Chlorine Dioxide Generation via Electrolysis and Hydrophobic Membrane
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for generating chlorine dioxide gas are expensive, inefficient, and produce impure results, limiting its use due to instability and difficulties in on-site production, transportation, and storage.
Innovation Solution
A device and system utilizing electrolysis with Type I Ultra-Pure Water and ACS reagent grade sodium chlorite to generate highly pure chlorine dioxide gas on demand, using an anode and cathode with hydrophobic membranes to separate and contain the gas, ensuring safety and cost-effectiveness for various applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If acid-based methods are used to generate chlorine dioxide gas, then large scale production can be achieved, but the cost increases and impurities are introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental chemical parameters of the generation method by using sodium chlorite and chlorine gas in a controlled molar ratio (1:1 to 1:1.5) at controlled temperatures (0-25°C), producing high purity chlorine dioxide gas suitable for both small and large scale applications without the impurities associated with acid-based methods
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a simplified version of chlorine dioxide generation that copies the essential function of producing the gas but eliminates the harmful impurities and high costs of acid-based methods by using a cleaner chemical reaction system with sodium chlorite and chlorine gas
2Productivity
If acid-based methods are used to generate chlorine dioxide gas, then production can be achieved, but expensive reactants and further filtration are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses sodium chlorite, a stable and relatively inexpensive solid reagent, as the primary source of chlorine dioxide, eliminating the need for expensive and hazardous acid-based reactants. The system generates gas on-demand, avoiding the need for expensive storage and transportation infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates the problematic components (acids, expensive reactants, filtration requirements) from the chlorine dioxide generation process while retaining the core function of producing high purity gas through a simplified sodium chlorite-based system
3Reliability
If chlorine dioxide gas is produced on-site, then transportation and storage difficulties are avoided, but generation cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the chlorine dioxide generation system into separate functional components: a sodium chlorite reservoir, a chlorine gas introduction system, a reaction chamber with temperature control, and a gas collection system. This modular approach simplifies on-site generation while maintaining reliability and enabling easy maintenance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent prepares sodium chlorite in advance as a stable solid reagent that can be stored safely, then activates the generation process only when needed by introducing chlorine gas and controlling the reaction conditions, ensuring reliable on-demand gas production without complex continuous generation systems
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the production of highly pure, controllable, and cost-effective chlorine dioxide gas on-site, enhancing its safety and usability for sanitizing purposes by minimizing impurities and operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
By applying electrical current to the device so that the electrical current flows from the anode to the cathode, chlorine dioxide gas may be generated in the cavity via electrolysis
Implementation Method 2
one or more hydrophobic membranes coupled to the housing of the chlorine dioxide generating device, which may enable the chlorine dioxide gas to exit the cavity and housing while keeping the reagents within the cavity
Data Source
AI summary
A chlorine dioxide gas generating device is provided. The device includes a housing, an anode and a cathode, a first reagent and a second reagent, and a hydrophobic membrane. The housing has a cavity. The anode and the cathode are each coupled to and located within the cavity. The first reagent and the second reagent are each located within the cavity. The first reagent and the second reagent are configured to generate chlorine dioxide gas via electrolysis responsive to an electric current being passed into the anode and the cathode. The hydrophobic membrane is coupled to the housing, and is configured to allow the chlorine dioxide gas to exit the housing while preventing fluids from flowing therethrough.