Treatment FAQ

why is chlorine used in water treatment plants

by Mabel Herman Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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Chlorination involves adding a measured amount of chlorine to water to produce a residual sufficient to kill bacteria, viruses, and cysts. The killing effect of chlorine depends on the pH of the water, temperature, chlorine level and contact time (i.e., the time the chlorine is in the water before consumption).

Full Answer

What is the important of chlorine in water treatment?

What are the sources of water pollution?

  • Industrial waste. Every day, industries produce large amounts of waste. …
  • Wastewater and sewage. …
  • Marine Dumping. …
  • Oil Spills. …
  • Pesticides and chemical fertilizers. …
  • Sewage and wastewater treatment. …
  • Protect large water bodies. …
  • Reduction of water as a coolant in power plants and industries.

Why is chlorine used for water treatment?

  • Total global chlorine production = 55,551,000 tonnes
  • Total US chlorine production = 11,956,000 tonnes
  • Total US consumption for water treatment = 615,000 tonnes
  • Total European Community chlorine production = 10,870 tonnes
  • Total European Community consumption for water treatment = 270,000 tonnes

How is the water treated in a water treatment plant?

  • Makeup water intake. As water circulates through a cooling tower system, a portion is lost to evaporation, bleed to drain, and leaks. ...
  • Filtration. Upon intake, the stream is typically filtered through one or more filtration units for removal of sediment, turbidity, and organic material. ...
  • Softening. ...
  • Chemical addition. ...
  • Side-stream filtration. ...
  • Post-treatment. ...

How does chlorine affect plants?

In particular, chlorine is important for plant photosynthesis as it is involved in the opening and closing of stomata (pores in leaves that enable plants to take in and release carbon dioxide, oxygen and other gases as required. It also helps ensure leaves are firm.

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Why is chlorine added to water at water treatment plants?

Chlorination is the process of adding chlorine to drinking water to kill parasites, bacteria, and viruses. Different processes can be used to achieve safe levels of chlorine in drinking water.

Why is chlorine used in treatment?

How does chlorine disinfection work? Chlorine kills pathogens such as bacteria and viruses by breaking the chemical bonds in their molecules. Disinfectants that are used for this purpose consist of chlorine compounds which can exchange atoms with other compounds, such as enzymes in bacteria and other cells.

What function does chlorine play in wastewater treatment?

Importantly, waste water treatment facilities use chlorine disinfectants to destroy oxygen-robbing contaminants in wastewater, helping to preserve the quality of our nation's rivers and streams into which the treated wastewater is discharged.

Where is chlorine used in water treatment?

The most common use of chlorine in water treatment is to disinfect water. As a disinfectant, it has drawbacks, but it also has advantages. Other methods of disinfection such as ultraviolet and ozonation are effective disinfectants but they do not provide a residual to prevent pathogen regrowth as chlorination does.

What are the advantages of chlorine?

The benefits of chlorination are: Proven reduction of most bacteria and viruses in water. Residual protection against recontamination. Ease-of-use and acceptability. Proven reduction of diarrheal disease incidence.

What happens when chlorine is added to water?

Chlorine will react in water to form hypochlorous acid, which can then dissociate into hydrogen and hypochlorite ions, according to Eqn (1). This reaction is very important, as the disinfecting power of HOCl, hypochlorous acid, is about 40–80 times that of OCl−, hypochlorite.

What is the main purpose for chlorination of water supplies and wastewater effluents?

The primary goal of chlorination is to disinfect the wastewater and remove any harmful pathogens that are present in the water. Once the wastewater has been properly treated, it can flow naturally into rivers, streams, and oceans without issue.

Does chlorine reduce bod?

BOD reduction: Chlorine accomplishes BOD reduction by oxidation of organic compounds present in wastewaters. 4. Oxidation of metal ions: Metal ions which are in reduced state are oxidized by chlorine (e.g., ferrous to ferric ion and manganous to manganic ions).

Why is chlorine added to wastewater 7?

Sedimentation tank Impurities are settle in the bottom of tank. Sand and gravel and sand filter Remove the dirt from the water. Chlorinating tank Chlorine is mixed in water to disinfect the eater and to kill the germs.

Why is chlorine used as a bleaching agent?

Chlorine and its derivatives have the ability to oxidise coloured objects, thus making them colourless. Thus they find various applications as bleaching agents in the fabric and paper industry.

Why chlorine is used in manufacture of pesticides?

Because it is so highly reactive, chlorine is one of the most effective germicides available. Chlorine chemicals kill bacteria, algae, fungi , and protozoans and inactivate viruses.

What is chlorination plant?

As an effective yet inexpensive disinfectant, chlorination is the most commonly used disinfection method in drinking water treatment plants all over the world. Chlorine kills pathogens and oxidises iron, manganese, and taste and odour compounds in water.

Why is chlorine used as a disinfectant?

Chlorine and pH. In general terms, the lower the pH of the water, the more effective chlorine is as a disinfectant. Again, speaking generally, a reason for dosing effectively is that chlorination raises the pH of water, so overdosing often raises the pH to levels where chlorine does not work effectively as a disinfectant.

How much chlorine is needed for disinfection?

Residual requirements vary, but typical residual goal would be for 0.2 to 1 mg/L. In addition to disinfection, chlorine can be effectively used to oxidize iron, manganese and hydrogen sulfide to facilitate their removal, to reduce color in water, and to aid in such treatment processes as sedimentation and filtration.

What is the best way to disinfect water?

Other methods of disinfection such as ultraviolet and ozonation are effective disinfectants but they do not provide a residual to prevent pathogen regrowth as chlorination does. When treatment plants are distant from the point of use, chlorination is the best way to provide safe water to the end user. Municipal water providers usually rely on measurements of “chlorine residual”—the amount of chlorine remaining in the water after it reaches its destination—as proof of safety. Residual requirements vary, but typical residual goal would be for 0.2 to 1 mg/L.

What is calcium hypochlorite?

Calcium hypochlorite is manufactured from chlorine gas. It is best known as chlorine pellets and granules in residential water treatment. It is a white solid with a very pungent odor and it can create enough heat to explode, so it must not be stored near wood, cloth or petroleum products. Calcium hypochlorite increases the pH of the water being treated.

What is the best way to provide safe water to the end user?

When treatment plants are distant from the point of use, chlorination is the best way to provide safe water to the end user. Municipal water providers usually rely on measurements of “chlorine residual”—the amount of chlorine remaining in the water after it reaches its destination—as proof of safety. Residual requirements vary, but typical residual ...

Which is more effective for disinfecting: chlorine or hypochlorite?

Chemically, this has to do with the relationship between the two constituents of chlorine that together are often referred to as “free chlorine”—hypochlorus acid and hypochlorite ions. Hypochlorus acid is the more effective disinfectant and it dominates at lower pH levels, so a lower pH is preferred for disinfection.

Which is the least expensive chlorine?

Chlorine gas, which is actually sold as an amber-colored compressed liquid, is the least expensive form of chlorine and is, consequently, the preferred type for municipal water systems.

What is chlorine dioxide?

It is a chemical compound in a gaseous form possessing antimicrobial properties, which is used to disinfect water , surfaces , and a host of other areas . Comprising of one atom of chlorine and two atoms of oxygen, chlorine dioxide gets easily dissolved in water and is highly effective in destroying bacteria, parasites, algae, fungi, and other microorganisms. It can also neutralize the harmful compounds of cyanide. However, contrary to the claims by fraudsters, under no circumstances, it should not be ingested to fight ailments such as autism, cancer, HIV, or flu. According to FDA, ingesting chlorine dioxide in concentrations higher than the maximum permitted limit in potable water treatment in Buena Park can cause severe side effects like liver failure, respiratory failure, or abnormal heart rhythm.

Why is chlorine dioxide used in Buena Park?

However, the capacity of such heat sinks can suffer due to the formation of biofilm inside. The biofilm allows the disproportionate growth of pathogens and impacts the functioning of such cooling systems to trap and eliminate excess heat. However, chlorine dioxide can be used effectively in removing biofilm from the cooling water systems in Buena Park and improve their functioning.

Is water a lifeline?

Water is the lifeline for all living beings on planet earth and is their source of sustenance. However, it is available only in a limited quantity for actual usage (only 0.3 percent) given that the brackish water in oceans comprising 96.54 percent is not fit for human consumption or usage. Even the limited quantity of water for living beings is not potable and is a repository of all kinds of pollutants (industrial, municipal, and chemical) and microorganisms. And unless the water is sanitized and freed of all germs, it cannot be consumed or put into use.

Is chlorine dioxide a disinfectant?

It’s cost-effective, less toxic, and significantly better than chlorine for use as a disinfectant, fungicide, sanitizer, and algaecide.

Why is chlorination important in water treatment?

In order to combat waterborne diseases, different disinfection methods are used to inactivate pathogens. Along with other water treatment processes such as coagulation, sedimentation, and filtration, chlorination creates water that is safe for public consumption.

Why do we Chlorinate our water?

A leading advantage of chlorination is that it has proven effective against bacteria and viruses; however, it cannot inactivate all microbes. Some protozoan cysts are resistant to the effects of chlorine.

Is Chlorine All the Same?

The chlorination process involves adding chlorine to water, but the chlorinating product does not necessarily have to be pure chlorine. Chlorination can also be carried out using chlorine-containing substances. Depending on the pH conditions required and the available storage options, different chlorine-containing substances can be used. The three most common types of chlorine used in water treatment are: chlorine gas, sodium hypochlorite, and calcium hypochlorite.

Is Chlorine a Sure Way of Eliminating Pathogens?

Chlorination has been proven to be very effective against bacteria and viruses. However, it cannot disinfect all waterborne pathogens. Certain pathogens, namely protozoan cysts, are resistant to the effects of chlorine. Cryptosporidium and Giardia, two examples of protozoan cysts, have caused great concern due to the serious illnesses they can cause. Cryptosporidium was the cause of the outbreak in North Battleford in 2001, and Milwaukee in April 1993. In raw water with high Giardia and Cryptosporidium levels, another method of disinfection should be considered. For more information on these protozoa, please read their self-titled fact sheets in the public information section.

Is Chlorinating Water ‘Fool-proof’?

There are a number of factors that affect the disinfection process. Of these, the concentration or dosage of chlorine and the chlorine contact time (the time that chlorine is allowed to react with any impurities in the water) are the most important factors.

What is the best way to disinfect water?

Chlorination is one of many methods that can be used to disinfect water. This method was first used over a century ago, and is still used today. It is a chemical disinfection method that uses various types of chlorine or chlorine-containing substances for the oxidation and disinfection of what will be the potable water source.

How much chlorine gas is needed for water treatment?

If the chlorine liquid is released from its container it will quickly return back to its gas state. Chlorine gas is the least expensive form of chlorine to use. The typical amount of chlorine gas required for water treatment is 1-16 mg/L of water. Different amounts of chlorine gas are used depending on the quality of water that needs to be treated. If the water quality is poor, a higher concentration of chlorine gas will be required to disinfect the water if the contact time cannot be increased.

Why is chlorine dioxide used in water treatment?

Bacteria elimination is the primary reason why organizations use chlorine dioxide to treat their water systems. Water purification is especially important in hospitals and germ-sensitive environments. Chlorine dioxide will cleanse many disease-causing particles and microorganisms from water.

What is Chlorine Dioxide?

Chlorine Dioxide is a highly reactive compound – made from chlorine and oxygen molecules – that acts as a sterilant and disinfectant. It is not only EPA-approved but also FDA & USDA-approved for use in food processing plants to control bacteria. It has powerful properties that eliminate pathogens, such as listeria, salmonella, legionella, and more.

What chemicals are used in chlorine dioxide generators?

The chemicals used typically involve sodium chlorite, hydrochloric acid, or sodium hypochlorite. Each type of chlorine dioxide generator will utilize the number of chemicals suitable for the appropriate efficiency and output.

Is Pureline chlorine dioxide?

PureLine has been in the chlorine dioxide industry for over 20 years. As such, our organization is well-versed in the treatment of water systems using chlorine dioxide, with a variety of effective solutions. Fill out the contact form below to get in contact with a PureLine chlorine dioxide expert, and learn how to improve the quality of your organization’s water for good!

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