Disinfection

Disinfection is the selective destruction of pathogenic (disease-causing) organisms. 1 Properties of Chlorine: 1. 2-1/2 times heavier than air. 2 2. 1 liter of liquid Cl2 expands to 450 liters of Cl2 gas. 2 Cl2 Dose = Cl2 Demand + Cl2 Residual Cl2 Residual = Combined Cl2 + Free Cl2 Cl2 + H2O HOCl + HCL 3 Chlorine + Water yields Hypochlorous acid + Hydrochloric acid H + OCl HOCl 3 Hydrogen + Hypochlorite yields Hypochlorous acid HOCl has much greater disinfection potential than OCl. When chlorine is added to water containing ammonia (NH3), it reacts rapidly with the ammonia and forms chloramines. 4 Chlorine (Cl2) gas lowers pH. 5 Hypochlorite (OCl) raises pH. 5 Max. Cl2 to NH3 ratio that can be achieved is 5:1 6 Factors influencing disinfection: 1. pH Cl2 disinfects much faster at a pH around 7.0 than at a pH over 8.0 7 2. Temp. The higher the temperature of the water, the more efficiently it can be treated. The warmer the water temperature, the greater the dissipation rate of Cl2 into the atmosphere. 8

3. Turbidity Excessive turbidity will reduce the efficiency of the disinfectant. 9 4. Organic matter THMs are an example of undesirable compounds formed by reactions between chlorine and certain organics. 10 5. Microorganisms The higher the number of microorganisms, the greater the demand for a disinfecting chemical. 11 Chloramines: Chloramines are effective in the following: 18 1. Reduce formation of THMs. 2. Maintain a detectable residual throughout the distribution system. 3. Kill bacteria. 4. Reduce taste and odor problems. Chloramines (though non-toxic to healthy humans) must be removed from water before use with kidney dialysis. 12 GAC and Ascorbic Acid are used to reduce chloramine residuals. 12 Chloramines can be deadly to fish. 12 Cl2 residual in system at least 0.2 mg/L Chloramines in system at least 0.6 mg/L THMs are not formed when disinfecting with Chlorine Dioxide (ClO2). 13 It is more effective than chlorine in killing bacteria in the pH range of 8-10. 13 If Cl2 residual is less than 0.2 mg/L, the system is allowed up to 4 hours to correct the problem. 14 Cl2 in the form of free available Chlorine, has the highest disinfecting availability. Once Cl2 demand has been satisfied, you have breakpoint chlorination. Public water supplies are normally past the breakpoint. 15 Dichloramine is a more powerful disinfectant than monochloramine, but it is not recommended because of taste and odor problems. 16
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Chlorine Dioxide Chlorine dioxide (Cl02) may be used as a disinfectant (very effective at higher pH levels). It reacts with sulfide compounds, helping to remove them and eliminate their characteristic odors. It can also be used to control phenolic tastes and odors. 17 Removal processes Pathogenic organisms can be removed from water or killed by various physical and chemical processes: 19 1. Coagulation 2. Sedimentation 3. Filtration 4. Disinfection Physical means of disinfection: 20 1. Ultraviolet rays 2. Heat 3. Ultrasonic waves Chemical disinfectants (other than chlorine) 21 1. 2. 3. 4. Iodine Bromine Bases Ozone

Hypochlorinators Two methods of feeding hypochlorite solution into the water: 22 1. Pump directly into the water. 2. Use of an ejector (a.k.a. eductor or injector)

Chlorinator room exhaust systems The better system draws air from the roof and pushes the air and any chlorine out through the floor vents. 23 Chlorine cylinders Fusible plugs melt @ 1580 to 1650 F. 24 Max. removal rate (100-150 lb. cylinder) 40 lbs./day 25 One complete turn of valve permits max. discharge. 26 Chlorination Breakpoint chlorination The process of adding chlorine to water until the chlorine demand has been satisfied. Further additions of chlorine will produce free available residual chlorine. Chlorine in this form has the highest disinfecting ability. Public water utilities are normally chlorinated past the breakpoint. 15 Prechlorination Prechlorination is the application of chlorine ahead of any other treatment processes. While it may increase the formation of THMs in raw water containing organic precursor (THM) compounds and tastes and odors when phenolic compounds are present, it provides the following benefits: 27 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Control of algae and slime growths Control of mudball formation Improved coagulation Reduction of tastes and odors Increased chlorine contact time Increased safety factor in disinfection of heavily contaminated waters.

Postchlorination The application of chlorine after the water has been treated, but before it enters into the distribution system. This is the primary point of disinfection and is the last application of any disinfectant. 28 Prechlorination The practice of adding chlorine in the distribution system. This practice is common when the system is long or complex. The application point could be any place where adequate mixing is available. 29

Footnotes 1. I; 262; 7.00 2. I; 266; 7.220 3. I; 267; 7.222 4. I; 267; 7.223 5. I; 269; 7.231 6. I; 271; 7.262 7. I; 263; 7.10 8. I; 263; 7.11 9. I; 263; 7.12 10.I; 263; 7.120 11.I; 264; 7.140 12.I; 271; 7.263 13.I; 316; 7.6 14.I; 319; 7.70 15.I; 269; 7.25 16.I; 270; 7.25 17.I; 269; 7.240 18.I; 270-71; 7.260 19.I; 264-65; 7.141 20.I; 265; 7.210 21.I; 265-66; 7.211 22.I; 278; 7.40 23.I; 282; 7.41 24.I; 289; 7.421 25.I; 292; 7.43 26.I; 295; 7.431 27.I; 276; 7.30 28.I; 276; 7.31 29.I; 276; 7.32