Technical Bulletin

Sodium hypochlorite is the salt formed by a negatively charged hypochlorite ion (OCl-) and a positively charged sodium ion (Na+). Pure hypochlorite is highly reactive and unstable; therefore, it is usually supplied as a dilute aqueous solution. In solution, hypochlorite eventually decomposes to yield a variety of byproducts including oxygen, chlorine gas, and salt. One of these byproducts, hypochlorous acid, is a powerful oxidizing agent (meaning it can accept electrons from other materials) that lends hypochlorite excellent bleaching and disinfecting abilities. The term "available chlorine" is often used to describe the concentration of hypochlorous acid in solution (which provides a measure of the solution's oxidative ability). Sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), is commercially available in several solution concentrations, with 12% being the most common for bulk, as this material is highly unstable salt which become sodium chlorate easily. It is formed by the electrolysis of sodium chloride solution when chlorine is bubbled through cold caustic soda solution. Its powerful disinfection and oxidation properties offer a wide range of applications include bleaching in both the paper and textile industries, water purification, odour control, chemical Intermediates and etc. Sodium hypochlorite is used in household bleach material to remove stains particularly on cotton. Chlorine is a general biocide substance killing germs, micro-organisms, algae, etc. The most widely used chloride chemical disinfectants are chlorine, ozone, chlorine dioxide and chloramine. Hypochlorite is an alternative choline source when chlorine gas is impractical. The commercially available liquid hypochlorite form is sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) which is used as the disinfectant in hospitals. But this is highly caustic, ethanol class disinfection has replaced. Sodium hypochlorite have also been used extensively in the disinfection of drinking-water. Hypochlorite anion,ClO-, changes the oxidation-reduction potential of the cell, and resulting in the inactivations of the micro-organism's function. Hypochlorite [or chlorate(I)] contains the ion, ClO- ; chlorite [or chlorate(III)], ClO2-; Chlorate [or chlorate(V)], ClO3-; perchlorate [or chlorate(VII)], ClO4-. Hypochlorite solution gradually releases chlorine into water. Sodium hypochlorite is used as a bleaching and disinfection agent for both industry and household, oxidant, sterilizer, decoloring agent, deodorant, water Treatment amd food additive. Sodium hypochlorite phosphate, an inclusion complex of trisodium phosphate and sodium hypochlorite, is a dry form of sodium hypochlorite. providing germicidal and disinfectant properties as well as alkalinity. It is used in as a bactericide in food and dairy processing and cleanser of medical instruments and scouring. It is used in detergents, automatic dishwasher detergent and laundry soaps.

Product Label

A 12% solution is widely used in waterworks for the chlorination of water and a 15% solution is more commonly used for disinfection of waste water in treatment plants. High-test hypochlorite (HTH) is sold for chlorination of swimming pools and contains approximately 30% calcium hypochlorite. The crystalline salt is also sold for the same use; this salt usually contains less than 50% of calcium hypochlorite. However, the level of active chlorine may be much higher.