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How does advanced oxidation process work
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The growing appeal of secondary disinfection can be attributed to consumers wanting a more natural swimming experience
here is a growing consumer interest in secondary sanitisation, “Hydroxyl radicals sound like a complicated science-y element,” says in part because pool owners want to reduce the amount of Lloyd. “But in fact, they’re very efficient and react with organic and chlorine needed to treat their swimming pool water. inorganic matter in a way that basically spring cleans your pool.” Eddie Lloyd, Theralux marketing director, says some secondary He believes this is the next trend in pool and spa sanitation options also reduce chemical spend and running costs, while water sanitisation. increasing water stability and water quality. “AOP will rise in popularity with residential pool owners. There are However, while these secondary forms of disinfection can reduce different methods of AOP, but by far the most impressive technology chemical use, he wants to dissuade readers from the myth that pools can the industry has seen for some time in respect to residential pool run chlorine-free or chemical-free. sanitation is the introduction photocatalytic and hydroxyl radical “Secondary sanitation systems are just that – secondary. A residual of technology,” he says. chlorine will always be required to help prevent algae “In the Theralux Active Quantum Purity blooms or cross contamination between bathers system, natural light is used as fuel to energise in the pool. This is because secondary sanitation the sophisticated catalyst array containing “It is estimated devices require pool water to pass through a reaction anatase, molybdenum and platinum. This not that up to chamber or similar and then go back to the pool,” only has the power to consume any oils, urea, he says. sunscreen and cosmetic deposits, but also 80 per cent “Sterilising pool water has always been a matter momentarily splits the water molecules into of chlorine of finding a balance between using chemicals strong what is called hydroxyl free radicals, attacking is used up enough to destroy the most harmful germs that may harmful pollutants.” cultivate in the pool, while at the same time limiting the He says this process destroys all known organic and oxidising negative impact of the treatment method on bathers. inorganic contaminants in pool water, including crypto. contaminants “It provides the swimming pool owner the ability It works in the Quantum system following in the water to run chlorine levels lower whilst increasing their this process: protection against bacteria and viruses. The growing 1. Pool water enters, containing bacteria, viruses, and less than appeal of this can be attributed to an ever-growing urea, suntan oil and cosmetics. 20 per is used health consciousness from consumers wanting to have 2. Photocatalytic oxidisation occurs: light energises more natural swimming experience.” the proprietary inner layer and reacts with the rare in fighting One method gaining a lot of interest is elements of anatase, molybdenum and platinum. bacteria.” advanced oxidation process, or AOP, using 3. Hydroxyl free radicals are created via photocatalytic oxidation. photocatalytic oxidisation. “Photocatalytic oxidation systems do dramatically 4. Harmful pollutants are instantly destroyed. improve the quality of water beyond that of its primary sanitation, but do 5. Naturally purified, odourless mineral water returns to the pool. not provide residual sanitation. They do however allow the pool to be run at He says that while other AOP systems generate hydroxyl far lower chlorine levels. It is estimated that up to 80 per cent of chlorine is free radicals, the Theralux Active Quantum Purity system is used up oxidising contaminants in the water and less than 20 per is used in unique as it is the only secondary sanitation option that uses fighting bacteria,” he says. photocatalytic oxidisation. Lloyd says that by both oxidising and sanitising in-line using a “And photocatalytic oxidisation is the most powerful natural photocatalytic advanced oxidation process, the residual chlorine level can be sterilisation agent available and the most effective against viruses reduced to a much lower level of about 0.5ppm or less. and bacteria.” “That is drinking water levels,” he says. The technology has been adopted from high profile industries such as hospitals and drinking water purification companies. What is AOP? Lloyd says it can keep families safe without producing any toxic byAOP pool and spa systems use a set of treatment processes designed to products, and that is the future of pool water sanitisation. n remove organic material from water by producing hydroxyl radicals. Contact: www.theralux.com.au 28
SPLASH!
October/November 2020