Bromine 101
Fun Facts and Useful Information
First discovered in 1825, bromine’s atomic number is 35. Like chlorine, bromine is a member of the halogen (salt-forming) family, and easily reacts with other elements. Bromine is an effective sanitizer in that it kills a wide range of microorganisms by destroying enzymes and crucial cell structures through the process of oxidation, which renders them harmless. Bromine is produced naturally by purple snails, which were used by ancient Romans to dye their fabrics purple. Because the process was so demanding, however, only the most affluent of Romans could afford it, lending rich cultural significance to the color purple.
Today, bromine has many different applications. It wasn’t until 1860 that bromine began to be artificially produced on a large scale for various agricultural and industrial purposes. Bromine is used in medicines, oil and fuel production, flame retardants, paint production, pesticides, and the development of photography. During World War II, chlorine became scarce in the United States and bromine became the go-to alternative. Bromine is also used as a water treatment and disinfectant for cooling towers, swimming pools, and spas since 1936. Even though bromine is used as a water sanitizer, free bromine is not used as a treatment for drinking water, as it reacts far too quickly with organic substances and gives drinking water a strong medicine-like taste (iodine is more preferred as a water purifier).
In spas and pools, bromine is used to combat the growth of algae, bacteria, and other microorganisms that can be harmful to humans. Bromine compounds dissolve in water to form hypobromous acid (HOBr), the main disinfecting and oxidizing form of bromine. Bromamines, or combined bromines, are formed when hypobromous acid reacts with and destroys nitrogenous organic matter, and unlike chloramines, are active disinfecting agents. Bromamines won’t irritate eyes and skin or have as strong of an odor as chloramines, either. The pH of water affects the amount of HOBr formed. In water with a pH of 7 to 8 (which is the pH level that pool and spa water should maintain), about 90% of the bromine present is in this form.
Many people choose bromine over chlorine as a sanitizer in hot tubs because it doesn’t give off dangerous gasses at temperatures above 98 degrees Fahrenheit, doesn’t give off unpleasant odors, and works in a wider range of pH levels. Bromine dissolves in water three times better than chlorine. Bromine can also be considered superior to chlorine in that once free chlorine is combined with waste (such as a buildup of dead microorganisms); it has no further sanitizing capabilities. Un-used bromine remaining in spa water can be reactivated with non-chlorine shock. However, bromine degrades at a faster rate than chlorine does when exposed to direct UV rays from sunlight.
We hope this post has been helpful in learning more about bromine as a chemical and, more importantly, as a spa sanitizing method so that you can make your own informed decisions on spa water maintenance.
Want to learn more about bromine and its other uses?
Visit http://www.lenntech.com/processes/disinfection/chemical/disinfectants-bromine.htm#ixzz1o0H1Qe5y to learn more, courtesy of Lenntech Water Treatment Solutions.
