Plug flow process for the production of chlorine dioxide

A plug flow process for the production of chlorine dioxide by reacting chloric acid and/or an alkali metal chlorate, optionally a mineral acid and a reducing agent in such proportions that chlorine dioxide is produced. Reactants are continuously fed to a plug flow reactor under conditions that chloride dioxide is produced as the reactants flow through the reactor. The process stream has an acidity between 2N and 11N. The process stream is subjected to superatmospheric pressure in the reactor sufficient to maintain the formed chlorine dioxide in solution. After removal of the chlorine dioxide from the process stream exiting the plug flow reactor, the process stream can optionally be fed to a second chlorine dioxide generator for further reaction.