Bromine for pool sanitation

1. BROMINE
Presented By: Ramanpreet Kaur

2. What is pool bromine?
• Bromine is a member of the halogen family, like chlorine and iodine(The
halogens are the elements in group 17 of the periodic table). It is found in
nature, notably in seawater, but never in its pure form. In a pool, it disinfects
the water to keep it clean and clear.
• You can purchase bromine in shops in the form of tablets or granules.

3. What is the difference between bromine and
chlorine?
• Bromine and chlorine work in a similar way, both have the same type of
disinfection properties. However, bromine is more reactive than chlorine
and does not have the same inconveniences because it is odourless and non-
irritating.
• Bromine treatment is also easier and can provide continuous pool
disinfection if you install a distributor.

4. What are the effects of bromine?
• Bromine has a disinfecting effect when diluted in water. It eliminates
bacteria, and acts against algae and fungi.
• It also has a persistent capacity: it immediately purifies the water but
continues to destroy bacteria as they appear.

5. Is bromine dangerous?
• Like chlorine, bromine is a harmful product that must be handled and stored
with care. It can cause allergies, but this is less frequent than with chlorine.
Bromine allergies generally appear after an overdose, so proper use of the
product and regular maintenance are important.

6. The advantages of bromine
• Why choose bromine rather than chlorine? Here are the advantages of this type of water treatment:
• – Temperature: bromine is effective in water up to 30 °C, which is much higher than chlorine. This particularity
makes it an ideal treatment for hot tubs, indoor pools and heated pools.
• – pH variations: bromine is less sensitive to water pH. It remains effective for water disinfection even if the pH is
high, which is not the case for chlorine, and it even requires a higher pH to be very effective.
• – Bathing comfort: bromine is odourless and does not irritate the skin, mucous or eyes. It is therefore more
pleasant to swim in a bromine treated pool than in chlorinated water, especially if you are sensitive to the odour of
chlorine or in case of allergies.
• – Its stability against UV rays: bromine is not highly sensitive to UV rays, which means that it does not deteriorate
with sunlight. This means that it is not necessary to add a stabilising treatment to your pool, and you thus avoid
over-stabilising, which is a problem that can be difficult to remedy.
• – Use: bromine is easy to use and does not require stringent maintenance. However, be careful, it is a corrosive
product when undiluted and must be handled with care.

7. The disadvantages of bromine
• Bromine also has several disadvantages that other forms of treatment do not necessarily
have:
• – The cost: bromine is an expensive product. You should allow a budget 30 to 40% higher
than for chlorine treatment.
• – Harmfulness: like chlorine, and contrary to salt, bromine is a harmful chemical product.
You must be very careful when handling this product, but also with its storage, especially if
you have children or pets.
• – The installation cost: you must install a brominator (also called a bromine feeder) for
effective bromine pool treatment, which once again increases the budget. Allow between
€80 and €250 for this device.

8. How to properly treat a pool with bromine
How exactly do you use bromine to treat your pool
water?
• Where do you put bromine in the pool?
• Pool bromine can be purchased in two forms: granules or tablets. Its use depends
on the form you choose.
• Granules are placed directly in the pool skimmers. You must then allow them to act.
Tablets, on the other hand, are placed in a brominator that is connected to the
filtration system. In this way, the product is distributed continuously and
progressively. The latter solution is the most recommended as it avoids the
problem of the bromine dissolving too quickly.

9. How do you treat a pool with bromine?
• To treat your pool with bromine, place the bromine tablets in the brominator. Part
of the pool water is sucked in by the filtration system, which sends this water to the
distributor for disinfection, before sending it back into the pool.
• Maintenance of a bromine pool is less demanding because it is not necessary to
add bromine to the distributor very frequently. Of course, this method is a
complement to careful pool cleaning with a net and a pool vacuum cleaner.
• The treatment can be completed with an algaecide to ensure that algae do not
develop in the pool. You can also add a clarifier and a flocculant to keep the water
very pure. Finally, a bromine regenerator will reinforce the effectiveness of the
treatment.

10. What is the correct
pH for a bromine
pool?
• The fact that bromine is effective with a high pH
does not mean that it is not necessary to regularly
monitor the pH level, in the same way as for a
chlorine pool. However, the pH in a bromine pool
must be kept above 7.5 for the treatment to be as
effective as possible, and below 8 to avoid
damaging the equipment.
• Test the pH every week so that it remains well
balanced. If the pH rises or falls too much, you can
adjust it by pouring a pH– or pH+ product into the
pool.

11. How do you avoid rust stains in your pool?
• Proper pool maintenance is always important to keep the pool water clean
and clear. It also prevents the development of rust stains.
• Faulty filtration
• If the problem is not solved, it is possibly due to the filtration system.
Carefully check that no parts are damaged or broken. If everything appears
to be in order, wait a few hours after brushing the pool sides to allow all the
deposits to settle at the bottom of the pool before filtering.

12. How do you measure and adjust the bromine
level?
• The pool bromine level should be between 1 and 2 mg/litre (or between 2 and 4 mg/litre for a hot tub). As a general rule, it is
necessary to add more in the brominator every two weeks.
• To ensure you maintain a satisfactory level of bromine, check it regularly with a colorimetric test or an electronic pH-meter.
The latter is more precise but also more expensive.
• In order to calculate the required dosage, start by testing the pH before measuring the bromine level:
• – For a pH over 7.5, the bromine level should be between 1.2 and 3 mg/litre;
• – For a pH over 8.2, the bromine level should be between 3 and 5 mg/litre.
• If the level is too low, you can add bromine tablets to the brominator, after ensuring that you have switched off the filtration
system and have closed the valves.
• A bromine regenerator can also help you, especially when the bromine level is below 1 or if your pool water starts to become
cloudy. The bromine regenerator consists of active oxygen and will extend the effectiveness of the bromine by regenerating
the bromamines that are already present in the water.
• If your water contains too much bromine, you will have to empty part of your pool or use a bromine neutraliser.

13. Automating the bromine treatment
• Installing a brominator is already a first step towards the
automation of your pool treatment because it will constantly
distribute bromine into your pool water.
• To automate your bromine treatment even further, you can also
install a pH regulator, which uses a sensor to measure the daily
pH levels and rectify them whenever necessary. In fact, certain
brominators have a built-in pH regulator.
• What is a Brominator?
• The flow of water through a brominator results in
dissolution of the tablet to produce a solution of bromine
which can then be fed to the cooling water system and
process system where micro-biological control of micro-
organisms are required.

14. How do you change from a chlorine to a
bromine pool?
• Convinced by bromine and want to stop using chlorine?Where do you begin?
• Install a brominator
• The equipment required for a bromine pool is quite similar to that of a chlorine pool, even if it is
recommended to install a bromine feeder. A brominator will enable better distribution of the product and
will facilitate maintenance.
• Before installation, it is necessary to eliminate any trace of chlorine, because bromine is not compatible
with active chlorine.
• Ideally, the brominator should be installed in a by-pass on the hydraulic circuit. You will thus be able to
manage the flow of water that passes through the brominator thanks to a valve and cut off access if
necessary. Installation is quite difficult and it is best to call on a professional to ensure the job is done
correctly.
• Once the brominator has been installed, you can carry out a bromine shock treatment to quickly increase
the bromine level in the pool.

15. Reconverting to chlorine
• Perhaps you have tried bromine, but this method of pool water treatment
does not suit you. Can you go back?
• To go back to a chlorine pool, close the brominator valves to isolate it from
the filtration system. Then use a bromine neutraliser to remove any trace
from the water and then begin the new chlorine treatment.

16. Remedying green water in a bromine pool
• Green water in your bromine pool means that algae have developed. First and
foremost, you should carefully clean the pool, brushing the sides and bottom. You
will also have to carefully clean the filtration system and possibly change the filter.
• Then adjust the pH of the water and place the necessary quantity of bromine in the
pool. Then run the filtration system for 24 to 48 hours and check that the pH and
bromine levels are satisfactory before using the pool again.