Hi, you obviously know more about chemistry than I do so you've caused me to hit "pause". I guess I need to get deeper into this. Everything you have said is consistent with what I am learning except what you have said about the DPD test. Assuming the DPD test does what you say, and it includes bound as well as unbound it is indicating "potential" FC and not actual unbound FC actively sanitizing. Is that how you see itt?Both DPD and FAS/DPD tests measure the active FC, HOCl, the chlorinate ion, OCl-, and the chlorine bound to CyA as FC in ppm. More accurately the chlorine bound to CyA are chlorinated cyanurates. The reactions between HOCl and OCl-, and the reactions between HOCl and CyA are all equilibrium reactions that are in constant flux. As a little bit of HOCl is used roughly the same amount of Is “unbound” from the CyA maintaining equilibrium. Reaction rates or change in reactants and products to maintain equilibrium are very quick. Equilibrium is maintained but the ratio slowly changes as HOCl is used, the ratio is corrected when we add more FC.
Other then water volume and chlorine strength another big factor that will cause variations between calculated and measured FC is lingering bacteria, algae and general other waste that can use a significant potion of the added FC.