Canonical Dataset

🔬 Chemical Properties

Canonical chemical properties: formula, purpose, measurement units, and safety information. One record per distinct chemical compound or parameter.

Dataset ID

chemical-properties

Version

2026.07

Last Reviewed

2026-07-01

Maintainer

WaterBalanceTools

Records

Source Priority

Values in this dataset are sourced in the following order (highest authority first):

1. scientific-literature
2. industry-standards
3. manufacturer-documentation

Records (16)

id	name	formula	entityId	purpose	measurement	primaryUnit	alternateUnits	activeForm	activeFormPct	affectedBy	relatedChemicals	storageRequirements	safetyNotes
free-chlorine	Free Chlorine	HOCl / OCl⁻	free-chlorine	Primary disinfectant in chlorine pool systems. Kills bacteria, viruses, and algae.	DPD test kit (free chlorine reagent), digital photometer, ORP probe	ppm	mg/L	HOCl (hypochlorous acid)	{"pH7_2":67,"pH7_4":54,"pH7_6":40,"pH8_0":22}	ph cyanuric-acid temperature sunlight bather-load	combined-chlorine total-chlorine cyanuric-acid	Cool, dry, well-ventilated area. Away from heat and oxidizers.	Oxidizer. Do not mix with other chemicals. Eye and respiratory irritant at high concentrations.
combined-chlorine	Combined Chlorine	NH₂Cl / NHCl₂ / NCl₃	combined-chlorine	Chloramines formed when free chlorine reacts with nitrogen compounds. Largely ineffective as sanitizer. Causes odor and irritation.	DPD test: TC minus FC = CC	ppm	mg/L	Mono/di/trichloramine	—	bather-load nitrogen-compounds urea free-chlorine	free-chlorine total-chlorine	N/A — exists in pool water	Causes eye irritation, respiratory irritation, and skin irritation. Remove by breakpoint chlorination.
ph-parameter	pH	H⁺ / OH⁻ equilibrium	ph	Measure of acidity/alkalinity. Controls chlorine activity ratio (HOCl vs OCl⁻) and water comfort.	Phenol red indicator, DPD combo kits, digital pH meter	pH units	—	—	—	total-alkalinity co2-offgassing temperature chemical-additions rainfall	total-alkalinity calcium-hardness free-chlorine	N/A — water parameter	Corrosive water (pH < 7) damages equipment and irritates skin. Very alkaline water (pH > 8.2) reduces chlorine effectiveness.
total-alkalinity	Total Alkalinity	HCO₃⁻ / CO₃²⁻ / OH⁻	alkalinity	pH buffer. Resists pH change. Composed primarily of bicarbonate, carbonate, and hydroxide ions.	Sulfuric acid titration (TA drop test), DPD combo kit	ppm	mg/L as CaCO₃	—	—	muriatic-acid baking-soda aeration co2-offgassing	ph-parameter calcium-hardness lsi-parameter	N/A — water parameter	Low TA causes pH instability. High TA makes pH correction difficult.
calcium-hardness	Calcium Hardness	Ca²⁺	calcium-hardness	Dissolved calcium ion concentration. Part of LSI. Prevents aggressive water from dissolving calcium from surfaces.	EDTA titration (hardness drop test)	ppm	mg/L as CaCO₃	—	—	dilution calcium-chloride calcium-hypochlorite	total-alkalinity ph-parameter lsi-parameter	N/A — water parameter	Only lowered by dilution. Cannot be chemically reduced.
cyanuric-acid-chem	Cyanuric Acid	C₃H₃N₃O₃	cyanuric-acid	UV stabilizer. Protects free chlorine from UV photolysis. Also reduces active HOCl concentration.	Melamine turbidity test (visual/photometric), Taylor CYA test, BNC strip	ppm	mg/L	—	—	dilution stabilizer-addition trichlor-tablets sodium-dichlor	free-chlorine trichlor-tablets sodium-dichlor	N/A — water parameter. Granular: cool dry location.	Cannot be removed chemically. Only dilution reduces CYA. Above 100 ppm, severely reduces chlorine effectiveness.
salt-chem	Sodium Chloride (Salt)	NaCl	salt	Source of chloride ions for electrolysis by salt chlorinator cells. Produces hypochlorous acid.	Salt test kit (silver nitrate), digital salt meter, TDS meter	ppm	mg/L	—	—	dilution pool-salt-addition	free-chlorine total-dissolved-solids	40-lb bags in dry location. Keep sealed.	Minimal toxicity at pool concentrations (3,200 ppm). High purity required (no additives).
tds-chem	Total Dissolved Solids	All dissolved ions	total-dissolved-solids	Cumulative measure of all dissolved matter. High TDS indicates water is approaching end of useful life.	Digital TDS meter, conductivity probe	ppm	mg/L μS/cm	—	—	all-chemical-additions evaporation bather-waste time	salt-chem	N/A — water parameter	Only reduced by water replacement (partial or full drain and refill).
sodium-hypochlorite	Sodium Hypochlorite	NaOCl	liquid-chlorine	Active ingredient in liquid chlorine. Disinfectant and oxidizer.	N/A — product characteristic (label concentration)	percent	—	—	—	temperature sunlight time ph	free-chlorine calcium-hypochlorite	Cool, dark, ventilated location. Away from heat. Use within 60–90 days.	Corrosive. Strong oxidizer. Do not mix with acids or other pool chemicals. Eye and skin hazard.
calcium-hypochlorite-chem	Calcium Hypochlorite	Ca(OCl)₂	calcium-hypochlorite	Dry granular or tablet chlorine. High concentration (65–73% available chlorine).	N/A — product characteristic	percent	—	—	—	moisture temperature contamination	free-chlorine calcium-hardness	Cool, dry location in original container. Do not store with other pool chemicals, fuels, or organic materials.	Strong oxidizer. Fire and explosion hazard if contaminated. Do not mix with trichlor, acids, or any liquid. Pre-dissolve before pool addition.
trichlor-chem	Trichloro-s-triazinetrione	C₃Cl₃N₃O₃	trichlor-tablets	Stabilized slow-dissolving chlorine tablet. 90% available chlorine. Contains 58% CYA.	N/A — product characteristic	percent	—	—	—	water-flow temperature	free-chlorine cyanuric-acid-chem	Cool, dry, ventilated. Original container. Away from metals and other chemicals.	Low pH (~2.9). Oxidizer. Fire risk when wet. NEVER mix with calcium hypochlorite — violent reaction.
muriatic-acid-chem	Muriatic Acid (Hydrochloric Acid)	HCl	muriatic-acid	Lowers pool pH and total alkalinity.	N/A — product characteristic (31.45% concentration)	percent	—	—	—	temperature	ph-parameter total-alkalinity	Original container. Cool, ventilated area. Away from metals. Store separately from all other chemicals.	Corrosive acid. Fumes toxic. Add acid TO water, never water to acid. Eye and respiratory protection required. Do not mix with chlorine products.
sodium-carbonate	Sodium Carbonate (Soda Ash)	Na₂CO₃	soda-ash	Raises pool pH with minimal effect on total alkalinity.	N/A — product added by measurement	oz or lbs	—	—	—	—	ph-parameter	Sealed container in dry location.	Mild irritant. Pre-dissolve before pool addition to prevent cloudiness.
sodium-bicarbonate-chem	Sodium Bicarbonate (Baking Soda)	NaHCO₃	baking-soda	Raises total alkalinity with modest pH increase.	N/A — product added by measurement	oz or lbs	—	—	—	—	total-alkalinity ph-parameter	Sealed container in dry location.	Generally safe. Minimal hazard. Can be added directly around pool perimeter.
calcium-chloride-chem	Calcium Chloride	CaCl₂	calcium-chloride	Raises calcium hardness.	N/A — product added by measurement	oz or lbs	—	—	—	—	calcium-hardness	Sealed container. Absorbs moisture from air. Keep dry.	Exothermic dissolution. Pre-dissolve in large bucket of pool water. Add slowly — significant heat generated.
lsi-parameter	Langelier Saturation Index	pH + TF + CHF + TAF − TDS_constant	lsi	Composite balance index. Score of 0 = balanced. Negative = corrosive. Positive = scale-forming.	Calculated from pH, temperature, calcium hardness, total alkalinity, TDS	dimensionless	—	—	—	ph-parameter temperature calcium-hardness total-alkalinity tds-chem	ph-parameter calcium-hardness total-alkalinity	N/A — calculated parameter	LSI below −0.3: corrosive. LSI above +0.5: scale-forming. Both damage surfaces and equipment.

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