CHLORINE DIOXIDE

Chlorine dioxide has been hailed by many as the perfect biocide. Chlorine dioxide is fast acting, potent and stable in water it has many advantages over existing disinfection technology. One disadvantage chlorine dioxide does have is the requirement to generate the biocide on site and this requires specialist chlorine dioxide equipment capable of safe and reliable generation and dosing.

As one of several oxides of chlorine it is a potent and useful oxidising agent used in water treatment and in bleaching. It is more effective as a disinfectant than chlorine in most circumstances against water borne pathogenic microbes such as viruses, bacteria and protozoa – including the cysts of Giardia and the oocysts of Cryptosporidium.

When bacteria are eliminated, the cell wall is penetrated by chlorine dioxide. Organic substances within cells and on the surface of cell membranes react with chlorine dioxide, causing cell metabolism to be disrupted. Chlorine dioxide also reacts directly with amino acids and the RNA in the cell.  This reaction is not dependent on reaction time or concentration. Unlike non-oxidizing disinfectants, chlorine dioxide kills microorganisms even when they are inactive. Microorganisms are unable to build up resistance to chlorine dioxide.

In practical terms however, few bacteria live alone, and they are most often found in water and on surfaces in the form of a "biofilm" which is a close association of many millions of bacteria. Many biocides have particular problems in penetrating this biofilm, due to the polysaccharide "glue" that is secreted by the bacteria to hold the biofilm together. Unlike most biocides, chlorine dioxide can effectively penetrate this  biofilm to provide complete protection.

The 5 stages of biofilm development.

Watermation Ltd have years of experience in the installation of chlorine dioxide dosing equipment, having chosen the best equipment for the purpose.

Our experience over the years has led us to select components that are well made and will give years of trouble-free reliability.

All our fabrications and ancillary working parts are made from either stainless steel or mild steel, whilst pipework, valves and flanges are often from durable plastic materials.