Pool chemicals, particularly chlorine-based sanitizers which are the most common, are primarily made through industrial chemical processes involving the isolation and processing of key elements like chlorine.
The Chlorine Manufacturing Process
The production of chlorine, a fundamental component of many pool sanitizers, typically begins with the electrolysis of salt solutions (like brine). This process isolates chlorine in its elemental form.
As referenced, in the manufacture of chlorine, Cl2 is isolated in its gaseous form. This gaseous chlorine is then utilized to create other chlorine compounds that are essential for disinfection and bleaching purposes in pools.
From Gas to Pool Product
The isolated chlorine gas is not directly packaged for pool use. Instead, it undergoes further processing to become a stable product suitable for handling and application. The gas is passed over salts or bubbled through water to create a base product. This intermediate compound is then processed further depending on the desired final form of the pool chemical.
This base product can be packaged in granular, tablet or liquid forms, which are the common ways pool chlorine is sold and used by consumers.
For instance:
- Granular Forms: Often involve compounds like calcium hypochlorite or sodium dichloroisocyanurate, derived from the processed chlorine. They are used for shocking or regular sanitizing.
- Tablet Forms: Commonly tri-chlor or dichlor (stabilized chlorine), pressed into slow-dissolving tablets for routine sanitization.
- Liquid Forms: Typically sodium hypochlorite (basic bleach), produced by bubbling chlorine gas through a sodium hydroxide solution. Used for sanitizing and shocking.
While other pool chemicals exist (like pH adjusters, algaecides), the manufacturing process for the primary sanitizer, chlorine, follows the method of isolating chlorine gas and converting it into stable compounds for consumer use in various forms.
