Introduction To Ozone

Ozone is a naturally occurring compound that combines three oxygen atoms to form the ozone molecule (O₃). Ozone is a molecule that consists of three negatively charged oxygen atoms. The ozone molecule is unstable and has a short half-life, causing it to fall back into its original form, oxygen (O₂).

Ozone is formed naturally when energy from ultraviolet (UV) light or electrical discharge forms single oxygen atoms that combine with O₂ molecules to form ozone. Ozone (O₃) is created naturally in the stratosphere by short wavelength ultraviolet radiation. In thunderstorms, ozone forms due to a high voltage lightning strike. The fresh scent after a thunderstorm is caused by ozone formation. For commercial and industrial uses, ozone is most commonly produced using high voltage electrical corona discharge.

O₃, Ozone is an unstable molecule under ambient conditions due to the weak bonds holding the third oxygen atom. This instability makes ozone a great, naturally potent, oxidizing, disinfecting agent. Oxidation occurs when ozone molecules come in contact with oxidizable substances like microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, molds, and parasites) and other organic and inorganic compounds like metal ions, plastics, and rubbers. This causes the third oxygen to be released from the ozone molecule and to bind to other materials so that only pure and stable oxygen molecules (O₂) are left.

Oxidation is the chemical interaction of oxygen-containing molecules with substances they may come in contact with. Oxidation produces chemical changes characterized by the loss of electrons. In ozone oxidation reactions, the unstable third oxygen atom is released from the ozone molecule to the molecule being oxidized. In disinfection, the transfer of energy via oxidation results in the rupture or lysing of the outer membranes of microorganisms. As ozone molecules enter lysed microorganisms, genetic material is destroyed. For the treatment of metal-containing substances, oxidation by ozone typically hydrolyzes inorganic molecules, causing them to become insoluble, which removes metals by filtration.

Ozone is often used as an anti-microbial agent. Ozone is very effective at oxidizing and destroying organic and other compounds. Here are some typical applications for ozone water treatment:

Click here to see our Industries and Applications.

There are many benefits of using ozone treatments for disinfection. For example:

• Approved by the FDA, USDA and supported by the National Organic Program
• Decreases the cleaning/sanitizing downtime of your operations.
  • Typical sanitization cycles are reduced by 30% to 75%
• Removes airborne microbiological and improves odors
• No harmful chemical residues that require a final rinse
• Integration into the current process made simple
• Sustainably generated on-site and eco-friendly
• Saves energy as no hot water is required
• No chemical transportation or storage
• 3000x more germicidal than chlorine
• Minimal continuous maintenance
• Lowers wastewater disposal cost
• Instant pathogen destruction
• Water and energy efficiency
• Increases production time
• Longer product shelf life
• Ethylene removal

Our Sales Team will take the guesswork out of your decision and help you make that choice easier!

Selecting the appropriate generator includes many variables for our industrial, commercial, and residential generators. For residential and commercial units, variables such as type of odor, square footage, humidity, temperature, etc., will affect your generator selection. For industrial units, variables such as feed-gas generation, objective, budgets, square footage, etc., will affect your generator selection.

Get in touch with us to find the best fit for your specific needs.

Our Sales Team will take the guesswork out of your decision and help you make that choice easier!

When it comes to ozone equipment, both renting and buying can be profitable options depending on your needs. Renting is an excellent option if you have a one-time demand for ozone, such as smoke damage, or need to evaluate a product without making a significant investment. However, if you have an ongoing need, such as killing bacteria or water purification, you may want to consider buying.

At Ozone Solutions, we are confident in the potential of our generators to destroy your odor issue. We guarantee that if you follow our ozone generator rental guidelines, your odor will be eliminated or your money back. Check out our Rental Services page.

Ozone is safe when used correctly. The FDA and USDA have approved ozone treatments for drinking water and food processing.

Application Safety of Ozone

These are some of the safety advantages of ozone and the main reason it is the alternative for many Industrial and Commercial applications.

• Ozone is not stored in bulk on-site.
• There are no harmful residuals after ozonation because it decomposes back to O₂.
• The catastrophic large-scale release is not likely because ozone is produced on-demand, and generator shutdown stops ozone supply.
• Ozone is not explosive or flammable.
• Leaks are identifiable with monitoring and can be repaired.
• No reported fatalities from ozone exposure.

Ozone is a strong oxidizer generally not harmful to mammals at low concentrations but lethal to microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, mold, and parasites. However, like any other potent oxidizing agent, ozone can be harmful if not handled properly. The federal government has set safe ozone limits for occupied spaces and food and water sanitation. But more importantly, Ozone Solutions encourages using the proper monitoring and destruct equipment to ensure added safety.

The government oversees ozone levels through three primary agencies, depending on how ozone is intended to be generated: OSHA/NIOSH, EPA, and USDA/FDA. By coming into contact with higher levels of ozone, there are potential heal on effects as listed on the Ozone Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS),

Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us to learn more about the safety of ozone in your specific needs.

Ozone quickly and naturally decomposes to oxygen with no other byproducts. Ozone is environmentally friendly and sustainably generated on-site. Without the need for storage containers and shipping, ozone systems have a significantly smaller carbon footprint than alternatives.

Yes. The USDA has determined that organic foods that are processed with ozone may be labeled as organic. Read More.

Our fully integrated systems incorporate all the required elements to generate, measure and control ozone for your processing facility. With Ozone Solutions systems, you need air, water, and electricity to increase your processes' efficiency and safety, creating a healthier environment, products, and planet.

All the equipment, pipelines, gaskets, and fittings that will be in contact with ozone need to be made with an ozone-compatible material.

This is a short list of ozone-compatible materials for different applications. Not all of the materials mentioned below can resist high ozone concentrations (<20%)

Please ask our team if you have any questions or concerns.