Development of an Electrolytic Pilot Plant for the Production of Chlorine Gas “In Situ” in the Disinfecting Water Process

Technology of gaseous chlorine in water treatment has shifted to the dosage of sodium hypochlorite or calcium hypochlorite because of their greater biocide power; require less contact time with the microorganisms in the pretreated water, and the pH of slightly affect water. The generation of chlorine gas in place is based on the principles of electrolytic dissociation and laws of electrolysis by Faraday. The equipment corresponds to an electrolytic cell of three (3) compartments , a central one (anode) where chlorine gas emerges , and two side (cathodes) where sodium hydroxide is produced in the central compartment must be refilled chloride solution sodium consumed due to the electrochemical reaction , the chlorine evolved being of gaseous nature ascends the column of sodium chloride and is captured by the vacuum venture system , who to put in direct contact with target that has been previously subjected to the processes of uptake , coagulation , sedimentation and filtration. Compartments anode-cathode - anode are physically separated by porous diaphragm, whose purpose is to permit selective flow of sodium and chloride ions , avoiding side reactions recombination , as additional product is the formation of sodium hydroxide in the cathode chambers, which should be removed from the cell through side pipes. Statistical models were used to optimize the performance and operation of the prototype.