Integrated ozone generator process

• US 6,712,951 B2
• Filed: 09/19/2001
• Issued: 03/30/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/21/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lynntech International, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Lynntech International, Ltd.
• Inventors: Murphy, Oliver J., Andrews, Craig C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Valentine, Donald R.
• Application Number:
  US09/955,734
• Publication Number:
  US 20030029734A1
• Time in Patent Office: 923 Days
• Field of Search: 205/626, 205/628-639, 204/258, 204/266, 204/274, 204/270, 204/237, 204/239
• US Class Current: 205/626
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 13/10 Preparation of ozone
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/46104 Devices therefor; Their operating or servicing
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/46109 Electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/4672 by electrooxydation
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/78 with ozone C02F1/4672 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2001/46128 Bipolar electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2001/46142 Catalytic coating
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2001/46157 Perforated or foraminous electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/46115 Electrolytic cell with membranes or diaphragms
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/4612 Controlling or monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/46155 Heating or cooling
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/4616 Power supply
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/4617 DC only
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2303/18 Removal of treatment agents after treatment
• CPC Class Codes: C25B 1/13 Ozone
• CPC Class Codes: C25B 9/23 comprising ion-exchange membranes in or on which electrode material is embedded

Abstract

An ozone generator which operates at constant pressures to produce a continuous flow of ozone in an oxygen stream having from 10% to 18% by weight of ozone. The ozone generator includes one or more electrolytic cells comprising an anode/anode flow field, a cathode/cathode flow field, and a proton exchange medium for maintaining the separation of ozone and oxygen from hydrogen. The ozone generator also has an anode reservoir which vents oxygen and ozone and a cathode reservoir which vents hydrogen. The anode reservoir can be filled from the cathode reservoir while continuing to produce ozone. The ozone generator is readily configured for self-control using a system controller programmed to operate the anode reservoir at a constant pressure.

Claims

1. A process for generating ozone, comprising the steps of:

electrolyzing water in one or more electrolytic cells comprising an anode, a cathode, and an ion exchange membrane disposed between the anode and the cathode;

forming oxygen and ozone at the anode;

recirculating water between the anode and an anode reservoir, wherein the anode reservoir comprises a first hydrophobic gas permeable membrane positioned in the anode reservoir;

separating ozone and oxygen from water in the anode reservoir;

discharging oxygen and ozone from the anode reservoir, wherein the oxygen and the ozone pass through the first hydrophobic gas permeable membrane;

forming hydrogen at the cathode;

receiving water and hydrogen into a cathode reservoir from the cathode, wherein the cathode reservoir comprises a second hydrophobic gas permeable membrane positioned in the cathode resevoir;

separating hydrogen from water in the cathode reservoir; and

discharging hydrogen from the cathode reservoir, wherein the hydrogen passes through the second hydrophobic gas permeable membrane; and

receiving water into the anode reservoir from the cathode reservoir.

2. The process of claim 1, further comprising:

cooling the water in the anode reservoir.

3. The process of claim 1, wherein water from the anode flowfield recirculates to the anode reservoir through a stand pipe in the anode reservoir.

4. The process of claim 3, wherein the stand pipe has a small hole for equalizing water levels.

5. The process of claim 1, further comprising:

adding water to each reservoir as needed to maintain continuous production of ozone.

6. The process of claim 5, further comprising the step of continuously supplying water to each reservoir at a pressure above ambient.

7. The process of claim 1, wherein the anode reservoir operates at a setpoint pressure and a substantially constant water level.

8. The process of claim 1, wherein the cathode reservoir operates at a setpoint pressure.

9. The process of claim 1, wherein the anode reservoir operates at about 30 psig and the cathode reservoir operates at about 40 psig.

10. The process of claim 1, wherein an oxygen stream comprising from about 10% to about 18% by weight of ozone is discharged from the anode reservoir.

11. The process of claim 1, further comprising the step of boosting the gas discharge pressure.

12. The process of claim 1, further comprising the step of individually regulating the gas discharge pressure from the anode reservoir and the gas discharge pressure from the cathode reservoir.

13. The process of claim 1, further comprising:

transporting water recovered from the cathode to the anode.

14. The process of claim 1, further comprising:

maintaining the water levels in the anode reservoir and the cathode reservoir to fully flood the first and second hydrophobic gas permeable membranes.