
Ozone treatment of wastewater reduces the usage of energy, water, utilities and chemicals, and provides an effective alternative to traditional chemical treatments and older technologies. Pharmaceutical wastewater containing from 0.5% up to 10% formaldehyde or glutaraldehyde can be treated using ozone or ozone/peroxide/UV combinations. Up to 55% reductions in chemical oxygen demand (COD) levels are observed for solutions containing either formaldehyde, glutaraldehyde or a mixture of the two aldehydes when these solutions are treated using ozone or ozone/peroxide/UV combinations.
Ozone is applied in large scale drinking water plants by means of porous diffusers placed strategically in large concrete contacting tanks. In smaller plants, ozone is usually applied via injectors. Control of ozone addition is by means of appropriate analytical instrumentation that measures ozone levels either in the liquid or gas phases – sometimes in both phases. Application and control of ozone to water is similar regardless of the specific use of the treated water.
UV optical ozone analysers are typically specified in this application for ambient monitoring. They are mounted near large capacity ozone generators to shut the generators down in case of a leak. Aeroqual believe the level of accuracy offered by UV technology is over specified and more expensive than necessary when used simply as a leak detector in Municipal Water Treatment Plants. Aeroqual have designed much lower cost ambient ozone monitors tailored to the needs of Municipal Water Plants.
The S930sR and S940sR offer industrial enclosures, LED display of O3 concentration, fail-safe software, 2 user defined alarm levels, 2 single pole double throw relays for triggering alarms or ventilation or controlling ozone generators plus digital and analogue outputs available to PLC. Accessories such as PC data-logging/networking software, siren/strobe alarms and hand held ozone monitors for spot checks are available.
Ozone is an efficacious antimicrobial oxidizer that can be safely applied to public swimming venues. Its function in public recreational water is as a Secondary Disinfection System used in conjunction with chlorine. Water clarity and quality is improved in the pool after ozone’s potent and rapid oxidation (to which microorganisms cannot become immune). Ozone is effective at reducing chloramines in pool water that when left uncontrolled, 1) will reduce the ability of the pool water to protect itself against human pathogens; 2) contribute to structural/equipment corrosion (primarily as a function of off-gas); 3) potentially exacerbate “swimmer’s asthma”.
Ozone is a potent broad spectrum antimicrobial oxidizer that when properly sized and applied to any swimming venue will:
Aqueous Ozone as a Surface Sanitizing spray for locker rooms, shower, bathrooms and ancillary pool equipment is also possible.
An ambient monitor is required in the mechanical room in case of a generator leaks. Aeroqual ozone monitors can shut down the O3 generator with options to trigger an alarm and or display prior to entering the mechanical room. An additional alarm/display at the control room can be useful in the control room which may be some distance away.
Ozone disinfection plays an important role in the prevention and elimination of fish diseases in commercial aquaculture systems as well as in the ultimate processing and packaging of seafood products.
Large municipal aquariums and zoos disinfect water with ozone to protect different species from infection and from water borne diseases. Ozone destroys bacteria, inactivates viruses, and oxidizes organics. The water is clean and clear and safe for the animals.
Supplying clean drinking water to livestock by removing fertilizers, bacteria and pesticides from their water supply can improve weight gain and improve overall health and production. Increased health of livestock and crops lead to improved productivity, reduced costs and increased profits for producers. Studies by PFRA and other regulatory bodies indicate bacteria free and clean drinking water can increase weigh gains of farm animals by 20% or more. Eggs can have a bad odour if water is not clean. Chickens may stop laying or be less productive if their energy is spent fighting off infection. Supplying clean water to crops in green houses can improve yields and speed up growth rates.
The success of a hydroponics crop depends on the quality of the water being used to grow the plants. Water parameters that have a direct impact on crop success include:
Water treatment is the most important factor effecting the operation and longevity of cooling towers, air washers, compressors and other heat exchange equipment. Ozone water treatment equipment is modular, very reliable and in most cases more economical than a good chemical water treatment program. Ozone water treatment means no chemical discharge into sanitary sewer systems. The aim is to sterilise the water tank water to eliminate mould/scum which is potentially a health issue but mainly to save the cost and reduce environmental impact of cleaning with harsh chemicals.
Air washers are used in commercial buildings to humidify and dehumidify large volumes of air circulating throughout occupied areas. The same principle of air handling is used in mills and manufacturing plants to remove lint/fibers, dust and vapors from the building air. Air washers are also used to remove volatile organics from manufacturing processes through the exhaust fumes. Large air-handling washers can move in excess of 100,000 cubic feet of air per minute (cfm). An elaborate spray system inside of the air-handling room creates a wall of water in which all the air must pass through. As the name implies, air washers pick up organic and inorganic materials that eventually dissolve in the water. In almost all cases the spray water is re-circulated from a central tank. The reservoir must be treated with chemical biocides — both oxidizing and non-oxidizing — to maintain a healthy working environment, reduce biofilm formation and insure proper heat transfer in the cooling/heating equipment. Chlorine/bromine combinations are almost always avoided due to the odor they impart into the air stream. Ozone is an effective biocide and air washer sump cleaning schedules are often no longer required.
This application requires an ambient ozone monitor either on the skid or on the wall next to the generator to shut the generator down in case of a leak. The generator is usually in the same room as the water tank/cooling tower.
The California EPA considers the use of ozone on cooling towers a “Pollution Prevention Technology” and is generally regarded as safe, (GRAS Approval). It has been proven by the Centers For Disease Control to kill Legionella bacteria faster and more completely for safer cooling tower operation.
Ozone is now being implemented in many commercial and institutional laundries. Not only because ozone is an environmentally-friendly alternative to chlorine, but because it makes economic sense. The advantages of a properly designed and operated ozone laundering system have been proven.
Ozone generators can be added on to conventional laundries, so no major changes to existing installations are necessary.
Ambient ozone monitors should be installed near the ozone generator (on a skid or wall mounted) to shut the generator down in case of a leak and also in the laundry area where people are working.
Ozone was introduced into the beverage industry as a residual disinfectant for bottled water. Its efficacy as a sanitizer prompted the International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) to require ozone in certain types of bottled water. The use of ozone has now spread throughout much of the beverage industry where it is used in plants that bottle everything from beer and wine to soft drinks and juices.
An ambient ozone monitor is recommended in the generator room to shut down the generator in case of leaks and also in the production areas where people work in case of off-gassing from the water.
Vintners and breweries today want to preserve the natural flavors of their products. They are quickly eliminating chlorinated water and other toxic sanitizers and turning to ozone as a safe, cost effective, and proven sanitizer in their wine and beer making process.
Ozone waste water treatment is a thorough and effective oxidation process and is a suitable disinfectant for the organic matter found in waste water. The process will remove pesticides, organics (such as organic Nitrogen), Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Volatile Fatty Acids (VFA), and Sulfur. Plus, it will significantly decrease the associated odors. Finally, the benefits for using ozone in waste water treatment include use of a clean, environmentally friendly technology that is as effective and economical.
Wastewaters can contain high levels of organic contaminants and pharmaceuticals. Organic contaminants are usually easily biodegradable and as such are amenable to biological wastewater treatment. However, this type of treatment requires rather large land areas and time (~ 30 days or more) for completion. Biological treatment is the least costly method of wastewater treatment, requiring the least amount of added energy. When land is not available, or there is insufficient time for bioprocessing, ozone can provide a technology to reduce BOD and COD levels. Ozone has been shown to aid sludge dewatering, thus aiding filtration. Biotreated effluents can be disinfected with ozone, thus avoiding disinfection with chlorine, and also avoiding the formation of chlorinated organics that pass into the environment and enter the food chain.
Typical Ozone applications include:
Systems are typically built into 20’ steel cargo containers for stationary installation or a trailer for mobility, or can be provided as component assemblies to install in a job site building. An ambient monitor should be installed in the container/trailer to shut the O3 generators down in case of leaks.
Ozonated water from the trailers is carried by pipes or hoses and sparged into the soil via probes or wells. There are environmental, economic and time saving benefits. These include rapid treatment response, minimising the environmental impact of a spill. Each remediation site is different depending on the location, characteristics, contamination type, distribution and concentration.
Ozone will rid contaminated soil of a variety of pollutants such as: