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What should be used for swimming pool disinfection? This is not a simple question. Before selecting a suitable disinfectant, it is essential to evaluate the specific conditions of the pool.
Key factors include whether the pool is indoor or outdoor, the regional water characteristics (hard water or soft water), as well as water parameters such as pH, alkalinity, and overall balance. In addition, environmental conditions like weather and bather load also significantly affect disinfection performance.
In practice, one of the most effective and widely used disinfectants for swimming pools is Trichloroisocyanuric Acid (TCCA), also known as high-efficiency chlorine.
TCCA is typically available in two main forms:
Powder (90% available chlorine) – commonly referred to as pool chlorine powder
Tablets (50% available chlorine) – commonly referred to as pool chlorine tablets
TCCA is an organic chlorine compound with excellent chemical stability. It is resistant to decomposition, and when stored in a dry environment for one year, the loss of available chlorine is only about 1%.
During hydrolysis in water, TCCA releases hypochlorous acid (HOCl), which is a highly effective oxidizing agent. HOCl destroys microorganisms by oxidizing and denaturing their proteins.
Studies show that, at the same concentration, the disinfecting power of hypochlorous acid is 80–100 times higher than that of hypochlorite salts such as:
Sodium hypochlorite (liquid bleach)
Calcium hypochlorite (bleaching powder)
Due to its molecular structure, TCCA can gradually release active chlorine, ensuring a stable and sustained disinfecting effect in water. This long-lasting performance is a critical requirement for swimming pool maintenance and is a key advantage over traditional chlorine solutions.
When using TCCA for pool disinfection, operational convenience is an important consideration.
TCCA Powder must be pre-dissolved in water before application, which can be less convenient and more difficult to control during dosing.
TCCA Tablets, however, offer a more practical solution. They can be added directly into the pool and dissolve completely within approximately 10 minutes.
For optimal results, the pool circulation system should be running during dosing to ensure even distribution. The use of an automatic dosing system is highly recommended for improved efficiency and accuracy.
TCCA Tablets (≥50% available chlorine)
Fast-dissolving tablets, fully dissolved within about 10 minutes
Recommended dosage: 2–4 g per m³ of water (equivalent to 2–4 kg per 1000 m³)
Example calculation:
If 2 g of tablet is added per 1 m³ of water:
2 g × 50% × 1000 = 1000 mg available chlorine
1000 mg ÷ 1000 L = 1 mg/L (1 ppm) residual chlorine
TCCA Powder (≥90% available chlorine)
Slightly soluble in water
Typically pre-dissolved before application
Complete dispersion and dissolution may take approximately 1 hour
Recommended dosage:
1–2 g per m³ of water (equivalent to 1–2 kg per 1000 m³)
Example calculation:
If 2 g of powder is added per 1 m³ of water:
2 g × 90% × 1000 = 1800 mg available chlorine
1800 mg ÷ 1000 L = 1.8 mg/L (1.8 ppm) residual chlorine
Summary
TCCA is a highly efficient, stable, and cost-effective solution for swimming pool disinfection. With its strong oxidizing capability, sustained chlorine release, and flexible application forms, it is particularly suitable for regions with varying water conditions such as the Middle East and Africa.
