Chlorine Checkups

emy445
Jun 28, 2017
3 min read

Today, Bruce and I visited three different communities, Lupaxi Chico, Lupaxi Grande, and Castug, to check in on their chlorine dosing processes, and to answer any followup questions they might have from the past disinfection workshop. I enjoy being out in the communities, talking with the locals, and maybe even hiking the impossible mountains. However today was different. It was more than a public relations visit, it was problem solving. For those of you who do not know, my passion is to use my skills and talents that God has blessed me with, to go and bless others with. That is exactly what happened today. Communities were not dosing properly, or measuring the free chlorine incorrectly; they had questions and problems and Bruce and I were there to use our knowledge to help others. What an amazing experience!

WARNING: CHEMISTRY BELOW!

Lupaxi Chico:

NATURAL

Cloro Libre: 0.06 ppm, 0.07 ppm, 0.07 ppm

Cloro Total: 0.08 ppm. 0.09 ppm. 0.08 ppm

OF SOLUTION

Cloro Libre: +++

Cloro Total: +++

*Solution turned black…what else is oxidizing with the Chlorine?

DILUTION 10^-3 OF SOLUTION

Cloro Libre: 0.26 ppm, 0.28 ppm, 0.30 ppm, 0.28 ppm

Cloro Total: 0.49 ppm, 0.49 ppm, 0.49 ppm

= 0.028%

Bruce measured the volume of the tank solution: approx. 15.4 L

Doing math, in order for the solution to be 1%, ADD 240 grams of granular chlorine

SHOULD = 1%

VERIFY ADDITION

Cloro Libre: 0.49 ppm, 0.51 ppm, 0.51 ppm

Cloro Total: 1.47 ppm, 1.49 ppm, 1.48 ppm

= 0.25%

WHY??

Possible Mistakes:

Bruce made an approximation of the volume of the tank solution

THINK AGAIN: Bruce estimates volume of tank solution: approx. 21 L

Chorine granular added may not be all the way dissolved
Something else is oxidizing in the solution tank

We decided to empty the tank, and upon doing so we found sediments stuck to the inside of the barrel. We scrubbed the barrel, and washed with detergent. The sediments were caused from the wooden stick that is used to stir the solution.

CHANGE METHOD:

1 kilogram granular cloro, 65 L water

SHOULD = 1%

Lupaxi Grande:

CLORINATED

Cloro Libre: 0.10 ppm, 0.10 ppm, 0.10 ppm

Cloro Total: 0.37 ppm, 0.38 ppm, 0.39 ppm, 0.38 ppm

DILTUION 10^-4 OF SOLUTION

Cloro Libre: 0.30 ppm, 0.33 ppm, 0.35 ppm, 0.33 ppm

Cloro Total: 0.60 ppm, 0.59 ppm, 0.59 ppm

= 0.33%

PROBLEM: Lupaxi Grande mixed solution tank with CODIENSE: 1 kilogram granular cloro, 65 L water

WHY NOT = 1%?

Possible Mistakes:

Granular chlorine not all the way dissolved-HOWEVER, every two days the solution is mixed with a wooden stick
Evaporation
Dry chlorine
Chlorine concentration is stratified

VERIFY POSSIBLE MISTAKE 4 - mixed solution again with a metal rod

Cloro Libre: 0.34 ppm, 0.34 ppm, 0.34 ppm

Cloro Total: 0.62 ppm, 0.63 ppm, 0.63 ppm

NOT THE PROBLEM, DATA SIMULAR TO PREVIOUS TEST

(Tears have been shed)

WHY CHEMISTRY?

Bruce decided to simple add 700 MORE grams of cloro

SHOULD =1%

VERIFY ADDITION

DILUTION 1mL WITH 5,000mL

1%=2ppm

Cloro Libre: 1.54 ppm, 1.48 ppm, 1.48 ppm