Disinfection with Calcium Hypochlorite

Omega Man Journal ^ | 4/13/12

[Kartographer]

This journal entry is a continuation of my series of entries on disinfection of drinking water. Please read the following linked articles first, Introduction to Disinfection and Disinfection with Sodium Hypochlorite. I have covered a lot of background information already, which you will need to fully understand this journal entry. Go ahead, I’ll wait.

Calcium Hypochlorite, Ca(OCl)₂ is a solid chemical used as a disinfectant and bleaching agent. It is used to store chlorine for long periods of time without having to resort to chlorine gas, which is extremely dangerous if not handled properly. If stored is a room temperature environment away from moisture, temperature extremes and direct sunlight, calcium hypochlorite can last up to a year without serious degradation. Beyond a year the chemical will become weaker with time.

Calcium hypochlorite is very similar to sodium hypochlorite. The biggest difference is in the appearance. Calcium hypo is a white powder and sodium hypo is a yellow liquid. Sodium hypochlorite is a liquid and can be added directly to water for disinfection. Calcium hypochlorite on the other hand, needs to be mixed into solution first. Then added to the water for disinfection.

[Kartographer]

At one time Cholera and Typhoid were common and killed thousand every year.

[FreedomPoster]

BFL

I think Costco had some big buckets of this stuff when I was in there last.

[MrB]

I’ve got a boatload of both dichlor and trichlor (pool shock). Does your pdf manual have instructions on using those?

They store forever, and a box the size of a dictionary would purify a small city’s worth of water.

[MrB]

Here’s a link for using dichlor:

http://ldsprep.org/WATER.doc

[LegendHasIt]

Thanks Kart.

By coincidence, I just added some to the stash last week. I thought it was supposed to be ‘good’ (only slightly diminished effectiveness) for up to about three years, if kept dry and somewhat sealed from the atmosphere though.

[Old Sarge]

Thank you for the ping, Kart, as always.

Has anyone actually used this stuff? I’d be interested in hearing first=hand commentary.

[Taffini]

*bump* clean water, how to

[Dr. Bogus Pachysandra]

I use Shcl every day. We use about 2 1/2 gallons to disinfect 50,000 gallons of water. Get a cheap test kit from Hach, so you know when it’s “right.”

http://www.hach.com/chlorinetestkits?gclid=CPyeo6ers7ICFahaMgodXBIAnA

I figured the powdered or tablet stuff would last a lot longer. Store it right!

[JRandomFreeper]

The family has owned construction companies that deal mainly with municipal water and sewerage.

We use the granulated stuff for sanitizing new potable water tanks (think 100s of thousands gallon size).

/johnny

[Kartographer]

My Manual only instruction on the use of Calcium Hypochlorite.

[CottonBall]

I thought it was supposed to be ‘good’ (only slightly diminished effectiveness) for up to about three years, if kept dry and somewhat sealed from the atmosphere though.

Same here. I thought it only degraded after being mixed with water.

[I see my hands]

Is this right?

[Kartographer]

http://www.goodcooking.com/conversions/liq_dry.htm

[I see my hands]

The article instructs that the disinfectant solution be made by adding 28 OZ of calcium hypochlorite to a gallon of water. Is that accurate?

[Donnafrflorida]

I have. you take one heaping half teaspoon to 1 gal jug of water. let it sit for i think about 3 to 4 hours. This will purify 100 gallons of water. i buy 76% which is hard to find. i bag does 10,000 gallons. i have 7 bags for prep. i dont think sams sells calcium only sodium. good luck

[driftdiver]

Not all pool shock has the correct ingredients. Anything with an algeacide in it also shouldn’t be used.

[Kartographer]

To make a stock of chlorine solution (do not drink this!) dissolve 1 heaping teaspoon (about one-quarter of an ounce) of high-test (78%) granular calcium hypochlorite for each two gallons of water.

[I see my hands]

Yes. That's why I am asking about the data in the article you posted. Did you read the article before you offered it up as reliable information?

What about the people who read your post and now believe they need to add over a pound and a half of calcium hypochlorite to a gallon of water to make a disinfecting solution?

[Kartographer]

The article clear states:

To recap, to mix a 15% solution hypochorite solution, add 21 grams to 100 mL of water.

It then goes on to say:

Here is a list of other common measurements.

No where does it say add a half pound to a gallon of water.