What Is Ozone?
Ozone is a pale blue gas found in the atmosphere consisting of three oxygen atoms allotropically bonded together. This gas is different from the molecular oxygen that we breathe.
Molecular oxygen has two oxygen atoms, while ozone has three oxygen atoms. It is found predominantly in the Earth’s upper atmosphere, shielding the surface from harmful ultraviolet rays.
This gas occurs naturally, but it can also be manmade. Its distinctive and characteristic pale blue colour and pungent odour distinguish it from other gases.
How Is Ozone Produced via Corona Discharge?
Corona discharge apparatuses utilise the same mechanism that lightning uses by discharging electricity to produce ozone.
A high voltage of electricity is passed across a gas stream containing oxygen. The energy of the electricity splits the oxygen molecules (O2) into two oxygen atoms. One or both combine with ordinary molecular oxygen molecules to form ozone (O3).
The electricity discharge is supplied by ultraviolet lamps. A tiny spark of electricity from the anode to the cathode locates an oxygen molecule to split. High-voltage electricity sources are used to produce high concentrations of ozone.
How Ozone Sanitises Water
Ozone water purification systems has been in use since 1904. It is a very safe and effective water purification method.
Ozone is a strong oxidising agent that acts as a biocide. When dissolved in water, it destroys a broad spectrum of microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, algae, cysts, and many more.
Ozone’s oxidising power is so strong that it is more powerful than chlorine and many other water purifier.
Therefore, when it comes in contact with a microorganism, it weakens the cell wall, penetrating the cytoplasm to rupture the organelles’ activities, thereby killing the cell.
Even highly biocide-resistant microorganisms such as E. coli submit to the weakening effect of ozone.
Benefits of Ozonated Water
1. Eliminates Impurities from Water
The point of adding ozone to water is to remove pollutants. It serves as a better biocide than chlorine because its biocidal effect works on a wider range of microorganisms.
It can remove manganese, iron, and sulphur by making them soluble and easy for other water filtration techniques to remove.
2. Safer than Chlorine
Unlike chlorine, ozone does not have any negative effect on the human body. Chlorine can cause stinging of the eyes and discomfort to the skin. Ozone does not cause any of these side effects.
3. Environmentally Friendly
One of the problems with other water purification techniques is that they can introduce other harmful chemicals to remove pollutants.
Because ozone is not a stable molecule, it splits after the water is disinfected, leaving oxygen behind. This makes ozone safer for the environment than other purification chemicals.
4. Prevents Foodborne Diseases
Bacteria and viruses in some foods are known to make people sick. Washing food produces with ozonated water helps to eliminate bacteria and virus, making the food safe and healthy to consume..
Ozone can also be used to disinfect water polluted by large industrial businesses. As the ozone is introduced to the water, every impurity caused by the pollution is quickly disintegrated, and the water is made clean and safer for use.
5. Cleans Swimming Pools
Ozone is a strong disinfection agent that can be used in place of chlorine or bromine to eliminate impurities from swimming pools. Ozone pool systems are free from harmful substances and residues.
The Bottom Line
Ozone is a broad-spectrum disinfectant that neutralises various microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, viruses, fungal spores, and more.
Ozonation of water is a highly preferred water purification technique because of its high efficiency. It can remove impurities without leaving any trace behind.
Residential and commercial pools employ this purification process to keep their water clean and safer for use.
Because of its high purity and disinfection, ozonated water is often used in dentistry to disinfect wounds and reduce inflammation. It is also used to soothe pain and for teeth whitening processes.
For further enquiries regarding ozone swimming pools and ozone pool systems, feel free to get in touch with us.