Apparatus for the generation of chlorine dioxide

Abstract

The instant application provides apparatus and methods for the generation of chlorine dioxide. The methods and apparatus of the invention use a water dissolvable membrane to allow the reaction of precursor chemicals, e.g., chlorite salt and an acid. The methods and compositions of the invention provide chlorine dioxide for a number of personal and commercial applications.

1 . An apparatus for the generation of chlorine dioxide comprising;
 a reaction chamber comprising a precursor chemical containing structure;   a product tank;   a filter placed between the product tank and the reaction chamber;   a pump on the product tank side of the filter; and   a pump on the reaction chamber side of the filter;   wherein the precursor chemical containing structure comprises a structure containing precursor chemicals separated by a dissolvable partition, wherein the partition dissolves when contacted by an aqueous solution thereby allowing the reaction of the precursor chemicals, and wherein the pump on the reaction chamber side of the filter circulates an aqueous solution.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the pump on the product tank side circulates an aqueous solution into which the chlorine dioxide is transferred. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising at least one porous frit in the product tank to increase the rate and/or amount of chlorine dioxide transferred into the aqueous solution. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the precursor chemical containing structure contains a chlorite salt and an acid. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the chlorite salt is selected from the group consisting of sodium chlorite, lithium chlorite, barium chlorite, calcium chlorite, magnesium chlorite, and potassium chlorite. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the chlorite salt is sodium chlorite. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein acid is selected from the group consisting of boric acid, tartaric acid, lactic acid, maleic acid, malic acid, glutaric acid, adipic acid, acetic acid, formic acid, sulfamic acid, sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, phosphoric acid, phosphoric anhydride, a sulfuric anyhdride and citric acid. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the acid is citric acid. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the precursor chemical containing structure contains sodium chlorite and citric acid. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the precursor chemical containing structure contains twice the weight of citric acid as compared to sodium chlorite. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the precursor chemical containing structure contains three times the weight of citric acid as compared to sodium chlorite. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the dissolvable partition is comprised of polyvinyl alcohol. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising a dispensing device. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , further comprising a filter between the product tank and the dispensing device. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising a means for atomizing the chlorine dioxide solution. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the reaction chamber comprising a precursor chemical containing structure is disposable. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the precursor chemical containing structure within the reaction chamber is disposable. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising a means for mixing the solution in the reaction chamber. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the chlorine dioxide is at least 50% pure. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising a computer interface to control the apparatus. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the apparatus is portable. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising a means for connecting to a water supply. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a means for creating a vacuum on the product tank side of the membrane. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein the precursor chemical containing structure contains a chlorite salt and an acid. 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein the chlorite salt is selected from the group consisting of sodium chlorite, lithium chlorite, barium chlorite, calcium chlorite, magnesium chlorite, and potassium chlorite. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein the chlorite salt is sodium chlorite. 
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein acid is selected from the group consisting of boric acid, tartaric acid, lactic acid, maleic acid, malic acid, glutaric acid, adipic acid, acetic acid, formic acid, sulfamic acid, sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, phosphoric acid, phosphoric anhydride, a sulfuric anyhdride and citric acid. 
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 27 , wherein the acid is citric acid. 
     
     
         29 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein the precursor chemical containing structure contains sodium chlorite and citric acid. 
     
     
         30 . The apparatus of  claim 29 , wherein the precursor chemical containing structure contains twice the weight of citric acid as compared to sodium chlorite. 
     
     
         31 . The apparatus of  claim 29 , wherein the precursor chemical containing structure contains three times the weight of citric acid as compared to sodium chlorite. 
     
     
         32 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein the dissolvable partition is comprised of polyvinyl alcohol. 
     
     
         33 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , further comprising a dispensing device. 
     
     
         34 . The apparatus of  claim 33 , further comprising a filter between the product tank and the dispensing device. 
     
     
         35 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein the reaction chamber comprising a precursor chemical containing structure is disposable. 
     
     
         36 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein the precursor chemical containing structure within the reaction chamber is disposable. 
     
     
         37 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , further comprising a means for mixing the solution in the reaction chamber. 
     
     
         38 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein the chlorine dioxide is at least 50% pure. 
     
     
         39 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , further comprising a computer interface to control the apparatus. 
     
     
         40 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein the apparatus is portable. 
     
     
         41 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , further comprising a means for connecting to a water supply. 
     
     
         42 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the pump on the product tank side of the filter pumps air. 
     
     
         43 . The apparatus of  claim 42 , wherein the precursor chemical containing structure contains a chlorite salt and an acid. 
     
     
         44 . The apparatus of  claim 43 , wherein the chlorite salt is selected from the group consisting of sodium chlorite, lithium chlorite, barium chlorite, calcium chlorite, magnesium chlorite, and potassium chlorite. 
     
     
         45 . The apparatus of  claim 44 , wherein the chlorite salt is sodium chlorite. 
     
     
         46 . The apparatus of  claim 43 , wherein acid is selected from the group consisting of boric acid, tartaric acid, lactic acid, maleic acid, malic acid, glutaric acid, adipic acid, acetic acid, formic acid, sulfamic acid, sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, phosphoric acid, phosphoric anhydride, a sulfuric anyhdride and citric acid. 
     
     
         47 . The apparatus of  claim 46 , wherein the acid is citric acid. 
     
     
         48 . The apparatus of  claim 43 , wherein the precursor chemical containing structure contains sodium chlorite and citric acid. 
     
     
         49 . The apparatus of  claim 48 , wherein the precursor chemical containing structure contains twice the weight of citric acid as compared to sodium chlorite. 
     
     
         50 . The apparatus of  claim 48 , wherein the precursor chemical containing structure contains three times the weight of citric acid as compared to sodium chlorite. 
     
     
         51 . The apparatus of  claim 43 , wherein the dissolvable partition is comprised of polyvinyl alcohol. 
     
     
         52 . The apparatus of  claim 42 , further comprising a dispensing device. 
     
     
         53 . The apparatus of  claim 52 , further comprising a filter between the product tank and the dispensing device. 
     
     
         54 . The apparatus of  claim 43 , wherein the reaction chamber comprising a precursor chemical containing structure is disposable. 
     
     
         55 . The apparatus of  claim 43 , wherein the precursor chemical containing structure within the reaction chamber is disposable. 
     
     
         56 . The apparatus of  claim 43 , further comprising a means for mixing the solution in the reaction chamber. 
     
     
         57 . The apparatus of  claim 43 , wherein the chlorine dioxide is at least 50% pure. 
     
     
         58 . The apparatus of  claim 43 , further comprising a computer interface to control the apparatus. 
     
     
         59 . The apparatus of  claim 43 , wherein the apparatus is portable. 
     
     
         60 . The apparatus of  claim 43 , further comprising a means for connecting to a water supply. 
     
     
         61 . An apparatus for the generation of chlorine dioxide comprising;
 a reaction chamber comprising a precursor chemical containing structure and a means for restricting airflow into the reaction chamber;   a product tank; and   a pump on the outlet side of the reaction chamber;   wherein the precursor chemical containing structure comprises a structure containing precursor chemicals separated by a dissolvable partition, wherein the partition dissolves when contacted by an aqueous solution thereby allowing the reaction of the precursor chemicals; and wherein the pump and means for restricting air flow create a vacuum thereby allowing gaseous chlorine dioxide to be transferred from the reaction chamber into the product tank.   
     
     
         62 . The apparatus of  claim 61 , wherein the product tank contains an aqueous solution into which the chlorine dioxide is dissolved. 
     
     
         63 . The apparatus of  claim 62 , further comprising at least one porous frit in the product tank to increase the rate and/or amount of chlorine dioxide transferred into the aqueous solution. 
     
     
         64 . The apparatus of  claim 61 , wherein the precursor chemical containing structure contains a chlorite salt and an acid. 
     
     
         65 . The apparatus of  claim 64 , wherein the chlorite salt is selected from the group consisting of sodium chlorite, lithium chlorite, barium chlorite, calcium chlorite, magnesium chlorite, and potassium chlorite. 
     
     
         66 . The apparatus of  claim 65 , wherein the chlorite salt is sodium chlorite. 
     
     
         67 . The apparatus of  claim 64 , wherein acid is selected from the group consisting of boric acid, tartaric acid, lactic acid, maleic acid, malic acid, glutaric acid, adipic acid, acetic acid, formic acid, sulfamic acid, sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, phosphoric acid, phosphoric anhydride, a sulfuric anyhdride and citric acid. 
     
     
         68 . The apparatus of  claim 67 , wherein the acid is citric acid. 
     
     
         69 . The apparatus of  claim 64 , wherein the precursor chemical containing structure contains sodium chlorite and citric acid. 
     
     
         70 . The apparatus of  claim 69 , wherein the precursor chemical containing structure contains twice the weight of citric acid as compared to sodium chlorite. 
     
     
         71 . The apparatus of  claim 69 , wherein the precursor chemical containing structure contains three times the weight of citric acid as compared to sodium chlorite. 
     
     
         72 . The apparatus of  claim 61 , wherein the dissolvable partition is comprised of polyvinyl alcohol. 
     
     
         73 . The apparatus of  claim 61 , further comprising a dispensing device. 
     
     
         74 . The apparatus of  claim 73 , further comprising a filter between the product tank and the dispensing device. 
     
     
         75 . The apparatus of  claim 62 , further comprising a means for atomizing the chlorine dioxide solution. 
     
     
         76 . The apparatus of  claim 61 , wherein the reaction chamber comprising a precursor chemical containing structure is disposable. 
     
     
         77 . The apparatus of  claim 61 , wherein the precursor chemical containing structure within the reaction chamber is disposable. 
     
     
         78 . The apparatus of  claim 61 , further comprising a means for mixing the solution in the reaction chamber. 
     
     
         79 . The apparatus of  claim 61 , wherein the chlorine dioxide is at least 50% pure. 
     
     
         80 . The apparatus of  claim 61 , further comprising a computer interface to control the apparatus. 
     
     
         81 . The apparatus of  claim 61 , wherein the apparatus is portable. 
     
     
         82 . The apparatus of  claim 61 , further comprising a means for connecting to a water supply. 
     
     
         83 . A precursor chemical containing structure comprising:
 a structure containing precursor chemicals separated by dissolvable partitions;   wherein the partition dissolves when contacted by an aqueous solution thereby allowing the reaction of the precursor chemicals.   
     
     
         84 . The precursor chemical containing structure of  claim 83 , wherein the structure contains two chemicals separated by a dissolvable partition. 
     
     
         85 . The precursor chemical containing structure of  claim 83 , wherein the structure is rigid. 
     
     
         86 . The precursor chemical containing structure of  claim 83 , wherein the structure is non-rigid. 
     
     
         87 . The precursor chemical containing structure of  claim 83 , wherein the structure is made of tyvek, plastic, or a polymer. 
     
     
         88 . The precursor chemical containing structure of  claim 87 , wherein the structure is made of plastic. 
     
     
         89 . The precursor chemical containing structure of  claim 83 , wherein the dissolvable partition is made of polyvinyl alcohol, polylactic acid, or ethylene vinyl alcohol. 
     
     
         90 . The precursor chemical containing structure of  claim 83 , further comprising a microchip for communication with an apparatus which controls the reaction of the precursor chemicals. 
     
     
         91 . The precursor chemical containing structure of  claim 83 , further comprising a rigid outer reaction chamber. 
     
     
         92 . The precursor chemical containing structure of  claim 91 , wherein the rigid outer reaction chamber comprises fittings for attaching a an aqueous solution source. 
     
     
         93 . The precursor chemical containing structure of  claim 91 , further comprising a means for mixing the contents of the chamber. 
     
     
         94 . The precursor chemical containing structure of  claim 83 , wherein the precursor chemical containing structure contains a chlorite salt and an acid. 
     
     
         95 . The apparatus of  claim 94 , wherein the chlorite salt is selected from the group consisting of sodium chlorite, lithium chlorite, barium chlorite, calcium chlorite, magnesium chlorite, and potassium chlorite. 
     
     
         96 . The precursor chemical containing structure of  claim 95 , wherein the chlorite salt is sodium chlorite. 
     
     
         97 . The apparatus of  claim 94 , wherein acid is selected from the group consisting of boric acid, tartaric acid, lactic acid, maleic acid, malic acid, glutaric acid, adipic acid, acetic acid, formic acid, sulfamic acid, sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, phosphoric acid, phosphoric anhydride, a sulfuric anyhdride and citric acid. 
     
     
         98 . The precursor chemical containing structure of  claim 97 , wherein the acid is citric acid. 
     
     
         99 . The precursor chemical containing structure of  claim 83 , wherein the precursor chemical containing structure contains sodium chlorite and citric acid. 
     
     
         100 . The precursor chemical containing structure of  claim 99 , wherein the precursor chemical containing structure contains twice the weight of citric acid as compared to sodium chlorite. 
     
     
         101 . The precursor chemical containing structure of  claim 99 , wherein the precursor chemical containing structure contains three times the weight of citric acid as compared to sodium chlorite. 
     
     
         102 . The precursor chemical containing structure of  claim 99 , further comprising a means for identifying the precursor chemical containing structure. 
     
     
         103 . The precursor chemical containing structure of  claim 102 , wherein the means for identifying the precursor chemical containing structure is microchip, a physical key, or a barcode.