Massive bodies containing free halogen source for producing highly converted thickened solutions of chlorine dioxide

Abstract

A massive body, e.g., a tablet, for producing a thickened solution of chlorine dioxide when the massive body is added to liquid water is disclosed. The massive body comprises a metal chlorite, an acid source and a thickener (incorporated directly into the massive body or added as a component separate from the massive body) and optionally a source of free halogen. The concentration of free chlorine in the solution will be: (a) less than the concentration of chlorine dioxide in said solution on a weight basis and the ratio of the concentration of chlorine dioxide to the sum of the concentrations of chlorine dioxide and chlorite anion in said solution is at least 0.25:1 by weight; or (b) equal to or greater than the concentration of chlorine dioxide in said solution on a weight basis and the ratio of the concentration of chlorine dioxide to the sum of the concentrations of chlorine dioxide and chlorite anion in said solution is at least 0.50:1 by weight.

1 . A massive body comprising a metal chlorite, an acid source, and a thickener, said massive body being such that when it is added to liquid water, it will produce a thickened fluid containing chlorine dioxide.  
   
   
       2 . The massive body of  claim 1 , further comprising a source of free halogen, said massive body being such that when it is added to liquid water, it will produce a thickened solution of chlorine dioxide and free halogen, with the proviso that when the free halogen is free chlorine the concentration of free chlorine in said solution being: 
 (a) less than the concentration of chlorine dioxide in said solution on a weight basis and the ratio of the concentration of chlorine dioxide to the sum of the concentrations of chlorine dioxide and chlorite anion in said solution is at least 0.25:1 by weight; or    (b) equal to or greater than the concentration of chlorine dioxide in said solution on a weight basis and the ratio of the concentration of chlorine dioxide to the sum of the concentrations of chlorine dioxide and chlorite anion in said solution is at least 0.50:1 by weight.    
   
   
       3 . The massive body of  claim 2  wherein the concentration of free halogen in said solution is less than ½ of the concentration of chlorine dioxide in said solution on a weight basis and the ratio of the concentration of chlorine dioxide to the sum of the concentrations of chlorine dioxide and chlorite anion in said solution is at least 0.25:1 by weight.  
   
   
       4 . The massive body of  claim 2  wherein the concentration of free halogen in said solution is less than ¼ of the concentration of chlorine dioxide in said solution on a weight basis and the ratio of the concentration of chlorine dioxide to the sum of the concentrations of chlorine dioxide and chlorite anion in said solution is at least 0.25:1 by weight.  
   
   
       5 . The massive body of  claim 2  wherein the concentration of free halogen in said solution is less than 1/10 of the concentration of chlorine dioxide in said solution on a weight basis and the ratio of the concentration of chlorine dioxide to the sum of the concentrations of chlorine dioxide and chlorite anion in said solution is at least 0.25:1 by weight.  
   
   
       6 . The massive body of  claim 2  wherein the concentration of free halogen in said solution is equal to or up to about 100 times the concentration of chlorine dioxide in said solution on a weight basis and the ratio of the concentration of chlorine dioxide to the sum of the concentrations of chlorine dioxide and chlorite anion in said solution is at least 0.50:1 by weight.  
   
   
       7 . The massive body of  claim 2  wherein the ratio of the concentration of chlorine dioxide to the sum of the concentrations of chlorine dioxide and chlorite anion in said solution is at least 0.60:1 by weight.  
   
   
       8 . The massive body of  claim 2  wherein the ratio of the concentration of chlorine dioxide to the sum of the concentrations of chlorine dioxide and chlorite anion in said solution is at least 0.75:1 by weight.  
   
   
       9 . The massive body of  claim 1  which is completely soluble in water.  
   
   
       10 . The massive body of  claim 1  which does not completely dissolve in water.  
   
   
       11 . The massive body of  claim 1  which forms a low solubility porous framework when added to liquid water.  
   
   
       12 . The massive body of  claim 1 , wherein the massive body is free of a source of free halogen.  
   
   
       13 . A chlorine dioxide forming composition comprising a massive body containing a metal chlorite and an acid source, said composition further comprising a non-reactive thickener separate from the massive body, said thickener and said massive body being such that when they are added to liquid water produces a thickened fluid containing chlorine dioxide.  
   
   
       14 . The chlorine dioxide forming composition of  claim 13 , wherein the metal chlorite and the acid source are in a matrix comprising a thickening component.  
   
   
       15 . The chlorine dioxide forming composition of  claim 14 , wherein the thickening component is a super absorbent polymer and said matrix is in the form of a strip.  
   
   
       16 . The chlorine dioxide forming composition of  claim 15 , wherein the strip is adhered to a malleable wax.  
   
   
       17 . The chlorine dioxide forming composition of  claim 13 , wherein the thickeners are clays.  
   
   
       18 . The chlorine dioxide forming composition of  claim 13 , wherein the thickeners are polymers.  
   
   
       19 . The chlorine dioxide forming composition of  claim 18 , wherein the polymers include super absorbent polymers.  
   
   
       20 . The chlorine dioxide forming composition of  claim 13 , wherein the thickeners are gums.