ABOUT OZONE (O3)
Ozone is formed naturally in the atmosphere, as a colorless gas having a very pungent odor. Ozone, chemically, is the triatomic, allotropic form of oxygen having the chemical symbol 03 and a molecular weight of 48. Ozone, under standard atmospheric temperature and pressure, is an unstable gas that decomposes readily into molecular oxygen.
Ozone is a very powerful oxidant, with a redox potential of 2.07 and it has many commercial and industrial applications. It is used commercially in potable and non-potable water treatment, and as an industrial oxidant. The considerable oxidizing power of ozone and its molecular oxygen by-products make it a first choice for oxidation or disinfection.
WHY WE UTILIZE OZONE
Ozone has several significant advantages over its chemical alternatives:
- Ozone can be generated on-site.
- Ozone is one of the most active, readily available oxidizing agents.
- Ozone rapidly decomposes to oxygen leaving no traces.
- Reactions do not produce toxic halogenated compounds.
- Ozone acts more rapidly, and more completely than other common disinfecting agents do.
- Ozone reacts swiftly and effectively on all strains of viruses.
EFFECTS ON O3 IN WASTEWATER TREATMENT
Ozone acts by direct or indirect oxidation, by ozonolysis, and by catalysis. The three major action pathways occur as follows:
1.Direct oxidation reactions of ozone, resulting from the action of an atom of oxygen, are typical first order, high redox potential reactions.
2.In indirect oxidation reactions of ozone, the ozone molecule decomposes to form free radicals (OR) which react quickly to oxidize organic and inorganic compounds.
3.Ozone may also act by ozonolysis, by fixing the complete molecule on double linked atoms, producing two simple molecules with differing properties and molecular characteristics.
