Compared with traditional water disinfection methods (such as chlorine or ultraviolet disinfection), the use of ozone generators to disinfect water will be better. First of all, ozone is more effective than any other disinfection treatment to inactivate viruses and bacteria, and at the same time, the contact time is very short, thus reducing the residence time of the entire treatment, and leaving no chemical residues and no secondary pollution.

       Due to the high oxidation potential, the ozone generator effectively degrades microorganisms and viruses, rupturing cell membranes and breaking down the biomolecular components required in bacteria. Ozone can be used to oxidize the hydrocarbons in the lipid bilayer of cells to kill contaminating microorganisms.

       Since ozone undergoes natural decomposition in water, the use of ozone basically has no harmful residues. As long as other processes in the disinfection process successfully reduce the particles in the wastewater stream, ozone treatment can also prevent the re-growth of microorganisms. Because ozone does not need to be transported or processed, it needs to be produced on-site through an ozone generator, thereby eliminating complex problems such as health and environmental issues related to chemical processing.

Disinfection efficiency

       Ozonization will achieve effective disinfection, usually using CT value (concentration times time) to measure disinfection efficiency. The sterilization comparison between ozone and chlorinated alternatives lists the CT values of a series of bacteria.

       Most spores are more resistant, and they usually show a CT value about 10 to 15 times higher than the active form. But in most cases, there is a "threshold" for disinfection. So far, the impact of treatment on microorganisms is still very limited or very low. However, above the threshold, all microorganisms of the same species will be destroyed.

Commonly used water disinfection technology

       There are many techniques for disinfecting liquids and surfaces. Ozone can provide a variety of disinfection technologies, and the most important thing is an environmentally friendly solution. These technologies are:

       Ozonation-dissolves low-concentration ozone into water to provide quick and effective water disinfection.

       Ultraviolet (UV)-irradiate water with ultraviolet light.

       Chlorination-the addition of chlorine compounds to the water, resulting in the concentration of residual disinfection chemicals.

       Other techniques include, for example, bromine, peracetic acid, iodine, copper and silver ions, potassium permanganate, anisol, detergent, hydrogen peroxide, ultrasonic treatment and heating.

Each technology has its specific advantages and its own application areas.

       When comparing typical water disinfection properties, ozonation stands out as an environmentally friendly, robust, mixable and effective water disinfection treatment.

Prerequisites for ozone disinfection

       The disinfection effect of drinking water is related to other water purification steps. Appropriate disinfection can only be carried out after the water has been fully pretreated. In many cases, the disinfection process is one of the steps in the water treatment system. In drinking water treatment, for example, the disinfection step is preceded by screening, sedimentation, flocculation and sand filtration, at which time the water will be suitable for final disinfection.

       Dissolved and insoluble particles should be removed from the water first, because they may cause disinfection by-products (especially when chlorination is used), and because the particles may contain substrates (food) for pathogen growth. Moreover, when microorganisms are adsorbed on the particles, the microorganisms are more difficult to remove from the water. Before disinfection, the concentration of undissolved particles in the water should be reduced to below 1 mg/l. Other compounds from human or natural sources also affect the performance of the disinfection process. These substances may react with the disinfectant as a disinfection by-product, which may increase the amount of disinfectant required to eliminate microorganisms and viruses, and it will also make it difficult to maintain the residual concentration.