ARTICLE | Bromine for Swimming Pools - Spanish Real Estate forum - Spanish property

Homefinder · 07-27-2008, 10:50 PM

Chlorine vs Bromine

Chlorine is a gas and can only be used for domestic pool sanitation by combining with other chemicals. Additionally it is destroyed by UV light of which we have a lot in Costa Blanca.
When chlorine is dissolved in water Hypochlorous Acid is formed and this is the sanitizer with chlorine systems.
Bromine is a solid and a very similar chemical element to Chlorine. Bromine is also affected by UV light but, unlike Chlorine, it remains in the water for reuse.
When Bromine Salt (Sodium Bromide) is present in the water and an oxidant is added Hyprobromus Acid is formed. This oxidation can be achieved with Chlorine (and the chlorine disappears from the water) or other oxidant, for example Sodium Monopersulphate.
After doing it’s job the Sodium Bromide returns to the water for re-use.

General Qualities

Chlorine kills bacteria, controls algae and combines with the remains and other debris in the water (bather waste, dust etc.) to form Chloramines (Chlorine + Nitrates and Ammonia).
Chloramines are smelly and POOR sanitizers.
Bromine kills, controls and combines with debris (just like chlorine) and forms Bromamines (Bromine + Nitrates and Ammonia)
Bromamines have little smell and are VERY GOOD sanitizers.

For optimum effectiveness with chlorine sanitizers the pH of the water is critical and must be kept between 7.4 and 7.6
Bromine sanitizers work just as well with the pH anywhere between 7.0 and 8.0.

Chlorine is very unstable where there is UV light and we get a lot in Costa Blanca. Most chlorine products contain the stabilizer Cyanuric Acid that builds up over time and creates a real problem.
The only real solution is partial drainage every year, otherwise more and more chlorine is required and the sanitization can be compromised The water is a dangerous culture for bacteria and virus - that's if it's not already green or swimming has stopped due to the bad odors and sore eyes!
Bromine is not affected by Cyanuric Acid thus avoiding costly drainage.

Bather Experience

A lot has been said about Chlorine being smelly and an irritant but, in fact, nothing could be further from the truth.
The fact is that Chlorine, at the correct level, is virtually undetectable.
It is the Chloramines that cause all the trouble and these are usually caused by excessive cyanuric acid, poor pool maintenance or lack of knowledge about shocking.
There is no doubt that some people are allergic to Chlorine.
Others, possibly with a mild allergy, suffer from sore eyes and skin irritations after prolonged bathing.
If shocking is neglected smells, sore eyes and skin irritations are virtually guaranteed.
Consequently, before deciding on Bromine you should question if any problems are due to lack of proper shocking.
Bromine is commonly used in the USA and many pool owners, once they have tried it, would use nothing else. Bromamines, like Chloramines, cannot be avoided. However Bromines have no taste or smell, do not irritate and go on sanitising the water.
Most certainly, the joy of swimming in Chlorine free water makes it all worthwhile

Relative Cost

The start-up and maintenance dose of Sodium Bromine is an additional cost. If chlorine products are used to oxidise there is a considerable saving
For pool professionals who are not inclined to drain down on a regular basis chlorine is not really an option because this involves more frequent visits and a less pleasant bather experience.

Important Please Note: Most test kits are not suitable for use with Bromine and can give a false (High) pH reading, which in turn can lead to dangerously acid water.
I have tested several. There may be other by the only ones I have found that give a true reading are the Taylor Kits.
Obviously this only applies to the Pheonal Red but it is important to purchase refills that are also genuine Taylor.

For further information -

Wikipedia - Swimming Pool Santiization

Homefinder