Basic Wastewater Operator Practice Exam

What factor controls the throat size in a chlorinator?

1. Chlorine pressure

2. Type of chlorine used

3. Water pressure

4. Distance to injection point

The correct answer is: Water pressure

The throat size in a chlorinator is primarily controlled by water pressure. This is because the throat is where water flows through the chlorinator, and the pressure helps determine how easily the water can draw in chlorine from the source. A higher water pressure leads to a greater flow rate, which can influence the mixing and contact of chlorine with the water. This is essential for ensuring effective disinfection, as it allows for adequate chlorine contact time and helps maintain the desired chlorine concentration in the treated water. The other factors, while relevant to the overall chlorination process, do not have a direct impact on determining the throat size specifically. For instance, chlorine pressure and the type of chlorine used focus more on the delivery and effectiveness of chlorine rather than the design specifications of the chlorinator itself. Similarly, while the distance to the injection point can affect system efficiency and pressure drops, it does not control the physical design of the throat within the chlorinator.