Name:Jairo Herrera Montes

Date: 2017-12-21
Subject: Water Treament Theme:Chlorine as Biocide
Chlorine is the most widely used industrial biocide today. It has been used for disinfection of
domestic water supplies and for the removal of tastes and odours from water for a long time.
The amount of chlorine that needs to be added in a water system is determined by several
factors, namely chlorine demand, contact time, pH and temperature of the water, the volume
of water and the amount of chlorine that is lost through aeration.When chlorine gas enters a
water supply it will hydrolyse to form hypochlorous and hydrochlorous acid. The latter
determines the biocidal activity. (Lenntech;, S/F).
Chlorine, as well as the rest of chlorine-generating products, when added to wáter generates a
mixture of hypochlorous acid and hypochlorite. Its effectiveness as a biocide It depends on the
proportion of hypochlorous acid present. The pH of the treated water is the one determines the
degree of ionization of hypochlorous acid towards hypochlorite ion. To the extent that pH is
increased, less and less hypochlorous acid is available (De Dios, 2004).
The most suitable pH range for the treatment based on the application of chlorine is between
6- 7.5. Its application became very ineffective when the pH of the water exceeds 8.5. A Lower
pH's Chlorine is not too practical because of the great corrosive potential it has the circulating
wáter.
Initially the chlorine dose must satisfy the chlorine demand of the circulating water for, to
thereafter, achieve the desired free chlorine residual. Organic matter and some chemical
compounds such as sulfur dioxide, sulfur Hydrogen and nitrogen-containing organic
compounds are part of the chlorine demand that it must be satisfied before getting an adequate
level of free chlorine. As an oxidizing biocide, chlorine has several advantages (De Dios,
2004):
 Low cost.
 Broad spectrum of action.
 Extensive bibliography with acceptable results under specific conditions.
 Easily measurable
Although we will also cite some of its limitations:
 Lack of effectiveness at high pH.
 It is inactivated by the aeration of the tower and by ultraviolet sunlight.
 Contributes to the corrosion of metals.
 The dosing system is expensive and requires extensive maintenance.
 Dangerous in handling.
 Environmental restrictions, especially in some basins

Bibliografía
 Lenntech;. (S/F). Biocides. Inglaterra. Recuperado
de:https://www.lenntech.com/biocides.htm#ixzz51j4H1hLl
 De Dios, G. (2004). Biocides for control. España.Recuperado de:
http://www.cresca.upc.edu/congreslegionella/2004/ponencies/ponencies/Gregori_de_
Dios_Visio_generica_dels_Biocidas.pdf