Hypochlorous acid generators for farming are on the rise. We recently launched a NinaGen Hypochlorous Acid Onsite Generator trial with a farming operation in New York.
Our client wrote, “As far as its (hypochlorous acid’s) effects on our reservoir of water and its ORP, it is holding longer than before. We can see a direct correlation when we add a larger dose of hypochlorous acid, and our ORP rises. I will get some low-range chlorine strips to measure the post-dosing PPM, but the high-range PPM strips you provided show us a little above 1000 at 20+20+8. So we are happy with that (thank you for the high-range test strips!).”
About ORP or Oxidation-Reduction Potential
Oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) measures the ability of a lake, river or even a water reservoir to cleanse itself, break down waste products, such as contaminants and dead plants and animals. When the ORP value is high, there is lots of oxygen in the water. Which means bacteria that decompose dead tissue and contaminants can work more efficiently. In general, the higher the ORP value, the healthier the water is.
However, even in healthy water bodies (lakes, rivers, reservoirs), there is less oxygen and therefore lower ORP values as you get closer to the bottom sediments. This is because there are many bacteria working hard in the sediments to decompose dead tissue, and they use up a lot of the available oxygen. In fact, oxygen disappears quickly in the bottom mud (often within a centimeter or two) and ORP falls quickly. ORP is measured in addition to dissolved oxygen, because ORP can provide scientists with additional information of the water quality and degree of pollution, if present. Also, there are other elements that can function, like oxygen (chemistry) and contribute to increased ORP.
Why is ORP used?
ORP is widely used because it is practical, usually accurate, and allows us to electronically monitor what is going on in the water. While it does not measure the amount of chlorine, ORP is a real-time reading of chlorine’s performance. Most operators agree that disinfection is what matters from a health perspective. The amount of chlorine is not necessarily as important as its effectiveness. Ideally, we would have a minimal amount of chlorine that is super efficient, to accomplish more with less.
About hypochlorous acid on site generators
NinjaGen on-site hypochlorous acid (HOCI) generators are optimized to produce hypochlorous acid with neutral pH, using Microbe Ninja technology. When supply chains are stretched thin, having the ability to produce your own sanitizer and disinfectant at your facility means no longer having to rely on third party suppliers. Raw materials for the production of hypochlorous acid (HOCl) are easy to find and readily available from local hardware stores.
The agriculture and farming industry focuses a lot on measuring pH and ppm strength when making hypochlorous acid, but ORP is another indicator of its disinfecting strength. The recommended ORP range for hypochlorous acid is 800-900, but this can vary. For example, if you add HOCl to a hydroponic growing system, you generally have a lower ORP, such as 500-600.
NinjaGen on-site hypochlorous acid generators produce 200 to 1,000 ppm FAC HOCL with a pH range of 5.5 – 6.5, producing over 95% HOCL consistently. The system uses saturated salt feeders and level switches to automate the production process.
The NingaGen also uses single stream technology to produce hypochlorous acid. A more superior method over most other hypochlorous acid generators available on the market today.
About Hypochlorous acid and ORP
When hypochlorous acid is added to water with a high amount of organic material, it will pull away electrons from the chemicals present. The process reduces the ORP level as it consumes electrons.
A low ORP can be an indicator of a less potent HOCI solution, either due to an initial low free available chlorine content, environmental factors such as exposure to heat/sunlight, or a high organic load.
Contact us to learn more about our NinjaGen Onsite Hypochlorous Acid Generator 90 day trial for your farming (or growing) operation here. You can also call 1-888-664-6525 or text to 1-949-691-3417.
References
Horne, A. J., and Goldman, C. R. 1994. Limnology, 2nd edition. McGraw-Hill, Inc. 576 pp.
Wetzel, R. G. 1983. Limnology, 2nd edition. Saunders College Publishing. 760 pp.
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