Selectrocide generates in a sealed container of clean water, and it takes two hours. Drop the micro-reactor in, seal the lid, wait at least two hours, then pull the reactor out and throw it away. There is no mixing, no precursor chemicals and no generation equipment.
That is the whole of how to generate Selectrocide. The part worth getting right is how much water you put it in, because the water volume is what sets the concentration.
What do you need before you start?
A clean, oxidation-resistant container with a lid that seals, clean potable water, and a way to check the result.
Suitable container materials
HDPE, polypropylene, PET (PETE), PVC, polycarbonate, LDPE. Dark, opaque or UV-blocking is preferred, and the container should be kept out of direct sunlight.
Water temperature matters more than people expect. Use cold or room temperature water, and never exceed 100°F (38°C). Warm water drives the reaction faster than the membrane is designed for.
How do you generate Selectrocide, step by step?
- Open the outer foil pouch. Tear it open and discard the desiccant packet. The silica packet never goes in the water. Do not cut, open or separate the micro-reactor sachets.
- Immerse the micro-reactor and seal the container. The whole reactor goes under. Seal the lid tightly. A Selectrocide 12G unit needs a minimum water volume of 5 gallons.
- Wait at least two hours. That is the minimum for full generation. Remove the reactor within eight hours when practical, and do not exceed 24 hours. Left longer, the reactor can take on water, swell and settle to the bottom.
- Remove the reactor and mix the solution gently. Discard the spent reactor in a secure waste receptacle. It does not get reused.
Water vapor is the only thing that crosses into the patented sealed micro-reactor, and chlorine dioxide gas is the only thing that comes out. The solid reactants stay sealed inside the membrane and leave with the pouch, which is why the finished solution carries no chlorite or chlorate. More on how the micro-reactor works.
Download the Selectrocide generation and storage guide, a one-page version of these steps for posting near the container.
How much water do you use?
One micro-reactor, more water, lower concentration. The tables below run from concentrate down to sanitizing rates. For volumes in between, cost per gallon, or any rate below these, use the Selectrocide dilution calculator.
Approximate concentrations based on municipal water. Actual ppm may vary with water quality.
Two reference points worth memorizing: 100 ppm is the disinfection rate, and 20 ppm is a sanitizing rate.
How do you check the concentration?
With chlorine dioxide test strips. Selective Micro Technologies supplies two ranges, a low range reading 0 to 10 ppm and a wide range reading 0 to 500 ppm. Match the strip to the number you are expecting.
A quick read at setup, or whenever you change water source or container, confirms the batch is where you think it is. The generated solution is clear and has a faint chlorine dioxide odor, which is not a reliable gauge of strength on its own.
How long does the generated solution last?
Generated solution begins to lose concentration after 30 days. Keep it in a sealed container, out of direct sunlight, and keep the lid on when it is not in use. Concentrated stock left open to air loses strength fastest, because chlorine dioxide is a dissolved gas and it leaves an open container.
Unused product that has not been generated yet stores differently. Keep the foil pouches dry and sealed until you need them.
What not to do
- Do not cut, open or separate the micro-reactor. It works because it is sealed.
- Do not put the desiccant packet in the water.
- Do not use warm or hot water. Never exceed 100°F (38°C).
- Do not mix Selectrocide with other chemicals.
- Do not reuse a spent micro-reactor, and do not leave spent reactors within reach of children.
- Do not inhale fumes. Work in a well-ventilated area, and follow the product label and SDS.
Questions about your own setup
Volume, container, water source and how often you generate all change what the right batch size looks like. Tell Selective Micro Technologies what you are treating and how much of it, and we will work out the batch and the rate with you.
Email inquiry@selectivemicro.com, run the numbers yourself in the Selectrocide dilution calculator, or request wholesale pricing. Registration and notification documents are on the regulatory portfolio page.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Selectrocide take to generate?
At least two hours in a sealed container. Remove the micro-reactor within eight hours when practical, and do not exceed 24 hours.
How much water does one micro-reactor need?
It depends on the concentration you want. A Selectrocide 12G unit in 30 gallons gives 100 ppm, and the same unit in 150 gallons gives 20 ppm. The minimum water volume for a 12G unit is 5 gallons.
Can you reuse a Selectrocide micro-reactor?
No. The reactor is spent once generation is done. Discard it in a secure waste receptacle and use a new one for the next batch.
How long does generated Selectrocide last?
Generated solution begins to lose concentration after 30 days. Keep it sealed, out of sunlight, and check it with test strips if it has been sitting.
What temperature water should you use to generate Selectrocide?
Cold or room temperature potable water. Never exceed 100°F (38°C). Warm or hot water drives the reaction faster than the micro-reactor is designed for.