CYANURIC ACID / ISOCYANURIC ACID / CYA
What is Cyanuric Acid?
Cyanuric acid or abbreviated CYA is one of the most important chemicals in swimming pool applications. CYA is also often referred to as “pool stabilizer” or “pool conditioner” or “chlorine stabilizer” because of its function in protecting the chlorine in the pool from being damaged by sunlight. Cyanuric acid is available in powder and granule forms.
In addition, cyanuric acid is also an intermediate product for the production of various other chemical products, for example trichloroisocyanuric acid (TCCA) and sodium dichloroisocyanurate (SDIC) which function as disinfectants. Then, CYA is also used for the production of melamine cyanurate as a flame retardant in the textile, construction, and materials industries. Other products are THEIC, TGIC, TAIC, TMAIC, TCEI, etc.
How does Cyanuric Acid work?
Hypochlorite ion (CIO-) or calculated as free chlorine is an ion that functions in disinfecting pool water and will decrease if it reacts with bacteria or other microorganisms and comes in contact with the sun’s UV rays. Hypochlorite will break if exposed to UV radiation from the sun and release chlorine ion gas into the atmosphere. Sunlight can destroy 75 – 90% of hypochlorite ions within 2 hours. Therefore, CYA is needed which will bind free chlorine and protect against sunlight.
How much Cyanuric Acid need?
In general, the CYA dose is recommended not to exceed 50 ppm (recommended dose of 30 – 50 ppm) because it does not provide more protection to free chlorine. In addition, it can slow down the ability of free chlorine to kill pathogens and cause ponds to become cloudier. However, regardless of the CYA dose, the balance of free chlorine must be maintained.
Chemical parameters in environmental health quality standards for swimming pool water
(Regulation of the Minister of Health of Republic Indonesia Number 32 of 2017)
No | Parameter | Units | Quality Standards | Information |
(minimum rate / range) | ||||
1 | pH | 7,0 - 7,8 | When using chlorine and checked at least 3 times a day | |
7,0 - 8,0 | If using bromine and checked at least 3 times a day | |||
2 | Alkalinity | mg/l | 80 - 200 | All types of swimming pool |
3 | Free residual chlorine | mg/l | 1,0 - 1,5 | Roofed / unroofed pool |
2,0 - 3,0 | Indoor hot pool | |||
4 | Combined residual chlorine | mg/l | 3,0 | All types of swimming pool |
5 | Total bromine | mg/l | 2,0 - 2,5 | Regular pool |
mg/l | 4,0 - 5,0 | Heated pool | ||
| Residual bromine | mg/l | 3,0 - 4,0 | Roofed / unroofed pool / indoor hot pool | |
6 | Oxidation - Reduction Potential (ORP) | mV | 720 | All types of swimming pool |
| Residual chlorine / bromine checked 3 times |
Based on the table above, the quality standard for drinking residual free chlorine is 1.0 – 1.5 mg/l for unroofed pools. So for free chlorine 2.25 – 3.75 mg/l can be applied.
When to add Cyanuric Acid to Pool?
CYA survives in pool water for a long time, unlike chlorine which will completely react with pathogens in the water. Therefore, routine testing of CYA levels is very important.
If the CYA level in pool water is stable within 30 – 50 ppm, there is no need to add CYA. For CYA levels below 30 ppm, it is necessary to add CYA. Whereas for CYA levels of 50 – 100 ppm, it is necessary to drain the pool water by about 50% and refill it using clean water and if the CYA level is > 100 ppm, then drain the pool water by 100% and refill it using clean water because it can cause the pool water to become cloudy and the effectiveness chlorine to kill pathogens is greatly reduced.
How to add Cyanuric Acid to Pool?
The best way to add CYA is by diluting it in pool water. Then, poured around the edge of the pool. For the sake of safety, it is recommended to use gloves and safety goggles when mixing it.
If you need more information and inquiries regarding to Cyanuric Acid products from PT Timuraya Tunggal, please don't hesitate contact us at contact@timuraya.com