Disinfection with Calcium Hypochlorite

Omega Man Journal ^ | 4/13/12

[Kartographer]

This journal entry is a continuation of my series of entries on disinfection of drinking water. Please read the following linked articles first, Introduction to Disinfection and Disinfection with Sodium Hypochlorite. I have covered a lot of background information already, which you will need to fully understand this journal entry. Go ahead, I’ll wait.

Calcium Hypochlorite, Ca(OCl)₂ is a solid chemical used as a disinfectant and bleaching agent. It is used to store chlorine for long periods of time without having to resort to chlorine gas, which is extremely dangerous if not handled properly. If stored is a room temperature environment away from moisture, temperature extremes and direct sunlight, calcium hypochlorite can last up to a year without serious degradation. Beyond a year the chemical will become weaker with time.

Calcium hypochlorite is very similar to sodium hypochlorite. The biggest difference is in the appearance. Calcium hypo is a white powder and sodium hypo is a yellow liquid. Sodium hypochlorite is a liquid and can be added directly to water for disinfection. Calcium hypochlorite on the other hand, needs to be mixed into solution first. Then added to the water for disinfection.

[Nailbiter]

bflr

[I see my hands]

"No where does it say add a half pound to a gallon of water"

No it doesn't. Nor did I claim it did. It says, as I pointed out, to add over 1.5 lbs. What does this (from your article) say?

[Kartographer]

To recap, to mix a 15% solution hypochorite solution, add 21 grams to 100 mL of water. Here is a list of other common measurements.

210 grams in 1 Liter 7.41 ounces (dry) in 2.11 pints 28 ounces (dry) in 1 gallon (US Liquid)

[phockthis]

sfl

[yorkiemom]

Can I get on your ping survival list?

(I cannot use private posting apparently, sorry for the public one. Anyone know when I can use the private method?)

[Kartographer]

You have been added.

[I see my hands]

Can you think? All of those numbers equal a ratio of over 1.5 pounds of calcium hypochlorite to one gallon of water.

Is that the correct recipe??granules

[Kartographer]

You just can't get it or don't wish to get it or you can't read. The author gives the formula of 21 grams to 100 mL of water and then goes on to list some other common measurements. The common measurements are for reference and are not part of the formula. How come 50 or 60 people got that, but you can't seem the grasp it?

[JRandomFreeper]

Are you confusing dry volume with weight?

A cup of sugar (8 oz volume) weighs about 5 oz.

/johnny

[JRandomFreeper]

To make a solution that is similar, but stronger, to what you can get in a bleach bottle, those numbers are about correct.

To sanitize water.... You'll need to use some of that solution to sanitize the water. 50 ppm is about right, and can be tested for.

Did you miss that step?

/johnny

[I see my hands]

"Did you miss that step?"

Thanks, no, I didn't miss that step. The recipe given for the disinfecting solution is way off.

[JRandomFreeper]

It's not the formula for a disinfecting solution.

It's the formula for making the kind of stuff you buy in the store (3 times stronger, though). that you mix with water to make a disinfecting solution.

If you have a correct recipe, I'd love to see it. Perhaps we could step through it together.

/johnny

[I see my hands]

[JRandomFreeper]

Any chance we could get the recipe in ONE unit of measure... SAE or MKS? Furlongs per fortnight...

Teaspoons and 'about' and liters is a little confusing for a simple cook like me.

/johnny