Difference Between Hypochlorite Generator and Sodium Hypochlorite

Hypochlorite generator can produce hypochlorite disinfectant. According to the official wechat of "China Disease Control trends", chlorine containing disinfectants can inactivate viruses, but hypochlorite and sodium hypochlorite are chlorine containing disinfectants.

In our life, the common disinfectant 84, its main component is sodium hypochlorite. Its benefit lies in its low cost and easy preparation, but it has certain irritation and corrosiveness. It must be diluted before it can be used, and it is irritating to the skin. Gloves are required to be worn when using.

Hypochlorous acid, as the latest new type of safe, efficient, environmental protection, no stimulation, no corrosion, better disinfection effect and other advantages, has entered the broad vision of the people and gradually embarked on an environmental protection and well-being reaction.

What is the difference between them basically?

Firstly, their chemical equations are different:

Hypochlorite : HClO

Sodium Hypochlorite: NaClO

Secondly, their sterilization principle are different:

Hypochlorite generator produces hypochlorite - hypochlorite is synthesized to form regenerated oxygen [o]. The extremely strong oxidation of regenerated oxygen denatures the proteins and other substances on bacteria and viruses, thereby killing pathogenic microorganisms.

In the process of sterilization and virus killing, it can not only act on the cell wall and virus shell, but also because the hypochlorite molecule is small and has no charge, it can also soak into the bacteria, oxidize RNA or DNA, and quickly inactivate the prokaryotic cells to make them die (bacteria, fungi, Mycoplasma, chlamydia, viruses, bacterial spores and other pathogenic microorganisms are prokaryotic cells). At the same time, the chloride ion produced by hypochlorite can also significantly change the osmotic pressure of bacteria and viruses, making their cells inactive and die.

Sodium hypochlorite - sodium hypochlorite is hydrolyzed to form hypochlorite, which is further synthesized to form regenerated oxygen [o]. The extremely strong oxidation of regenerated oxygen denatures the proteins and other substances on bacteria and viruses, thereby killing pathogenic microorganisms.

In 1948, Gordon M. F of the University of Cambridge, UK, and others published an article entitled " Fair G M , Morris J C , Chang S L , et al. The Behavior of Chlorine as a Water Disinfectant[J]. Journal, 1948, 40(10):1051-1061." in which it was clearly pointed out that the bactericidal ability of hypochlorite ion (clo-) was only 1/80 of hypochlorite molecule (HClO). The details are as follows:

Therefore, because hypochlorite solution has a high hypochlorite molecular abundance ratio, it shows a far higher bactericidal effect than sodium hypochlorite.

Thirdly, their characteristics are different:

Hypochlorite - hypochlorite comes from the human body. It is a natural antibacterial substance produced by human white blood cells. It is used to kill invading microbial pathogens. It is also a part of the innate immune system. It has no cytotoxicity and can be directly restored to water after action. Non toxic and harmless, no irritation to skin, mucous membrane and eyes.

Sodium hypochlorite - the hydrolysis process will produce free chlorine, which is separated from organic substances to form carcinogens. Sodium hypochlorite is strongly alkaline, which will cause corrosion and damage to human respiratory tract, hands, skin and other human bodies, and endanger human health.

Finally, their applicability and scope of action are different:

Hypochlorous acid: 

no irritation to skin, mucosa and eyes. It is non-toxic by mouth and inhalation. It can directly contact the skin and act directly on air disinfection.

Scope of action: household disinfection in public places (hospitals, early childhood education institutions, hotels, scenic spots, public seats, restaurant tableware) (bathroom, bathroom, refrigerator, car, travel outside, tableware, living room bedroom) supplies disinfection (infant supplies, dental glue, toys, mobile phones, clothing, bottle tableware, fruits and vegetables, etc.) eliminate odor (shoe and sock odor, smoke odor, hot pot odor, fish odor, pet odor, toilet odor, etc.) Skin application (hand washing, wound cleaning and disposal, anti-inflammatory disinfection of epidermis such as mucous membrane)

Sodium hypochlorite:

① prevent direct contact with skin. Sodium hypochlorite has intense irritation, so protective measures such as gloves must be worn when using.

② Prevent mixing with acid. 84 disinfectant and lavatory cleaning spirit cannot be mixed. After the two meet, they will have a chemical reaction, resulting in chlorine, which is highly irritating to eye mucosa and skin. It is easy to make eyes weep, stimulate respiratory tract and make people cough. In severe cases, it can even corrode the alveoli and form dyspnea or pulmonary edema.

Scope of action: sodium hypochlorite is not directly used for air disinfection. It is suitable for the disinfection of hard objects, hospital contaminated objects, white fabrics and medical devices. It also has the function of bleaching textiles, but when using it, pay attention to the blending ratio and personal protection.

In simple terms, hypochlorite produced by hypochlorite generator has stronger disinfection effect, higher safety and better environmental protection than sodium hypochlorite (84 disinfectant). It is also a better choice to use hypochlorite as a disinfectant in daily life.