The main characteristics of ozone are:

• Instability
• High oxidation potential – a more oxidizing agent than oxygen
• Pungent
• Colourless gas
• Potent disinfecting agent, sporicidal agent, algaecide, viricide

Ozone has a blue colour when concentrated as can be demonstrated when fluorine acts upon water. In crystal form, it is a dark blue/black colour.

How is ozone generated:

• Corona discharge methods
• Ultraviolet radiation

Ozone can also be produced by the slow oxidation of phosphorus in water. The odour this produces is the odour of ozone. Ozone can also be produced in small amounts by burning hydrocarbons. It is produced in the open air by the action of UV rays and also partly by evaporation.

Uses of Ozone in Industry:

Ozone’s disinfection and antimicrobial properties mean that it has many uses in the food industry. For instance, food surface hygiene, sanitation of equipment and reuse of wastewater.

Fruits and vegetables that have been treated with ozone have been found to have a longer shelf life.

Over 100 different industries use ozone.  Many of the applications involve water treatment.

Aquaculture, aquariums and waterparks are examples of some of these industries. Swimming pool and hot tub manufacturers add ozone as a secondary disinfection agent thus ensuring that fewer chemicals are required in keeping the water clean and aiding with the efficient running of the filtration systems.

Products like deodorant use ozone in their manufacturing process.

Zoos and aquariums use ozone to keep their water sources disinfected and to add dissolved oxygen to the water.

Because ozone is highly unstable under normal pressure and temperature, onsite ozone generation is required for industrial applications.  Its reactivity and its short half-life dictate that long-term storage is not an option therefore on-site generation is imperative.

Contact – Wassertec to discuss which of their ozone products would suit your industry best.