Effluent treatment in a process for producing chlorine dioxide from

Abstract

The novel process of the invention produces chlorine dioxide by feeding an aqueous solution of chloric acid to a chlorine dioxide generator. The aqueous solution of chloric acid is reacted with a reducing agent in the chlorine dioxide generator to produce chlorine dioxide and a spent chloric acid solution containing metallic impurities. A portion of the spent chloric acid solution containing metallic impurities is reacted with a basic compound selected from the group consisting of alkali metal hydroxides, and alkali metal carbonates in a neutralizing zone to form a precipitate of the metallic impurities and an alkali metal chlorate solution. The precipitate of the metallic impurities is separated from the alkali metal chlorate solution and the alkali metal chlorate solution fed to an ion exchange compartment of an electrolytic cell having an anode compartment, a cathode compartment, and at least one ion exchange compartment between the anode compartment and the cathode compartment. Electrolysis of an anolyte in the anode compartment generates hydrogen ions which pass through a cation exchange membrane into the ion exchange compartment to displace alkali metal ions and produce an aqueous solution of chloric acid and alkali metal chlorate. The aqueous solution of chloric acid and alkali metal chlorate is returned to the chlorine dioxide generator. The process of the invention produces chlorine dioxide free of chlorine from mixtures of oxy-chlorine species. A continuous removal of metallic impurities permits avoiding or significantly increasing the time period between generator shutdowns.