Sodium hypochlorite is a chemical material used in various fields as a disinfectant. This compound can be used to disinfect all kinds of surfaces, materials, liquids, etc. There are several types of such a substance. Very often, for example, sodium hypochlorite of grade A is used as a disinfectant.
What is a
This product is supplied to the market in the form of a greenish yellow liquid. Get it by electrolysis of sodium chloride. Sometimes sodium hypochlorite is also made by chlorinating an aqueous solution of caustic soda. The chemical formula of this compound is as follows - NaClO. The main distinguishing feature of grade A sodium hypochlorite is its high antibacterial activity.
In another way, this compound is called "javelin" or "labarrac" water. In a free state, sodium hypochlorite is a rather unstable substance.
Scope of application
Sodium hypochlorite can be produced in accordance with GOST or TU. The first variety of products is used mainly for disinfecting water. It could be:
Sodium hypochlorite, produced according to TU and having a lower quality, is also used, of course, for the purpose of disinfection. This tool, for example, is often used for:
disinfection of natural and waste waters;
water purification in fishery reservoirs;
disinfection in the food industry.
Also, such sodium hypochlorite can be used for the manufacture of various kinds of bleaching agents. The advantages of this compound when used as a disinfectant include environmental safety. In the environment, sodium hypochlorite quickly decomposes into water, sodium chloride and oxygen.
Operating principle
One of the distinguishing features of grade A sodium hypochlorite is that it is capable of exerting a detrimental effect on pathogens of various types. That is, it can be attributed to the group of universal disinfectants.
When dissolved in water, this compound, like ordinary bleach, forms an acid, which also has a disinfecting effect. The formula for the formation of a disinfectant in this case is as follows:
Such a reaction is equilibrium. The process of formation of hypochlorous acid depends primarily on the pH of the water and on its temperature.
For example, the following types of bacteria can destroy sodium hypochlorite in water:
It kills harmful microorganisms not only effectively, but also very quickly - within 15-30 seconds.
Grade A sodium hypochlorite: characteristics
As already mentioned, this compound is a greenish liquid. The technical characteristics of this disinfectant are as follows:
mass concentration of chlorine - at least 190 g / dm 3 ;
light transmission coefficient - at least 20%;
alkali concentration - 10-20 g / dm 3 in terms of NaOH;
iron concentration - not more than 0.02 g / dm 3 .
Active chlorine in the composition of this compound can reach up to 95%.
Transportation and storage
Sodium hypochlorite can be bottled in different types of containers. Most often, it is transported in gummed steel railway tanks. This material can be packaged in containers made of fiberglass and polyethylene. Also, barrels and glass bottles can be used as containers. By road, sodium hypochlorite is transported in containers in compliance with relevant safety standards.
This compound should be stored in unheated rooms. At the same time, sunlight should not be allowed to enter sodium hypochlorite. In large volumes, this material is usually stored in rubberized steel or in containers coated with corrosion-resistant materials.
Unfortunately, a warranty shelf life for brand A sodium hypochlorite is not provided. Enterprises responsible for water disinfection must independently verify the suitability of this product before use. The quality of this compound should not be lower than recommended by the regulatory documentation for the disinfection of these specific objects.
Packaging marking
The shelf life for brand A sodium hypochlorite is therefore not foreseen. Before use, the quality of this connection is checked by the consumer companies themselves. But of course, certain information that organizations involved in the disinfection of water about what kind of product they are buying should have.
Of course, on containers with sodium hypochlorite, as with any other chemical compound, a marking is applied, which should, inter alia, contain:
name of the manufacturer and its contacts;
the name of the product itself and its brand;
batch number and production date.
Basic Terms of Use
In order for the water disinfection to be effective, for this procedure, of course, you only need high-quality sodium hypochlorite of grade A. According to the current standards of GOST (modified, edition No. 1) and TU, chlorine loss after 10 days from the date of shipment in this compound should not exceed 30%.
Also, the standards do not prohibit the use of grade A sodium hypochlorite made according to TU or GOST (as amended), which has changed its color to red-brown. Such a compound also disinfects water very effectively.
Safety precautions
It is sodium hypochlorite, although non-combustible, but very corrosive. Therefore, when working with him, specialists must necessarily protect their hands and eyes. The hazard class of sodium hypochlorite grade A - II (chlorine). In contact with skin, this disinfectant can cause serious burns. If this connection gets into your eyes, a person can even go blind. Inhalation of the vapor from this product can cause choking and irritating effects.
Personnel should use sodium hypochlorite for disinfection in overalls using special equipment:
in a gas mask BKF or B;
rubber gloves;
safety glasses;
- special costumes.
The area of the skin on which this compound was inadvertently washed should be washed with a copious amount of running water for at least 10 minutes. If splashes get into the eyes of the injured person, they must be taken to a doctor. Before that, of course, thorough washing should also be done.
Manufactured in accordance with GOST 11086-76, grade A sodium hypochlorite, when dried, can cause spontaneous combustion of various kinds of organic substances. Therefore, it is impossible to store this compound in one room, for example, with sawdust or rags.
Other brands
In addition to grade A sodium hypochlorite, NaClO can be used as a disinfectant:
Such solutions are less concentrated (with the exception of grade B sodium hypochlorite manufactured in accordance with TU). Brand E NaClO, in addition, is not a green liquid, but a colorless one. On the packaging with hypochlorite B, among other things, the inscription “Not suitable for disinfection of drinking water and in swimming pools” should be applied.
Compounds of this brand may be used mainly only for bleaching fabrics. Also, such sodium hypochlorite can be used as an oxidizing agent in the vitamin industry.