Chlorine dioxide generator for the efficient generation of chlorine dioxide in dilute solutions

Abstract

Disclosed is an apparatus and method for the safe and efficient generation of chlorine dioxide. Chlorine dioxide is produced safely and efficiently by diluting a source of chlorite in water to produce less than or equal to 5000 ppm measured as ClO 2 while achieving at least 80 wt%, more preferably 90 wt %, and most preferred at least 95 wt % conversion of chlorite anion to chlorine dioxide.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 ) An apparatus for the safe and efficient generation of chlorine dioxide comprising:
 a control panel that controls chemical feed systems,   chemical feed systems in fluid contact with chemicals for the generation of chlorine dioxide and an injection manifold,   chemicals for the generation of chlorine dioxide comprising a source of chlorite and a source of acidified chlorine,   a reaction chamber; and   wherein a source of motive water passing through the injection manifold is treated by the chemical feed systems with a source of chlorite and a source of acidified chlorine, and the motive water treated with a source of chlorite and a source of acidified chlorine flows through the reaction chamber generating a dilute aqueous solution of chlorine dioxide.   
     
     
         2 ) The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising: a flow sensor for detecting the motive water; the flow sensor being in signal contact with the control panel; and wherein the control panel actuates the chemical feed systems only when motive water is confirmed. 
     
     
         3 ) The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the efficient generation of chlorine dioxide comprises converting the source of chlorite to chlorine dioxide with at least 80 wt % conversion of chlorite anion to chlorine dioxide. 
     
     
         4 ) The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the efficient generation of chlorine dioxide comprises converting the source of chlorite to chlorine dioxide with at least 90 wt % conversion of chlorite anion to chlorine dioxide. 
     
     
         5 ) The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the dilute aqueous solution of chlorine dioxide comprises less than or equal to 5000 ppm measured as ClO 2 . 
     
     
         6 ) The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the chemical feed systems are slaved together providing proportional variability in chemical feed rates and in the production rate of chlorine dioxide. 
     
     
         7 ) The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the control panel automatically varies the chemical feed-rate of the chemical feed systems using feed-back and/or feed-forward control. 
     
     
         8 ) The apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein the feed-back control comprises oxidation reduction potential. 
     
     
         9 ) A method for safe and efficient generation of chlorine dioxide for the treatment of water systems according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         10 ) A method according to  claim 9 , wherein the water system comprises oil and gas hydraulic fracking water. 
     
     
         11 ) A method according to  claim 9 , wherein the water system comprises oil and gas down-hole water. 
     
     
         12 ) A method according to  claim 9 , wherein the water system comprises oil and gas produced water. 
     
     
         13 ) A method according to  claim 9 , wherein the water system comprises hydraulic fracking flow-back water. 
     
     
         14 ) A method according to  claim 9 , wherein the water system comprises cooling water. 
     
     
         15 ) A method according to  claim 9 , wherein the water system comprises food intervention. 
     
     
         16 ) A method according to  claim 9 , wherein the water system comprises waste-water.