Packed-Bed Chlorine Dioxide Reactor for Chemical Utilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing small-scale chlorine dioxide production processes for applications like water purification and bleaching are inefficient in terms of chemical consumption and require less extensive equipment, but they often operate under non-optimized conditions, limiting their efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A continuous process involving the reaction of chlorate ions, hydrogen peroxide, and an acid within a reactor equipped with packing elements to enhance mixing and chemical utilization, allowing for efficient production of chlorine dioxide even under non-optimized conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If small-scale production processes are used with less extensive equipment, then device complexity is reduced, but chemical consumption efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies packing elements (porous materials) inside the reactor to increase the reaction surface area and improve mass transfer between phases. This allows small-scale reactors to achieve better chemical utilization efficiency by providing more contact area for the reaction between chlorate ions, hydrogen peroxide, and acid, thereby resolving the contradiction between simplified equipment and chemical consumption efficiency.
2Device complexity
If small-scale production processes are used with less extensive equipment, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The packing elements provide increased surface area for reaction, enhancing the productivity of small-scale reactors without requiring extensive equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension of reaction surface area through the packing elements, transforming the reaction from a bulk-phase process to a surface-enhanced process. This dimensional change allows small-scale reactors to achieve productivity levels comparable to or exceeding traditional designs.
3Ease of operation
If process parameters are not optimized, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The packing elements create a more robust reaction environment that maintains good efficiency even when operating parameters are not precisely optimized. The increased surface area and improved mixing characteristics provided by the packing make the process less sensitive to parameter variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The packing elements automatically improve mixing and mass transfer through their structure, providing self-regulating behavior that maintains efficiency without requiring precise parameter control. The physical structure of the packing compensates for suboptimal operating conditions.
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
The use of a reactor with packing elements significantly increases the efficiency of chlorine dioxide production by reducing chemical consumption and improving back-mixing, leading to higher yields even when process parameters are not fully optimized.
Implementation Method 1
The use of a reactor with packing elements significantly increases the efficiency of chlorine dioxide production by reducing chemical consumption and improving back-mixing
Implementation Method 2
reacting said chlorate ions, hydrogen peroxide and acid in said reactor to form a product stream comprising chlorine dioxide; and, withdrawing said product stream from said reactor
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a continuous process for the production of chlorine dioxide comprising: -feeding chlorate ions, hydrogen peroxide and an acid into a reactor comprising packing elements inside; -reacting said chlorate ions, hydrogen peroxide and acid in said reactor to form a product stream comprising chlorine dioxide; and, -withdrawing said product stream from said reactor.