US 4,767,511 AGranted

Chlorination and pH control system

OwnerPedro J. Aragoninventor

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Abstract

System for automatic control of chlorine content and pH in swimming pools. This system includes an electrolytic cell for generation of chlorine and caustic soda as needed, and an acid supply system for adding hydrochloric acid to the pool as required. Generation of chlorine and addition of acid are controlled automatically in response to sensed oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) and pH of the swimming pool water. The sensors for this purpose may be placed in a conventional pool recirculation line, and chlorine, caustic soda (which is co-produced with chlorine) and hydrochloric acid may be added to the pool via the recirculation line. The electrolytic cell has a porous separator dividing the cell into anolyte and catholyte compartments. The latter is operated at a slightly higher pressure than the former. Chlorine generated in the cell is separated from spent brine, which is recirculated back to a brine tank where it is resaturated. The system may include a timer.

A system for chlorination and pH control of a body of water having a recirculation line, said system comprising:

(a) sources of brine and water;
(b) conduits for said brine and water connected to the respective sources;
(c) an electrolytic cell for generation of chlorine and caustic soda from said brine and water, said cell comprising:
(1) an assembly comprising a porous separator, a perforated anode and a perforated cathode, said anode and said cathode being in engagement with said separator on opposite sides thereof, said separator dividing said cell into anolyte and catholyte compartments and forming the sole barrier between said compartment
(2) said anolyte compartment including said anode, an inlet for said brine, a chlorine gas-spent brine separation chamber at the top thereof, and separate outlets for spent brine and chlorine;
(3) said catholyte compartment including said cathode, an inlet for said water, and a single outlet at the top thereof for sodium hydroxide and hydrogen, said single outlet being the only outlet from said catholyte compartment;
(d) a recirculation conduit for recirculating spent brine from said anolyte compartment to said source of brine;
(e) a gas feed conduit for conveying chlorine gas from said anolyte compartment to said body of water;
(f) an alkali feed conduit for conveying sodium hydroxide and hydrogen as a single stream from said catholyte compartment to said body of water;
(g) a source of acid;
(h) a conduit for supplying acid from said source of acid to said body of water;
(i) oxidation-reduction potential and pH control means, said control means including means for sensing the oxidation-reduction potential of water in said body for activating said electrolytic cell when the oxidation-reduction potential is below a predetermined value;
and means for sensing the pH in said body of water and causing said acid to be fed to said body when the pH is above a predetermined value, said means for sensing said oxidation-reduction potential and said pH being at locations remote from the streams of chlorine, sodium hydroxide and acid supplied to said body of water.

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Abstract

Claims15