In the realm of environmental and water treatment, chlorine stands as a crucial weapon against harmful microorganisms. However, not all chlorine sources are created equal. This is where the concept of available chlorine comes into play, a critical measure that determines the effectiveness of chlorine-based disinfectants.
What is Available Chlorine?
Available chlorine represents the amount of active chlorine present in a substance, expressed as a percentage. It reflects the chlorine's potential to oxidize and disinfect compared to pure chlorine gas or liquid chlorine.
Think of it as a measure of how much "punch" a chlorine source has. The higher the available chlorine, the stronger the disinfecting power.
Why is Available Chlorine Important?
Common Chlorine Sources and Their Available Chlorine:
Applications of Available Chlorine:
Understanding Available Chlorine: Key Points to Remember:
By understanding the concept of available chlorine, water treatment professionals and other users of chlorine-based disinfectants can make informed decisions to ensure effective sanitation and disinfection practices. This knowledge contributes to a healthier environment and safer water for all.
Instructions: Choose the best answer for each question.
1. What does "available chlorine" represent?
a) The total amount of chlorine in a substance. b) The amount of active chlorine that can oxidize and disinfect. c) The concentration of chlorine in a solution. d) The weight of chlorine in a substance.
b) The amount of active chlorine that can oxidize and disinfect.
2. Why is available chlorine important in water treatment?
a) It helps determine the pH of the water. b) It allows for accurate dosing of chlorine-based disinfectants. c) It measures the turbidity of the water. d) It helps remove heavy metals from water.
b) It allows for accurate dosing of chlorine-based disinfectants.
3. Which of the following chlorine sources has the highest available chlorine content?
a) Sodium hypochlorite (bleach) b) Calcium hypochlorite (bleach) c) Chlorine gas d) Chlorine dioxide
c) Chlorine gas
4. What is the typical available chlorine content of calcium hypochlorite (bleach)?
a) 10% b) 15% c) 65% d) 100%
c) 65%
5. How does the available chlorine content affect disinfection effectiveness?
a) Higher available chlorine means slower disinfection. b) Higher available chlorine means weaker disinfection. c) Higher available chlorine means faster and more potent disinfection. d) Available chlorine has no effect on disinfection effectiveness.
c) Higher available chlorine means faster and more potent disinfection.
Scenario: You need to disinfect a swimming pool with a volume of 50,000 gallons. The desired chlorine concentration is 1 ppm (part per million). You have access to calcium hypochlorite (bleach) with an available chlorine content of 65%.
Task:
1. Calculation: * **Desired chlorine concentration:** 1 ppm * **Pool volume:** 50,000 gallons * **Available chlorine in calcium hypochlorite:** 65% * **Step 1:** Calculate the total chlorine needed: 1 ppm * 50,000 gallons = 50,000 ppm-gallons * **Step 2:** Convert ppm-gallons to pounds of chlorine: 50,000 ppm-gallons * 8.34 lbs/1,000,000 ppm-gallons = 0.417 lbs of chlorine * **Step 3:** Calculate the amount of calcium hypochlorite needed: 0.417 lbs of chlorine / 0.65 (available chlorine) = 0.64 lbs of calcium hypochlorite 2. Explanation: We first calculated the total amount of chlorine needed for the desired concentration in the pool. Then, we converted this value into pounds of chlorine. Finally, we divided the required amount of chlorine by the available chlorine content in calcium hypochlorite to determine the necessary weight of the bleach.
Comments