Chlorine Dioxide: Do You Really Need It? This Will Help You Decide!
What is Chlorine Dioxide?
Chlorine Dioxide (ClO2) is a chemical compound that consists of one chlorine atom and two oxygen atoms. It’s a yellow or yellow-reddish gas and is very highly reactive especially when it is heated. When it’s exposed to the air, the sunlight breaks it into chlorine gas and oxygen. Chlorine Dioxide turns to a liquid below 11ºC and also can be frozen into an orange-colored solid.
Because of its volatile property, it’s very difficult to store or transport safely. So, usually, it’s manufactured in solution form at the point of use or when needed. Chlorine DIoxide, when dissolved in water, is an efficient disinfectant because of which it’s used for a variety of antimicrobial uses, including the disinfection of drinking water. It is generally produced onsite from Sodium Chlorite or Sodium Chlorate.
How is it Produced:
For the production of chlorine dioxide gas, Hypochlorite acid ( HCl ) or chlorine is brought together with Sodium Chlorite.
2NaClO2 + Cl2 ® 2ClO2 + 2NaCl
Chlorine dioxide can also be produced by the reaction of sodium hypochlorite with hydrochloric acid:
HCl + NaOCl + 2NaClO2 ® 2ClO2 + 2NaCl + NaOH
Types of chlorination used in water treatment:
There are generally 3 main methods that are used for chlorinating water, depending upon the strength of the disinfectant required.
Chlorine compound can be mixed with water as:
– Liquid ( In the form of sodium hypochlorite )
– Solid, in the form of powder, granules, or tablets, made from calcium hypochlorite, chlorinated isocyanurates, or lithium hypochlorite;
– Gas ( only used under special conditions).
When chlorine or chlorine is added to the water, it releases hypochlorous acid, HOCl.
Hydrolysis of chlorine gas: Cl2 + H2O → HOCl + H+ + Cl−
The amount of chlorine in the water in these forms is referred to as Free Chlorine. The reaction of chlorine with organics to form compounds such as chloramines is referred to as combined chlorine.
Benefits of Chlorine Dioxide Water Treatment:
As an efficient biocide, it has so many applications. It kills bacteria, viruses, fungi, and pathogens on hard surfaces as well as within the water supply systems which includes cooling towers, swimming pools, etc.
It can also be used in sanitization processes at each stage of agricultural production, distribution, and storage. It can also be used as a disinfectant for big buildings like office blocks, hospitals, laboratories — especially for those which might be vulnerable to legionella growth within their water supply. It can also be used as an all-around sanitizer and antimicrobials sector across the hospitality sector.
Advantages:
- It is 2.6 times more powerful than bleaching which makes it of a wide spectrum of sanitizing uses and makes it exceptionally effective against viruses, bacteria, and pathogens.
- It has a wider pH spectrum than chlorine which makes it more versatile in a variety of application situations.
- It is registered with EPA and it’s also considered an excellent bactericide, fungicide, and antimicrobial agent.
- The FDA and the U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA) have approved Chlorine Dioxide and Sodium Chlorite in food processing plants for sanitizing and controlling bacteria, viruses, and molds.
- It can also be used on food-contact surfaces at a diluted concentration as low as 5 ppm. It is also very economical.
- It can also be used for odor control, sanitation, and water purification uses.
Pristine Water offers an exclusive Chlorine Dioxide generator for multipurpose use as we are the leading Chlorine Dioxide generator manufacturer and supplier.