Patent ID: RE42239

Claim:
A sulphurous acid generator apparatus comprising: a first conduit for conducting sulphur dioxide gas; a second conduit for conducting water; a third conduit comprising: means for bringing the sulphur dioxide gas conducted through the first conduit and the water conducted through the second conduit into contained, codirectional, substantially downward flow whereby the sulphur dioxide gas and water are brought into contact with each other; a passageway through which the sulphur dioxide gas and the water codirectionally flow in contact with each other and in which at least a portion of the sulphur dioxide gas may react with water to form sulphurous acid; and means for discharging the sulphurous acid and unreacted sulphur dioxide gas from the third conduit; the first and third conduits defining an open system thereby avoiding subjecting the sulphur dioxide gas to a system pressure; a mixing tank into which the sulphur dioxide gas and water empty from the third conduit in which tank at least some gas is mixed in a cool pool of water; a first discharge pipe for discharging the sulphurous acid from the mixing tank; the mixing tank having an exhaust vent through which undissolved gases exit the mixing tank; a vent conduit in communication with the exhaust vent; a supplemental water conduit for conducting a supply of water; a fourth conduit comprising: means for bringing the sulphur gases conducted through the vent conduit and the water conducted in the supplemental water conduit into contained, codirectional, substantially downward flow whereby the sulphur gases and water are brought into contact with each other; and a second discharge pipe for discharging sulphurous acid from the fourth conduit.