Oxygen vs Air for Ozone Production
The use of pure oxygen to produce ozone allows higher concentrations in the feed gas that provides higher solubility
Ozone for Drinking Water
Ozone generation from pure oxygen for drinking water disinfection, and taste and odour removal
Ozone can be added at several points throughout the drinking water process, such as pre-oxidation, intermediate oxidation or final disinfection.
Ozone is an unstable product that cannot be stored and needs to be produced on-site from oxygen through dedicated generators. Air Products, as an oxygen major supplier, has over the years developed the know-how to help its customers optimise the ozone processes.
Are you interested in ozone process optimisation?
We can help you enhance your treatment and give advice on the options to increase your productivity or efficiency.
Ask the Expert
Samy Sablayrolles
Commercial Technology Water Solutions, Europe
“Should I use oxygen or air for my ozone generator?”
For oxygen to form into ozone, oxygen molecules must be cracked and reformed. This takes energy in the form of electrical excitation of oxygen that disassembles the oxygen molecules. This is usually accomplished with high voltage (corona discharge) ozone generators. Once pulled apart, most molecules will revert to the stable form of oxygen. However, some of the oxygen is converted into ozone in this process. That process requires a lot of energy to crack the molecule and obtain a low concentrated flow of ozone. If air is used the generators will consume much more energy than using pure oxygen because of the huge concentration of inert gases such as nitrogen. Pure oxygen processes are more efficient due to the concentration of oxygen. In parallel, the ozone concentration can be increased from 3-4% with air to 12-14% with oxygen using three times less energy. The high ozone concentrated flow is also more effective in term of mass transfer for further uses.
What is the Main Benefit of Using Pure Oxygen Instead of Air?
Pure oxygen uses higher ozone concentrations giving higher solubility and faster reactions. Pure oxygen ozonisers produce ozone concentrations in the range of 10-14% w/w.
Higher ozone concentrations equal higher treatments efficiency.
Gases
Air Products gases, typically provided in gaseous and liquid form, enable customers in a wide range of industries to improve their environmental performance, product quality, and productivity.
Oxygen
In addition to its use as a respiratory gas for healthcare applications, its strong oxidizing properties benefit many industries by improving yields, optimizing performance, lowering costs and reducing carbon footprint compared to other fuels.