Losing vacuum to the feed line on a chlorinator primarily affects the function of the device. A chlorinator relies on a vacuum to draw chlorine gas into the water supply. When the vacuum is lost, the pressure changes within the system disrupt the ability of the chlorinator to keep drawing gas from its cylinder.
As a result, the chlorinator will cease its operation because the necessary chlorine gas cannot be transported into the water flow. Without this gas flowing into the water as intended, the chlorination process stops entirely, preventing any addition of chlorine to the water. This automatic stop serves as a safety feature, ensuring that no unregulated chlorine gas is released into the water system.
Understanding the operational dependency of a chlorinator on vacuum helps water operators maintain effective disinfection practices and recognize potential issues in the water treatment process.