Stabilized Chlorite Reagent for Stable Chlorine Dioxide Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for generating chlorine dioxide for water treatment are complex, unstable, and not economically viable for small-scale or remote applications, as they require fresh on-site preparation and involve hazardous reagents, lacking stable and handleable solid precursors that can generate chlorine dioxide upon contact with water.
Innovation Solution
A stabilized chlorite reagent in a solid mixture with nanoscale inorganic-oxidic particles and a Bronsted base, such as fumed silica and sodium hydroxide, which forms a negatively charged protective layer around chlorite particles, preventing spontaneous chlorine dioxide formation and allowing for a stable, compactable, and meterable powder that generates chlorine dioxide when mixed with water.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If dry compositions of chlorite and solid acid are used for chlorine dioxide generation, then chlorine dioxide can be generated without complex process engineering, but the compositions are not storage stable and continuously evolve chlorine dioxide
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the reaction system into separate phases: a stabilized chlorite reagent phase and a trigger phase (water or acid). The chlorite is stabilized by maintaining it in alkaline conditions and separating it from acidic components until activation, preventing spontaneous reaction while enabling controlled chlorine dioxide generation when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses an intermediary stabilization mechanism where the chlorite is protected in a stable solid form through alkaline conditions and specific pH control. This intermediary stable form acts as a precursor that only becomes reactive when the stabilizing conditions are removed (by adding water or acid), solving the contradiction between stability and reactivity.
2Stability of the object's composition
If chlorite and acid anhydride are present in separate incompatible phases, then storage stability is improved, but the reagents are too expensive for simple applications and direct water treatment
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical parameters of the system by using alkaline-stabilized chlorite instead of traditional acid-based systems. This parameter change (maintaining high pH during storage) allows the chlorite to remain stable in a single-phase solid composition that is both storage-stable and suitable for simple applications like direct water treatment, eliminating the need for expensive multi-phase systems.
3Productivity
If dry composition continuously emits chlorine dioxide, then chlorine dioxide generation is achieved, but handling requires inert gas and fresh preparation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention performs preliminary stabilization of the chlorite in a safe, non-reactive solid form that can be stored and handled without special precautions. The chlorite is pre-prepared in a stable alkaline state that prevents spontaneous decomposition, allowing easy handling and storage without inert gas requirements. The reaction is activated only when needed by adding water or acid, eliminating the need for continuous fresh preparation.
4Ease of operation
If stabilized chlorite reagent is made compactable for portioning into tablets, then ease of handling is improved, but the mixture must remain chemically stable at higher temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a composite solid composition combining stabilized chlorite with alkaline stabilizers and binding agents that enable tablet formation. This composite structure maintains chemical stability at elevated temperatures through the buffering capacity of the alkaline components and the physical stability provided by the binder system, allowing the reagent to be portioned into tablets for easy handling while resisting thermal degradation in hot climate zones.
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 solution provides a stable, easy-to-handle, and compactable powder that can be stored for long periods, avoiding spontaneous chlorine dioxide formation, and efficiently generates chlorine dioxide upon contact with water, suitable for direct water treatment without the need for complex handling or inert gases, maintaining stability and reactivity.
Implementation Method 1
forms a negatively charged protective layer around chlorite particles, preventing spontaneous chlorine dioxide formation
Implementation Method 2
generates chlorine dioxide when mixed with water
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a chlorite reagent stabilized within a solid mixture with finely divided inorganic oxide particles and a strong base, and to a solid mixture formed with this reagent by mixing for direct generation of chlorine dioxide when the dry mixture is contacted with water. The chlorite reagent can be used with any chlorite-based process for chlorine dioxide preparation proceeding from solids which react in conjunction with water to give the desired chlorine dioxide product.