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Specialty Chemistry Forums => Chemical Engineering Forum => Topic started by: emc2kh on May 31, 2019, 04:58:38 PM

Title: Question about mixing hydrochloric acid with sodium hypochlorite
Post by: emc2kh on May 31, 2019, 04:58:38 PM
Hello all. I was wondering if anyone could point out any problems with what I want to do. I have no chemistry background so please excuse me if I use the wrong terminology. I have been feeding NaClO(10% concentration I think) into my swimming pool via a tube connected to a fitting on the suction side of my system before my pump for a while now. The problem is crystals eventually start to form in the fitting where the water touches the NaClO and slowly block the flow. I want to put a "Y" fitting in and start feeding both NaCLO and pool acid (14.5% concentration I think) through that "Y" fitting to accomplish 2 things. To regulate the pH of my pool and to clean out those crystals. The tubing is HDPE and the "Y" fitting will be Polypropylene. Will anything bad happen where those 2 chemicals touch each other in the fitting? I appreciate any help.
Title: Re: Question about mixing hydrochloric acid with sodium hypochlorite
Post by: Borek on June 01, 2019, 03:35:52 AM
Mixing relatively concentrated solutions of HCl and hypochlorite (no matter what the material the fitting is made of) is a dangerous idea, as they will react vigorously producing heat and free chlorine.
Title: Re: Question about mixing hydrochloric acid with sodium hypochlorite
Post by: emc2kh on June 04, 2019, 11:58:29 AM
Okay, I guess I will add another fitting somewhere else so they are feeding in separate places at separate times. Thanks.
Title: Re: Question about mixing hydrochloric acid with sodium hypochlorite
Post by: ioncube on June 26, 2019, 01:34:04 PM
The problem is crystals eventually start to form in the fitting where the water touches the NaClO and slowly block the flow.

What is the temperature of water when you feed NaOCl? Add some amount of NaOH in NaOCl before feeding to reduce those crystals