Recent efforts at improving shipboard operations have focused on desalination systems. One area in which manpower may be significantly reduced is in the monitoring chlorine residuals from hypochlorite enhanced streams that are used for periodic biofouling control flushes of microfiltration membranes. These are used for pretreatment of seawater prior to exposure to reverse osmosis membranes used for desalination. Another area of interest is the measurement of oxidant levels in potable water to ensure safe levels are maintained. Current manual methods are not an efficient use of resources. These manual methods require consumables and are not real time. Commercially available sensors are unable to survive or accurately measure levels of oxidant in the 50 to 500 ppm range. Halogen Systems proposes to adapt its Chlorine Sensor Technology Platform to provide long term measurement stability along with a level of performance necessary for monitoring the Total Residual Oxidant levels of hypochlorite enhanced seawater flushing and potable water bromine and chlorine measurement.
Benefit: The benefits of this research lie in improving chlorine monitoring in a host of industries. Chlorine is the most widely tested parameter after pH. Improved electrode materials and techniques resulting in a robust measurement system capable of measuring high levels of chlorine have application in sterilization and decontamination in the healthcare and food service industries. High levels of chlorine are also periodically used to remove biofilms in hot tub plumbing and to kill Cryptosporidium in commercial swimming pools. Other applications include automation of biofouling control of invasive species in ballast water, pressurized seawater cleaning systems, and fishing vessel holding tanks and wastewater treatment.
Keywords: Total residual oxidant sensor, Total residual oxidant sensor, hypochlorous acid, biofouling control, electrolytic chlorination, membrane flushing, Desalination, hypobromous acid, potable water, biological fouling
