Sensor for the Automation of Electrolyte Chlorination

Increased littoral deployment of submarines and other naval vessels has seen an increase in biological fouling and clogging of vessel cooling systems resulting in costly cleaning procedures and curtailed operations pending completion of cleaning procedures. To address and reduce the increased threat of biofouling, the Navy has begun installing electrolytic chlorination systems in submarines and surface vessels. However, chlorination cannot be used without consideration to the impact of discharged chlorinated waters on marine ecosystems as water with significant levels of residual chlorine is toxic to many kinds of aquatic life. ADA has proposed to develop and commercialize a TRO sensor and sensing system that will provide automated control of shipboard and dockside electrolytic chlorination units to significantly enhanced control and efficacy of oxidant generation and to facilitate accurate monitoring of discharge water to meet federal and local TRO discharge requirements. During Phase I ADA developed a solid-state electrochemical TRO sensor that successfully measured total residual oxidant from 0.5 to 5 ppm. In Phase II ADA proposes to refine the sensor design for operation from 0.1 to 5.0 ppm and demonstrate long-term sensor performance integrated into an automated electrolytic sweater chlorination skid.