Water disinfection techniques are widely used in various industrial environments. No matter what the objective is to be achieved during water disinfection, several technologies can be used. These include UV irradiation, chlorination and ozonation.

Currently, ozonation is recognized as one of the most effective disinfection techniques. However, since it's expensive, other solutions can be advantageous. To learn more about ozone and its costs, visit this article:

• What is ozonation: technology, capacity and costs.

In the meantime, this article aims to address the various sectors where ozone generator installation is advantageous and widespread. Let's start with the basics and define what ozone is and how it works.

What is ozone?

Ozone (O3) is a molecule composed of three oxygen atoms, forming a pale blue gas. Unlike breathable oxygen (O2), which consists of two oxygen atoms, ozone is a highly reactive gas known for its exceptional oxidizing properties. It is an unstable compound that readily converts back to oxygen, making it a powerful and environment-friendly oxidant.

How does it treat water?

With its powerful oxidizing and virucidal properties, ozone cleans water through 4 disinfection mechanisms:

1. Direct oxidation: Ozone attacks directly the cell walls. By destroying the cell walls, leakage of the cell component occurs and "kills" the contaminating organism.
2. Reaction with the radicals of the by-products due to the decomposition of ozone. When the ozone molecule decomposes, hydroxyl radicals are created. This oxygen species is considered one of the most reactive and attacks organic molecules to oxidize them.
3. The damage of nucleic acids and their compounds such as purines and pyrimidines. Ozone will therefore attack the DNA and RNA in the water to be treated.
4. Lastly, ozone can break the carbon-nitrogen bonds between the polymer molecule to make them monomeric. This is called depolymerization. By the way, depolymerization is a process widely used in recycling.

Because the ozonation process works by these four mechanisms, the range of disinfection capabilities of ozone is much broader than that of other types of treatment. What's more, ozone is thought to be the most powerful oxidant on earth, up to 3,000 times more powerful than chlorine.

Benefits of Ozone over chlorine:

1. Strong Disinfectant: Ozone is a more potent disinfectant than chlorine, and it does not produce harmful disinfection by-products. This ensures effective water disinfection without compromising human health.

1. Faster Reaction Time: Ozone works much faster than chlorine, reducing the contact time required for water treatment. It rapidly decomposes back to oxygen after disinfection, leaving no residual taste or odor.

1. Wide-Spectrum Disinfection: Ozone offers broad-spectrum disinfection, effectively tackling a wide range of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites. It is highly effective against waterborne pathogens like Cryptosporidium and Giardia, which are resistant to chlorine.

1. Chemical-Free Process: Unlike chemical disinfectants, ozone is generated on-demand and does not require transportation, storage, or handling of hazardous chemicals. This contributes to a safer and more environmentally friendly water treatment process.

• As a matter of fact, there are multiple ways to produce ozone. The easiest is to use an ozone generator such as the Veolia Ozonia series that allows a ozone generation as up to 60kg/hour.

The uses of Ozone in different field

Municipal Water Treatment

Ozone is used in many municipal water treatment facilities as a primary disinfectant. It effectively kills bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms, eliminating the need for traditional disinfectants like chlorine. Ozone also helps remove taste and odor-causing substances from the water.

Bottled Water Production

Ozone is routinely used in the production of bottled water. It acts as a disinfectant, ensuring that the water is free from harmful microorganisms. Ozone treatment also helps maintain the quality and freshness of the bottled water, extending its shelf life.

Swimming Pools and Spas

Ozone generators are utilized in swimming pools and spas to maintain water hygiene. Ozone acts as a powerful oxidizer, sterilizing the water by destroying bacteria, viruses, and contaminants. It helps reduce the reliance on chlorine, minimizing the formation of harmful disinfection by-products.

Wastewater Treatment

Ozone is employed in advanced wastewater treatment processes. It effectively disinfects and removes organic impurities, pharmaceutical residues, pesticides, and other pollutants from the wastewater. Ozone treatment helps improve the overall water quality before it is discharged back into the environment.

Aquaculture and Fish Farming

Ozone is used in aquaculture systems to provide a clean and healthy environment for fish and other aquatic organisms. It helps control and prevent the growth of harmful pathogens in the water, reducing the risk of disease outbreaks. Ozone also improves the water quality, supporting optimal fish growth and productivity.

Vertical Farming

Vertical farming is an innovative approach to agricultural production that utilizes vertical space to produce crops in controlled environments. As this sector continues to grow, the efficient treatment of water for irrigation purposes becomes crucial for sustainable and successful operations. One effective method gaining traction in the vertical farm sector is the use of ozone for water treatment. Ozone, a powerful oxidizing agent, offers numerous advantages for water disinfection and purification, making it an ideal choice for vertical farms looking to optimize their water management practices.

These are just a few examples of ozone's application in water treatment. Ozone is a versatile and powerful disinfectant that offers numerous advantages over traditional methods, making it a popular choice for various water treatment processes.

The importance of Water Disinfection

Waterborne diseases. Pose a significant threat to public health worldwide, leading to millions of illnesses and even deaths annually. Proper disinfection of water is crucial in reducing the risk associated with pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites, ensuring safe drinking water for communities. Additionally, disinfection helps eliminate other contaminants like chemicals toxins, and pollutants, preserving the quality of water and reducing potential negative impacts on human health and the environment.

The versatility of ozone

Although ozone is an expensive technology, its abilities and versatility with regard to contaminants, as well as its low environmental impact, make it an ideal choice for many industries.

It's important to note that there are several types of ozone generator (corona discharge, UV radiation and electrolytic). To learn more about the differences between these technologies, please refer to this article.

Moreover, among the best ozone generators on the market is Veolia's Ozonia series, which offers outstanding performance and key features promoting performance, efficiency and safety. Find out why Ozonia ozone generators are the best choice in the business.