Calcium hypochlorite Different forms of calcium hypochlorite Calcium hypochlorite Ca(OC), for drinking water disinfection is mast com monly encountered as : chlorinated lime or bleaching powder ;high test hypochlorite (HTH) : orcaleium hypochlorite in tablet form, Chlorinated lime or bleaching powder isa white powder which isa mixture of calcium hydroxide, calcium chloride and calciom hypochlorite. Itis variable in «quality, that, in the amount of chiorine which it contains. Itypically contains 20035 percentavailable chlorine. High test hypochlorite (HTH) isalsoa white powder and contains greater concentration of chlorine than ordinary bleaching powder = typically 65 to 70 per cent, Ttisalso more stable. HTH is sold under a number of proprietary Tablets are made of calcium hypochlorite with added materials o prevent powdering to stop moisture being absorbed to readily and in some cases to assist dissolving. Tables are available in various sizes. Smal tablets are intended for individual use and contain measured amounts (fr instance riligrams) of chlorine suitable for disinfecting for example, one lite of water. Langer tablets are designed for use in dosing equipment and dissolve ata predictable rate, enabling addition of a measured dose toa water supply. They ‘may also be added to tanks fr batch disinfection of large volumes, especially inemergency situations ‘The mixture of chlorinated lime and quicklimeisknown as tropical bleach and issaid tobe more stable than other forms, Itcontains 25-30 per cent available chlorine All forms of calcium hypochlorite contain a proportion of inert material. This varies from 30-35 percent in the case of HTH, to.65-80 per cent inthe case of bleaching powder ‘Where transport or storage costs ar high, such costs may representa signifi- cant proportion of total costs, Calcium hypochlorite is generally unstable and all forms ose potency with time. Chlorine loss may be rapid andis accelerated by light, warmth, humidity and ventilation. HTH is more table than bleaching powder, although all forms must be properly stored.Fact Sheet 2.19 Uses of calcium hypochlorite Calcium hypochlorite may be dose asa solution intoa flow of water ata constant rate (see Fact Sheet 222). Itcan be used for disinfecting installations (ee Pact Sheets 2.25 to 2.28). Itis also used for disinfection of water in batches, typically in disaster situations and for disinfection of waterin the home (ee Fact Sheet 2.34) Storage and handling Chemicals should be stored in accordance with manufacturers” instructions and local safety regulations. Tisisto ensue both the safety ofthe operator and thatthe chemical does not deteriorate. Bleaching powder and HTH are both commonly supplied in sealed plastic bags orin drums orsometimes jars. Individually sealed plastic bags containing a suitable volume for immediate use (for example 1, 2or 5 kg) are preferable. Calcium hypochlorite will however, deteriorate even in such bags, and should be stored property All forms of calcium hypochlorite should be stored ina cool, dark, dry place in closed, corosion-resstant containers for instance wood, plastic, ceramic, dark lass orcement), Inhot climates, containers may burst if not stored correctly. ‘When stored ina container opened daily for 10 minutes, calcium hypochlorite loses about 5 per cent of ts iitial available chlorine in 40 days. If left open for 40days, about 18 percent lossis suffered, Aswith other disinfecting chemicals, stocks should be dated and controlled, and used in rotation to minimize the effects of deterioration. Calcium hypochlorite which has been stored badly or which may have deterio- sated with time may be tested to determine its available chlorine content as described below. Making chlorine solutions ‘For many disinfection purposes itis necessary to dissolve calcium hypochlorite in water, and the clear chlorine solution produced is used asthe disinfectant. All forms of calcium hypochlorite contain some inert material whichis insoluble, ‘This must be separated otherwise it may cause clogging and blockages. In general, therefore, the powders mixed with water in one tank, Jeftto settle and the clear supernatant decanted off intoa storage tank. The preparation of calcium hypochlorite solution is shown in Figure 1Fact Sheet 2.19 Fill Top Cylinder with Water: Add Powder Open Tap Mix Liquid drains into bottom tank Solids remain in top tank Figure 1. Preparing calcium hypochlorite solution ‘The concentration of chlorine n solutions, once they are prepared, should not exceed S percent. Ifitdoes, then considerable chlorine may be latin the sediment. The weight of powder to be added ta tank to prepare chlorine solution ofa given strength can be easily calculated, as shown in BOX 1 Box L. Calculation of powder weight needed fo make up a chlorine solution ina tank Weight of powder required, W =1000 “) s £C (in grams) volume of tank in litres ; concentration of solution required in per cent (percentage by ‘weight available chlorine) ; s strength of powder in per cent weight chlorine. where : ic ‘Example: A solution of concentration 0.5% (5 grams available chlorine per | litre water) sto be prepared, using ‘tank of 80 lites volume anda powder with astrength of 20% weight chlorine. ‘Weight of powder required, W = 1000 “80 “0.5: therefore, W-= 2000 grams 20 s A volume, y, of this solution of concentration (0.5.% (500 mg/l) can be diluted into a new volume of water V, to give new solution of concentration C,:C, = v“C ; vy, Example: 2 ml of the 0.5% solution is added to I litre of water. The concentration of the newsolution will be : 2 ml “0.5 = 0.001% = 10 mg/l 1000 ml 129Fact Sheet 2.19 CCilorine solutions are less stable than calcium hypochlorite in powder form. They can be stored for several weeks but may deteriorate rapidly. The same general precautions used for storing powders shouldbe applied. Its especially ‘portant thatthe solution is protected from light in a closed container. Preparinga chlorine solution from powder for disinfection of water in the home is described in Fact Sheet 2.34 Safety Chlorine is ahazardous substance. In solution tis highly corosive and splashes can cause burns and damage the eyes ‘When handling concentrated chlorine solutions, appropriate precautions should be taken. Ideally, sloves and protective eye glasses should be worn. In the ceventof splashes and especially splashes tothe eyes, itisimportantimmedi- ately torinse thoroughly with water. ‘When a disinfecting agent has tbe transported under difficult conditions (for instance on foot, then solid forms (rather than hypochlorite solutions or pare chlorine in ylinders) are advantageous because they are less hazardous to handle. Although solid forms are generally less hazardous to handle, itis good practice to wash hands after handling, All contanersin which chlorine is stored shouldbe labelled, identifying the contents, and with a hazard warning in a form which isreadily understood locally. ‘Storage sites for chlorine in any form shouldbe secure against unauthorized access and especialy against children Available chlorine 130 ‘The potency ofthe various forms of presentation of calcium hypochlorite is expressed as available chlorine, Available chlorine is expressed asa percent- age. For instance, a bleaching powder may have 25 per cent available ciilorine, that is, 25 partsby weight of chlorine per 100 partsby weight of bleaching powder. Itisimportantto beable to assess the potency of calcium hypochlorite pow- ders. Thisis especially useful for comparing potential sources of supply. and in assessing the deterioration of powders in storage. Available chlorine can be estimated simply if basi laboratory equipment i available (see Box 2)Fact Sheet 2.19 Box 2. Assessing calcium hypochlorite solutions _Atepresentative sample ofthe powder is taken (or several samples), mixed thoroughly anda small amount (say 1 gram) i accurately weighed. hiss dissolved in distilled water to produce a solution of less than 5 percent available chlorine (for example 1 gram of bleaching powder of about 25 percent available chlorine dissolved in { Tite of water, will give asolution of about 0.25 percent chlorine). Tis is then diluted in distilled water to within the range of chlorine measurement (depending on the equipment and method used) and the concentration of chlorine accurately determined. ‘The percentage of available chlorine in the original powder may then be calculated. TT