What happens to the disinfection action of chlorine as water temperature increases?

As water temperature increases, the disinfection action of chlorine actually increases. This is primarily due to the enhanced reactivity of chlorine molecules at higher temperatures. When the temperature of the water rises, the kinetic energy of the water molecules also increases, leading to a higher rate of collision between chlorine molecules and pathogens. Consequently, this results in more effective disinfection as the chlorine can more rapidly react with and inactivate microorganisms present in the water.

Additionally, warmer temperatures can positively influence the formation of chlorine compounds that are more effective at disinfection. However, it's important to note that while the disinfection efficiency may increase at higher temperatures, there are also limits where overly high temperatures might lead to other issues, such as the formation of harmful byproducts or reduced chlorine residuals. Nevertheless, in the context of typical operational conditions, the overall disinfection action of chlorine is enhanced with increasing water temperature.