Chlorine dioxide generation systems and methods

A chlorine dioxide generation system, comprising:

• an electrolytic sodium hypochlorite generator constructed and arranged to produce sodium hypochlorite at a concentration of about 0.2% to about 6% by weight;
• a reactor column having a first inlet in fluid communication with at least one of an outlet of the electrolytic sodium hypochlorite generator, a source of hydrochloric acid, and a source of sodium chlorite;
• a pH sensor configured to detect a pH condition associated with the reactor column;
• and
• a premixing chamber positioned upstream of the reactor column wherein the pH sensor is positioned downstream of the premixing chamber and upstream of the reactor column.

A method of producing chlorine dioxide, comprising:

• electrolytically generating sodium hypochlorite at a concentration of about 0.2 to about 6% by weight;
• mixing the electrolytically generated sodium hypochlorite with hydrochloric acid in a first stage to generate a first reaction product;
• introducing the first reaction product to sodium chlorite in a second stage to form a product stream comprising chlorine dioxide and free available chlorine in a desired form;
• and
• detecting a pH condition of the second stage with a pH sensor positioned between the first and second stages.

A water disinfection process, comprising:

• providing a source of water to be treated;
• electrolytically generating sodium hypochlorite at a concentration of about 0.2% to about 6% by weight;
• introducing a first portion of the electrolytically generated sodium hypochlorite to the water;
• mixing a second portion of the electrolytically generated sodium hypochlorite with hydrochloric acid in a first stage to generate a first reaction product;
• reacting the first reaction product with sodium chlorite in a second stage to produce chlorine dioxide;
• detecting a pH condition of the second stage with a pH sensor positioned between the first and second stages;
• introducing the chlorine dioxide to the water;
• and
• collecting a treated water stream.

A method of facilitating water treatment, comprising:

• providing a chlorine dioxide generator configured to produce chlorine dioxide and free available chlorine in a desired form using a sodium hypochlorite reagent at a concentration of less than about 6% by weight;
• fluidly connecting a sodium hypochlorite inlet of the chlorine dioxide generator to an onsite electrolytic sodium hypochlorite generator configured to generate the sodium hypochlorite reagent at a concentration of less than about 6% by weight;
• providing a pH sensor positioned between a premixing stage of the chlorine dioxide generator and a reaction stage of the chlorine dioxide generator;
• and
• fluidly connecting an outlet of the chlorine dioxide generator to a water treatment system.