Understanding Disinfection Byproducts in Water Treatment

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Chapter 1 Introduction
1.1 Background
Disinfection is applied in water as well as wastewater treatment as a finishing step so as to destroy pathogens but the cause of concern regarding the disinfection process is the formation of disinfection byproducts (DBPs). Natural organic matter (NOM) in water has been considered as the predominant DBP precursors. Disinfectants are powerful oxidants that oxidize the organic matter present in water forming DBPs. Chlorine, ozone, chlorine dioxide, and chloramines are the most common disinfectants used nowadays and each produces its own suite of chemical DBPs in finished drinking water (Richardson, 2003). DBPs so formed pose a threat to human health because of their potential to cause cancer and reproductive/developmental effects. Most developed nations have regulated concentration of DBPs so as to minimize exposure to potentially harmful DBPs while maintaining adequate disinfection and control of targeted …show more content…

HOCl is a much stronger disinfectant than hypochlorite but their relative distribution depends upon pH. At pH > 4 dissociation of Cl2 is almost complete whereas at pH values greater than 5, HOCl starts dissociating and there is an increase in concentration of OCl-. The effect of pH on chlorination is shown in fig 1.1(a).

HOCI + NH3 NH2C1 + H20
HOCI + NH2C1 NHC12 + H20 NH2C1 + NHC12 N2 + 3H+ +

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