220 by the surrounding gas in conjunction with Water. The water and gas are contained in contact with one another as the gas and water that flows into the fourth conduit 220 to react and produce a sulfur acid. This contact maintains an area that does not obstruct the flow of sulfur dioxide gas. Substantially all the sulfur dioxide gas in the ventilation duct 210 reacts with the water in this contact area. In the fourth conduit 220, the water / acid and the unreacted or undissolved sulfur dioxide gas also undergo one or more mixing or stirring episodes. For example, as the water re-enters the fourth conduit 220, at the inlet 262, the water / acid and sulfur dioxide gas flow are mixed and agitated. The water / acid and the sulfur dioxide gas are again contained in contact with each other. Another similar episode of mixing and agitation occurs when the directional flow of water / acid and sulfur dioxide gas is altered near discharge 264. as a result, similar to water / acid and sulfur dioxide gas in the third conduit 76, the water / acid and the sulfur dioxide gas in the fourth conduit 220 may be subjected to one or more contacting portions and in one or more agitation and mixing portions. The fourth conduit may have a U-shaped trap. The U-shaped trap 267 acts as a means to originate bubbles of unat absorbed diatomic nitrogen gas that remains on the upstream side of the U-shaped trap. The discharge 264 is also configured with a ventilation bed 265. The remaining diatomic nitrogen gas in the system is allowed to escape from the system through the ventilation bed 265. The operation of the system reveals that little, if any, of the Sulfur dioxide to escape from the system. It is believed that the gas escaping from the system is dangerous diatomic nitrogen. This configuration of a sulfurous acid generator eliminates the structure, cost and use of a countercurrent absorption tower of the prior art. Figures 1, 2 and 3 show a main pump 280 which supplies the water from a main hose 282 to the water inlet of the secondary conduit 106 in a codirectional medium 100. In figure 2, a secondary or complementary pump of the water supply for the auxiliary means 240 through a hose of the complementary water conduit 294. It will be appreciated that any pump for supplying water is capable of supplying sufficient water to the system which can be used and the pump can be used by any source sufficient to operate the pump. A single pump with the appropriate pump can be used or several pumps can be used. It is also contemplated that a pump is not necessary, if the elevated water tank used is sufficient to provide the flow of water to the system or if the water systems present provide sufficient water pressure and flow. The present invention also encompasses other specific modalities without departing from the spirit and essential characteristics. The modalities described are considered as related only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is therefore indicated by the appended claims as well as by the aforementioned description. All changes will be within the meaning and range of equivalence of the claims included within the scope of the same.

Claims (3)

EIVINDICATIONS

1. A sulfurous acid generator comprising: a supply of sulfur dioxide gas conducted in a first conduit and means for extracting the sulfur dioxide gas through the first conduit; a supply of water conducted in a second conduit; an air injector along the length of the second conduit, air injector that disperses additional air / oxygen in the water, and a third conduit coupled to the first and second conduits comprising: a mixing portion, at least a portion for the contact content, and at least one portion of agitation, the mixing portion comprises means that transport the gas of sulfur dioxide in the first conduit and water contained from the second conduit in co-directional flow whereby the gas of the dioxide of sulfur and water are brought into contact with one another, the portions contained in contact comprise a passage through which the sulfur dioxide gas and the water flow in co-direction in contact with one another and in which at least a portion of the sulfur dioxide gas reacts with the water to produce the sulfurous acid, the stirring portions comprising devices for stirring and mixing the dioxide gas or of sulfur that flows co-directionally and the water / sulfurous acid to facilitate the reaction and dispersion of sulfur dioxide gas with sulphurous acid / water, and a device for the discharge of sulphurous acid and sulfur dioxide gas without reacting from the third conduit for the discharge device in communication with the ambient pressure, the first and second conduits defining an apparatus open to ambient pressure, thereby avoiding subjecting the sulfur dioxide gas to system pressure; a mixing tank for the additional maintenance of sulfur dioxide in contact with the system fluid; and devices for trapping the undissolved gases of the fluid discharged from the system.

2. The sulfurous acid generator according to claim 1, further comprising: a device for maintaining and facilitating the immersion of unreacted sulfur dioxide gas discharged from the third conduit into a sulfuric acid immersion source to substantially reduce the separation of the unreacted sulfur dioxide gas from contact with the sulfurous acid to initiate the further reaction of the sulfur dioxide gas in the sulfurous acid; and the mixing tank that defines an outlet through which the sulphides acid can pass to leave the mixing tank, the mixing tank, devices for maintaining and facilitating and subjecting the outlet to the ambient pressure, which avoids subjecting the Sulfur dioxide gas to the pressure system, the mixing tank has a cover with an exhaust vent through which the undissolved gases leave the mixing tank.

3. The sulfurous acid generator according to claim 2, further comprising a gas supply of the unreacted sulfur dioxide conducted in a ventilation duct in communication with an exhaust vent and a device for gas extraction. of the sulfur dioxide through the vent, a water supply conducted in a complementary water conduit, a fourth conduit comprising: a mixing portion, at least a portion of the content in contact, and at least one stirring portion : a mixing portion comprising a device for placing the sulfur dioxide gas in the ventilation duct and the water from the water duct complementary to the content, the codirectional flow with which the sulfur dioxide gas and the water contacting portions of the content, which comprise a passage through which the sulfur dioxide gas and the water flows co-directionally in contact with one another and in which at least a portion of the sulfur dioxide gas reacts with the water to form the sulfurous acid, the stirring portions comprise a device for the mixing and stirring of the sulfur dioxide gas flowing co-directionally and the water / sulfurous acid to facilitate the reaction and dispersion of the sulfur dioxide gas in the water / sulfurous acid, and a device for the discharge of sulphurous acid and any amount of unreacted sulfur dioxide, devices for discharging having an immersion zone for substantially trapping the undissolved gases passing from the system with the flow of the discharged fluid.