Sulphurous acid generator with air injector

A sulphurous acid generator comprising:

• a supply of sulphur dioxide gas conducted in a first conduit and means for drawing the sulphur dioxide gas through the first conduit;
• a supply of water conducted in a second conduit;
• an air injector along the length of the second conduit, the air injector dispersing additional air/oxygen into the water to enhance the reaction rate of the water with the sulphur dioxide gas;
• and
• a third conduit comprising:
• a blending portion, at least one contact containment portion, and at least one agitation portion,
• the blending portion comprising means for bringing the sulphur dioxide gas in the first conduit and substantially all the water in the second conduit into contained, co-directional flow whereby the sulphur dioxide gas and water are brought into contact with each other,
• the contact containment portion(s) comprising a passageway through which the sulphur dioxide gas and substantially all the water co-directionally flow in contact with each other and in which at least a portion of the sulphur dioxide gas reacts with water in an oxidation reaction to form sulphurous acid,
• the agitation portion(s) comprising means for mixing and agitating the co-directionally flowing sulphur dioxide gas and water/sulphurous acid to facilitate the reaction and dispersement of sulphur dioxide gas with the water/sulphurous acid, and
• means for discharging the sulphurous acid and un-reacted sulphur dioxide gas from the third conduit, the first and third conduits defining an open system thereby avoiding subjecting the sulphur dioxide gas to a system pressure;
• a mixing tank for further maintaining sulphur dioxide in contact with system fluid;
• and
• means for trapping undissolved gases from fluid discharged from the system.