Gas Chlorination of Swimming Pools

General
In all swimming pools, there are
problems of contamination caused by
substances introduced by the
swimmers and the environment.
Eliminating the contamination to
create a safe, pleasant and
comfortable place in which persons
can enjoy swimming and bathing, is
the objective of all owners, operators
and regulatory agencies.
The primary methods used to control
contamination are filtration and
disinfection. This bulletin will discuss
disinfection only and the most widely
accepted disinfectant, chlorine.
Sizing
In chlorinating swimming pool water,
factors to be considered in sizing the
chlorination equipment are:
Pool volume and surface area
Pool turnover rate - standard pool
design generally provides for an 8-
hour turnover
Location of pool - indoors or outdoors
Configuration - a deep-diving pool
exposing a small surface area has a
lower chlorine demand than a shallow
pool of the same volume exposing a
very large surface areas. Factory
consultation is suggested in unusual
pool configurations.
Average air temperature
The following are general guidelines
for chlorination equipment sizing.
1. Indoor pools
One (1) pound of chlorine feed
capability per day for each 5,000
gallon capacity (20 g/h/20 m3)
2. Outdoor pools
a. Cool temperatures - One (1) pound
per 5,000 gallons (20 g/h/20 m3)
b. Moderate temperatures - One (1)
pound per 4,000 gallons (20 g/h/16
m3)
c. Warm temperatures - One (1)
pound per 3,000 gallons (20 g/h/12
m3)
These figures contain sufficient
excess capacity to cover most
installation needs even in times of
overload (e.g. holidays, exceptionally
hot days, etc.) such that chlorine feed
will average 1/3 of the rated
equipment capacity. Table I provides
chlorinator capacity versus pool
volume based upon average air
temperature.
System Operation
Chlorine feed from a gas chlorinator
requires sufficient vacuum to be
created in a venturi for operation of
the chlorinator. Vacuum is created
using a differential in water pressure
to operate an ejector. The differential
is obtained by using a small booster
pump or utilizing an existing
circulating pump.
At swimming pools, the following type
of filtration equipment may be used
so chlorination may be installed in
different ways, as follows:
1. Pressure filter systems
a. use a booster pump to operate the
ejector (Figure 1).
b. There may be occasions where
sufficient pressure drop is available
for ejector operation. Use of this
technique requires a complete
understanding of the hydraulics and
feed rate required since the pressure
drop across the filter increases as the
filter is used (Figure 2).
2. Vacuum filter system
Either use a separate booster pump
to operate or take the discharge from
the filter pump to operate the ejector
and feed the chlorine solution into the
filter tank (Figure 3).

Table I - Gas Chlorinator Capacity

Chlorinator Pool Volume

Capacity
Cool Temperature 1
M oderate Temperature 1 Warm Temperature 1
PPD g/h Gal. (1,000) m3 Gal. (1,000) m3 Gal. (1,000) m3
4 75 to 20 to 76 to 16 to 60 to 12 to 45
10 200 20 to 50 76 to 190 16 to 40 60 to 150 12 to 30 45 to 115
25 500 50 to 125 190 to 475 40 to 100 150 to 380 30 to 75 115 to 285
50 900 125 to 250 475 to 950 100 to 200 380 to 760 75 to 150 285 to 570
75 1,400 250 to 375 950 to 1,420 200 to 300 760 to 1,135 150 to 225 570 to 850
100 2,000 375 to 500 1,420 to 1,895 300 to 400 1,135 to 1,515 225 to 300 850 to 1,135
200 4,000 500 to 1,000 1,895 to 3,785 400 to 800 1,515 to 3,030 300 to 600 1,135 to 2,270

1. The reference to location by temperature is an aid to choosing chlorinator capacity. Temperatures refer to average
temperature for outdoor pools. 75°F (24°C) is considered cool, 80°F (27°F) is moderate, and 85°F (30°C) warm. Indoor
pools should use cool temperatures as a guide.
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 Figure 1 - Pressure Filter System With Booster Bump

Figure 2 - Pressure Filter System Without Booster Pump

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 Figure 3 - Vacuum Filter System

Anti-Siphon Ejector
A swimming pool filtering system that
is located above pool water surface
may drain back into the pool when the
filtering system is turned off. An anti-
siphon ejector should be used.
In Figure 4, the anti-siphon ejector
check valve assembly “D” is
mechanically locked in a closed
position by the push pin rods “C”
(attached to diaphragm assembly
“B”), in the absence of water pressure
in the ejector nozzle. Application of
water pressure to the nozzle will fill
cavity “E” through the nozzle bleed
hole compressing spring “A” by the
action of diaphragm assembly “B”.
Push pin rods “C” are pulled away
and the anti-siphon ejector check
valve assembly “D” is free to open
upon the creation of a vacuum by the
nozzle. The anti-siphon ejector/check
valve assembly maintains tight
closure of 30" of mercury vacuum.

Figure 4 - Anti-Siphon Ejector

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Summary
1. Use of Table I sizes the chlorinator.
Automatic switchover systems may
be desired for 100% standby.
2. The addition of gas chlorine to pool
water also affects pH. Corrective
action with the addition of soda ash or
similar material is required to keep
the pH at a level of 7.5 to 8.0,
depending upon local requirement.
Generally, 1.3 pounds of soda ash
are required for each pound of
chlorine feed.
3. The presence of foreign materials
(e.g. hair) can affect the ejector
vacuum. Care should be taken to
prevent any plugging by the use of
strainers and by cleaning the nozzle
and diffuser.
4. An analyzer may be used to
continuously monitor chlorine
residual.
5. A free available chlorine residual of
0.5 ppm (mg/l) is suggested for
optimum bather comfort and safety.

Design improvements may be made without notice.

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