Process and apparatus for generating bromine

Abstract

The present invention provides a process for generating an aqueous solution containing at least one active bromine compound comprising the steps of: electrolyzing an aqueous solution containing bromide ions so that bromate ions are formed in said aqueous solution; and introducing to the aqueous solution containing bromate ions an acid to generate an aqueous solution containing at least one active bromine compound. The present invention also provides an apparatus for generating an aqueous solution containing at least one active bromine compound. The aqueous solution containing the active bromine compound(s) generated using the process and apparatus of the present invention may be used for water treatment and the recovery of precious metals such as gold.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.