Hypochlorous acid loading solutions must take many factors into consideration to ensure optimum safety and productivity are prioritized in the best interests of your business and the people who work there.

What is hypochlorous acid?

Hypochlorous acid, also referred to as electrolyzed water (EW), is a weak acid that forms when chlorine dissolves in water and partially dissociates forming hypochlorite. It contains 5.25% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) which is a very strong oxidizer for bleaching textiles and is effective in cleaning stains and killing microorganisms such as bacteria and molds. It is important to note that hydrochloric acid (HCl) completely dissociates in an aqueous solution, resulting in a strong acid.

In the United States, hypochlorous acid is a “tight-fill” (closed-loop) loading and unloading operation and is loaded into rail cars via chemical hoses or 3” stainless steel loading arms. If not handled properly, hypochlorous acid can cause serious injuries and personal protective equipment (PPE) is required. Additionally, because operators are on top of the vehicles during the loading process, a high-quality, well-designed fall prevention plan is essential to ensure increased throughput without compromising operator safety.