18/12/2019 How to Remove Chlorine From Water

How to Remove Chlorine From Water

•••

Updated April 26, 2018 By Alex Silbajoris

Water treatment for health and safety is usually done with chlorine because
chlorine kills microorganisms that are responsible for waterborne diseases like
typhoid fever and cholera. But some water uses, such as aquarium-keeping or
home brewing, require chlorine-free water and many people prefer to drink
water without the distinctive chlorine aroma and flavor.

Remove Chlorine by Evaporation

The simplest way to remove chlorine is to simply let it evaporate from the water.
Chlorine is a gas at room temperature, and in water it's a "volatile solute"
meaning its molecules are diffused in the water, and it will escape into the air

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over time. The amount of time needed varies with air and water temperature.
Heating or boiling the water will speed the process. Another factor is the
amount of surface area for the volume of water; a wide-mouth container will
allow the chlorine to dissipate more quickly because it exposes more of the
water's surface to the air. This method will only remove chlorine, though, and
many modern water treatment systems use chloramines. You cannot rely on
evaporation to remove chloramines, so if you are changing a fish bowl, check
with your water department to see if they use chloramines. If they do, you will
need to use a different method to ensure safe water for your fish.

Remove Chlorine by Filtration

Chlorine can be removed by running the water through a filter with activated
charcoal, in granular or particle form. The carbon works by adsorption, the
molecular bonding of the chlorine ions to the surface of the charcoal. According
to the Minnesota Department of Health, it's important to size the filter(s)
appropriately for the amount of water to be treated, and the charcoal must be
replaced periodically. Another filtering method is kinetic degradation fluxion:
using a copper-zinc alloy to convert free chlorine to chloride through oxidation.
To remove chloramine, an extensive carbon filter (to remove the chlorine part of
the chloramine molecule) followed by a reverse osmosis or cation filter (to
remove the ammonia) is necessary.

Remove Chlorine Through Chemical

Neutralization
Several chemical compounds can remove chlorine from water. Some, like sulfur
dioxide, are toxic and dangerous to handle. Others, like ascorbic acid, or vitamin
C, are safer, or even edible. Other options include sodium thiosulfate, sodium
sulfite, or sodium bisulfite. The resulting by-products vary, and in some cases --
discharging dechlorinated water into streams, for example -- environmental

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regulations may apply because of consequences like reduced dissolved oxygen in

receiving streams. This is called "oxygen scavenging." Again, if you are trying to
purify your water for applications like fish tanks, check if your drinking water is
treated with chloramines, and if so, you will need different chemicals for
neutralization.

Remove Chlorine dioxide

Chlorine dioxide is a water additive used to control microbes and can be used to
control tastes and odors. It rapidly disappears from stored water.

References
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Related Articles

Advantages and Disadvantages of Chemical Water Treatment

Advantages and Disadvantages of

Chemical Water Treatment
Updated July 21, 2017 By Sara Melone

The water that is used in homes, businesses and industries is often treated
through a chemical process to remove harmful substances and bacteria. Once
the water has been chemically treated, it can be safely recycled back into the
water source. Several different chemicals can be used to treat water, such as
chlorine, lime and hydrogen peroxide. Each method offers distinct advantages
and disadvantages for use in water treatment.

Chlorine
According to the Water Quality and Health Council, prior to the use of
chlorinated drinking water at the turn of the century, waterborne diseases such
as cholera, typhoid fever, dysentery and hepatitis claimed thousands of U.S. lives
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each year. Today, chlorination is still the most common disinfection method for
public drinking water and swimming pools. Not only does chlorination help
prevent the spread of infections such as E. coli, it also destroys bacteria, algae
and mold that can grow on the walls of water storage systems, and it removes
unpleasant tastes and odors from drinking water. While chlorination is effective
at sanitizing drinking water, it can be difficult to handle without expertise and
experience. The chlorination of water used for showering, laundering and
swimming can dry out the skin and hair, may cause eye irritation and can also
fade fabrics.

Lime
Hard water contains high levels of dissolved minerals, which can build up in
water pipes and internal systems to cause obstruction and permanent damage.
Water softeners made with hydrated lime can treat water quality to improve
hard water and also reduce the levels of toxic arsenic in drinking water. Lime
also alters the water pH and works to destroy the environment required for the
growth of bacteria and viruses. In some cases, the pH levels become too high
with lime softening. When lime is added to chlorinated water, the resulting
formation of hypochlorite is a disinfectant that's inferior to other free chlorine
residuals.

Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is a bleaching agent that can be used to whiten teeth, lighten
hair, and bleach fabrics and textiles. It can also be used to disinfect water by
removing pollutants and inhibiting the growth of bacterial agents. Hydrogen
peroxide is generally considered safe, it does not produce residue or gas, and it
can be used to remove chlorine residue left behind from chlorination. The
substance must be transported and handled with care, since contact with
hydrogen peroxide can cause irritation of the eyes, skin, lungs and mucous
membranes. In addition, Lenntech notes that studies conducted by the American
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International Agency on Cancer Research indicate high-level exposure to

hydrogen peroxide can be carcinogenic to animals.

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