Chlorine dioxide generation

Apparatus for producing aqueous chlorine dioxide from reaction of a first reagent and a second reagent, said aqueous chlorine dioxide being capable of dilution to form a sterilizing fluid suitable for use in sterilizing medical or dental equipment or for wound irrigation or skin asepsis, the apparatus comprising:

• a first pump for connecting to a fluid source of said first reagent;
• a second pump for connecting to a fluid source of said second reagent;
• an elongate reaction chamber having proximal and distal ends;
• both pumps having outputs in fluid connection with said proximal end;
• wherein operation of the pumps when connected to the fluid sources will feed portions of the first and second reagents initially to the proximal end of the elongate reaction chamber to form a reaction mixture and wherein continued operation of the pumps will progressively pump the reaction mixture through the reaction chamber to the distal end and then eject the reaction mixture from the distal end;
• wherein each pump is a diaphragm pump or a piston pump and is provided with a pressure-control valve in the fluid path between the pump and the reaction chamber so that each fluid portion will be pumped at substantially constant pressure.

Apparatus for producing a stream of aqueous chlorine dioxide sterilizing fluid suitable for use in sterilizing medical and dental equipment or for wound irrigation or skin asepsis, the apparatus comprising:

• a first pump connected to a fluid source of a first reagent;
• a second pump for connected to a fluid source of a second reagent;
• the first reagent and the second reagent being capable of reacting together to form aqueous chlorine dioxide;
• an elongate reaction chamber comprising a tubular helical coil having a proximal end and a distal end;
• both pumps having outputs in fluid connection with said proximal end;
• a conduit connected to a source of flowing water, the conduit being in fluid connection with the distal end of the helical coil;
• wherein operation of the pumps will feed portions of the first and second reagents initially to the proximal end of the helical coil to form a reaction mixture and wherein continued operation of the pumps will progressively pump the reaction mixture through the coil to the distal end and then eject the reaction mixture from the distal end into the conduit for mixing with the stream of water from the water source;
• wherein each pump is a diaphragm pump or a piston pump and is provided with a pressure-control valve in the fluid path between the pump and the reaction chamber so that each fluid portion will be pumped at substantially constant pressure.