Treatment FAQ

what percentage of calcium hypochlorite is needed for water treatment

by Rosina Lubowitz Sr. Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago

The standard calculation for a 5 percent stock solution is to dissolve 1 and 1/2 teaspoons of 68-70 percent dry calcium hypochlorite in 1 cup of water. This 5% chlorine solution can be used to disinfect water just like liquid household chlorine bleach.

The standard calculation for a 5 percent stock solution is to dissolve 1 and 1/2 teaspoons of 68-70 percent dry calcium hypochlorite in 1 cup of water. This 5% chlorine solution can be used to disinfect water just like liquid household chlorine bleach.

Full Answer

How does calcium hypochlorite disinfect water?

 · It is a simple two-step process 1. Make a chlorine solution by dissolving 1 heaping teaspoon (78%) granular calcium hypochlorite for every two gallons (eight liters) of water. If your calcium hypochlorite is a weaker percentage, then increase the amount you use. This mixture is not for drinking and is similar to chlorox .

What is the formula for calcium hypochlorite?

The standard calculation for a 5 percent stock solution is to dissolve 1 and 1/2 teaspoons of 68-70 percent dry calcium hypochlorite in 1 cup of water. This 5% chlorine solution can be used to disinfect water just like liquid household chlorine bleach.

How do you check calcium hypochlorite purity?

 · 1 According to the recent yet anecdotal results (i.e., 1.4% response rate) of the American Water Works Association’s 2017 Water Utility Disinfection Survey, 6% of respondents used “solid” (calcium) hypochlorite.

What is the chemical formula for hypochlorite?

The standard for this is National Sanitary Foundation (NSF) approved. Calcium hypochlorite can be purchased in several concentrations. Although 65% is most common, you will also see 78% available chlorine. Need to be real careful with chlorine concentrations. You shouldn’t really drink much over 2ppm (parts per million) or it can cause diarrhea.

How do you mix calcium hypochlorite for drinking water?

You can use granular calcium hypochlorite to disinfect water. Add and dissolve one heaping teaspoon of high-test granular calcium hypochlorite (approximately ¼ ounce) for each two gallons of water, or 5 milliliters (approximately 7 grams) per 7.5 liters of water.

How do you use calcium hypochlorite to purify water?

Add one heaping teaspoon (approximately ¼ ounce) of high-test granular calcium hypochlorite (HTH) to two gallons of water and stir until the particles have dissolved. The mixture will produce a chlorine solution of approximately 500 milligrams per liter.

How much hypochlorite do I mix with water?

Recommended dilution 1:100 dilution of 5% sodium hypochlorite is the usual recommendation. Use 1 part bleach to 99 parts cold tap water (1:100 dilution) for disinfection of surfaces.

Can I use calcium hypochlorite for drinking water?

Disinfect Water with Calcium Hypochlorite. Boiling your Water is the easiest way to make it safe. Bleach (ONLY Calcium Hypochlorite bleach) can also be used to make safe drinking water, but bleach has a shelf life of less than 2 years.

How do you dilute calcium hypochlorite?

The standard calculation for a 5 percent stock solution is to dissolve 1 and 1/2 teaspoons of 68-70 percent dry calcium hypochlorite in 1 cup of water. This 5% chlorine solution can be used to disinfect water just like liquid household chlorine bleach.

How long does calcium hypochlorite last in water?

Calcium Hypochlorite is only a few bucks and you can find it at swimming pool supply stores such as Deep Blue Pools and Spas . This is also referred to as pool shock. Keep in mind that when the granular calcium hypochlorite is made into the liquid chlorine solution it does have a shelf life of about 24 months.

How much chlorine do I need for 1000 Litres?

To dose water in a tank with 5 mg/L chlorine use: 40 millilitres of liquid pool chlorine or 170 millilitres of bleach, for every 1000 litres in the tank.

How much bleach does it take to disinfect 1000 Litres of water?

For example: if you had a 3000 litre tank then you would look on the table and take the bleach quantity for 2000 litres plus the quantity for 1000 litres (which is 133 mLs and 67 mLs) - adding those two quantities of bleach together gives a total of 200mLs of bleach needed to treat the 3000 litre tank.

What happens when you add calcium hypochlorite to water?

How Does Calcium Hypochlorite Work? Well, it works just like any other type of chlorine. After adding calcium hypochlorite to your pool, the chlorine quickly reacts with the water to form Hydrochloric Acid. It's this acid that attacks and kills the microscopic bad guys floating around.

How long does calcium hypochlorite take to dissolve?

This means that 68% of each pound of pool shock is calcium hypochlorite ions, the remaining inert ingredients are binders and salts produced during the reaction with lime used in manufacture. These binders will release and dissolve within 15 seconds, in 70° pool water that is circulating.

How much chlorine is in calcium hypochlorite?

Calcium Hypochlorite (Dry Chlorine) The usual formulation contains 70% concentration of chlorine. Calcium hypochlorite is inexpensive and available in tablets or granules through chemical supply or swimming pool supply stores; one common brand is HTH, but there are many commercial products.

What is difference between calcium hypochlorite and sodium hypochlorite?

The key difference between calcium hypochlorite and sodium hypochlorite is that calcium hypochlorite contains two hypochlorite anions associated with one calcium cation whereas sodium hypochlorite contains one hypochlorite anion associated with one sodium cation.

How many gallons of water can a one pound bag of calcium hypochlorite disinfect?

A one pound bag of calcium hypochlorite can treat thousands of gallons of water. That little one pound bag is mighty powerful and requires a little bit of special handling to get it ready to disinfect water.

Where to store calcium hypochlorite?

The bottle should be stored in a cool dry place away from almost everything.

How long does bleach last?

The problem with household bleach is that it has a shelf life of only 6 months. As time passes the chlorine level decreases and it is less effective. Frequent rotation is critical for bleach to be effective at killing pathogens. Powdered or granulated calcium hypochlorite is an effective option for chlorine disinfection.

How to store 5% stock solution?

I have an old bleach bottle that I have marked with measurements for my stock solution. I simply fill the bottle to the mark and add the amount of calcium hypochlorite specified on the bottle.

How long does it take to read a beach disinfectant?

Approx Reading Time: 8 minutes. Water disinfection is a critical part of any emergency plan. One of the most often recommended techniques is to disinfect water using regular chlorine bleach. The problem with household beach as a disinfectant is that it has a shelf life of only 6 months from the time of production.

What is the Army's water disinfectant?

The Departments of the Army, Navy, and Air Force released a publication entitled, Sanitary Control and Surveillance of Field Water Supplies (page 70) where they set standards for use of calcium hypochlorite for water disinfection in the military (U.S. Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine 2003). The calculations to create a stock solution from dry calcium hypochlorite on the table are taken from those military standards.

What to wear when handling calcium hypochlorite?

It is best to wear gloves, goggles, and a mask when handling. According to a chemical engineer friend of ours, dry calcium hypochlorite does not react with polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, Ryton, PVDF, and Teflon.

What is calcium hypochlorite used for?

Although still best known for swimming pool disinfection, calcium hypochlorite feeder systems are also used around the world in drinking water and wastewater systems, cooling towers, building water systems, and throughout the food and beverage industries.

What are the downsides of calcium hypochlorite?

A common downside of calcium hypochlorite use is the formation of precipitates (solid particles) of calcium deposits in systems that include pumping from a chlorine solution tank . Such deposits must be removed, which typically involves periodic tank cleaning. Deposits in the chemical feed lines and pumps can be reduced by routine flushing/cleaning ...

What are the risks of drinking water without disinfection?

Without adequate and reliable disinfection, consumers are at risk of contracting and spreading waterborne diseases caused by viruses, bacteria, and other microorganisms. Other drinking water treatment objectives include producing water that looks and tastes good and does not corrode pipes and household plumbing.

When was chlorination invented?

We recently celebrated the 110th anniversary of U.S. drinking water chlorination, a disinfection technology that debuted in Jersey City in 1908 using a dry compound called “chloride of lime.”. Today we more properly call it calcium hypochlorite.

Does chlorine kill bacteria?

Once inside the microbial cell wall, free chlorine wreaks havoc on bacteria, disrupting metabolic processes and causing rapid cell death. And unlike ozone or ultraviolet light, chlorine can provide lasting, residual (secondary) disinfection to help ensure safe storage and distribution of treated water to our homes, schools, and businesses.

Is calcium hypochlorite good for drinking water?

As noted previously, U.S. and international communities that use calcium hypochlorite for drinking water treatment and disinfection typically serve small (often very small) populations. The primary advantages are related to storage and feeding compared to chlorine gas or liquid bleach.

What is the standard for calcium hypochlorite?

As you mention, the key is to make sure it is intended to be used for purification of drinking water. The standard for this is National Sanitary Foundation (NSF) approved. Calcium hypochlorite can be purchased in several concentrations. Although 65% is most common, you will also see 78% available chlorine.

How much chlorine is in a pound of water?

Figuring chlorine concentration is based on weight. Cal-shock 65 is 65% available chlorine so 1 pound = 0.65 pounds chlorine. 0.65 pounds (10.5oz) chlorine will treat 60,000 gallons of water to an initial residual to 1.3ppm! To treat one gallon to 1.3ppm you would use 0.65/60000= 0.00017oz calcium hypochlorite. 1 ounce will treat about 5700 gallons. These numbers are hard to understand and apply at small quantities, like a few gallons.

How long does bleach last in water?

It begins to lose its effectiveness after several months, thus the popularity of calcium hypochlorite in survival circles. Take this online course to equip your home for any water emergency.

What size water filter should I use for emergency kits?

Sawyer Mini Water Filter — a good size for emergency kits. I keep one in my suitcase for family travel.

Can you drink chlorine?

Need to be real careful with chlorine concentrations. You shouldn’t really drink much over 2ppm (parts per million) or it can cause diarrhea . The maximum contaminant level (MCL) set by the EPA for chlorine is 4ppm.

Does calcium hypochlorite work?

Now having said all this, I probably complicated your issue. Bottom line, calcium hypochlorite will work great but, it will take more experience and care to get safe results than using unscented laundry bleach.”

Why is calcium hypochlorite mixed with water?

It is mixed with water to various strengths to kill germs found on industrial food processing and preparation surfaces–an important role in keeping our food supply safe.

What is the melting point of calcium hypochlorite?

Melting point: 100 °C. Soluble in: Water. As we mentioned, calcium hypochlorite is the main active ingredient of commercial products called bleaching powder, chlorine powder, or chlorinated lime, used for water treatment and as a bleaching agent. In addition of being used to sanitize public swimming pools it is also used to disinfect drinking water.

What is the most popular sanitizer for a pool?

M any of us relate swimming pools, and even fun summer time, when thinking about chlorine. Calcium Hypochlorite is the most popular powder sanitizer among private swimming pool owners. It is an inorganic compound with formula Ca (ClO)2. This compound is relatively stable and has greater available chlorine than sodium hypochlorite (liquid bleach).

What is the chemical in pool water?

Byproducts in pool water: hypochlorous acid (HOCl) + calcium (Ca+) + hydroxide (OH-) As we mentioned, calcium hypochlorite is the main active ingredient of commercial products called bleaching powder, chlorine powder, or chlorinated lime, used for water treatment and as a bleaching agent.

What is the purity of chlorine?

Generally the commercial substances are sold with a purity of 65% to 73% chlorine concentration, mixed with other chemicals present, such as calcium chloride and calcium carbonate, resulting from the manufacturing process.

What happens if water stays hard in pool?

If water pool water stays too hard for too long, it can cause corrosion to the pool surface. Cal-hypo also has a high pH of about 12. So, acid will need to be added to maintain goal pH levels after adding cal-hypo. Cal Hypo comes in the form of powder or tabs; tabs require a feeder to be introduced to the water.

Does calcium hypochlorite disinfect hot tub water?

Spa and hot tub waters are also disinfected with calcium hypochlorite. We all have accepted this sort of -chemical wonder that makes a healthy environment for water recreation. The primary things to be aware of are that cal-hypo will raise calcium hardness levels of your water.

How much calcium hypochlorite is used in a day?

A total of 37 lbs of calcium hypochlorite (66% available chlorine) is used in a day. If the flow rate treated is 2,400,000 gpd, what is the chlorine dosage, in mg/L?

How much chlorine is in a dry hypochlorite?

The most commonly used dry hypochlorite, calcium hypochlorite, contains about 65 to 70% available chlorine, depending on the brand. Because hypochlorites are not 100% pure chlorine, more pounds per day must be fed into the system to obtain the same amount of chlorine for disinfection. The equation below allows you to determine the pounds per day of hypochlorite required:

How to determine chlorine demand?

It can be determined by adding the desired residual for the finished water to the chlorine demand of the untreated water. Chlorine Demand - amount of chlorine used by iron, manganese, turbidity, algae, and microorganisms in the water. Since chlorine doesn't kill the microbes instantly, demand is relative to time. Chlorine Residual - amount of chlorine (determine by testing) remaining after the demand is satisfied. Residual, like demand, is based on time. The longer the time period after the dosage, the lower the residual will be, untill all of the demand has been satisfied. To produce a free chlorine residual, enough chlorine must be added to the water to produce what is referred to as breakpoint chlorination. This is the point at which near complete oxidation of nitrogen compounds is reached. Any residual beyond breakpoint is mostly free chlorine. The most commonly used dry hypochlorite, calcium hypochlorite, contains about 65 to 70% available chlorine, depending on the brand. Because hypochlorites are not 100% pure chlorine, more pounds per day must be fed into the system to obtain the same amount of chlorine for disinfection. Liquid hypochlorite (sodium hypochlorite) is supplied as a clear, greenish-yellow liquid in strengths from 5.25 to 16% available chlorine. Often referred to as "bleach", it is, in fact, used for bleaching. Common household bleach is a solution of sodium hypochlorite containing 5.25% available chlorine. The typical concentration (density) of sodium hypochlorite is 144 mg/mL.

How to determine breakpoint chlorine?

When determining breakpoint chlorination, compare the expected increase in residual with the actual increase in residual. Expected increase in residual is reflected directly by the increase in chlorine dose, lb/day. If the water is being chlorinated beyond the breakpoint, then any increase in chlorine dose will result in a corresponding increase in chlorine residual. Use the mg/L to lb/day equation to determine the expected increase in residual that would result from an increase in the chlorine dose:

Why is chlorine added to water?

The main objective of adding chlorine is to disinfect the water and maintain enough chlorine in the treated water as it travels through the distribution system (chlorine residual). At times, distribution systems can be a fair distance from the storage tanks and in dead end sections where water is not used, pathogens may re-grow if a proper chlorine residual isn't maintained in the treated water sent out for consumption. This results in poor water quality as well as slime and biofilm growth in the distribution system that will end up contaminating the clean, treated water being distributed.

How much chlorine is needed to disinfect a flow of 1.8 MGD?

A chlorine dose of 7.3 mg/L is required to disinfect a flow of 1.8 MGD. If the calcium hypochlorite to be used contains 67% available chlorine, how many pounds per day hypochlorite will be required for disinfection?

What is pre chlorine?

Pre-chlorination is when chlorine is applied to the water almost immediately after it enters the treatment facility. In this step the chlorine is usually added directly to the raw water, or added in the flash mixer. It is added at this stage to eliminate algae and other forms of aquatic life from the water so they won't cause problems later on in the treatment process. Pre-chlorination is found to remove taste and odors as well as oxidize any iron, manganese or hydrogen sulfide that might be present.

Who provides California State Water Resources Control Board training?

This training is presented by RCAC with funding provided by the California State Water Resources Control Board Division of Drinking Water (DDW)

What are the increments of a chemical?

In dosage problems, quantities of chemical are givenin the following increments: Lbs orlbs/day Gallons (chemical solution quantity) or Gal/day mg/L orppm MG orMGD

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