Chlorine and Chloramine Destruction
Free Chlorine and Chloramine is widely used for decades as a primary method of controlling microbiological growth within our domestic drinking water supply and within industry. Many processes cannot tolerate chlorine as it can cause unwanted contamination and or chemical reactions. Examples of this include corrosion of piping, damage to sensitive process equipment such as Reverse Osmosis (RO) and Deionization (DI) resin units. Chlorine and chloramine are known to produce trihalomethane (THM) compounds when in contact with organic materials. THMs have been shown to be cancer causing in laboratory animals. Many countries have categorized Chloramines as toxic or have completely banned the use of this compound in drinking water supplies. The countries include Canada, Germany, France and many other EU countries. In aquatic application, chloramines are a byproduct of chlorine disinfection which cause unwanted odor, corrosion and chemical irritation associated with indoor aquatic facilities.
Advantages of Ultraviolet Chlorine / Chloramine Destruction:
- Maximize RO performance: Incorporating a UV system upstream of the RO system can eliminate or greatly reduce required neutralizing chemicals or GAC filters which thin film composite membranes require for greater efficiency.
- Obtain high levels of UV disinfection: Eliminate risk of introducing micro-organisms (via GAC or injection of neutralizing chemicals)
- Eliminate safety hazard associated with mixing metabisulphite and sodium bisulphate: Utilizing UV will significantly reduce or eliminate bacteria load and biofouling of membranes. This will significantly reduce or eliminate use of the chemical which is required to be documented for use, handling and storage.
- Overall improved water quality: In recirculation applications such as swimming pools or splash parks, UV chloramine destruction will eliminate the odor, corrosion and chemical irritation associated with indoor aquatic facilities. UV also will inactivate chlorine and chloramine resistant microorganisms such as Crypto and Giardia.