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Topic: how to dissolve chlorine  (Read 17247 times)

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Offline trebor

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how to dissolve chlorine
« on: December 15, 2006, 08:54:30 PM »
a little over 3 months ago i had an "odor of something dead" in my well. i have had this problem before and treated it with bleach. this time i had the idea to put a 3 inch chlorine tablet in the well. hind site 20/20 this was a poor decision. after 3+ months and to my amazement the chlorine is still there. i have read that chlorine dissapates by sunlight and air. my well has neither. my research has fount that chlorine can be neutralized by hydrogen peroxide. this has proved correct on 2 occasions but the chlorine returns after the peroxide is gone. i have also read chlorine can combine with nitrogen to form chloramines. i'm not sure if i have this. i have read that absorbic acid will dissolve chlorine. i have also read potassium peroxymonosulfate (common pool shock) will remove the chlorine but i am afraid i might end up with a worse situation since i am unfimilar with its effects.
        my questions are:
            how can i dissolve the tablet? if it "should" be dissolved by now what can be done to remove the "side effects"?
        i feel i have not been lazy in my attempts to correct this problem but after 3+ months of water problems i am ready to have this corrected.
       some facts:
                       the 3 inch tablet is 99% trichloro-s-triazinetrione with 90% available chlorine
                       my well is a surface bored well with a reservior of 24' depth and 24" diameter
                       the tablet has been in the well 3 + months
           thanks for any help trebor

Offline billnotgatez

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Re: how to dissolve chlorine
« Reply #1 on: December 16, 2006, 06:21:28 AM »
Could you give us the product information so that we may look it up on the Internet?

Here is a guess as to what has happened.
The tablet has totally dissolved into the water and then permeated into the soil surrounding in the well wall. This is acting like a slow release mechanism. Any other chemicals put into the well may do the same thing, which will probably make the well situation worse. Maybe pumping the water out on a regular basis will at least lessen the level of the chlorine enough to make the water usable.
What you did was add chlorine in a greater concentration than what is recommended for shocking a well. Although, the stuff you used is used for swimming, it is not meant for drinking.
That is my best guess.
Best of luck

Offline trebor

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Re: how to dissolve chlorine
« Reply #2 on: December 16, 2006, 02:40:37 PM »
thanks for the reply.
         here's all the info i can find on the bucket of tablets:
name: aquabrite
         3 inch chlorinating tablets
         active ingredient trichloro-s-triazinetrione 99%
         available chlorine     90.0%
         manufactured for:  the pool water specialist
                                    3140 amity court
                                    charlotte nc 28215
         manufactured by:  m&m industries chattanooga tn
      it lists standard health warnings. states adding 1 tablet per day to keep chlorine level between 1 and 3 ppm for 10,000 gallons. the 1st month or so my readings were over 10 ppm (thats all my test kit will read) now its down to around 5 but the hydrogen peroxide would cause a reading of 0 ppm.
      do you feel this is something that will correct itself with time or do i need an offensive approach?
      once again i'm very greatful for the help.
                        trebor

Offline enahs

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Re: how to dissolve chlorine
« Reply #3 on: December 16, 2006, 05:19:11 PM »
It should correct its self over time. The problem is the environment is sealed, and could take a long time.

This is one of those problems of possibly making it worse while trying to make it better.

One idea would be to make a super saturated solution of Sodium thiosulfate, and slowly and carefully add it to the well, give it some time and check the chlorine level with a pool kit. The sodium thoisulfate should have better results then the hydrogen peroxide.

Your problem is, you are not actually removing the chlorine from the well, you are just changing its form.

You might just invest in some water filtration systems for everywhere that uses the water for digestion (kitchen faucets, and possibly your refrigerator for cold water and ice), and give it some times and see if it works its self out on its own (this depends on the local geology).

Or you could spend $1000++ dollars and invest in a well filtration system...


Offline billnotgatez

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Re: how to dissolve chlorine
« Reply #4 on: December 16, 2006, 11:00:25 PM »
I could not find the product you specified but here is one that may be similar.

http://www.cheappoolproducts.com/Blue~Wave~3~Tablets~Pool~Chlorine_82_3638~product.html




I wonder if this thread should be in
Chemistry Forum, Chemistry Question, Chemistry Help
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| |-+  Generic Discussion
| | |-+  Chem Central
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Offline billnotgatez

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Re: how to dissolve chlorine
« Reply #5 on: December 16, 2006, 11:24:24 PM »
If I did the math correctly you put a tablet in to less than 100 gallons that was designed for 10000 gallons. It seems that the tablet would be entirely devolved in a week or so. Therefor my assessment still stands that the surrounding soil absorbed a lot of the excess and is releasing it over time. Eventually the concentration level should drop on its own depending on the speed of dissipation and the amount of water flowing out. You might want to make sure there is a continual flow that does not render the well dry over several days. That should eventually get rid of the chlorine. I am not sure that adding other chemicals would be beneficial, but I am no authority. When it comes to putting chemicals in drinking water I am circumspect.

Offline trebor

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Re: how to dissolve chlorine
« Reply #6 on: December 17, 2006, 12:49:13 AM »
thanks again for all the help.
        i think i'll use a carbon filter in my filter system (it hasn't been needed or used in years) and will run the water steadily for a period of days. it takes a load off  my mind to know that "eventually" the chlorine will work itself out and that the tablet is dissolved.
        i also think i'll take another spoonful of patience and pass on trying more chemicals. this site has been a big help and i am very greatful,
                      trebor

Offline billnotgatez

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Re: how to dissolve chlorine
« Reply #7 on: December 17, 2006, 02:00:35 AM »
Chlorine has been used to fix a well contamination problems. The issue is to make sure you use the proper concentration. Carbon filters have also been used to make water drinkable. There are lots of systems out there that address all sorts of drinking water problems.

Below are some links that discuss chlorine disinfecting. There is no shortage of sites selling water purification systems.

http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/0,1082,0_563_,00.html
http://elkhorn.unl.edu/epublic/pages/publicationD.jsp?publicationId=358
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_purification
http://www.nesc.wvu.edu/ndwc/ndwc_tb_available.htm




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