About Ozone.
Most of us have heard about ozone but only know it as the layer in the upper atmosphere that protects the Earth from harmful radiation.
Ozone is triatomic oxygen (O3). It is made both commercially and naturally by a high voltage electrical discharge process which converts oxygen (O2) into ozone. For instance, it is ozone that gives the distinctly fresh odour you can smell after an electrical thunderstorm. In fact, the name ozone is derived from the Greek word “ozein”, which means “to smell”, in recognition of its unique odour. Man-made ozone simply mimics nature’s manufacture in devices known as corona discharge reactors.
Discovered in the 1840s and used commercially in water treatment for over 100 years, ozone is a very reactive gaseous compound that rapidly breaks down most organic molecules while quickly killing most single cell micro-organisms. In fact, ozone is the most effective disinfecting agent commercially available. Ozone also has a very short half-life, with simple oxygen as its decomposition or reaction product. Indeed, ozone is often referred to as “Nature’s Cleaner” because its use will not result in the formation of other environmentally persistent and toxic chemicals, such as the formation of chlorinated hydrocarbons seen with the use of chlorine.
For these reasons, ozone is now commonly used in lieu of chlorine and other chemical additives for water sanitisation and air purification in the following industries:
- Cooling towers for sanitation, corrosion control and scale control
- Swimming pools, spas and water features for disinfection
- Municipal/industrial waste water for disinfection, odour control and water reclamation
- Food processing for wash water and cold storage sanitation
- Potable water for disinfection and organic oxidation
- Pulp and paper products for bleaching and waste treatment
- Fish hatcheries/aquaculture for disinfection
Ozone1 is a leading Australian manufacturer and distributor of ozone-based products for water sanitation and air purification. We have an in-house biochemist and are aligned with a world renowned ozone specialist with several patents to his name. To find out more about how Ozone1 can help your business, please contact one of our technical consultants today.
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