Frequently Asked Questions About Ozone
- What is Ozone?
Ozone is active
oxygen, O3. It occurs naturally in the earth's
atmosphere to protect us from the sun's harmful rays.
- What are some uses of ozone?
Some
common uses are: pool and spa water purification, drinking water
purification, waste water purification, and air
freshening.
- How long has ozone been used to purify
water?
Since the late 1800's.
- How long has ozone been used to purify
pool and spa water and remove odors from the air?
Over 50
years.
- How does the ozone used for water
purification affect the air we breathe?
The amount of ozone
produced by an ozone generator is insignificant to the normal
atmosphere we live in. When dissolved in water, ozone is extremely
safe. Excess ozone quickly converts back to oxygen. Note: do not
breathe concentrated ozone gas.
- Is ozone the same as "SMOG"?
No!
"Smog" is air pollution created by combustion polluters. While
smog contains small amounts of ozone, it is largely composed of
harmful chemicals such as carbon monoxide. In fact, smog and other
pollutants may contribute to the damage of the ozone
layer.
- If I use ozone in my pool or spa, will I
help replenish the ozone layer?
No. Because ozone reacts so
quickly with contaminants in water and air, it converts back to
oxygen within minutes or even seconds. Any ozone molecules that
break free from the pool or spa water will convert to oxygen and
never reach the atmosphere.
- Will ozone hurt me?
No! In the
quantities necessary to be effective, ozone is very gentle to
humans and equipment in the water. However, you should never
breathe concentrated ozone gas.
- Does ozone have an odor?
Yes.
Depending on the concentration, the odor ranges from slightly
sweet to moderately antiseptic.
- Will ozone kill bacteria?
Yes. It
is one of the most effective, complete bactericides of all earth?s
measurable elements.
- Will ozone kill viruses?
Yes. Ozone
kills virtually all known forms of viruses in water and
air.
- How is ozone different from
chlorine?
In the quantities needed for water purification,
it has no noticeable odor, taste or color. It is not irritating to
humans or equipment. Ozone purifies water and air very quickly and
efficiently, 3,000 times faster than chlorine. Ozone leaves no
by-products except pure oxygen. In contrast, chlorine leaves a
chemical by-product called hypochloric acid and additional salts
in water applications.
- Will Ozone reduce scum lines and foaming
in spas?
Yes. With proper filtration it should completely
eliminate them.
- How is ozone produced?
Ozone can be
produced by ultraviolet (UV) light or by corona discharge
(CD).
- How does ultraviolet light ozone
generation work?
A special lamp gives off a specific
wavelength of ultraviolet light which converts oxygen
(O2) molecules into ozone (O3) molecules by
splitting the oxygen molecules into individual oxygen atoms
(O1) which then recombine with oxygen molecules to form
ozone. This all occurs instantly inside the ozone chamber in the
ozone generator.
- How does Corona Discharge Ozone Generation
work?
Ozone is produced by passing air through a high
voltage electrical discharge, or corona. A minimum of 5,000 volts
of electricity is necessary to create the corona. Air or
concentrated oxygen dried to a minimum of -60°C dewpoint passes
through the corona which causes the O2 bond to split,
freeing two O1 atoms which then collide with other
O2 molecules to create ozone. The ozone/gas mixture
discharged from the CD ozone generator normally contains from 1%
to 3% ozone when using dry air, and from 3% to 6% ozone when using
high purity oxygen as the feed gas.
- Can ozone damage my pool or spa
equipment?
No. In fact, it is very gentle to spas, pools,
and equipment. Applied properly, ozone is more gentle than any
other water purifier in existence.
- Can the ozone in my pool irritate skin or
eyes like chlorine in pools?
No! Ozone is very gentle to
skin and eyes.
- How long will ozone last in my pool or spa
water?
Scientific theory states that Ozone has a half life
of about 22 minutes in water. In residential applications, ozone
reverts back to oxygen in minutes (ozone breaks down faster in
warmer water).
- Will water temperature affect
ozone?
Wide variations in pool water temperature will
affect how well ozone works. An ozone generator should be designed
and sized for maximum water temperatures and bather
load.
- Will ozone affect my pH?
Ozone is
pH neutral. It will not adversely affect the pH.
- Do I still have to filter the water as
often?
Yes. Because impurities are constantly being
introduced into the water and the ozone is constantly destroying
them, the microscopic remains will need to be filtered out of the
water.
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