Discover Chlorine Dioxide (ClO2)

Chlorine dioxide is an extremely powerful oxidizing agent, microbiocide, viricide, bactericide, protocide and algicide.  Unlike chlorine, chlorine dioxide is not a chlorinating agent and pure chlorine dioxide does not form THMs, it doesn’t chlorinate organics, and it doesn’t react with water to form free chlorine.  Additionally, Chlorine dioxide is soluble in water, is less corrosive than chlorine and has efficacy across a broad pH range.

True Gas

Chlorine dioxide ClO2 is a true gas. This means that it retains its chemical structure and properties at all times. For example another true gas is Oxygen. Chlorine dioxide does not form another compound when introduced to water or other solvents. No matter what chlorine dioxide is dissolved in it retains the same structure and reactive properties. Chlorine dioxide is very soluble in both aqueous and hydrocarbon media. Because it is a dissolved gas it is energetic and very mobile. Because it is very soluble in many medias it can penetrate through material that protect microorganisms from other biocides. For example in water system bacteria can be protected by a polysaccharide film. Chlorine has difficulty penetrating this film because of its chemical nature and because it is a ionic material in water. Chlorine dioxide however permeates through the polysaccharide layer and kills the bacteria beneath the protective layer. This results in chlorine dioxide being very effective in the control of biofilm. In a petroleum production or environmental application, chlorine dioxide can penetrate the hydrocarbon layer and oxidize the contaminants or kill bacteria that are shielded by hydrocarbon.

Solubility

Chlorine dioxide is a true gas. This means that it retains its chemical structure and properties at all times. It does not form another compound when introduced to other water or other solvents. Because it is very soluble in many medias it can penetrate through material that protect microorganisms from other biocides.

Reacts

Another basic property of chlorine dioxide that makes it very different from chlorine is the fact that it is a free radical. In other words chlorine dioxide has an unpaired electron in its outer shell. This means that whatever chlorine dioxide can react with, such as a sulfide or cyanide, it will do so instantly, regardless of the temperature or concentration. Mixing is the only barrier to the speed of chlorine dioxide reacting with target compounds in a system. When combined with its mobility and selectivity, this allows chlorine dioxide to oxidize target compounds to levels not achievable by other oxidants.

Penetration and Selectivity

Chlorine dioxide is a true gas. Because it is a dissolved gas it is energetic and very mobile. Because it is very soluble in many medias it can penetrate through material that protect microorganisms from other biocides. For example in water system bacteria can be protected by a polysaccharide film. Chlorine (Cl) has difficulty penetrating this film because of its chemical nature and because it is a ionic material in water. Chlorine dioxide however permeates through the polysaccharide layer and kills the bacteria beneath the protective layer.

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Chlorine is an acid gas that has been historically used for disinfection and chemical manufacture. When dissolved in water chlorine forms hypochlorous acid and hydrochloric acid. Depending upon the pH of the water chlorine can be in several forms. Chlorine is a stronger oxidizer than chlorine dioxide, allowing it to react with more compounds including ammonia. These reactions attenuate chlorines effectiveness as a microbiocide.

Chlorine dioxide is a true gas that is soluble in water to about 0.3% at room temperature. While a lower strength oxidizer than chlorine, chlorine dioxide has over two times the oxidation capacity as chlorine. Because chlorine dioxide has lower strength than chlorine, it is more selective in what it can react with. Typically it attacks activated carbon bonds such as phenols, and other active compounds such as sulfides, cyanides, reduced iron and manganese compounds.

Typical household bleach is manufactured by adding chlorine to water and adjusting the pH with caustic or sodium hydroxide. Chlorine dioxide in water remains as a true gas, allowing it to be very mobile and penetrating. In fact if a flask is filled half full with a chlorine dioxide solution and then a hydrocarbon such as hexane or diesel is added to the top, the chlorine dioxide will travel from the water phase into the hydrocarbon phase until equilibrium is reached. Additionally some of the chlorine dioxide will escape from the hydrocarbon layer to the air above. To further illustrate this point, if the flask was made out of plastic, the chlorine dioxide would permeate into the flask as well. This mobility combined with the fact that chlorine dioxide remains in the same state makes chlorine dioxide a uniquely powerful tool for control of microorganisms. Bacteria cannot hide from chlorine dioxide.