Ozone is a molecule that consists of three oxygen atoms (O3), with a delta negative and a delta positive electric charge. The ozone molecule is very unstable and has a short half-life. Therefore, it will decay after some time back into its original form of (O2) oxygen. Ozone or (O3) is sometimes called “activated oxygen”, containing three atoms of oxygen rather than the two atoms we normally breathe. Ozone is the second most powerful sterilant in the world and can be used to destroy bacteria, viruses and odors.

In essence, ozone is nothing more than oxygen (O2), with an extra oxygen atom. In nature, ozone is produced by some chemical reactions. The most familiar example is of course the ozone layer, where ozone is produced from the sun’s ultra-violet (UV) rays. But ozone is also produced by thunderstorms and waterfalls. The extreme high voltages produced within thunderstorms also produce ozone from oxygen. The special “fresh, clean, spring rain” smell is from nature-produced ozone. The word “Ozone” is derived from the Greek word ozein, which means to smell.

Ozone is only produced under extreme circumstances.

This can also be created by ozone generators. Ozone generators produce ozone with extremely high voltages or with UV-light.

Ozone operates according to the principles of oxidation. When the static loaded ozone molecule (O3) contacts with something that is “oxidation able”, the charge of the ozone molecule will directly flow over to it. This is because ozone is very unstable and prefers to turn back to its original form of oxygen(O2). Ozone can oxidize all kinds of materials, but also will completely eliminate odour and microorganisms like viruses, molds and bacteria. The extra oxygen atom releases from the ozone molecule and then binds with other material. Eventually what remains is only the pure and stable oxygen molecule.

Ozone is one of the strongest oxidation agents available for use. The extra-added oxygen atom will bind (oxidize) in a split second to every component that comes into contact with it.

Ozone can be used for a broad array of purification applications. For the most part, ozone is applied in municipal wastewater and potable water treatment plants (for disinfection). However ozone is used more and more in the industrial branch. In the food industry for example ozone is used for disinfection and in the paper and textile industry it is used for the oxidation of wastewater. The main benefit of ozone is its clean character. That is, it creates almost no by-products. Because ozone has a strong recognizable odor, very low concentrations will soon be perceived. This makes it generally safe to work with ozone.

Ozone can be produced artificially according the same principle as it occurs in nature, which means by either UV light (ozone layer) or via corona-discharge (high voltages,lightning). In both methods the bonds between the oxygen molecules are broken apart. Consequently an oxygen radical is produced, which will, in turn, bind with the another oxygen molecule to form O3 (ozone).

O3Canada employs both methods in our generators.Most equipment in the past used the corona discharge method. Equipment utilizing UV is now becoming the standard since new technology has allowed higher amounts of ozone to be produced using super HO tubes and new adjustable ballasts allow variable outputs with UV ozone.

UV ozone is also the purest, most reliable, and have the least maintenance of any generator available.