Some investigations relative to the depreciation of electrolytically produced solutions of sodium hypochlorite

Abstract

In a previous Paper read before the Faraday Society the writer alluded to the effect of instability on the efficiency of hypochlorite production, and cited, in one instance, depreciations of 0'20 to 0.45 grammes per litre in six hours, and in another instance of from 0.03 to 0.40 grammes per litre during a period of twelve hours. These depreciations referred only to the reaction or reversion to sodium chloride taking place during the process of manufacture, but did not concern solutions made under circumstances calculated to maintain their strength for fairly long periods, nor did they concern conditions of storage likely to affect this stability. The present note, therefore, contains some records of depreciations taking place over a long period, and also some records taking place over a short period under exceptional conditions of storage. A.-GLASS BOTTLE TESTS. These tests cover, firstly, a comparison between the effect of storing hypochlorite solution in bottles of dark and light amber colour, the first and last dates being over five years apart. TABLE I. The initial strength in available chlorine being in each case 4216 grammes per litre, the final strength after 1,817 days had fallen to 2'515 grammes per litre with the dark amber bottle, and to 1.275 grammes per litre with the light