11 Hypochlorous Acid Uses: Facts You Should Know!

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Hypochlorous acid (HOCl) known as chloranol, and hydroxidochlorine, is a weak acid. HOCl is aqueous, colorless solution having hypochlorite as its conjugate base.Let us study it.

Hypochlorous acid has it uses in the following sectors and industries given below:-

  • Water Treatment.
  • Purification of oil & natural gas.
  • Food safety.
  • Deodorization.
  • Antimicrobial agent.

Uses

Hypochlorous acid is represented as HClO or ClHO. The article aims to review the detailed aspect of Hypochlorous acid and its uses in various fields and industries.

Disinfectant

Hypochlorous acid is used as disinfectant and cleaning agent as follows:-

  • HClO being acidic in nature is used to destroy pathogens such as COVID-19 as it gets adsorbed to the surface.
  • HClO solution in low concentration is used as a disinfectant to clean and sterilize open wounds.
  • HClO in aqueous solution is widely used to disinfect hospital, healthcare systems and even offices.
  • HClO as liquid spray or aerosol form to sterilize chambers by simply spraying it and thus helps in disinfecting.

Water Treatment

HClO is used for water treatment especially swimming pools. Hypochlorite ion present in HClO acts as water sanitizer.

Wound care chemical

  • HClO has been found to be useful in blending along with oinments.
  • Hypochlorous acid is FDA-approved preservative for saline solutions.

Purification of oil & natural gas

  • Chlorination is the renowned method for disinfection and water treatment.
  • In similar manner HClO is used for the purification of oil and natural gas. Thus HClO plays important role in crude oil markets.

Food safety

  • FDA approved HClO for cleaning fruits and vegetables.
  • HClO is used as no rinse sanitizer for food products such as meat, shell egg, poultry, seafood and other foods.

Deodorization

  • HClO is used to remove any foul smell ranging from toilets, garbage, rotten food material and even stool and urine odours.
  • HClO is effectively able to remove most of such smells/odours.

Biofilm cleaning

  • HClO is found effective in cleaning biofilm-contaminated implant surfaces.
  • Due to HClO’s acidic properties, it is highly acclaimed for biofilm cleaning without disrupting its structure.

Antimicrobial agent

HClO acts as an antimicrobial agent in a solution for the re-hydrating of fresh fruits and vegetables including leafy green vegetables.

Conclusion

HClO is a cost effective acid which is revolutionary as it has its uses in various sectors and field. Hypochlorous acid is very useful and being affordable makes it more likable.