What Is The Difference Between Calcium Hypochlorite And Sodium Hypochlorite?

Both calcium hypochlorite and sodium hypochlorite play an important role in disinfection and sterilization. Their unique properties and wide application scenarios provide strong support for hygiene control in various fields. In this article, we mainly introduce the characteristics of each product and compare their performance, usage, and storage stability.

What is Calcium Hypochlorite

 

CHC or Cal Hypo, short for calcium hypochlorite, usually exists in the form of white to off-white granules and tablets. When dissolved in water, Cal Hypo will release hypochlorous acid, showing strong oxidation and bactericidal properties, so it's popularly used in swimming pool shock treatment.

 

Key Features:

• Available chlorine: typically 65%–70%
• Solid form, easy to store and transport
• Strong disinfecting capability
• Long shelf life with low chlorine loss

What is Sodium Hypochlorite

 

Sodium hypochlorite, known as bleaching water, has the molecular formula NaClO. It is an inorganic compound that is dissolved in water in different concentrations, usually in light yellow-green solution, with chlorine smell.

 

Bleaching water can also be used for pool disinfection, but less frequently. It has strong oxidation and bleaching properties, mainly used for household disinfection, which is the main component of household bleach.

The available chlorine content of Cal Hypo is as high as 70%, but bleaching water generally contains 6%. So in term of storage, Cal Hypo can save more space and handling effort.

However, the process of using Cal Hypo is more troublesome, because it contains a lot of insoluble matter, and it needs to be dissolved and clarified before it can be poured into the pool. In addition, using Cal Hypo in the pool can increase the pH and calcium hardness of the pool water, thereby improving the flocculation effect.

Compared with Cal Hypo, bleaching water is liquid itself, so it can be used directly or simply diluted. But it has low concentration and short shelf life. The higher the concentration, the shorter the shelf life.

In general, 6% concentration of bleaching water will become 3.3% for one year, which is equal to a loss of more than 2/5, but Cal Hypo loses only 6% a year, which is less than 1/10. Therefore, it's easy for bleaching water to lose available chlorine, which makes it impossible to accurately control the concentration of use. Also, it has some difficulties in transportation.

Both Cal Hypo and bleaching water have excellent performance in many fields. They are commonly used in swimming pool disinfection with efficient bacteria-killing effects, thus effectively preventing the spread of diseases. Compared with bleaching water, Cal Hypo is a great option for pool shock treatment.

You may like: What's the Best Pool Shock for Your Swimming Pool?

At the same time, they are excellent bleaching agents, which have a wide range of applications in textile, paper and other industries. Moreover, they are often used in industrial wastewater treatment to remove harmful substances and protect the ecological environment. It is worth mentioning that when highly toxic chemicals leak, both can be used as neutralizers to neutralize and react with them, thereby changing the nature of these chemicals and reducing their toxicity and danger.

Pool Disinfection

Textile Industry

Paper Making Industry

Water Treatment

• Store away from heat, sunlight, and organic materials
• Keep containers tightly sealed
• Avoid mixing with acids or ammonia
• Use protective gloves and goggles during handling
• Ensure good ventilation when preparing solutions

In short, calcium hypochlorite and sodium hypochlorite have their unique advantages and application scenarios. If you have any product needs, please feel free to contact us. We can not only provide professional guidance, but also chemicals with high quality.