One milligram per liter of hypochlorous acid (HOCl) is added to water to achieve disinfection of pathogenic bacteria. The disinfection potential of HOCl is 10 times greater than that of hypochlorite (OCl-). A study has shown that 0.5 mg/L of pure hypochlorite can kill 99.99% of pathogens.
A. What is the maximum pH of the water that will allow disinfection to be 99.99% complete.
B. How much sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) must be added to 1 million gallons of drinking water?
NaOCl: Na+ + OCl- pK=-5
HOCl H+ + OCl- pK=7.5