What is Ozone & How is Ozone Used?
Ozone is a form of oxygen that is also a natural sanitizer. It is a highly reactive oxidant that directly attacks the surface layer of microorganisms and destroys their cell walls. Ozonation is a chemical water treatment involving the infusion of ozone into water. When ozone is added to water, it quickly dissolves contaminants without changing its composition or adding any odor or taste.
Ozonated water is used as a disinfectant within a variety of applications and industries. It is also listed as an approved sanitizer by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and has been used for more than a century worldwide.
Furthermore, ozone water has been deemed a safe sanitation solution by the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP), and it was approved for food contact by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2001. The BES Group also received approval from the UK’s leading food lab Campden BRI, proving that ozone performance is as effective as chemical sanitation methods.
What are the Benefits and Applications for Ozone?
The ozonation method is highly effective in killing bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms that contaminate water. It is non-corrosive and reforms into oxygen molecules after the sanitization process. Ozone does not create an unpleasant aftertaste or odor like chlorine or other chemical cleaners do, and it creates no residual ozone or other compounds.
Ozone water is used as an alternative to traditional chemical cleaners in a variety of industries such as hospitals, kindergartens and schools, and nursing homes. Ozone water cleaning acts 3,000 times faster than chlorine, and is 50 times more effective, making it a clear choice against other disinfectants.
Ozone reforms back into oxygen molecules after the ozone water treatment process, without emitting any harmful by-products. This is better for the environment and safer for users, as they will not ingest any harmful chemical fumes. Ozone water is very useful for industries that require high hygienic safety and sanitization standards, such as food safety, commercial laundry, healthcare, water treatment industries, and more.
Ozone is also listed as an approved sanitizer by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and has been used across the globe for more than a century. Many running water treatment facilities in developed countries and most beverage bottling facilities use ozone to sanitize.
What is Electrolytic Ozone?
Electrolytic ozone is created by passing an electrical current through water to break the oxygen (O₂) molecules into oxygen atoms (O). The free oxygen atoms can then combine with oxygen molecules to form O₃. The O₃ made in this way is useful for a number of different applications and is a powerful sanitizing agent for cleaning water, water systems, and other machinery.
This method is very simple, efficient, and effective. Electrolytic ozone is especially useful for sanitizing water systems to create clean, microbe-free water. Because the ozone can be created inside the water system, contamination is kept to a minimum and can be well managed and controlled.
How Electrolytic Ozone is Made?
In electrolytic ozone generation, water is converted to ozone by electrochemical reactions. Electrolytic ozone can be made with electrolytic ozone generators (EOGs) via systems that use two core technologies to generate ozone from water based on the water qualities associated with their applications.
This method is very simple, efficient, and effective. Electrolytic ozone is especially useful for sanitizing water systems to create clean, microbe-free water. Because the ozone can be created inside the water system, contamination is kept to a minimum and can be well managed and controlled.
– Direct electrolysis
The first technology is called direct (or inline) electrolysis. It can generate ozone from tap water and is generally used in commercial applications such as sanitizing beverage-making equipment in coffee shops, bars, and restaurants. It’s simple and easy for the average user.
– Proton exchange membrane
The second electrolytic ozone technology is called proton exchange membrane (PEM) and is used in industrial applications using pure water instead of tap water to create ozonated water for applications that require high purity ozone, such as healthcare, food processing, and dentistry.
Ozonated water generated through an EOG can sanitize and disinfect beverage dispensers, kitchen surfaces, dental equipment, and other environments prone to collect bacteria over time. The installation of electrolytic ozone generators is an effective way of sanitizing water. Ozone is produced from the water being treated and as such there are no contaminants, nor is there a need for the use of chemicals or additional treatment steps.
An Improved Solution
The BES Group was established in 1988 after we noticed a need for an environmentally friendly method of developing highly concentrated dissolved ozone water for industrial, commercial, and consumer applications. We created an improved ozonation method with the innovative, patented membrane electrode Electrolytic Ozone Generator (EOG). This is revolutionary in the electrolysis of ozone from water instead of gaseous air or oxygen.
Benefits of the EOG Method
No toxic byproducts
The electrolytic methods do not release any toxic byproducts such as nitrogen oxide (NOx) during the oxidation process, which are harmful to humans and the environment. In fact, the only byproducts are water and hydrogen. The result is a user-friendly EOG system that is suitable for household and professional applications.
Higher purity
BioSure products instantly generate dissolved ozonated water that operates at a concentration that is above the industry standard for maximum sanitization results. The EOG produces ozone at a purity level of 28%, whereas the corona discharge method is just less than 3%, and ultraviolet light is less than 0.03. The many benefits of ozone water produced by the BES Group’s EOG system are clear.
More effective at lower concentrations
In comparison to other ozonation methods, ozonated water produced using the electrolytic methods is more effective at a lower concentration, meaning that this method is a time and cost effective way of producing ozone.
The highly concentrated ozone water produced by the BES electrolytic ozone water purifier destroys bacteria and viruses, but is safe for human consumption. Concentration determines the speed of sterilization, with higher concentrated ozone water requiring a short contact time to achieve more efficient sanitation.
Other Types of Ozone Sanitation Systems
Ultra Violet (UVC)
Ultra Violet (UVC) light is a form of electromagnetic radiation that uses a UV lamp to expose air or oxygen to the photolysis of oxygen molecules to create ozone. UV irradiation is an ozone sanitation method that is far less effective at killing germs than electrolytic ozone. One of the many downsides to UV irradiation is that it only disinfects a small area of water which loses effectiveness over time. It is highly dangerous to humans and can increase the risk of skin cancer if it is exposed directly to the skin. UVC disinfection is a slow process that is ineffective and costly in comparison to the electrolytic methods.
Corona Discharge (CD method)
Over 70% of our competitors use an air-based ozone method to sanitize water. Air-based ozone water generators use corona discharge to produce ozone, however, they are highly dangerous due to the high voltage required to achieve the ozone process. Corona discharge is harmful to humans and the environment as it releases toxic, corrosive emissions such as NOx, a known carcinogen. This NOx byproduct combines with humidity in the air and becomes acidic, resulting in a gas that’s corrosive and damaging to surfaces and our skin.