Determination of Available Chlorine in Bleaching

Powder

Principle
Bleaching powder is commonly used as a disinfectant. The chlorine present in the bleaching
powder gets reduced with time. So, to find the exact quantity of bleaching powder required,
the amount of available chlorine in the sample must be found out.

Chlorine will liberate free iodine from potassium iodide solution when its pH is 8 or less. The
iodine liberated, which is equivalent to the amount of active chlorine, is titrated with standard
sodium thiosulphate solution using starch as indicator.

Bleaching powder

Bleaching powder is also referred to as T.C.L. powder (Terephthaloyl chloride). Beaching

powder is nothing but a compound of Lime and Chlorine.
In fresh Bleaching powder, normally chlorine content is 33 % or more. Bleaching powder is
unstable in nature and as the time passes the chlorine content reduces. To avoid loss of
chlorine, it is necessary to store Bleaching powder in dry condition and away from direct sun
light. If the Bleaching powder is in a bag, after use, the bag should be properly closed.

 Contact period of minimum half an hour is required for the chlorine to act on the
pathogens and kill them. Hence, it is necessary to do the chlorination, minimum one
hour before the supply hours.
 The quantity of Bleaching power required for disinfection depends on the quantity of
water in the GSR/ESR. It can be found out with the help of a formula.

Chlorination:

Quantity of Bleaching Powder required for disinfection as per above formula should be taken
in a plastic bucket and adding small quantity of water, a thick paste should be prepared. Then
the bucket should be filled up to 50% to 75% by water and the paste should be thoroughly
stirred with a wooden stick. This solution should be allowed to stand for some time and then
the supernatant should be poured in another bucket.
Then with the help of a rope, this bucket should be lowered in the GSR/ESR up to a depth of
0.3 to 0.5 m and let the chlorine solution get properly mixed in the water in the tank by
stirring.

Use of Bleaching Powder in excess of the required quantity

There is a possibility of the source getting polluted at the start of monsoon and during heavy
rains. This may result into epidemics. Hence it is very important to take utmost care in
disinfection during such periods. In such situations use of Bleaching Powder, in excess of
required quantity, is recommended. The extra dose of bleaching powder should be adjusted in
such a way that the residual chlorine is more than 1 ppm. 
1. The estimation of available chlorine in bleaching powder is done by -
Iodometric titration
2. Available chlorine in a good sample of bleaching powder - Amount of Chlorine obtained
when a bleaching powder is treated with an excess of dilute acid is called available
chlorine. In a good sample of bleaching powder available Chlorine is kept between 35-38
% (kept low). This is due to the following reasons:
Bleaching powder decomposes When Kept in the air, hence available Chlorine is kept low

Objectives of Chlorination

The primary objectives of the chlorination process are disinfection, taste and odour control
in the system, preventing the growth of algae and other microorganisms that might
interfere with coagulation and flocculation, keeping filter media free of slime growths and
mud balls and preventing possible built up of anaerobic bacteria in the filter media,
destroying hydrogen sulphide and controlling sulphurous taste and odour in the finished
water, removing iron and manganese, bleaching of organic colour. It can also be used for
flushing pipeline before it is brought into operation after carrying out repairs etc. However,
in such case chlorinator is adjusted to apply chlorine or hypochlorite solution at the rate of
50 p.p.m. Heavily chlorinated water should be allowed to stand in the pipeline for at least
30 min. and preferably for 12 hours before being replaced with potable water.
Example 2 — Using Bleach Powder

If using bleach powder [Footnote 3], calculate the amount of bleach to be mixed with each
litre of water by using the following formula:

[% chlorine desired ∕ % chlorine in bleach powder] × 1 000 = Grams of bleach powder for
each litre of water

Example: To make a 0.5% chlorine solution from calcium hypochlorite (bleach) powder
containing 35% active chlorine

[0.5% ∕ 35%] × 1 000 = 0.0143 × 1 000 = 14.3

Therefore, you must dissolve 14.3 grams of calcium hypochlorite (bleach) powder in each
litre of water used to make a 0.5% chlorine solution.