Salt chlorination vs. membrane electrolysis

Salt chlorination and membrane electrolysis both use salt and an electrical current for the production of chlorine. However, there are some key differences between the two methods and each chlorination method requires a different form of swimming pool salt, but what’s the difference and how do you know which salt you need for your system?

This guide will be the floatation device you need to make sure you aren’t drowning in choices! Here are some simple differences between the two salt chlorination methods,

What are the differences between salt chlorination & membrane electrolysis?

1. Where the chlorine is made

Salt chlorination makes chlorine in-situ in your swimming pool. Salt is added directly to your swimming pool, dissolved directly in the water, and chlorine is made consistently by your salt chlorinator. Remember, just adding salt to your pool without specialist equipment installed will not offer any sanitisation benefits and will just make your pool salty.

Membrane electrolysis requires a separate brine solution – here the salt never touches the water you swim in. Once the brine solution (salt and water) is made, it is fed into the dedicated membrane electrolysis chlorine system as required where the electrical current splits the solution into the separate components as a controlled output. The chlorine is then dosed into the pool, similarly to traditional chlorination methods.

2. What salt is required

For domestic pools, a high quality swimming pool salt will suit your needs. The salt should meet EU regulations for quality required for swimming pool salt and be at least 99% sodium chloride. Poolsel is the undisputed market leader in swimming pool salt, meeting EN16401 Type A requirements for swimming pool salt and is available in 25kg bags.

Due to the higher quality required for membrane electrolysis to protect the membrane from additives and impurities, there are specific salt brands that are suitable for the process. Here at PureSalt, we offer both Hydrosoft Granular in both 10kg and 25kg bags, or SoftSel Pluss Tablets in 25kg bags, that are recommended for the membrane electrolysis process, meeting the high quality standards required. Salt that is used in commercial sites should also be BPR (Biocidal Products Regulation) compliant. Both salts we sell have the documentation that supports legal compliance.

3. Cost of equipment

Salt chlorinators are often associated with domestic swimming pools or smaller swimming pools, and are even used in some brands of hot tubs. The introductory cost of installation is much smaller and it can easily be fitted to your swimming pool even after installation.

Membrane electrolysis equipment has a much higher installation cost and is often installed in a specialist plant room for large commercial swimming pools. There are a variety of well known electrochlorination equipment manufacturers and our membrane electrolysis swimming pool salt is suitable for all market leaders.

4. Where you add your salt

The simplest way to know which swimming pool salt is suitable for you is where you add your salt. If you add salt directly to your pool then Poolsel will be your salt of choice.

If the salt never touches the water, then salt suitable for membrane electrolysis should be used. 

Here we have focused on the use of membrane electrolysis within the swimming pool market, but the process is also widely used for a variety of chlorination applications including drinking water, building services, and industrial water treatment, where the same principles apply.

Why choose PureSalt for Reliable Swimming Pool Salt

No matter what system you have, high quality swimming pool salt is key to efficient chlorine production and protection of your pool equipment.

Here at PureSalt, we only supply swimming pool salt that meets the quality standards required for salt chlorination.

Order online for an easy solution for your swimming pool salt needs, delivered nationwide with stock available all year.

Do you still have questions about which salt would be best for your swimming pool? Contact our friendly team who would be more than happy to help guide you.