What is Low Salt water Electrochlorination?

Low Salt water electrochlorination has emerged as one of the greatest challenges for innovation and progress in the electrochlorination sector. Innowater, always at the cutting edge of developments in the sector, is aware that there are some applications where an external input of NaCl (salt) may represent a considerable drawback. In open circuits, for example, a continuous input of brine may be harmful and overly expensive. In other cases, the system or the characteristics of the infrastructure employed do not allow salt to be added.

That is why Innowater offers its Low Salt water Electrochlorination system. The device involves the implementation of an electrochlorination system that does not need any input of NaCl. An effective system with sufficient output capacity for a range of applications. In other words, the result has been achieved by perfecting the conventional electrochlorination system so as to achieve a performance level that is so good that simply the concentration of chloride ions in natural water is sufficient for optimal operation. This represents a significant revolution in the field of Chlorination, allowing for a great many new applications.

Performance of the device is intensified thanks to a number of factors that affect all components of the system. A new, highly selective catalytic coating has been designed, reducing the oxidation potential of the chlorine ions. The coating technique has been modified, to obtain a greater effective reaction cross-section. This considerably increases the performance of the surface of the electrodes. Lastly, new power sources have been designed, with output that can be controlled very precisely in accordance with the composition of the water, and other parameters such as temperature, flow rate, etc. This serves to facilitate oxidation of the limited quantity of chloride ions available without using salt.

How does Low Salt Electrochlorination work?

- The chloride ion concentration of natural water

The water Chlorination device maintains the Electrolysis mechanism through the concentration of chloride ions in the water so as to guarantee optimal, quality operation. Thanks to the new catalytic coating, the oxidation potential in the chlorine ions is reduced. Meanwhile, the power sources can be controlled very precisely in accordance with the requirements of the composition of the water or the surface.

The standard production lines are designed to operate at 200 ppm of dissolved chlorides in the water. This is normally equivalent to a total dissolved solids (TDS) concentration of around 500 ppm, which is the standard for numerous applications, such as swimming pools.

The main applications include in particular:
-Running water
-Waste water
-Biofilm control
-Irrigation
-Food processing
-Cooling towers and circuits
-Desalination
-Agricultural reservoirs
-Swimming pools
-Drains

What are the main benefits of Low Salt Water Electrochlorination?

This system combines the benefits of Salt Water Chlorination together with a great many additional benefits.

- Greater disinfectant effectiveness
Very high chlorine concentrations are reached in the cell. This concentration has a very considerable oxidising power and, for example, neutralises chloramines without the need for additional Chlorination of the rest of the circuit. The system produces other oxygen-based oxidants with an extremely short lifespan and much greater disinfectant power than chlorine. This characteristic is still being studied.
- Cost-effectiveness
Low Salt Electrochlorination maintains a low output cost. There is also a saving in transportation, and freedom from the need for chemical chlorine, which is eliminated.
- Safety
Avoids the storage of chemical products and the transportation of extremely hazardous chlorine gas.
- Environmental
Avoids the use of chlorine isocyanide preservatives and allows for local production. This also avoids atmospheric CO2 emissions. The drainage discharge contains no chemical products or brine, and its components are not harmful for the biosphere.
- Regulation
Switch mode power supplies allow for highly precise output power control. Our electrodes always operate at the optimal point of the power curve, with chlorine output being modulated by periodically interrupting the charging time. These two characteristics, which are impossible with conventional sources, result in a very considerable increase in the electrode lifespan. Our electrodes operate just a fraction of the time to produce the same amount of chlorine. Meanwhile, their in-line system avoids the use of pumps and reserve tanks, and allows for straightforward installation even in systems already in place. This furthermore maintains a modular, scalable system tailored to the expansion of each installation.