Ozone is the principal element of the atmosphere, which traps the sun’s heat and is essential to life on Earth. Chemically, ozone is a triatomic inorganic molecule made up of three oxygen atoms and simply referred to as trioxygen. Because of its chemical formulation, ozone is thermodynamically less stable than O2 and readily comes to combines with other atom.
It forms a pale blue gas when enough ozone molecules are present. This reactive gas is both a natural and a man-made product that has useful for more than one purpose.
Switching from O2 to O3
In order for Oxygen to form into Ozone, Oxygen molecules must break down and form an atom of the same, which binds to O2 forming O3. This process takes heat and energy in the form of electrical excitation of Oxygen which split Oxygen molecules. Usually this is accomplished with High Voltage (Corona Discharge) Ozone Generators and by some chemical processes.
The application of ozone
The third oxygen molecule of ozone is unstable and only shares a loose connection with the other two molecules. Therefore, it easily tends to attach itself to pollution, especially high-odor pollutants like smoke. It can also link itself to viruses, bacteria, mold spores, and organic matter. After it attaches to pollutants, the particles are destroyed. This ability makes ozone known as a quick cleaner and sanitizer.
We can call ozone as a “healthy” kind of oxygen that has been used as an antibacterial agent in various forms such as ozonated salt solution, ozonated water, ozone associated with particular oils or other types of substances, and, more frequently, the gaseous mixture of oxygen and ozone.
What is an ozone generator?
Ozone generators produce the gas in large enough quantities. Ozone generators make ozone by breaking apart oxygen molecules. As the source of ozone production, these devices are developed and used to be an effective device generating high levels of ozone to sanitize, deodorize, disinfect, kill or remove dangerous or irritating airborne particles in indoor environments.
So, the ozone generator devices can shock the air and effectively turns contaminated stuff into safe disinfected substances.
The ozone generator device can be worked by UV radiation or corona discharge. In the UV process, ozone is produced by lightning UV radiation on the oxygen. This method is the most basic method of ozone generation and generally considered as less efficient than corona discharge.
In corona discharge method all electrical discharges, such as lightning, produce ozone by breaking down normal oxygen and creating single oxygen atoms. The single tomes then attach themselves to O2 to form ozone (O3).
Oxidizing power
Ozone has a very high oxidation potential. Thanks to its oxidizing power, it guarantees the disinfection and sanitization and is able to break down macromolecular compounds constituting the integrity of bacteria, viruses, mold and fungi.
This anti-microbial agent, when used correctly, can be considered one of the most powerful natural germicidal and purifier substances.
This property of ozone has led to its use as a treatment material in various fields such as municipal wastewater treatment, drinking water, food industry, paper and textile industries, and so on.
Industrial use of ozone
Ozone is used in various industries worldwide. The following items are some of them:
• Pharmaceuticals;
• Hotels and hospitals;
• Bleaching substances and synthetic lubricants;
• Drinking water and wastewater clarification;
• Pool, spas and whirlpools;
• Food & beverage;
• Process industries such as off-shore and mining;
• Agriculture and ranching;
• Fish farming and animal husbandry.