Using Chlorine Dioxide to Treat Water, Wastewater & Industrial Effluent

The chemical compound chlorine dioxide has the formula ClO₂, and at room temperature it exists as a yellowish-green gas. It has an odour similar to that of chlorine and is highly soluble in water, being approximately 10 times more soluble than chlorine.

While chlorine dioxide is an oxide of chlorine it is very different from the composition of chlorine itself. It is also occasionally referred to as chlorine (IV) oxide, as one of a number of oxides of the compound.

Chlorine dioxide was first discovered two centuries ago by Sir Humphrey Davy.

The gas smells very similar to chlorine.

It is very effective against many waterborne pathogens including legionella bacteria and is used extensively to treat drinking water systems, clean and sterilise cooling towers and other water systems where effective microbial control is required.

What are the applications for chlorine dioxide?

Chlorine dioxide is a highly effective chemical oxidising agent that is used extensively in a variety of applications including paper processing (pulp bleaching), municipal water treatment, industrial wastewater treatment, effluent treatment, water disinfection, legionella control and other specialist applications.

ClO₂ is used as a bleaching agent and also as a very effective disinfectant.

In fact it is particularly good as a disinfectant because only small quantities of it are required for it to work effectively.

It can also sanitise water systems (water storage tanks, distribution pipework, cooling towers etc.) when added at the correct dosage levels.

Highly effective disinfectant

Chlorine dioxide is often used as a biocide to disinfect water, hard surfaces and in some instances indoor air volumes using specialist fogging techniques.

There are many reasons for this, most notably the fact that it efficiently and effectively kills many waterborne pathogens including bacteria, viruses and protozoa.

This process can occur in mere seconds whilst other biocides can take as much longer to achieve the same effect. It is also extremely soluble in water, which gives another reason for its efficacy in disinfecting and sanitising situations.

ClO₂ is effective against biofilm

Another important property of ClO₂ is that it is highly effective against stubborn biofilm, which can act as a reservoir for bacteria.

It also helps to prevent regrowth of biofilm which is very important.

Commercial products

Chlorine dioxide is often generated in-situ using separate precursor chemicals and specialist generator systems, but is also available in ready-made stabilised solutions, and in both tablet and powder forms.

The ready-made solutions, tablets and powders of ClO₂ provide safer methods by which water systems can be easily and accurately treated using this effective compound.

Since in its gaseous form it is highly explosive when the gas is held under pressure, so these alternative methods of delivery can sometimes improve safety.

World class water treatment solutions

Water Treatment Services offer a comprehensive range of expert water management solutions including the treatment and disinfection of water systems using the powerful disinfectant ClO₂… ClO2 →

Our specialist chlorine dioxide generation and delivery capabilities allow us to offer a range of services including:

Design, installation, operation and maintenance of chlorine dioxide delivery solutions and generators to suit most industrial and commercial applications.
Operation and maintenance of other third-party chlorine dioxide generators currently found in-field.
Legionella control and compliance services to meet the Health & Safety Executive’s Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) L8 standards.
Water sampling and chemical testing.

With offices in London serving the South and South East England, Manchester (North West), Birmingham (Midlands), Bristol (South East England and Wales), Leeds (North and North East) and Glasgow (Scotland), supported by teams of specially trained engineers, site service specialists and technical experts we can offer professional, cost effective chlorine dioxide disinfection, water treatment and engineering support services across the whole of the UK.

Contact us today to learn how our expert water treatment and chlorine dioxide engineering solutions can help you to improve water quality issues, water system safety and regulatory compliance… contact us →