How does temperature affect chlorine gas?

Chlorine gas is a highly soluble gas in water, which plays a critical role in disinfection processes in water treatment. The solubility of chlorine in water is temperature-dependent; as temperature increases, the solubility of chlorine gas decreases. This means that at higher temperatures, less chlorine can be dissolved in water, which can impact the effectiveness of disinfection since lower levels of dissolved chlorine may not be sufficient to effectively eliminate pathogens.

In colder water, chlorine remains more soluble, allowing for higher concentrations to be available, thus ensuring effective disinfection. This relationship is important for operators to consider when adjusting chlorine doses based on water temperature to maintain effective treatment processes. Understanding how temperature influences chlorine's solubility helps ensure proper chlorine residuals are maintained in drinking water systems.