Section V. OPERATION UNDER UNUSUAL CONDITIONS
2-12. General
The unit will operate satisfactorily under extremes
Water
of heat, rain, high humidity, high altitude, water,
a. If difficulty is experienced in obtaining proper
mud, rocks, etc.
hypochlorinator operation where hard water
conditions are known to exist, it is recommended
that the pumping block assembly (fig. 2-3 ) be
(-18 C)
removed for cleaning.
a. When operating the unit where freezing
b. The formation of a white coating on the
temperatures are likely to be encountered, it is
hypochlorinator diaphragm, on the hype.
essential that all water be drained from the unit
c h l o r i n a t o r poppet valves, or on the hypo-
during shutdown periods. It is important that all
chlorinator poppet valve seats, is an indication of
h y p o c h l o r i t e solution be drained from the
the effects of hard water and may bring about
hypochlorinator pump body by removing the
improper operation of the hypochlorinator. The
poppet valves (para 3-14).
coating can easily be removed by soaking the parts
b. If at all possible, locate the unit to take ad-
in 5 percent hydrochloric acid.
vantage of natural barriers that will protect it from
c. When the water used to dilute or mix the
the elements. Construct windbreakers and erect
sterilizing hypochlorite solution contains what is
tenting.
commonly termed "hardness", it is necessary to
WARNING
observe certain precautions. In order to precipitate
Do not touch metal parts with bare
as much as possible of the "hardness" before the
hands during extremely low tern.
solution has passed through the hypochlorinator, it
peratures.
is recommended that soda ash, or what is more
commonly known as washing soda, be added to the
A water supply which is contaminated with salt
sterilizing solution. This will result in the
water is not satisfactory as a drinking water supply.
precipitation of the "hardness", and the precipitate
Water containing salt should not be used for
should be allowed to settle to the bottom of the
preparing hypochlorite solution.
mixing container. The amount of soda ash to be
added can best be determined experimentally by
observing the precipitate. A slight excess of soda
a. Locate the equipment where dust and sand are
ash is not harmful in any way. Certain types of
at a minimum. Erect barriers and tenting to protect
hardness will precipitate without the washing soda.
the unit from blowing dust or sand. Cover the
Where a precipitate is obtained, it is advisable to
hypochlorite solution reservoir.
use two solution containers. The solution should be
b. Whenever possible, wash the equipment free
made up in a container such as a barrel and after
of dirt and dust. Wet down the immediate area to
the precipitate has formed, the clear solution should
lessen the amount of blowing sand or dust.
be syphoned into the hypochlorite bag on the unit.
The precipitate should be disposed of to waste.
