Removing Chlorine and Chloramine in Industrial, Food & Beverage, and Healthcare Environments

While chlorine and chloramine serve important roles in industrial water treatment including waterborne pathogens, some industrial water processes require that they be removed. Examples of situations in which it is desirable to remove chlorine and chloramine include the following:

1. High levels of chloramine can corrode metal pipes and deteriorate rubber leading to leaks in pipes, gaskets, and even leaching metals such as lead into the water, so a reduction or elimination of chloramine may be desired.
2. The brewing and production of high-quality beer and coffee require that almost all chlorine and chloramine be removed, as even a small quantity can leave the product with a foul taste. Chloramine specifically causes a plastic flavor if left in the final product.
3. Crops and aquatic livestock are both sensitive to chlorine and chloramine. The removal of chlorine and chloramine may be essential to their survival.
4. Healthcare patients, such as those who are on dialysis or CPAP machines, can experience adverse health effects if chlorine and chloramine are present at inappropriate levels.
5. Industrial reverse osmosis (RO) systems require water that is free from chlorine and chloramines as they oxidize the RO membranes.

Methods of Chlorine and Chloramine Removal

When it is desirable to remove chlorine and chloramine, there are a few options available that are suitable for water used in manufacturing, food & beverage, healthcare environments, and other areas of industrial water use.

1. Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) Filtration System: This system comes in two forms, a cartridge-based system, and a back-washing tank system. Both function with the same principle in which the water passes through the filter and the chlorine or chloramine binds to the carbon particles, effectively removing them from the water. Cartridge systems, while less expensive, are limited, and should only be used when the flow rate is less than two gallons per minute. Backwash type tank systems are used when greater than two gallons per minute are needed.
2. Ultraviolet (UV) Radiation: UV light can also be used to remove chlorine and chloramine. The UV rays break the bonds in the molecules, transforming them into harmless substances. This method can be more expensive and require more energy than carbon filtration but may be a better choice in some scenarios. And although chloramines can be removed with UV, it requires a lot more energy than chlorine and is almost always cost prohibitive.

There are multiple options for removing chlorine and chloramine but it is important to have expert guidance in choosing the solution that is appropriate for your environment and budget. Contact Industrial Water Solutions right now at info@industrialh2osolutions.com or 800-820-9021 for sizing, sales, leasing, and service of industrial water carbon filters, UV systems, and RO systems throughout Indiana, the Midwest, and the U.S. Our experienced team of technical experts is ready to help.