TYPES/FORMS OF CHLORINE DIOXIDE
Chlorine Dioxide comes in three types/forms – liquid, powder, and tablet. In the tablet form, both reagents are compressed and packed together as a tablet. Common in all three forms of ClO2 is that they come with two reagents that need to be mixed to generate ClO2 at the point of use.
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Liquid Form of ClO2
Also known as stabilized chlorine dioxide (SCD), it is the safest form of chlorine dioxide because both reagents are in liquid form, eliminating the risk of ignition or explosion. This form is convenient for users as it allows for precise measurement, ensuring the exact amount of ClO2 is generated for an application, reducing wastage due to decomposition.
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Powder Form of ClO2
The powder form of ClO2 is considered the most unsafe because one of the reagents is combustible and can ignite or explode with friction, heat, or impact. To minimize human intervention, the powder form comes in pre-measured weights, requiring full usage at once, even if less ClO2 is needed. Excess ClO2 must be stored in large HDPE tanks, with stability dependent on concentration, temperature, pressure, light, and pH. Storing ClO2 for a long period is not advisable as its concentration decreases over time, leading to wastage.
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Tablet Form of ClO2
This form comes as a tablet and must be vacuum-packed to prevent contact with atmospheric moisture. The tablet form is ideal for small applications, with the largest available tablet weighing 20g, capable of generating 2000ppm of ClO2.