Ozone water treatment is better when compared with traditional chemical ways. The use of ozone for industrial wastewater treatment has emerged as a reliable and effective alternative to conventional methods. Traditionally, chlorine has been employed for disinfection owing to its effectiveness and low cost. However, studies conducted in 1970 revealed that chlorine reacts with organic matter to generate disinfection by-products (DBPs) that can have harmful effects on human health and aquatic life.

In fact, chlorine-treated industrial wastewater has been associated with incidents of fish mortality in receiving water bodies. To address this issue, the US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) has promoted research into alternative disinfection methods, such as ozonation and UV light disinfection technologies.

Function of Ozonation in Water Treatment

Ozonization is a highly effective technology for treating industrial wastewater. It involves the generation of ozone by an ozone generator in different sizes – a molecule containing three oxygen atoms – in situ by an ozone generator, which is then dissolved in water to eliminate microorganisms and eliminate both organic and inorganic pollutants. Ozone acts as a potent oxidizing agent, breaking down organic compounds and neutralizing harmful bacteria and viruses via a safe chemical reaction. This technique is widely employed in both municipal and industrial wastewater treatment.

Once the ozone is introduced into the water, it attaches to the pollutants or microorganisms and oxidizes them, effectively destroying them. The flexibility of ozonation is demonstrated by its application at different stages of the process. Additionally, ozonation can be combined with other oxidants such as hydrogen peroxide to create Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs) in any water purification system.

How Does It Work?

A typical industrial wastewater treatment process consists of several stages, such as pretreatment, primary treatment, secondary treatment, tertiary treatment, and disinfection. The primary goal of wastewater treatment is to remove pollutants and contaminants from water to enable safe discharge into the environment.

The industry relies on bio and mechanical filtration for bulk reduction of BOD/COD, which reduces BOD/COD from 115,000 mg/L to 50-100 mg/L. However, when it comes to reducing BOD/COD to lower levels, bio and mechanical filtration can become prohibitively expensive. In such cases, hundreds of Water Treatment Plants (WTP) employ ozonation. Ozone can serve as the final step in the industrial wastewater treatment process because of its effectiveness as a water polisher. For instance, ozonation can economically reduce BOD/COD to safe levels before discharge into the receiving water (refer to this article for guidance on sizing an ozone generator).

Using ozone systems not only reduces processing costs but also eliminates penalties associated with contaminated water disposal. Other benefits of using ozone include implementing a clean and environmentally friendly technology, increasing oxygen demand, and improving aesthetic characteristics by reducing turbidity.

Ozonation’s Strength

Compared to chlorine, ozone has many advantages in the treatment of wastewater. It is more effective as a powerful oxidizing agent to break down organic compounds and neutralize harmful bacteria and viruses. The ozonation process requires a brief contact time, typically ranging from 10 to 30 minutes. Since ozone decomposes rapidly and completely, there are no harmful residues left behind. Furthermore, microorganisms do not regrow after ozonation, except for those shielded by the particulates in the wastewater stream. Additionally, ozone is generated on-site, minimizing safety concerns associated with shipping and handling.

Advantages of Ozonation in Industrial Wastewater Treatment

• There are various advantages associated with the oxidation of wastewater effluents. These include augmenting the levels of dissolved oxygen, reducing chemical usage, and decreasing both turbidity and color.
• Ozonation proves to be a powerful oxidizing agent, disinfectant, and sanitizer with potent antimicrobial properties.
• Ozone is more affordable.
• This sanitizer is natural and eco-friendly, and no microorganisms can develop immunity against it.
• Ozonation can affect Cryptosporidium P. while chlorine cannot.
• Ozone has a very short half-life and will return to oxygen atoms soon.

Would you like to discover how ozone can benefit your business? Get in touch with us today to speak with one of our water treatment specialists and explore your options.