CEG 507 Lecture Series No. 5: Treatment Process- Disinfection Process.

February 7, 2013

Disinfection Process
This is the final stage of water treatment processes aimed at killing or rendering harmless the pathogenic microorganisms. Note: Sterilization, which is complete destruction of all living matter, is not usually an objective of disinfection. Coagulation, settling and filtration processes can remove up to or over 90% of pathogenic organisms (bacteria + virus) Coagulation, settling and filtration processes can remove up to or over 90% of pathogenic organisms (bacteria + virus) Excess-lime softening is also an effective disinfectant due to high pH involved. Further treatment is however required by disinfection for potable water quality standard of 1 coliform / 100ml of water in order to provide protection against re-growth. Characteristics of Good Disinfectants Toxic to microorganisms at concentrations well below the toxic thresholds to humans and higher animals. Must have a fast rate of kill and should be persistent enough to prevent re-growth of pathogens within the distribution system. Rate of kill is a first order reaction:
ln

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dN KN . dt

Nt kt No

N t N o e kt
No = number of organism initially present Nt = number of organisms remaining at time t Factors That May Hinder Effective Disinfection turbidity resistant strains Turbidity producing colloids offer sanctuary to pathogens Particulate matter may equally adsorb the disinfectant. Additional exposure time is normally required as well as higher concentrations of the disinfectant or effective kill of viruses, crysts, and ova being more resistant to disinfectants than are bacteria

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CEG 507 Lecture Series No. 5: Treatment Process- Disinfection Process. February 7, 2013

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Types of Disinfectants Chemical agents i.e. halogen group, ozone or silver. Gamma waves or ultra violent light Sonification Electrocution Heating Methods of Disinfection a. Chlorination b. Ozonation Chlorination May be applied to water in gaseous form (Cl2) or as an ionized product of solids (Ca (OCl)2. Na OCl Reaction in water: Cl2 + H2O Ca (OCl)2 Na Ocl H+ + HOCl (effective disinfectant) Ca2+ + 2 OCl Na + OCl -

Hypochlorious acid (HOCl) and the hypochlorite ion (OCl) could be in further related: HOCl H+ + OClThis reaction is pH dependent as well as temperature. The sum of HOCl and OCl- is called free chlorine residual, and the primary disinfectant. HOCl is the more effective disinfectant. Application of hypochlorites tends to raise the pH, hence the reaction tends towards the less effective (OCl-) Commercially available calcium hypochlorite contains approximately 70 to 80% available chlorine. NaOCl contains only 3 to 15% available chlorine. Practically difficulty is involved in dissolving Ca (OCl)2. The two hypochlorites are more expensive on an equivalent basis than liquefied Cl2. Environmental Considerations Chlorine gas is a very strong oxidant and toxic to humans. It is heavier than air, hence spread slowly at ground level. Extreme care is required in its manufacture, shipping and use. The use
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CEG 507 Lecture Series No. 5: Treatment Process- Disinfection Process. February 7, 2013

of hypochlorites may be mandated where large quantities of chlorine are needed in treatment plants located in highly populated area. At low concentrations, chlorine kills microorganisms by penetrating the cell and reacting with the enzymes and protoplasm. At higher concentrations, oxidation of the cell wall takes place thereby destroying the organism. Factor Affecting Process of Disinfection pH Concentration of disinfectants Form of chlorine Temperature Type of organism Contact time Products of organics oxidized by chlorine are often undesirable, for example, organic acids form chlorinated hydrocarbon compounds which are suspected of being carcinogenic. Phenolic compounds react with chlorine, even in small quantities to form severe tasks and odour problems. Solution Remove the original organics before chlorination and all other chlorination or at best be prevented from forming. Removal could be achieved by adsorption into activated carbon or their formation be prevented by chloramines. Chloramines can be formed by first adding small quantity of ammonia to the water, then chlorine. NH3 + HOCl NH2Cl + HOCl NHCCl2 + HOCl NH4Cl (Monochloramin) +H2O NHCl2 (dichloramin) + H2O NCl3 (Nitrogen trichloride) + H2O

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The above reactions depend on the following factors: pH, temperature, and quantity of reactants. At pH > 6.5, monochloramin is predominant. About 2-3mg/l of monochloramin with a contact time in excess of 30 minutes is required. Note: Chloramines are persistent and provide continued protection against re-growth in the distribution system.

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CEG 507 Lecture Series No. 5: Treatment Process- Disinfection Process. February 7, 2013

Figure 1: Generalized curve for breakpoint chlorination Other Types of Disinfection Ozonation, ozone is an allotropic form of oxygen. Chlorine dioxide, (ClO2) Irradiation with ultraviolet light Removal of dissolved solids in water Dissolved solids may be inorganic minerals or refractory organic compounds.

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1. Inorganic materials Method includes: - Demineralization and desalinization. - ion exchange also used in water softening. - Microporous membrane. 2. Organic material Removal could be achieved by adsorption. Refractory organics could also be removed by oxidation.

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