1. Gas chlorination: In this method, chlorine gas is introduced into water through a gas feeder system. The gas dissolves in the water and reacts with organic and inorganic compounds to form disinfectants. Gas chlorination is a cost-effective method for large-scale water treatment systems.
2. Liquid chlorination: Liquid chlorine, in the form of sodium hypochlorite or calcium hypochlorite, is added directly to water to disinfect it. Liquid chlorination is commonly used in smaller water treatment systems and swimming pools. It is easy to handle and store, but can be more expensive than gas chlorination.
3. Electrochlorination: Electrochlorination involves the electrolysis of a salt solution to produce chlorine gas, which is then dissolved in water to form hypochlorous acid. This method is often used in seawater desalination plants and industrial water treatment systems. Electrochlorination is a sustainable and environmentally friendly method of chlorination.
4. UV chlorination: Ultraviolet (UV) light can be used to disinfect water by disrupting the DNA of microorganisms, rendering them inactive. UV chlorination is a chemical-free method of water treatment that is effective against a wide range of pathogens. It is often used in conjunction with other disinfection methods, such as chlorination, to provide a multi-barrier approach to water treatment.