However, ClO2 (Chlorine dioxide) has emerged as a popular alternative in recent years due to its unique and superior properties.
Chlorine dioxide is a powerful and efficient oxidising agent that can effectively eliminate waterborne pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, and parasites, without producing harmful by-products such as trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acids (HAAs).
Our team has conducted extensive research and compiled a list of some of the significant benefits of ClO2, which make it a better option for water treatment needs.
Chlorine Dioxide has a higher oxidation capacity, and a lower oxidation strength than most species of chlorine, making it at least 2.6 times more powerful per ppm according to WHO CT values.
No carcinogenic by-products & no bad taste occurrences in water
Chlorine Dioxide acts only by oxidation and does not combine with organic compounds to form environmentally hazardous by-products such as Trihalomethane and other chlorinated organic compounds that have been listed as potentially carcinogenic.
Less corrosive
Chlorine Dioxide has a lower oxidation potential and does not hydrolyse to form an acid, and therefore is less corrosive.
Works over a wide pH
The effectiveness of chlorine is very pH dependent, and is almost ineffective above pH8. Chlorine Dioxide is effective at all pH’s below 12.
Overall, ClO2 offers a safer and more effective solution for water treatment needs and is an excellent choice for those who prioritise safety and efficiency.
The effectiveness of chlorine is very pH dependent, and is almost ineffective above pH8. Chlorine Dioxide
Chlorine Dioxide
Chlorine dioxide is a chemical compound with the formula ClO2 that exists as yellowish-green gas above 11 °C, a reddish-brown liquid between 11 °C and −59 °C, and as bright orange crystals below −59 °C. It is usually handled as an aqueous solution.
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Chlorine_dioxide
is effective at all pH's below 12. Overall, ClO2 offers a safer and more effective solution for water treatment needs and is an excellent choice for those who prioritise safety and efficiency.
ClO2 also improves taste and odor, destroys sulfides, cyanides, and phenols, controls algae, and neutralizes iron and manganese ions. It is an effective biocide at concentrations as low as 0.1 ppm (parts per million) and over a wide pH range. It is ten times more soluble in water than chlorine, even in cold water.
Therefore, chlorine loses its effectiveness with increasing pH levels (alkaline conditions). Chlorine dioxide does not react with water and remains a true gas in solution at different levels of pH. This means it is as effective at a lower to neutral pH as it is in an alkaline pH.
Chlorine dioxide is fast replacing aqueous Cl2, particularly in pulp and paper manufacture, because the reaction of ClO2 with organic materials does not appear to form carcinogenic trihalomethanes (THMs) as side-products and because ClO2 is 10 times more effective as a disinfectant under high chlorine demand.
Besides killing dangerous germs like bacteria, viruses and parasites, chlorine helps reduce disagreeable tastes and odors in water. Chlorine also helps eliminate slime bacteria, molds and algae that commonly grow in water supply reservoirs, on the walls of water mains and in storage tanks.
While chlorine dioxide is safely used to disinfect drinking water, it is used in extremely small amounts. The doses used in supplements can cause serious side effects, including severe vomiting, liver failure, and death.
The EPA has set the maximum concentration in the drinking water at 0.8 milligrams per liter (mg/L) for chlorine dioxide and 1.0 mg/L for chlorite ion. The concentrations of chlorine dioxide and chlorite ion in your drinking water, however, may be lower or higher than these levels.
Chlorine dioxide is used for bleaching of wood pulp and for the disinfection (called chlorination) of municipal drinking water, treatment of water in oil and gas applications, disinfection in the food industry, microbiological control in cooling towers, and textile bleaching.
* Breathing Chlorine Dioxide can irritate the lungs causing coughing and/or shortness of breath. Higher exposures can cause a build-up of fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema), a medical emergency, with severe shortness of breath.
The chemistries of the two compounds are completely different. Chlorine and chlorine dioxide are both oxidising agents (electron receivers). However, chlorine has the capacity to take in two electrons, whereas chlorine dioxide can absorb five.
However, chlorine dioxide does not last long in air, water, or soil environments - up to minutes in air and up to hours in water or soil. Due to its reactivity, chlorine dioxide photolyzes rapidly in the atmosphere.
ClO2 gas is highly soluble in water and does not hydrolyze into ions. This enables it to maintain its oxidative and biocidal properties over a broad pH range—from 4 to 10.
Research shows that chloramine and chlorine both have benefits and drawbacks. Chlorine is a highly effective method of disinfection. However, while in the pipes it produces small amounts of chemicals (called “disinfection by-products”) if the source water has higher levels of dirt or germs that may react with chlorine.
Breathing high levels of chlorine causes fluid build-up in the lungs, a condition known as pulmonary edema. The development of pulmonary edema may be delayed for several hours after exposure to chlorine. Contact with compressed liquid chlorine may cause frostbite of the skin and eyes.
The use of chlorine dioxide instead of chlorine prevents the formation of harmful halogenated disinfection byproducts, for example trihalomethanes and halogenated acidic acids.
Higher exposures can cause a build-up of fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema), a medical emergency, with severe shortness of breath. * Chlorine Dioxide is a HIGHLY FLAMMABLE and REACTIVE gas and a DANGEROUS FIRE and EXPLOSION HAZARD.
Because of its high reactivity, chlorine dioxide will breakdown rapidly in natural waters (that is, waters that contain moderate amounts of organic matter). Nevertheless, this substance is considered hazardous to the environment with special attention required for water organisms.
Introduction: My name is Annamae Dooley, I am a witty, quaint, lovely, clever, rich, sparkling, powerful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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