We provided an in-depth review of why and how ozone generators can be used to clean water and air in this article.

Ozone is one of the world’s most powerful oxidizing agents, as it readily removes organic and microorganisms and pollutants in water supplies. Oxygen is a molecular compound composed of three oxygen atoms (3O3), two of which are from the oxygen molecule we breathe and one of which is able to detach and reattach to a variety of molecules. A radical is a third oxygen atom that can attach to molecules of other compounds and break down their structures.

It is common to use ozone generators in homes, offices, and cars to reduce airborne contaminants and odors. A water disinfectant generator also cleans the water.

Despite their ability to deliver quick results and shock the air, these machines are also harmful to our health, especially when they are used for a long period of time.

Molecular processes that enable ozone generators to function so effectively also contribute to their danger. You will need to understand the history and proper use of an ozone air cleaning system before using it to remove odors and mold.

Ozone Generator as Air Disinfectant

It is common to use ozone air generators, also called ozone machines or ozone air sterilizers, to “clean” the air and eliminate strong odors. By replicating a natural process occurring in the atmosphere, these machines create ozone.  

Due to ozone’s high reactivity, it can’t be stored for an extended period of time, at least with the technology and knowledge of today. Because of this, the onsite generation of it requires high-tech equipment.

Ozone air sterilizers, essentially take in oxygen from the air (O2) and give it a strong electrical charge. O3, our famous ozone, is formed due to the electrical charges between oxygen molecules. The reason ground-level ozone can often be higher in levels after a lightning storm is because of electrical charges.

Now, ozone is released into the atmosphere by the machine. Third oxygen molecules attach themselves to molecules of pollutant molecules and basically eliminate them when they hit something like mold or smoke. At the molecular level, the O3 attaches to bacteria, fungi, germs, odors, and other contaminants, destroying their cell walls. Ozone is converted back to oxygen during this process, which eliminates the contamination.

The ozone generator’s process can be extremely useful when it comes to cleaning pungent smells, eliminating smoke, and eliminating mold. As we will learn, these machines are commonly used in hospitals, hotels, and even homes, but they are potentially dangerous, and only trained, qualified professionals should operate them.

Ozone generators work in a similar way, but you might not know how they work. Optical ozone generators, or ozone machines, are devices that convert the oxygen in air into ozone. Examples of sources of oxygen include ambient air, dry air, or concentrated oxygen. By adding energy to oxygen molecules, ozone generators generate ozone (O3), which occurs when oxygen atoms separate from each other until they recombine with other oxygen molecules.

 Water and air are then cleaned with ozone. There is a wide variety of ozone generators, ranging from hand-held devices to large industrial machines that can produce several hundred grams of ozone each hour. Ozone generators for industrial use function very similarly to ambient air units except they use very clean and very dry air or oxygen and contain a corona cell specially designed to produce very high concentrations of ozone.

Ozone Generator as Water Disinfectant

Ozonation is the infusion of ozone with water to both disinfect water and to be used as a disinfection agent for a variety of applications and industries. Because ozone is a highly reactive oxidant, it directly damages microorganism cell walls during ozonation. By adding ozone to water, contaminants are quickly dissolved with no change in the composition of water and no odor or taste is introduced.

Water ozonation effectively kills bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms that can cause cancer and other illnesses that can infect people. An ozonation system usually consists of a two-stage process; ozone generation and ozone reaction.

Water treatment with ozone reduces contaminants by reacting with ozone and accepting its electrons, which has the oxidizing property. Ozone water treatment enables contaminants to be removed from water.  In bacteria, viruses, and parasites, ozone breaks down organic material in their membranes, resulting in weakening, rupture, and death of the cells, eliminating the contaminants. Ozone also oxidizes iron, manganese, and copper into solid particles that can be easily filtered from water by mechanical filtration or certain activated carbon filters. Through oxidation, ozone water treatment systems can even rid water of turbidity and bad tastes and odors caused by chlorine.

Ozone water treatment works by dissolving ozone into water and through the ensuing oxidation of bacteria and other waterborne pathogens.In understanding the process, it is first necessary to understand how ozone is created. Ozone molecules contain three oxygen atoms (O3), while oxygen molecules contain two oxygen atoms (O2).

Electricity or ultraviolet light cause oxygen molecules to split into two oxygen atoms. When those free oxygen atoms are in contact with ordinary oxygen molecules, ozone is formed. Ozone, the earth’s protective layer of ozone, is produced by sunlight interacting with oxygen in the upper atmosphere, while closer to the surface, ozone is produced by strikes and electricity cutting through oxygen-rich air. Ozone water treatment is possible by replicating these two processes with ultraviolet and electrical ozone generators. The most common methods of producing ozone for water treatment are electrical and UV ozone generators. Electrolytic and chemical reactions can also produce ozone.

Advantages of Ozonized Water

A significant number of benefits can be obtained from ozonated water, including disinfecting water quickly and safely. One of the greatest benefits of ozone is how effective it is in disinfecting water; it quickly and thoroughly kills bacteria, viruses, and disease-causing microorganisms. Using ozonated water to purify water and eliminate most pathogens makes it safe to drink, to cook with, and to use as a cleaning agent. Ozonated water also removes the color, taste, and smell from water, making it better to drink.  

Water can be ozonated without adding chemicals (unlike chlorination), regardless of how acidic the untreated water initially is. By eliminating pH balancers, as well as the time, cost, and equipment associated with other methods, you are significantly improving the purification process. It is perhaps most impressive that the purified water is pH neutral without requiring any additional steps or treatments.  

Any remaining ozone in the water simply breaks down naturally without polluting the air or water – it is quickly re-emitted back into the atmosphere as regular oxygen. By itself, ozonated water provides a safe and clean environment, reducing overall pollution, since it produces no harmful by-products. As the self-contained ozone generator produces ozonated water, it doesn’t need to be stored or transported and is also effective on a macroscale for disinfecting polluted waters.

Environmental Benefits of Using Ozone Generator as Disinfectant

Ozone is often only thought of as a disinfectant, but it has many other advantages besides disinfecting. Ozone has several oxidizing capabilities, including:

• Reducing the need for chemical storage and transport, since Ozone gas can be produced “on-site”.
• No pollutants – the only ‘breakdown’ product is oxygen.
• Using recycled wastewater for surface drains and waterways allows you to save energy and money. CIP (Cleaning in Place) procedures are greatly reduced.
• Wastewater can be used in other grey water applications, saving water top up from other sources.
• Eliminating harmful halogens including chlorine and chlorine dioxide.
• No need for chemical manufacturing, which reduces transport requirements and eliminates chemical drums.
• Eliminating the threat of chemical stock-outs, delivery problems, etc., as soon as possible.