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Ozone and Ozonators

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1. What is Ozone?
Ozone is active oxygen, O₃. It occurs naturally in the Earth's atmosphere to protect us from the Sun's harmful rays.

2. What are some uses of Ozone?
Some commons uses are: Drinking Water Purification, Waste Water Purification, Air Freshening. Pool and Spa Water Purification.

3. How long has Ozone been used to purify water?
Since the late 1800's.

4. How long has Ozone been used to purify pool & spa water and remove odors from the air?
Over 50 years.

5. How does Ozone used for water purification, affect the air we breath?
The amount of Ozone produced by an Ozone Generator are insignificant to the normal atmosphere we live in. Excess ozone quickly converts back to oxygen. NOTE: DO NOT BREATHE CONCENTRATED OZONE.

6. Is Ozone the same as "SMOG"?
No! "Smog" is air pollution created by combustion polluters. While smog contains small amounts of ozone, it is largely composed of harmful chemicals such as carbon monoxide. In fact, Smog and other pollutants may contribute to the damage of the "Ozone Layer".

7. If I use Ozone in my pool or spa, will I help to replenish the "Ozone Layer"?
No. It takes such tiny amount of Ozone to effectively purify water that any molecules breaking free into the air are insignificant.

8. Will Ozone hurt me?
No! In the quantities necessary to be effective, Ozone is very gentle to humans and equipment in the water.  NOTE DO NOT BREATHE CONCENTRATED OZONE.

9. Does Ozone have an odor?
Yes. Depending on the concentration, the odor ranges from slightly sweet to moderately antiseptic.

10. Will Ozone kill bacteria?
Yes.  It is one of the most effective, complete bactericides of all Earth's measurable elements.

11. How is Ozone different from chlorine?
In the quantities needed for water purification, it has no noticeable order, taste or color. It is not irritating to humans or equipment. Ozone purifies water and air very quickly and efficiently, 3000 times faster than chlorine. Ozone leaves no by-products except pure oxygen. In contrast, chlorine leaves a chemical by-product called hydrochloric acid and additional salts in water applications.

12. Will ozone kill viruses?
Yes. Ozone kills virtually all known forms of viruses in water and air.

13. Will Ozone reduce scum lines and foaming in spas?
Yes, with proper filtration it should completely eliminate them.

14. How is Ozone produced?
Ozone can be produced in a number of different ways, however the most common method is via Ultraviolet Light Generation.

15. How does Ultraviolet Light Generation work?
A special lamp gives off a specific wavelength of ultraviolet light which converts Oxygen (O₂) molecules into Active Oxygen, Ozone (O₃) molecules. This all occurs instantly inside the Ozone chamber in the Ozone Generator.

16. How does Corona Discharge Generation work?
Ozone is produced by passing air through a high voltage electrical discharge, or corona. A minimum of 5,000 volts of electricity is necessary to create the corona. Air or concentrated oxygen dried to a minimum of -60° C dew point passes through the corona which causes the O₂, bond to split, freeing two O₁ atoms which then collide with other O₂ molecules to create ozone.  The ozone/gas mixture discharged from the CD ozone generator normally contains from 1% to 3% ozone when using dry air, and 3% to 6% ozone when using high purity oxygen as the feed gas.

17. Can Ozone damage my pool or spa equipment?
No. In fact it is very gentle to spas, pools, and equipment. Applied properly, ozone is more gentle than any other water purifier in existence.

18. Can the Ozone in my pool irritate skin or eyes like chlorine in pools?
No! Ozone is very gentle to skin and eyes.

19. How long will Ozone last in my pool or spa water?
Scientific theory states that Ozone has a half life of about 22 minutes in water. However recent tests have proven that a measurable residual can be found after several hours in clean water.

20. Will water temperature affect Ozone?
Wide variations in pool water temperature will affect how well the ozone works. An Ozone Generator should be designed and sized for maximum water temperature and bather load.

21. Will Ozone affect my pH?
Ozone is pH neutral. It will not adversely affect the pH.

22. Do I still have to filter the water as often?
Yes. Because impurities are constantly being introduced into the water and the Ozone is constantly destroying them, the microscopic remains will need to be filtered out of the water.