Methods and systems for uniform control of bromine concentrations in water

Abstract

Reduced stabilization time of oxidation-reduction potential is achieved in a recreational body of water by baseloading bromide ions and dialkylhydantoin prior to biocidal treatment of the water body with N,N′-dihalo-5,5-dialkylhydantoin.

That which is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A recreational body of water in operable contact with an oxidation-reduction potential sensor to which body of water has been added (A) a source of bromide ion and at least one dialkylhydantoin in which the alkyl groups each contain independently in the range of 1 to about 4 carbon atoms and then to which is added (B) at least one N,N′-dihalo-5,5-dialkylhydantoin in which one halogen atom is a bromine atom and the other halogen atom is either a bromine atom or a chlorine atom, and in which one alkyl group is a methyl group and the other alkyl group contains in the range of 1 to about 4 carbon atoms, said body of water having a stable oxidation-reduction potential whereby said sensor more accurately tracks active bromine concentration of said body of water.  
     
     
         2 . A recreational body of water according to  claim 1  wherein said body of water is a swimming pool and wherein (B) is at least one 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dialkylhydantoin.  
     
     
         3 . A recreational body of water according to  claim 2  wherein said at least one 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dialkylhydantoin is 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dimethylhydantoin.  
     
     
         4 . A recreational body of water according to  claim 3  wherein (A) consists essentially of sodium bromide and dimethylhydantoin.