Process for the preparation of aqueous solutions of bromine based disinfectants

#1. Field of the Invention

#The present invention relates to the production of concentrated aqueous solutions of bromine-based disinfectants. More particularly, the present invention relates to a process for the generation of hypobromous acid.

#2. Description of the Prior Art

#FIG. 1 schematically depicts an apparatus useful in the practice of the present invention. The apparatus described is useful without modification for the first embodiment of the preferred process. It can be modified as previously discussed for use with the other embodiments and alternate process.

#FIGS. 2-3 are bar charts to show the effect of pH & Br/Cl on yield.

#FIG. 4 is a bar chart to show the chlorine concentration versus yield.

#In the preferred process of the present invention, compounds, which when reacted together produce hypobromous acid, are fed via separate feed lines into a water stream, preferably into an eductor through which the water stream is flowing. In an alternate process, a reaction mixture containing the prereacted compounds is fed into a water stream, preferably into an eductor through which water stream is flowing.

#Preferred starting compounds are chlorine gas and a concentrated solution of an alkali metal bromide or alkaline earth metal bromide, preferably sodium bromide, dissolved in water. The highest possible concentration of sodium bromide in the aqueous solution is desirable because it allows the highest production of hypobromous acid. The sodium bromide concentration is preferably 40 weight % or greater, but concentrations of 20-40 wt. % are suitable. The chlorine gas is dissolved in and/or reacts with water to produce hypochlorous acid which reacts almost instantaneously with the bromide ion. The reactions which result in the formation of hypobromous acid are practically instantaneous and are as follows:

#Cl.sub.2 +H.sub.2 O.fwdarw.HOCl+HCl (1)