Chlorine Dioxide works so well primarily because it is a non-ionic dissolved gas in water that selectively reacts with certain other molecules. As such, it is able to migrate through biomasses and cell walls without being consumed by most organic material. It reacts through oxidation with sulfur compounds, amines, and cytoplasm. These properties translate into a situation where only a small amount of Chlorine Dioxide is required to effectively destroy micro organisms - even in the presence of organic materials.

These properties are especially valuable where biofilm is concerned. As a dissolved gas in solution, Chlorine Dioxide will migrate via molecular diffusion through the biofilm and inactivate the polysaccharide producing microbes, thus killing the colony. Chlorine and bromine have no ability to do this, so they merely bounce off of the surface of the biofilm as shown in Figure 2. Evidence of Chlorine Dioxide’s penetration can be seen when it is first applied. A visible sloughing off of the biofilm will seemingly increase the presence of organic and microbiological material in the water where none may have been visible before. Once the biofilm is removed from surfaces, the water becomes clear again. Biofilms on heat transfer surfaces will reduce efficiency of transfer, which translates to increased energy consumption. Biofilms are also responsible for harboring pathogenic organisms such as Legionella within water distribution systems, reverse osmosis membrane systems, and cooling towers.

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