Chlorine Gas Detector for Sterilization and Disinfection

In industries such as healthcare, water treatment, and food processing, chlorine is widely used as an effective sterilizing and disinfecting agent. It efficiently eliminates bacteria, viruses, and fungi, ensuring public health safety. However, chlorine itself is highly irritating and toxic; uncontrolled concentrations or leaks pose serious health risks to operators. The Nexisense chlorine gas detector focuses on these scenarios, providing precise and reliable concentration monitoring, helping organizations achieve both safe disinfection and personnel protection.

Applications and potential risks of chlorine in disinfection

Chlorine (Cl₂) is a yellow-green gas with a pungent odor at standard temperature and pressure. It is commonly used for hospital wastewater treatment, medical instrument disinfection, swimming pool water treatment, and sterilization of food processing equipment. Chlorine is typically diluted during disinfection to ensure effective concentration while avoiding excessive residual levels.

Despite this, chlorine risks cannot be ignored. Toxicity occurs mainly via inhalation, irritating eyes, nose, and lungs. Low-level exposure can cause coughing and chest tightness; high concentrations may lead to pulmonary edema or suffocation. According to occupational health standards, the 8-hour time-weighted average exposure limit (TLV-TWA) is 0.5 ppm, and the immediately dangerous to life or health concentration (IDLH) is 10 ppm. In disinfection rooms or storage tank areas, leaked chlorine, being heavier than air, accumulates near the ground, forming high-concentration zones and endangering personnel.

Real-time chlorine monitoring is thus essential not only for compliance but also for accident prevention. Nexisense solutions emphasize high-precision detection at low concentrations to safeguard disinfection operations.

Nexisense SGA-500 Series Online Chlorine Gas Detector

The Nexisense SGA-500 series online chlorine detector is designed for sterilization and disinfection scenarios. It uses imported top-brand sensors with secondary development, integration, and calibration, ensuring ready-to-use performance. Once powered, it provides 24-hour continuous monitoring with fast response and high stability.

The series optimizes sensor selectivity for chlorine, with strong anti-interference capabilities, accurately distinguishing chlorine from other volatile gases in disinfecting environments. It supports multiple outputs, including 4-20mA analog signal and RS485 digital protocol, for integration with existing control systems. Once preset alarm points are reached, audible and visual alarms activate immediately, and the system can trigger ventilation or cut chlorine supply for automated response.

In practice, operators can detect anomalies early, avoiding exposure to harmful concentrations. Hospitals and water treatment facilities report significant reductions in chlorine-related incidents after deploying the SGA-500, improving workplace safety.

Recommended measurement range and selection rationale

During sterilization, chlorine is diluted, with working concentrations typically in the low ppm range. Personnel cannot work for long periods in chlorine environments, so a large range is unnecessary. Nexisense recommends 0-10ppm, covering the occupational exposure limit (0.5 ppm) and IDLH (10 ppm), allowing accurate detection of low-concentration leaks without compromising precision.

This range is ideal because high resolution is maintained in low concentrations for early warning. For high-concentration dosing areas, optional higher-range modules are available, but 0-10ppm is sufficient for standard disinfection scenarios.

Correct installation guidelines for chlorine detectors

Chlorine is about 2.5 times heavier than air and accumulates near the ground when leaked. Therefore, installation height is critical. Nexisense recommends mounting the SGA-500 approximately 30cm above ground to capture ground-level chlorine while avoiding dust and water interference.

Installation steps include:

• Select leak risk points: storage tank valves, dosing points, pipe joints, exhaust vents

• Mount securely: wall-mounted or bracket, with sensor facing potential leak sources

• Height adjustment: recommended 30cm, adjustable 20-50cm depending on ventilation

• Avoid interference: keep away from fresh air intakes, strong airflow, or heat sources

Proper installation reduces detection response time to seconds, enhancing safety protection.

System integration and extended functionality

While a single detector is effective, large disinfection rooms require multi-point coverage. The SGA-500 integrates with the SGA-800 series alarm controller to form a centralized monitoring network. The controller displays concentrations, trends, and enables tiered alarms and area-based linkage.

For example, when a point exceeds thresholds, the system can automatically start ventilation, close chlorine valves, or trigger emergency broadcasts, simplifying management and improving response efficiency, especially in hospital central sterilization units or large water plants.

Maintenance and daily operation

• Monthly visual inspection of sensor and housing cleanliness

• Field calibration every 6–12 months using standard chlorine gas

• Sensor replacement every 2–3 years depending on environment

• Record calibration data for compliance documentation

These simple measures maintain accuracy and extend device life. Nexisense offers remote diagnostics to further reduce maintenance burden.

Practical value and user feedback

• Personnel safety: prevents poisoning and reduces occupational disease risks

• Disinfection efficiency: precise concentration control avoids overuse or insufficient dosing

• Compliance: complete monitoring records support inspections

• Cost savings: reduces accidents and frequent maintenance

One provincial hospital reported that response time to chlorine alarms decreased from minutes to seconds, significantly improving staff safety perception.

FAQ

1. Typical chlorine concentration during disinfection and need for real-time monitoring: Diluted working concentrations are 0.5–5 ppm to ensure effectiveness while avoiding harm. Real-time monitoring ensures concentrations remain within safe limits.

2. Why 0–10 ppm range instead of 0–100 ppm: Low concentrations require high resolution for early leak detection; larger ranges reduce low-end accuracy.

3. Recommended installation 30cm above ground: Captures dense chlorine near the floor while avoiding dust and liquid contamination.

4. Corrosion and sensor lifespan: Special anti-corrosion housing and sensor materials; monthly cleaning and calibration every 6–12 months; lifespan 2–3 years.

5. Emergency actions after alarm: Stop operations, close chlorine supply, activate ventilation, wear protective respirators, locate and seal leaks, evacuate personnel, record incident.

6. Automated linkage: SGA-500 supports 4-20mA, RS485, relay outputs; PLC or SGA-800 controller can trigger multi-level alarms, ventilation, valve cut-off, and broadcast.

7. Calibration: Every 6–12 months; zero with clean air, span with certified chlorine gas (1 or 5 ppm), flow 0.5–1 L/min.

8. Multi-point monitoring: Use SGA-500 detectors connected to SGA-800 controller; supports 8–64 channels, centralized display, history tracking, alerts, and SCADA integration.

Conclusion

The SGA-500 chlorine gas detector is essential for safe operations in healthcare and related industries. Its high precision, low-range design, and optimal installation ensure reliable monitoring, protecting personnel health, optimizing disinfection processes, and improving overall management. Organizations are advised to deploy professional detection systems early for safe disinfection operations.