Chlorine vs. Chlorine Dioxide

While chlorine dioxide has chlorine in its name, its chemistry is radically different from that of chlorine. It has to do with the way electrons interact with one another. Chlorine dioxide and chlorine - because of their fundamentally different chemistries - react in distinct ways with organic compounds, and as a result generate very different by-products.

Chlorine

Chlorine Dioxide

Effectiveness

Contact Time

Residual

Biofilms

Toxicity

Corrosion

pH

Phenol

Medium Spectrum
Is ineffective against complexorganisms
(e.g.: Cysts & Protozoa)

Longer contact time

1.0 ppm

Does not remove biofilm

Produces unwanted by-productsincluding carcinogens

Is corrosive and unpleasant to handle

Is pH Dependent and very in effective above pH 7

Limited oxidative effect against various chemical contaminants. Formschlorinated phenols

Broad Spectrum

Shorter contact time than Chlorine

0.2 - 0.4 ppm

Will remove biofilm and thus clean tanks and pipes

Does not form chlorinated by-products

Is much less corrosive than chlorine. Does not hydrolyse to form an acid

Effective at wide pH Range: 3-10

Destroys phenols (without forming chlorinated phenols) specificdestruction of Hydrogen Sulphides. Destruction of a wide range of chemical contaminants