Copyright. Prozone Pool Products. phone: 256-539-4570 fax: 256-539-4225 Alternative Sanitizers Available for download at

Copyright. Prozone Pool Products. phone: 256-539-4570 fax: 256-539-4225 www.prozoneint.com

Alternative Sanitizers

Available for download at www.prozoneint.com

www.prozoneint.comphone: 256-539-4570fax: 256-539-4225

Water Treatment Requirements


Pool Water Treatment Pool Water Treatment RequirementsRequirements

Sources of Pollution

Bather Loading

•Sweat, Urine, Mucus

•Skin

•Fecal Matter

•Cosmetics

•Dirt

•All are pollutants by themselves and most contain microorganisms

Dirt (Other Sources)

•Dust

•Leaves, Grass, Soil



Sources of Pollution

Bather Loading

•Sweat, Urine, Mucus

•Skin

•Fecal Matter

•Cosmetics

•Dirt

•All are pollutants by themselves and most contain microorganisms

Dirt (Other Sources)

•Dust

•Leaves, Grass, Soil





What are the Characteristics of a Good Treatment for Pool Water?

•Kills Organisms Quickly

•Stable in Water

•Produces no Harmful or Irritating Byproducts

•Stand Alone Treatment

•Kills Algae

•Removes Urea/Ammonia (Equivalent to Breakpoint Chlorination)

•Helps Reduce Bather Load

•Safe to Handle or Use

•Low Sensitivity to pH

•Low Sensitivity to Alkalinity

•Limited Effect on TDS

•Limited Effect on Pool Equipment and Structure



•Disinfection only deals with a small portion of the water treatment problem

•Alternative sanitizers are generally looked at as replacements for chlorine

•Selection of an alternative sanitizer should be based on its performing as many of the functions chlorine performs while eliminating its undesirable characteristics

•Chlorines functions in water treatment can broadly be categorized as:

Oxidation

Disinfection

Kills Algae

•Disinfection consumes very small quantities of chlorine, up to 90 percent is consumed in oxidation reactions

•Any chlorine substitute must have a means to oxidize water


Why is Oxidation Why is Oxidation Important?Important?Oxidation removes bather loading

Chlorine is neutralized by bather loading causing the formation of combined chlorines and chloramines (combined chlorines and chloramines cause odors, irritation, and other undesirable effects of chlorine, particularly when chlorine use is not managed properly)

•Bather loading can prevent sanitizers from attacking microorganisms by providing a protective coating

•Bather loading provides the nutrients required by microorganisms to reproduce and grow

•Destruction of volatile chemicals



Chlorine Base Line

Oxidation Strength High

Disinfection Strength High

Kill Time Fast

Stability Varies

Organism Resistance Yes

Major Byproducts Chloramines, Combined Chlorines

Staining Potential No

Solubility High

Stand Alone Yes

pH Dependent Yes

Chlorine Shock Equivalent Yes

Algicidal Properties High


Chlorine Generators


Chlorine GeneratorsChlorine Generators

Sanitation*Oxidation

Technology

Salt (NaCl) is added to the pool at concentrations varying from 2,500 ppm to 5,000 ppm. An electrolytic cell is added to the return and when the salt water passes through it the usable form of chlorine is generated.

Salt Water (Contains Chlorine Ions) + Electrical Energy →Useable Chlorine




Chlorine Generator System Components

•Chlorine Generating Cell

Titanium or Titanium with Coating (Noble Metals)One or Two Sided Cells Available

•Self-Cleaning Feature (Hard Water will Clog Cell)

•Power Supply

•Self-Cleaning Feature (Hard Water will Clog Cell)

•Displays and Controls (Various Options Available)




What are the Advantages of Chlorine Generation?

•Chlorine is generated on-site

•Provides all the treatment benefits of chlorine

•Eliminates handling of chemicals




Operational Considerations

•Corrosion can occur when excessive salt concentrations are used

•Salt water can damage some pool surfaces

•Combined chlorines and chloramines still a potential issue

•Dissimilar metals in immediate proximity to each other with different electrical potentials can pose a problem with high levels of salt

•Corrosion is commonly caused by low pH, low total alkalinity, and soft water


Ozone Generators


Ozone GeneratorsOzone Generators


Technology

Ozone is the most powerful disinfectant readily available. Because it isa gas, it must be generated on-site with either specialized vacuum ultravioletlamps or an electrical arc (corona discharge). While typically classed as a sanitizer, ozone’s biggest benefit comes from its oxidation power.

Oxygen + Energy (Light, Electrical) = Oxygen plus OzoneOzone is oxygen with an extra molecule of oxygen loosely attached




Generation with Vacuum Ultraviolet Lamps

Air is passed over lamps which generate ultraviolet light at 185 nm. Some of the oxygen molecules are split into two oxygen atoms which combine with other oxygen molecules to form ozone.

O2 + VUV Light → O- +O-

O2 + O-→O3

The ultraviolet lamps used to generate ozone are not the same as those used to generate ozone.

Outputs up to 1 lb-ozone per day




Vacuum Ultraviolet System Components

•Ozone Producing Lamp(s)

•Ballast

Electronic-Provide best performance and lowest energy consumptionMagnetic

•Housing

•Compressor or Air Pump (Used for Specific Installations and Circumstances)

•Installation Kit


Ozone Generators

Equipment TypesVenturi Driven

•Relies on pressure differential created by the venturi to inject ozone into water

•Typically specified for use in spas and residential pools

Compressor Driven

•Pressurizable lamp cartridges connected to diaphragm type air compressors

•Specified for use in commercial spas and residential and commercial pools (up to 1.2 million gallons)



Ozone Generators

Ozone Generat

orExtended Contact

Distance

Pool



Ozone Generation with Small Corona Discharge Devices

Corona discharge devices can be divided into two categories: Type I and Type II:

Type I Generators use equipment to pre-treat the feed air in order to remove nitrogen (10 percent or less) and moisture (Relative Humidity of -78 deg F or better). Water or air is used to cool the ozone cell in order to keep it below 100 deg F. They generate high concentrations of ozone and are generally found only in commercial applications due to their cost.

Type II Generators are stripped down corona discharge devices. They consist of a corona discharge cell or plate and have no provisions in place to control the environmental factors which affect corona discharge ozone production. Examples of this type of ozone generator are small CD aquarium units, small CD spa units, and small CD air purifiers.

Ozone Generation with Corona Discharge




Generation with Corona Discharge Equipment

Air which is dried, or air which is dried and passed through a device which concentrates oxygen from the air is run through a high voltage arc (5,000 volts and up). The electrons in the field split some of the oxygen and the individual oxygen atoms recombine with normal oxygen to produce ozone. Concentrations are typically in the one (1) to ten (10) percent range.

O2 + High Energy Electrons → O- +O-

O2 + O-→O3

Outputs available up to thousands of pounds per day




Corona Discharge Components

•Ozone Generating Cell (Air Cooled or Water Cooled)

•High Voltage Power Supply

•Oxygen Concentrator or Regenerative Air Dryer

•Compressor

•Options

ControlsOzone MonitorsContact Tanks



Ozone GeneratorsOzone GeneratorsVacuum Ultraviolet

• Lower Cost

• Easy Operation

• High Reliability

• Rugged

• Lower ozone concentration

• Operation in almost any environment

Type I Corona Discharge

• High Ozone Outputs available

• High Ozone Concentrations available

• Higher Cost

• More Complex

• Excellent Performance when Properly Applied

• Required for Some Applications



Ozone Generation with Small Corona Discharge Devices

Ozone is generated by passing air through a high voltage arc. The arc splits oxygen molecules in their normal state (O2) to form two atoms of oxygen (O-). Nitrogen (N2) is also split into its constituent atoms (N2-).

O2 + Electron Energy → O- + O-

O- + O2 → O3

N2+ Electron Energy→N2-+N2-

N2-+O-→NOx

These reactions will occur anytime nitrogen is present with oxygen when ozone is created using the corona discharge process. When a home type corona discharge ozone generator is used, the quantity of nitrogen oxides produced may equal or even exceed the quantity of ozone produced. Nitrogen oxides convert to harmful compounds in the presenceof moisture including nitric acid which is extremely corrosive.




Ozone Generation with Corona DischargeDrawbacks of Type II Generators

Corona discharge devices operate best when the air is dried. When it is not dry, ozone output decreases and the production of nitrogen compounds increases. The chart below shows how ozone production decreases as moisture content in the air increases (as shown by the dew point temperature increase) and the formation of nitrogen compounds increase. The chart cuts off at a dew point of -10 deg C (14 deg F), which is still drier than the air which will be found in almost any spa or jetted tub installation in the US.

Decreasing OzoneProduction

Formation of Nitrogen Compounds

Increasing


Temperature Considerations with of Type II Generators

•The temperature of the ozone generating cell is controlled in Type I Generators. In Type II Generators, there is no mechanism to control the cell or plate temperature. Type II cell/plate temperatures easily reach150 deg F (100 deg F is the standard limit). This is undesirable since the destruction of ozone accelerates as temperature increases, reducing outputs to negligible levels while the production of nitrogen compounds continues.

•The lack of temperature and humidity control results in Type II generators having erratic output, poor performance, and the production of toxic nitrogen compounds.




Summary of Ozone Generation

Performance Parameter UV Ozone Systems Type II CD

Steady Output

Produces Harmful Byproducts

Produces Nitric Acid

Impact of Increasing Humidity

Impact of Increasing Temp

High Voltage

Power Consumption

Open Arc

Yes

No

No

None

None

No

Low

No

No

Yes

Yes

Output Decreases

Output Decreases

Yes

Low

Yes

NOTE: Prozone utilizes Type I Corona Discharge technology in its commercial grade equipment.





What does it do?

Oxidation •Ozone reacts with bather loading and combined halogens•Reduces contaminants to inert compounds or carbon dioxide and water•Oxidizes Combined Halogens

Precipitation•Ozone removes metals (iron, manganese, zinc, copper, etc.)•Oxidized organics also precipitate•Filtration and clarification are enhanced by precipitation

Sanitation/Disinfection•Ozone is the most powerful disinfectant available•Rapidly kills bacteria and viruses


What does it do?

•Destroys bacteria, viruses, and organisms

•Eliminates skin and eye irritations and hair damage

•Substantially reduces maintenance, time and cost

•Eliminates chlorine odor

•Reduces the need for chlorine

Ozone Generators



Ozone Generators



Vacuum Ultraviolet Units

•Lamp Life – Units are typically good for 15-20,000 hrs

•Ruggedness – Better units will not break easily

•Units will work on pools up to 1.5 million gallons

•Units are designed to oxidize water primarily, with disinfection as a secondary function

•Chlorine usage typically decreased anywhere from 40-60 percent

•Systems are easy to install, use and maintain


Ozone Generators



Corona Discharge Units

•Pool type systems provide excellent performance

•Systems should be run with an oxygen concentrator or regenerative air dryer

•Best for commercial type installations

•Increased complexity

•Easy to install, more difficult to maintain

Characteristics of OzoneCharacteristics of Ozone

Chlorine Ozone

Oxidation Strength High High

Disinfection Strength High High

Kill Time Fast Fast

Stability Varies Generate

On-Site

Organism Resistance Yes No

Major Byproducts Chloramines, No

Combined Chlorines

Staining Potential No No

Solubility High High

Stand Alone Yes No

pH Dependent Yes No

Chlorine Shock Equivalent Yes Yes

Algicidal Properties High Medium



Ionizers


IonizersIonizers


Technology

Copper and silver (or zinc) ions are introduced into the water by erosion feedersOr electrically with an anode/cathode system. Units can be installed in-line or in a bypass configuration with erosion types typically being installed in-linedirectly after the filter. Ionization systems provide sanitation (including action as an algaecide only).


IonizersIonizers


Components

Erosion Type:

•Housing with media•Flow control

Anode/Cathode Type:

•Power Source•Electrode Chamber-Anode/Cathode, typically plated with same mixture of copper/silver. Silver is usually one to ten percent of the plating with coppercomprising the balance•Control-Typically an adjustable rheostat


IonizersIonizers


What does it do?

•Systems introduce silver and copper ions into the water

Ions are atoms with a positive or negative chargePositively charged ions are typically metalsNegatively charged ions are typically non-metals (ie chlorine)

•Silver acts as a disinfectant and is typically dosed at 50-100ppb

•Copper acts as an algaecide and is typically dosed at .2 - .5 ppm

•Copper and silver essentially poison cells by disrupting their metabolism

•Neither copper or silver act as an oxidant


IonizersIonizers


What are the Advantages of an Ionizer?

•Copper is an effective algaecide

•Copper is very effective at killing mustard and green algae at levels of .5-1 ppm

•Systems are easy to install


IonizersIonizers



•Ionizers do not oxidize the water

•Chlorine residual and shocking still required (silver and zinc are slow acting relatively weak sanitizers)

•Ionizers using silver are incompatible with pools using bromide or biguanides

•Copper can cause staining

Copper concentration approaches 1ppmHigh pHChlorine or others strong oxidizers present in main body of pool

•Testing limited to copper only (colorimetric type test)

Characteristics of IonizersCharacteristics of Ionizers

Chlorine Ionizers

Oxidation Strength High None

Disinfection Strength High Low

Kill Time Fast Slow

Stability Varies1 Stable

Organism Resistance Yes3 Yes

Major Byproducts Chloramines, Copper Sulfate,

Combined Chlorines Silver Carbonate

Staining Potential No Yes

Solubility High Low

Stand Alone Yes No

pH Dependent Yes No

Chlorine Shock Equivalent Yes No

Algicidal Properties High High



Ultraviolet Systems


Ultraviolet Radiation


Technology

Water is exposed to high intensity ultraviolet (UV) radiation in specializedchambers. The light is generated with specialized lamps that emit light in the range between 245 nm and 285 nm, the optimal kill range formicroorganisms. Typically, the lamps will be classified as low or mediumpressure. Units are also available that emit light in a high intensity pulsedmanner.




Components

•Specialized UV lamp (s)

•Ballast

Reactive (Magnetic)ElectronicElectronic ballast offer better life, produce less heat, and use less energy

•Reactor Vessel

•Additional Features

UV SensorsAlarmsAutomatic and Manual Cleaning Cycles




What does it do?

•Ultraviolet (UV) irradiation of water is a sanitizing process

•Effectiveness is determined by UV dosage (D):

Intensity of Light (I)Exposure Time (t)D=I*t

•UV light damages the RNA and DNA within a microorganism

•Damaging the DNA/RNA inhibits cellular reproduction and sterilizes the organism




What are the Advantages of UV Radiation?

•Efficient at inactivating vegetative and sporous forms of bacteria viruses and other microorganisms which pose a hazard in pools

Fairly low dosages requiredCryptosporidium requires much higher dosages

•Effectiveness is not limited by pH, temperature, or alkalinity

•Does not produce and harmful byproducts

•Fairly easy installation





•UV does not provide any residual sanitation

•Effectiveness of system can be inhibited by:

Development of films on the lamps (Quartz fouling)Dissolved organics (bather load)Clumping of microorganismsLack of or a poor cleaning mechanismSuspended solidsPoor water clarityPoor reactor design

•Chlorine reduction is low and the devices do not reduce the irritating aspects of chlorination





•Shocking and chlorine residual required

•Lamp output may degrade over the life of the unit

•Cleaning process may be fairly involved

•Difficult to monitor intensity of UV radiation reliably





UV has two special considerations which can potentially impact performance:

•Dark Repair Mechanism – Organisms repair the the damage from UV and become viable

•Photoreactivation -Some organisms (coliform indicators, Shigella) can repair the damage from UV radiation and become viable again (viruses and many bacteria cannot) after re-exposure to sunlight

Extent that these mechanisms are an issue is still an open question

Characteristics of Ultraviolet Characteristics of Ultraviolet RadiationRadiation

Chlorine UV


Disinfection Strength High Moderate-High

Kill Time Fast Moderate-Fast

Stability Varies Generate

On-Site

Organism Resistance Yes Yes

Major Byproducts Chloramines, No

Combined Chlorines

Staining Potential No No

Solubility High N/A

Stand Alone Yes No

pH Dependent Yes No





Biguanides


BiguanidesBiguanides


Technology

Biguanide is a polymeric liquid based disinfectant that is normally combined with an algaecide, oxidizer, and shock compounds. Theliquid mixture is typically, there is a weekly routine and monthly routineto follow.




What does it do?

•Kills microorganisms

•Kills algae (with an algicidal additive)

•Oxidizes bather load (when an oxidizer is added)




What are the Advantages of Biguanides?

•Easy to use

•Stable in water

•Relatively good performance


Biguanides



•Requires multiple chemicals to actually treat the pool

•System does not provide the equivalent of a chlorine shock

•The most common oxidizer provided, hydrogen peroxide, ishazardous to handle

•Can cause foaming and scum rings

Characteristics of BiguanidesCharacteristics of Biguanides

Chlorine Biguanides


Disinfection Strength High Moderate

Kill Time Fast Moderate

Stability Varies Stable

Organism Resistance Yes Yes

Major Byproducts Chloramines, None

Combined Chlorines

Staining Potential No Yes

Solubility High High

Stand Alone Yes No

pH Dependent Yes Yes





Summary of Properties


Chlorine Ozone UV Ionizers Biguanides

Oxidation Strength High High None None None

Disinfection Strength High High Moderate-High Low Moderate

Kill Time Fast Fast Moderate-Fast Slow Moderate

Stability Varies1 Generate Generate Stable2 Stable

On-Site On-Site

Organism Resistance Yes3 No Yes Yes Yes

Major Byproducts Chloramines, No No Copper Sulfate4, None

Combined Chlorines Silver Carbonate

Staining Potential No No No Yes5 Yes

Solubility High High N/A Low High

Stand Alone Yes No No No No

pH Dependent Yes No No No6 Yes

Chlorine Shock Equivalent Yes Yes No No7 No7

Algicidal Properties High Medium Medium High Moderate

Notes:

• Stability varies depending on the type of chlorine used. In general, calcium hypochlorite is the least stable form of chlorine (except chlorine dioxide) followed by sodium hypochlorite and the stabilized chlorines

• Silver may precipitate with recommended levels of carbonate. Copper ions tend to precipitate and the presence of chlorine can precipitate copper oxides.

• Ozone ruptures cell wall. Other treatments interrupt cellular metabolism which allows resistance to develop.

• Copper sulfate can cause sever staining.

• Copper may cause bluing of pool surface when copper ion precipitates or black staining when strong oxidzers are present.

• Staining potential increases in alkaline conditions

• Hydrogen peroxide is normally used as an oxidizer. Hydrogen peroxide does nor provide equivalent of breakpoint chlorination.


Combining Systems

Selection Criteria for Combining Selection Criteria for Combining SystemsSystems

•Systems should provide Oxidation and Disinfection Capabilities

Remember, disinfection is relatively easy

The majority of work is done with oxidation

•Combined systems should compliment each other

Doubling-up on a function is generally not necessary

If you have a disinfectant, an oxidizer should be used as a compliment and vice versa

•Provides residual disinfection

•Reduces or eliminates negative characteristics of chlorine

•Reduces Cost

•Improves Pool Water Quality

Typical CombinationsTypical Combinations

Systems Notes

Ozone-Chlorine Reduces chlorine consumption, greatly improves water quality

Ozone-Salt Chlorine Same as above, allows reduced salt concentrations

Ionizer-Chlorine Better control of algae

UV-Chlorine Small reduction in chlorine consumption

Biguanide-Oxidizer No chlorine, does not provide equivalent of breakpoint chlorination for removal of ammonia

Documents

Copyright. Prozone Pool Products. phone: 256-539-4570 fax: 256-539-4225 Alternative Sanitizers Available for download at