Singlet-delta oxygen generator

In a singlet delta oxygen generator wherein a gaseous chlorine-containing first reactant is reacted with falling droplets of a liquid basic hydrogen peroxide-containing second reactant in a falling droplet zone, the improvement comprising the use in the generator of a gaseous reactant distributor comprising:

• (a) side, top and bottom walls to form a distribution chamber;
• (b) a distribution plate disposed vertically within one of the side walls adjacent to the failing droplet zone, the distribution plate having a plurality of holes to allow the passage of gaseous first reactant therethrough;
• (c) an impingement plate disposed immediately downstream of each hole in the distribution plate;
• (d) a plurality of gaseous first reactant inlet conduits for allowing the influx of the gaseous first reactant into the distribution chamber, the conduits directing the flow of the gaseous first reactant entering the distribution chamber away from the distribution plate;
• and
• (e) a liquid drain disposed in the bottom wall;
• wherein (i) gaseous first reactant can flow into the distribution chamber via the gaseous reactant inlet conduits in a manner such that the distribution of gaseous reactant within the distribution chamber is substantially uniform, (ii) the gaseous first reactant can then be allowed to flow laterally through the holes in the distribution plate and into droplets of the liquid second reactant falling downwardly within the falling droplet zone, and (iii) liquid entering the distribution chamber can be promptly drained away via the liquid drain.

In a singlet delta oxygen generator wherein a gaseous chlorine-containing first reactant is reacted with falling droplets of a liquid basic hydrogen peroxide-containing second reactant in a falling droplet zone, the improvement comprising the use in the generator of a gaseous reactant distributor comprising:

• (a) side, top and bottom walls to form a distribution chamber;
• (b) a distribution plate disposed vertically within one of the side walls adjacent to the falling droplet zone, the distribution plate having a plurality of holes to allow the passage of gaseous first reactant therethrough;
• (c) an impingement plate disposed immediately downstream of each hole in the distribution plate, the area of each impingement plate disposed immediately opposite each hole is between about 50 and about 80% of the area of the hole and the distance between each impingement plate and the distribution plate is between about 1.1 and about 1.4 cm;
• (d) a plurality of gaseous first reactant inlet conduits for allowing the influx of gaseous first reactant into the distribution chamber, the conduits directing the flow of gaseous first reactant entering the distribution chamber to impinge upon a side wall of the generator disposed opposite the distribution plate;
• and
• (e) a liquid drain disposed in the bottom wall;
• wherein (i) gaseous first reactant can be flowed into the distribution chamber via the gaseous reactant inlet conduits in a manner such that the distribution of gaseous reactant within the distribution chamber is substantially uniform, (ii) the gaseous first reactant can then be allowed to flow laterally through the holes in the distribution plate and into droplets of the liquid second reactant falling downwardly within the falling droplet zone, and (iii) liquid entering the distribution chamber is promptly drained away via the liquid drain.