Chlorine, Free

DOC316.53.01023

USEPA DPD Method1

Method 8021

0.02 to 2.00 mg/L Cl2

Powder Pillows or AccuVac Ampuls

Scope and application: For testing free chlorine (hypochlorous acid and hypochlorite ion) in water, treated
waters, estuary and seawater. USEPA accepted for reporting for drinking water analyses.2 This product has not
been evaluated to test for chlorine and chloramines in medical applications in the United States.
1
2

Adapted from Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater.
Procedure is equivalent to USEPA and Standard Method 4500-Cl G for drinking water.

Test preparation
Instrument-specific information
Table 1 shows sample cell and orientation requirements for reagent addition tests, such
as powder pillow or bulk reagent tests. Table 2 shows sample cell and adapter
requirements for AccuVac Ampul tests. The tables also show all of the instruments that
have the program for this test.
To use the table, select an instrument, then read across to find the applicable information
for this test.
Table 1 Instrument-specific information for reagent addition
Instrument

Sample cell orientation

Sample cell

DR 6000

The fill line is to the right.

2495402

DR 3800
DR 2800
DR 2700
DR 1900
DR 5000

The fill line is toward the user.

DR 3900
DR 900

The orientation mark is toward the user.

2401906

Table 2 Instrument-specific information for AccuVac Ampuls

Instrument
DR 6000

Adapter

Sample cell

2427606

DR 5000
DR 900
DR 3900

LZV846 (A)

DR 1900

9609900 or 9609800 (C)

DR 3800

LZV584 (C)

2122800

DR 2800
DR 2700

Before starting
Samples must be analyzed immediately after collection and cannot be preserved for later analysis.
Install the instrument cap on the DR 900 cell holder before ZERO or READ is pushed.
Do not use the same sample cells for free and total chlorine. If trace iodide from the total chlorine reagent is carried over into
the free chlorine determination, monochloramine will interfere. It is best to use separate, dedicated sample cells for free and
total chlorine measurements.
If the test result is over-range, or if the sample temporarily turns yellow after the reagent addition, dilute the sample with a
known volume of high quality, chlorine demand-free water and do the test again. Some loss of chlorine may occur due to the
dilution. Multiply the result by the dilution factor. Additional methods are available to measure chlorine without dilution.
For the best results, measure the reagent blank value for each new lot of reagent. Replace the sample with deionized water
in the test procedure to determine the reagent blank value. Subtract the reagent blank value from the sample results
automatically with the reagent blank adjust option.
An AccuVac Ampule for Blanks can be used to zero the instrument in the AccuVac test procedure.
Review the Safety Data Sheets (MSDS/SDS) for the chemicals that are used. Use the recommended personal protective
equipment.
Dispose of reacted solutions according to local, state and federal regulations. Refer to the Safety Data Sheets for disposal
information for unused reagents. Refer to the environmental, health and safety staff for your facility and/or local regulatory
agencies for further disposal information.
The SwifTest Dispenser for Free Chlorine can be used in place of the powder pillow in the test procedure.

Items to collect
Powder pillows
Description

Quantity

DPD Free Chlorine Reagent Powder Pillows, 10-mL

Sample cells. (For information about sample cells, adapters or light shields, refer to Instrumentspecific information on page 1.)

Refer to Consumables and replacement items on page 6 for order information.

AccuVac Ampuls
Description

Quantity

DPD Free Chlorine Reagent AccuVac Ampuls

Beaker, 50-mL

Sample cells (For information about sample cells, adapters or light shields, refer to Instrumentspecific information on page 1.)

Stopper for 18-mm tubes and AccuVac Ampuls

Refer to Consumables and replacement items on page 6 for order information.

Sample collection

Analyze the samples immediately. The samples cannot be preserved for later
analysis.
Chlorine is a strong oxidizing agent and is unstable in natural waters. Chlorine reacts
quickly with various inorganic compounds and more slowly with organic compounds.
Many factors, including reactant concentrations, sunlight, pH, temperature and
salinity influence the decomposition of chlorine in water.
Collect samples in clean glass bottles. Do not use plastic containers because these
can have a large chlorine demand.
Chlorine, Free, DPD Method (2.00 mg/L)

Pretreat glass sample containers to remove chlorine demand. Soak the containers in
a weak bleach solution (1 mL commercial bleach to 1 liter of deionized water) for at
least 1 hour. Rinse fully with deionized or distilled water. If sample containers are
rinsed fully with deionized or distilled water after use, only occasional pretreatment is
necessary.
Make sure to get a representative sample. If the sample is taken from a spigot or
faucet, let the water flow for at least 5 minutes. Let the container overflow with the
sample several times and then put the cap on the sample container so that there is
no headspace (air) above the sample.

Powder pillow procedure

Start

1. Start program 80
Chlorine F&T PP. For
information about sample
cells, adapters or light
shields, refer to Instrumentspecific information
on page 1.
Note: Although the program
name can be different
between instruments, the
program number does not
change.

2. Prepare the blank: Fill

the sample cell with 10 mL
of sample.

3. Clean the prepared

sample cell.

4. Insert the blank into the

cell holder.

6. Prepare the sample: Fill

a second sample cell with
10 mL of sample.

7. Add the contents of one

powder pillow to the sample
cell.

8. Swirl the sample cell for

20 seconds to mix.
A pink color will develop if
chlorine is present. Proceed
to the next step
immediately.

Zero

5. Push ZERO. The display

shows 0.00 mg/L.

Chlorine, Free, DPD Method (2.00 mg/L)

Read

9. Clean the prepared

sample cell.

10. Within 60 seconds of

the reagent addition, insert
the prepared sample into
the cell holder.

11. Push READ. Results

show in mg/L Cl2.

AccuVac Ampul procedure

Start

1. Start program 85
Chlorine F&T AV. For
information about sample
cells, adapters or light
shields, refer to Instrumentspecific information
on page 1.
Note: Although the program
name can be different
between instruments, the
program number does not
change.

2. Prepare the blank: Fill

the sample cell with 10 mL
of sample.

3. Clean the blank sample

cell.

4. Insert the blank into the

cell holder.

6. Prepare the sample:

Collect at least 40 mL of
sample in a 50-mL beaker.
Fill the AccuVac Ampul with
sample. Keep the tip
immersed while the
AccuVac Ampul fills
completely.

7. Quickly invert the

AccuVac Ampul several
times to mix.

8. Clean the AccuVac

Ampul.

Zero

5. Push ZERO. The display

shows 0.00 mg/L.

Chlorine, Free, DPD Method (2.00 mg/L)

Read

9. Within 60 seconds of the

reagent addition, insert the
prepared sample AccuVac
Ampul into the cell holder.

10. Push READ. Results

show in mg/L Cl2.

Interferences
Interfering substance

Interference level

Acidity

More than 150 mg/L CaCO3. The full color may not develop or the color may fade instantly.
Adjust to pH 67 with 1 N Sodium Hydroxide. Measure the amount to add on a separate
sample aliquot, then add the same amount to the sample that is tested. Correct the test result
for the dilution from the volume addition.

Alkalinity

More than 250 mg/L CaCO3. The full color may not develop or the color may fade instantly.
Adjust to pH 67 with 1 N Sulfuric Acid. Measure the amount to add on a separate sample
aliquot, then add the same amount to the sample that is tested. Correct the test result for the
dilution from the volume addition.

Bromine, Br2

Positive interference at all levels

Chlorine Dioxide, ClO2

Positive interference at all levels

Inorganic chloramines

Positive interference at all levels

Chloramines, organic

May interfere

Hardness

No effect at less than 1000 mg/L as CaCO3

Manganese, Oxidized
Pre-treat the sample as follows:
(Mn4+, Mn7+) or Chromium,
1. Adjust the sample pH to 67.
Oxidized (Cr6+)
2. Add 3 drops of Potassium Iodide (30-g/L) to 10 mL of sample.
3. Mix and wait 1 minute.
4. Add 3 drops of Sodium Arsenite (5-g/L) and mix.
5. Use the test procedure to measure the concentration of the treated sample.
6. Subtract this result from the result without the treatment to obtain the correct chlorine
concentration.
Monochloramine

Causes a gradual drift to higher readings. When read within 1 minute after reagent addition,
3 mg/L monochloramine causes less than a 0.1 mg/L increase in the reading.

Ozone

Positive interference at all levels

Peroxides

May interfere

Highly buffered samples or

extreme sample pH

Can prevent the correct pH adjustment of the sample by the reagents. Sample pre-treatment
may be necessary. Adjust to pH 67 with acid (Sulfuric Acid, 1.000 N) or base (Sodium
Hydroxide, 1.00 N).

Accuracy check
Standard additions method (sample spike)
Use the standard additions method (for applicable instruments) to validate the test
procedure, reagents and instrument and to find if there is an interference in the sample.
Chlorine, Free, DPD Method (2.00 mg/L)

Items to collect:

Chlorine Standard Solution, 2-mL PourRite Ampule, 2530 mg/L (use mg/L on label)
Breaker, PourRite Ampules
Pipet, TenSette, 0.11.0 mL and tips

1. Use the test procedure to measure the concentration of the sample, then keep the
(unspiked) sample in the instrument.
2. Go to the Standard Additions option in the instrument menu.
3. Select the values for standard concentration, sample volume and spike volumes.
4. Open the standard solution.
5. Prepare three spiked samples: use the TenSette pipet to add 0.1 mL, 0.2 mL and
0.3 mL of the standard solution, respectively, to three 10-mL portions of fresh sample.
Mix well.

Note: For AccuVac Ampuls, add 0.4 mL, 0.8 mL and 1.2 mL of the standard solution to three
50-mL portions of fresh sample.

6. Use the test procedure to measure the concentration of each of the spiked samples.
Start with the smallest sample spike. Measure each of the spiked samples in the
instrument.
7. Select Graph to compare the expected results to the actual results.
Note: If the actual results are significantly different from the expected results, make sure that
the sample volumes and sample spikes are measured accurately. The sample volumes and
sample spikes that are used should agree with the selections in the standard additions menu. If
the results are not within acceptable limits, the sample may contain an interference.

Method performance
The method performance data that follows was derived from laboratory tests that were
measured on a spectrophotometer during ideal test conditions. Users can get different
results under different test conditions.
Program

Standard

Precision (95% Confidence Interval)

Sensitivity
Concentration change per 0.010 Abs change

80

1.25 mg/L Cl2

1.231.27 mg/L Cl2

0.02 mg/L Cl2

85

1.25 mg/L Cl2

1.211.29 mg/L Cl2

0.02 mg/L Cl2

Summary of method
Chlorine in the sample as hypochlorous acid or hypochlorite ion (free chlorine or free
available chlorine) immediately reacts with DPD (N,N-diethyl-p-phenylenediamine)
indicator to form a pink color, the intensity of which is proportional to the chlorine
concentration. The measurement wavelength is 530 nm for spectrophotometers or
520 nm for colorimeters.

Consumables and replacement items

Required reagents
Description
DPD Free Chlorine Reagent Powder Pillow, 10-mL

Quantity/Test

Unit

Item no.

100/pkg

2105569

25/pkg

2502025

OR

DPD Free Chlorine Reagent AccuVac Ampul

Chlorine, Free, DPD Method (2.00 mg/L)

Required apparatus
Description

Quantity/Test

Unit

Item no.

AccuVac Snapper

each

2405200

Beaker, 50-mL

each

50041H

Stoppers for 18-mm tubes and AccuVac Ampuls

6/pkg

173106

Unit

Item no.

20/pkg

2630020

Unit

Item no.

25/pkg

2677925

each

2484600

each

2196800

500 mL

2641549

each

2088640

each

189641

20/pkg

1426820

16/pkg

1426810

DPD Free Chlorine Reagent Powder Pillows, 10-mL

1000/pkg

2105528

DPD Free Chlorine Reagent Powder Pillows, 10-mL

300/pkg

2105503

250 tests

2105560

100/pkg

2601300

Recommended standards
Description

Chlorine Standard Solution, 2-mL PourRite Ampules, 2530 mg/L

Optional reagents and apparatus

Description

AccuVac Ampul vials for sample blanks

Ampule Breaker, 2-mL PourRite Ampules

Ampule Breaker, 10-mL Voluette Ampules

Water, Chlorine-demand Free
Mixing cylinder, graduated, 25-mL
Mixing cylinder, graduated, 50-mL

Chlorine Standard Solution, 2-mL PourRite Ampules, 5075 mg/L

Chlorine Standard Solution, 10-mL Voluette Ampule, 5075 mg/L

DPD Free Chlorine Reagent, 10-mL,

SwifTest

Dispenser refill vial

Paper, pH, 014 pH range

Pipet, TenSette , 0.11.0 mL

each

1970001

50/pkg

2185696

1000/pkg

2185628

Potassium Iodide, 30-g/L

100 mL

34332

Sodium Arsenite, 5-g/L

100 mL

104732

100 mL MDB

104532

each

2635300

100 mL MDB

127032

Pipet tips for TenSette Pipet, 0.11.0 mL

Pipet tips for TenSette Pipet, 0.11.0 mL

Sodium Hydroxide Standard Solution, 1.0 N

SpecCheck

Secondary Standard Kit, Chlorine DPD, 02.0 mg/L Set

Sulfuric Acid Standard Solution, 1 N

Chlorine, Free, DPD Method (2.00 mg/L)

FOR TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, PRICE INFORMATION AND ORDERING:

In the U.S.A. Call toll-free 800-227-4224
Outside the U.S.A. Contact the HACH office or distributor serving you.
On the Worldwide Web www.hach.com; E-mail [email protected]

Hach Company/Hach Lange GmbH, 19892014. All rights reserved.

HACH COMPANY
WORLD HEADQUARTERS
Telephone: (970) 669-3050
FAX: (970) 669-2932

01/2014, Edition 9