Salt Chlorine Generators:
Many questions has been asked about salt-water pools, chlorine free pools,
mineral springs, or any other number of questions regarding chlorine
generators, which is the correct definition of what many people are
asking about. Chlorine Generators have been around for more than 25
years and are not a new idea in swimming sanitation. In fact they have
come and gone several times in various designs.
The process of making the chlorine with these systems is the same, but it is just the electronics and
construction materials that has gotten significantly better over the years. Advanced microprocessors and electronics, better more resistant plastics and precious metals used in the cells have contributed to the advancement of this technology.
Ocean water has a salt content of around 35,000 parts per million. Most humans have a taste threshold of around 3500 parts per million. This is about the solution of saline or thereabout. Most chlorine generators use a salt content of 3000 ppm - 4500 ppm. You want a unit that needs less than 3500 ppm to operate effectively.A chlorine generator's main function is to produce chlorine at the pool so you do not have to go buy it, store it or handle it. These are big advantages for many pool owners. Chlorine generators,when functioning correctly produce chlorine constantly (when the pump is running). This keeps a residual of chlorine in the pool that prevents algae from growing. The secret is keeping the cell free of calcium and mineral deposits so it can continue to make chlorine. The cell itself is made up of precious metals with each manufacturer using what they believe is the best technology and manufacturing methods. In the 21st century most of these units will be similar in quality and performance.
The chlorine generators are like an "IV" to the pool. Through the process of electrolysis, water passing over the chlorine generator cell produces chlorine that is instantaneously transformed into Hypochlorous Acid. When any type of chlorine is added to water it makes the same thing, hypochlorous acid! That's right it's ALL the same, it does not matter if it is Sodium Hypochlorite (liquid chlorine), Tri-chlor and Di-chlor or Lithium based, Cal-hypo or even gas chlorine it all makes the same thing, Hypochlorous Acid. Sure they affect the water chemistry differently and some add to TDS or increase calcium levels, the point is this; Hypochlorous Acid is the active sanitizer, this is what kills algae and other harmful stuff in the water. Its effectiveness is totally predicated on balanced water conditions and more importantly proper pH. So, with a salt water system or chlorine generator or whatever you want to call it you still must maintain your water balance (pool chemistry) properly. As long as you understand this and do this, the chlorine generator will perform as is was designed.
Some manufactures make non-reverse polarity units and reverse polarity units. A reverse polarity unit reverses the electron flow through the cell causing mineral deposits to flake off. Minerals are attracted to these cells because of the molecular flow of electricity at the level of atoms (it's low voltage at the cell). The premise here is that these cells do not require cleaning. The mineral deposits are now big enough to actually get caught in the filtration system. This is the reasoning behind the claim that chlorine generators can reduce the scum line build up at the waterline. I think it is worth the premium you pay for the reverse polarity type. It is usually nominal. Some sales people, if they sell a non-reverse polarity system only will make the argument that by cleaning the cell manually you are getting rid of the scale and minerals immediately (when you manually clean the cell). This is a reasonable argument. Both units require this anyway the reverse polarity unit requires it less. The bottom line for chlorine generators, They can be more convenient because you do not need to handle or buy chlorine and if the unit is functioning correctly a chlorine residual will always be present in the pool eliminating algae. You still must maintain your pool. You still must maintain correct water balance. None of this changes!
OZONE:
The process of making the chlorine with these systems is the same, but it is just the electronics and
construction materials that has gotten significantly better over the years. Advanced microprocessors and electronics, better more resistant plastics and precious metals used in the cells have contributed to the advancement of this technology.
Ocean water has a salt content of around 35,000 parts per million. Most humans have a taste threshold of around 3500 parts per million. This is about the solution of saline or thereabout. Most chlorine generators use a salt content of 3000 ppm - 4500 ppm. You want a unit that needs less than 3500 ppm to operate effectively.A chlorine generator's main function is to produce chlorine at the pool so you do not have to go buy it, store it or handle it. These are big advantages for many pool owners. Chlorine generators,when functioning correctly produce chlorine constantly (when the pump is running). This keeps a residual of chlorine in the pool that prevents algae from growing. The secret is keeping the cell free of calcium and mineral deposits so it can continue to make chlorine. The cell itself is made up of precious metals with each manufacturer using what they believe is the best technology and manufacturing methods. In the 21st century most of these units will be similar in quality and performance.
The chlorine generators are like an "IV" to the pool. Through the process of electrolysis, water passing over the chlorine generator cell produces chlorine that is instantaneously transformed into Hypochlorous Acid. When any type of chlorine is added to water it makes the same thing, hypochlorous acid! That's right it's ALL the same, it does not matter if it is Sodium Hypochlorite (liquid chlorine), Tri-chlor and Di-chlor or Lithium based, Cal-hypo or even gas chlorine it all makes the same thing, Hypochlorous Acid. Sure they affect the water chemistry differently and some add to TDS or increase calcium levels, the point is this; Hypochlorous Acid is the active sanitizer, this is what kills algae and other harmful stuff in the water. Its effectiveness is totally predicated on balanced water conditions and more importantly proper pH. So, with a salt water system or chlorine generator or whatever you want to call it you still must maintain your water balance (pool chemistry) properly. As long as you understand this and do this, the chlorine generator will perform as is was designed.
Some manufactures make non-reverse polarity units and reverse polarity units. A reverse polarity unit reverses the electron flow through the cell causing mineral deposits to flake off. Minerals are attracted to these cells because of the molecular flow of electricity at the level of atoms (it's low voltage at the cell). The premise here is that these cells do not require cleaning. The mineral deposits are now big enough to actually get caught in the filtration system. This is the reasoning behind the claim that chlorine generators can reduce the scum line build up at the waterline. I think it is worth the premium you pay for the reverse polarity type. It is usually nominal. Some sales people, if they sell a non-reverse polarity system only will make the argument that by cleaning the cell manually you are getting rid of the scale and minerals immediately (when you manually clean the cell). This is a reasonable argument. Both units require this anyway the reverse polarity unit requires it less. The bottom line for chlorine generators, They can be more convenient because you do not need to handle or buy chlorine and if the unit is functioning correctly a chlorine residual will always be present in the pool eliminating algae. You still must maintain your pool. You still must maintain correct water balance. None of this changes!
OZONE:
Ozone has been around since the beginning of time. If you have ever been in a lightning storm when it is raining and smell that clean smell. That is ozone. It is has a very short life. Ozone has been used to purify drinking water for decades throughout the world. It is also called tri-atomic oxygen ozone and is a molecule consisting of three atoms of oxygen, formed when oxygen molecules are broken apart and rejoined again. The ozone molecule is a very powerful oxidizer. It destroys anything it comes in contact with 3000 times faster and more effectively than anything else available today by attacking the contaminants at the molecular level. When the oxidation is complete, or if ozone finds nothing to oxidize, it returns to molecular oxygen (2 atoms) dissipating into the atmosphere.
Ozone is produced in the stratosphere by two methods. UV radiation from the sun will break apart molecular oxygen into individual nascent oxygen atoms. These atoms quickly attach themselves to the first molecule they encounter. When they join with an oxygen molecule, tri atomic oxygen is born. Another way in which ozone is created is through lightning occurring in the stratosphere. The electricity breaks apart the molecules and rejoins them in the same manner as UV radiation. The scent you may smell after a thunderstorm is sometimes the smell of ozone.
Ozone is also produced for swimming pool and spa water in these two methods. In the UV method, air is passed over a UV bulb, and the radiation creates nascent oxygen and then ozone. The molecules are then introduced into the water where they can do their stuff. In the corona discharge method, a small lightning storm is created in an air filled and dried chamber utilizing special and expensive electronics and equipment. Swim World Pools recommend the less expensive ozone system, the UV.
Ozone is indeed a powerful oxidizer, but it is a gas. It is not marketed as a stand alone technology simply because of the production required to have ozone molecules visit every square inch of your pool before it is changed into something other than ozone. Ozone has a short life span (about 20 minutes), and the distribution of it. Ozone is also not very effective on algae. What is effective in is killing the "nasty's" (perspiration, urine, viruses, etc) So not as much chlorine is needed to oxidize these "nasty's". You still need a small amount of chlorine .5ppm - 1ppm to sanitize the water and to prevent algae. Because Ozone only lasts about 20 minutes in a pool 2-speed circulation is the perfect system to use Ozone with. The 2-speed pump runs 24/7 producing Ozone all the time. This makes it possible to use a much lower than normal residual of chlorine in the pool than a pool without Ozone. A 2-speed pump is the most beneficial.
Ozone will continue to grab market share for pools. It gives water a better smell, taste and clarity than chlorine alone, and because it produces no byproducts, it doesn't contribute to TDS. Ozone removes certain dissolved metals and rids the pool of soaps, scum, oils and chloramines. Ozone has synergy with halogens, meaning that when combined, they work even better on certain micro contaminants. Ozone makes sense! It is also relatively inexpensive.
I feel that the BEST pool will have 24/7 circulation, correct hydraulic
design with an automatic Electric cleaner , a quality Ozone system and a
an automatic chlorinator for sanitizer residual. This is the recipe for
a low maintenance pool.
