Anyone seen this?
1.0 Summary
A swimming pool is an aqueous solution of interacting chemicals that determine appeal and
safety for swimmers. The chemistry varies widely, depending on what is added to the pool. In
recent decades, there has been an increasing trend towards domestic outdoor pools that use
electrolytic salt-water chlorine generators for sanitation (SWC pools). These typically have
cyanuric acid for photoprotection, and sometimes boric acid for improved pH buffering.
Critical thinking about the chemistry indicates simple principles for efficient SWC pool
maintenance, some of which differ from the traditional advice to non-salt pool operators. This
article describes a simple approach built on the “BBB” tradition. The improved “BABES”
method integrates the use of boric acid for pH buffering, hydrochloric (muriatic) acid to
correct pH updrift from SWC operation, brushing to help prevent biofilms, electricity and
common salt for sanitizer production. It explains the contribution of each of these
components, then explores the scientific basis for the few additional compounds that should
be considered, and those that should be avoided, for trouble-free SWC pool maintenance.
Along the way it points out key myths and uncertainties to encourage deeper analysis. It ends
with a simple set of operational guidelines that an SWC pool operator can adopt with
confidence, or vary to suit their needs based on the scientific foundations in the article.
http://members.iinet.net.au/~jorobbirch/BABES.pdf
1.0 Summary
A swimming pool is an aqueous solution of interacting chemicals that determine appeal and
safety for swimmers. The chemistry varies widely, depending on what is added to the pool. In
recent decades, there has been an increasing trend towards domestic outdoor pools that use
electrolytic salt-water chlorine generators for sanitation (SWC pools). These typically have
cyanuric acid for photoprotection, and sometimes boric acid for improved pH buffering.
Critical thinking about the chemistry indicates simple principles for efficient SWC pool
maintenance, some of which differ from the traditional advice to non-salt pool operators. This
article describes a simple approach built on the “BBB” tradition. The improved “BABES”
method integrates the use of boric acid for pH buffering, hydrochloric (muriatic) acid to
correct pH updrift from SWC operation, brushing to help prevent biofilms, electricity and
common salt for sanitizer production. It explains the contribution of each of these
components, then explores the scientific basis for the few additional compounds that should
be considered, and those that should be avoided, for trouble-free SWC pool maintenance.
Along the way it points out key myths and uncertainties to encourage deeper analysis. It ends
with a simple set of operational guidelines that an SWC pool operator can adopt with
confidence, or vary to suit their needs based on the scientific foundations in the article.
http://members.iinet.net.au/~jorobbirch/BABES.pdf
