A vacuum operated electrolytic generator can be used to produce a
chlorine dioxide solution or a mist of
chlorine dioxide from a buffered aqueous
alkali metal chlorite solution in
one pass through an
electrolytic cell. The
cell contains a
high surface area
anode, a
corrosion-resistant highly conductive
cathode, and a cation
ion exchange membrane between the
anode and
cathode. An eductor is used on the anolyte
effluent line to create a vacuum and draw the anolyte through the
cell. Either motive water or a motive
inert gas (such as air) is used in the eductor. Preferably, an eductor is used in the catholyte
effluent line. An ascending anolyte
effluent line with a non-corrosive
check valve leads from the
cell to the
anode eductor. Sensors are used to monitor the composition of the anolyte effluent and / or the anolyte feed. The final product is a
chlorine dioxide solution when water is used for the eduction. The final product is a mist consisting essentially of gaseous
chlorine dioxide, an
inert gas, and
water vapor when an
inert gas is used for the eduction. The mist is useful for application
crop, soils, produce such as vegetables, fruit, and tobacco, fields, storage cellars, and the like.