Sodium Hypochlorite
NaClO
Sodium hypochlorite is a chlorine-based disinfectant solution (NaClO, CAS 7681-52-9) supplied at 10-15% available chlorine. It is used for water disinfection, pathogen elimination, odor control and sanitation across municipal and industrial applications. Because hypochlorite loses strength in storage, CHIMI ART manufactures it in Egypt and ships fresh stock in drums and IBCs, with the actual available chlorine stated on each batch's certificate of analysis.
Product Overview
Sodium hypochlorite is a chlorine-based disinfectant solution (NaClO, CAS 7681-52-9) supplied at 10-15% available chlorine. It is used for water disinfection, pathogen elimination, odor control and sanitation across municipal and industrial applications. Because hypochlorite loses strength in storage, CHIMI ART manufactures it in Egypt and ships fresh stock in drums and IBCs, with the actual available chlorine stated on each batch's certificate of analysis.
Technical Specifications
- Chemical Formula
- NaClO
- CAS Number
- 7681-52-9
- Appearance
- Pale yellow liquid
- Concentration
- 10-15% available chlorine
- Specific Gravity
- 1.20-1.25
- pH Range
- 11.0-13.0
- Solubility
- Fully miscible with water
- Available Packaging
- 200L drums · 1000L IBC
- Shelf Life
- 6 months
- Storage Conditions
- Cool, dark place
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Chemical Formula | NaClO |
| CAS Number | 7681-52-9 |
| Appearance | Pale yellow liquid |
| Concentration | 10-15% available chlorine |
| Specific Gravity | 1.20-1.25 |
| pH Range | 11.0-13.0 |
| Solubility | Fully miscible with water |
| Available Packaging | 200L drums · 1000L IBC |
| Shelf Life | 6 months |
| Storage Conditions | Cool, dark place |
Applications
Dosing Guidelines
For routine disinfection, sodium hypochlorite is dosed to achieve a free chlorine residual of typically 1-5 mg/L, with 10-20 mg/L used for shock treatment of contaminated systems; actual demand depends on organic load, ammonia content and contact time, so residual chlorine should be monitored continuously or at defined intervals and the feed adjusted accordingly. Dose with a chemical metering pump from the storage tank into a well-mixed point, allowing adequate contact time before the compliance point. Because available chlorine declines during storage, base dose calculations on the measured strength of the batch in use — stated on the certificate of analysis — rather than the nominal concentration.
How It Works
Sodium hypochlorite disinfects by releasing chlorine chemistry into water. On dilution, NaClO hydrolyzes to hypochlorous acid (HOCl) and the hypochlorite ion (OCl⁻) in an equilibrium governed by pH: at lower pH more of the chlorine is present as HOCl, the far more biocidal species, so disinfection is typically more efficient at neutral than at high pH. HOCl penetrates microbial cell walls and oxidizes enzymes and cell components, inactivating bacteria, viruses and other pathogens. In waters containing ammonia, chlorine first forms chloramines, and a higher breakpoint dose is needed before a free chlorine residual appears. The product itself slowly decomposes in storage — heat, sunlight and traces of transition metals accelerate the loss of available chlorine, which is why fresh stock and correct storage matter.
Usage Tips
Store sodium hypochlorite in a cool, dark place in vented HDPE or FRP containers — the solution slowly releases oxygen and containers must not be sealed gas-tight. Shelf life is around 6 months, and available chlorine declines steadily, faster with heat, sunlight and metal contamination, so rotate stock first-in-first-out and buy quantities matched to consumption. Keep it strictly away from acids, which liberate chlorine gas, and from ammonia-based products, which form toxic chloramine vapors. Use compatible plastics for pipework and pumps, and wear gloves and eye protection when handling.
Certifications & Compliance
Frequently Asked Questions
How does sodium hypochlorite disinfect water?
In water it forms hypochlorous acid (HOCl) and hypochlorite ion (OCl⁻). HOCl, the more biocidal species, penetrates microbial cells and oxidizes enzymes and cell components, inactivating bacteria and viruses. Because the HOCl fraction grows as pH falls, disinfection is generally more efficient near neutral pH than in strongly alkaline water.
Why does sodium hypochlorite lose strength, and how fast?
Hypochlorite decomposes on storage, and heat, sunlight and traces of metals such as iron, copper and nickel accelerate the loss of available chlorine. The product's shelf life is around 6 months in a cool, dark store. Rotate stock first-in-first-out, buy to match consumption, and base dosing on the measured strength on each batch's certificate of analysis.
What does '10-15% available chlorine' mean?
Available chlorine expresses the solution's oxidizing and disinfecting capacity as the equivalent amount of elemental chlorine. It is the figure used in dose calculations — a solution at 12% available chlorine delivers roughly twice the disinfecting power per liter of one at 6%. The actual value for each CHIMI ART batch is stated on its certificate of analysis.
What must never be mixed with sodium hypochlorite?
Acids — including hydrochloric and sulfuric acid and acidic cleaners — release toxic chlorine gas on contact with hypochlorite, and ammonia or ammonium-based products form toxic chloramine vapors. Store it segregated from both, in vented containers away from heat and sunlight, and never combine cleaning chemicals in the same tank or line.
What free chlorine residual should disinfection target?
Routine disinfection typically targets a free chlorine residual of 1-5 mg/L, with 10-20 mg/L applied for shock treatment; the exact requirement depends on organic load, ammonia content, contact time and the applicable standard for your system. Monitor residual chlorine at the compliance point and adjust the feed rate accordingly.
Free engineering tool
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Demand plus residual to litres per day of hypochlorite — free, in two minutes.
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