Patent ID: 6274009
Filing Date: 2001-08-14
Classification: A61L,C25B

Abstract:
An electrolytic generator, operated under a vacuum, for producing a solution of chlorine dioxide in one pass by the electrolysis of an anolyte which is a buffered aqueous alkali metal chlorite solution, which comprises in combination:a high surface area, porous anode with multiple electrode posts;a corrosion-resistant, highly conductive cathode with multiple electrode posts;a cation ion exchange membrane which separates the anode and the cathode and forms an anolyte compartment and a catholyte compartment;an array of non-corrosive support ribbings for the cation exchange membrane;a non-binding mesh spacer between the cation exchange membrane and the cathode;catholyte and anolyte cell frames with inlet ports to the catholyte and anolyte compartments at the bottom of the cell frames, with outlet ports from the catholyte and anolyte compartments at the top of the cell frames, and with internal flow distribution headers enclosing the anolyte and catholyte compartments;an anolyte infeed means for introducing the buffered aqueous alkali metal chlorite anolyte into the anolyte compartment, which infeed includes a line with a solenoid followed by a rotameter and a flow switch;an inlet means for softened, deionized, or demineralized purge water which means includes a line with a solenoid followed by a rotameter and a flow switch, means is connected to the anolyte infeed line by a juncture and a line leading from the juncture to the anolyte inlet port;a catholyte infeed means for introducing softened, deionized, or demineralized water to the catholyte port, which means includes a line with a solenoid followed by a rotameter and a flow switch;an ascending anolyte outfeed means, connected to the cell frame at the top on the anolyte side, to remove the aqueous chlorine dioxide anolyte effluent from the anolyte outlet port;an eductor connected to the anolyte outfeed means for creating a vacuum in the anolyte compartment by which the anolyte is drawn through the anolyte compartment;a motive water infeed means for supplying water to the eductor;a catholyte outfeed means, connected to the catholyte outlet port, to remove the alkaline hydroxide catholyte effluent containing entrained hydrogen, which means has a non-corrosive check calve before the eductor;a sensor, connected to the anolyte outfeed means prior to the eductor, for monitoring the anolyte effluent;a pressure switch on the motive water infeed means; anda DC power supply and an automatic current interrupter to prevent reverse current flow across the cell upon shutdown.