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Principles of Ozonization

We have all experienced the exhilarating effects and clean fresh aroma of the air after a thunder storm. The spice of this fragrance is ozone. Ozone occurs in nature as a result of many environmental circumstances, certainly lightning being one of the most significant. Ozone plays a very important role in the maintenance of our atmosphere. Ozone is also created as ultraviolet light passes into the earth's stratosphere. Ozone is natures way of cleaning the air. It only makes sense that we should use the same principles to our own advantage.

When electrical charges pass through an oxygen atmosphere, stable pairs of oxygen (O2) molecules are ripped apart and reform as a slightly modified form of oxygen, whereas it becomes ozone (O3). A negatively charged ion is formed when an electron attaches itself to an oxygen molecule. Having acquired a third oxygen atom it becomes a strong oxidant, which is highly reactive with hydrocarbons and other such unsaturated molecules. Ozone will act readily to oxidize these types of organic matter. These molecules include such pollutants as chemical fumes, smoke, trepans, and many other such gases. Ozone destroys with extreme efficiency the spores of moulds, amoebae, mildew, viruses and bacterium, as well as a variety of pathogenic and saprophytic germs. These microorganisms are protected within an outer membrane or shell. These membranes are composed of proteins which readily degrade in the presence of ozone. Without this protective coating the organism dies leaving only oxygen in it's place. Levels of 0.1 PPM have been found to be sufficient to kill most pathogens. In addition to the suppression of moulds, viruses and bacterium, ozone provides a germicidal effect, aiding in the healing of plant wounds and enhancing resistance to infection. These unsaturated molecules have an open structure and will readily combine with oxygen. As the ozone is absorbed by the host molecule it fragments the structure of the particle until it breaks up into its basic components, primarily CO2 and H2O. The ozone, having released its third atom in this process, defaults back to stable oxygen. The once offensive pollutant has effectively been dismantled and no longer exists as a contaminant. This process of neutralization is a very efficient sterilizer and purifier, literally destroying odors as nature intended it to happen. Beware however, that excessive levels of ozone can be destructive to living organisms in much the same way as described above. Ozone reacts with most substances by nature of it's oxidizing properties. Materials such as rubber, some plastics, fabrics, paints and textiles are susceptible to deterioration after time and extended periods of exposure. Metals such as iron, zinc, nickel, mercury and silver are highly reactive catalysts to ozone. Gold, platinum, stainless steel, aluminum (especially anodized) and glass are very resistant to ozone breakdown.

Naturally forming surface levels of ozone remain about 0.1 PPM depending upon atmospheric conditions and location. Levels occurring in cities, due to automobile and industrial by-products can be as high as 0.5 PPM. This is considerably higher than the E.P.A., F.D.A., C.S.A. or any of those other A’s suggest is suitable for continuous breathing. Although not proven to be dangerous, some people may experience throat or nasal discomfort at prolonged levels above 0.3 PPM.

Installation and Operation

The UVO3NAIR ozone generator is ideally suited for small enclosed grow spaces. It utilizes a lamp source which bombards oxygen molecules with ultraviolet light, causing them to mutate into the tri-oxygen form, known as ozone. A small fan directs air past the lamp and out into the air mix. Immediately the ozone begins to neutralize odors and pollutants. As this oxidization occurs, the ozone reverts back into oxygen. Ozone also acts as an ionizer. The negative ions attach themselves to a positively charged dust or smoke molecule causing them to fall to the floor. At the same time, the ozonator will help restore the natural negative/positive ion balance in the air. Ozone is unstable and has a half life of only about 30 minutes. For this reason it must be continuously produced to maintain a constant level.

Locate the UVO3NAIR where ozone will be evenly distributed throughout the entire area by circulation fans. Allow the ozone generator to operate continuously, unless the concentration becomes so high that it is intolerable to breath. Timers may be used to cycle the generator at 10 or 15 minute intervals to reduce concentrations. Or you may choose to set a timer to defeat the ozonator 1/2 hour before you plan to visit the area. Another common installation method is to introduce ozone in the path of exhaust system to cycle with ventilation.

Ozone is believed to be nontoxic to plants and animals, although in high concentrations it can irritate tissue in either case. Ozone is highly reactive to all organic matter. Some people are hypersensitive to ozone or just don’t like the smell, but it will not harm them. Do not remain in the room if dizziness, headaches, burning eyes, or nose or throat irritation is experienced. These symptoms will disappear after leaving the area.

 

 

Testing Ozone Concentrations

Locate generator where adequate circulation of ozone is present throughout entire area. After two hours of operation, open the ECO patch kit (included) and place the test card in the center of the room, at least six feet from the emitting end of the ozonator. Continue operation for a one hour test period. Compare test card to color strip to determine parts per billion (ppb) value. Divide results by 1000 to convert to parts per million.

All UVO3NAIR models covered by a one year warranty on parts and labor. Replacement parts available from your authorized dealer.

Key Benefits

• Eliminates unwanted odors quickly
• Dramatically improves air quality
• Breaks down and destroys air pollutants
• Discourages moulds and algae growth
• Inhibits pathogens,viruses and bacterium
• A powerful sterilant and germicide
• Restores natural ion balance in the air
• Completely safe and non toxic
• Low cost and easy to install
• Reliable and trouble free
• Requires no service or maintenance
• Resistant to corrosive atmospheres
• >Sturdy impact resistant ABS construction
• Operates for less than a 60 watt light bulb
• Quiet and efficient operation
• Ideal for greenhouse or grow room use

 

 

Benefits of Ozone Treatment

1. Minimizes the risk of disease (disinfects pathogens)
2. Reduces system organic loading, a source of energy for microorganisms and source of potential toxins.
3. Reduces biofouling (deposits, biofilms, sludge) of irrigation lines and hardware surfaces, reducing maintenance requirements and improving sanitation.
4. Continuously cleans and disinfects the nutrient solution, increasing the time that the solution can be re used (providing fertilizers are monitored and adjusted)
5. Less solution dumping means fertilizer cost savings and less discharges into the environment.
6. No harmful residual byproducts - ozone is triatomic oxygen
7. Systems are available for commercial greenhouses

Several million cubic meters of water are ozonated every day throughout the world. In France, drinking water has been disinfected with ozone since 1906. Today, at least 1300 water treatment plants worldwide are using ozone, including Montreal that ozonates 1.2 million m3 of water daily.

Ozone (03 ) in water functions both as a microbial disinfectant and a strong oxidizing agent of organic compounds. As a disinfectant, ozone kills microorganisms (including plant pathogens) by oxidizing cell walls and certain essential components inside, such as enzymes, proteins, DNA and RNA. As an oxidizing agent, ozone is one of the most powerful compounds known, having an oxidation potential about 1.5 times higher than that of chlorine. In hydroponic systems, organic compounds from root exudates and organic growing mediums (ea. peat) build up in nutrient solutions. These compounds are food for microorganisms, including plant pathogens, and certain compounds can be toxic to plants over time. Ozone partially oxidizes or breaks up. these organic compounds into smaller compounds that are more biodegradable (seldom are organics totally oxidized to C02 and water). These more readily biodegradable compounds are further oxidized by ozone every time the solution cycles, they are consumed by microorganisms in the solution or in a biological filter, or they can be removed by an activated carbon filter.

Because ozone gas is unstable and cannot be stored, it is produced on-site by corona discharge, using an ozone generator that passes air between electrodes separated by a dielectric and a narrow discharge gap. The result is the conversion of oxygen O2 into ozone O3. The ozone is dissolved by mass transfer into the nutrient solution using a venturi injector. Mass transfer efficiency of 90-955’o is typical, with the remaining 5-10% being vented as off-gas. The undissolved ozone is separated from the water in the degasser unit and the ozone in the off-gas is destroyed by the ozone filter.

Organic loading and microorganisms together make up the oxidizable component referred to as the ozone demand. Dissolved ozone residual appears only after the applied dose surpasses a critical amount corresponding to the ozone demand. Prior to the appearance of a residual, organic compounds are oxidized, and at the same time, microorganisms are inactivated. The presence of residual ozone and sufficient contact time before the ozone is degassed are key requirements for nutrient solution disinfection. The degassing unit doubles as reaction vessel, enabling a period of contact or reaction time before the solution is degassed.

Preliminary evaluations of ozone for soil-less culture disinfection have been made. Studies show that ozone is effective in inactivating the plant pathogens tested, including Corynebacterium michiganense, Erwinia carotovora, Pseudomonas solanacearum. Fusarium oxysporum, Verticilllium alboatrum, TMV, and CGMMV. In general, bacteria species are more easily killed by ozone than viruses. Ozone can also oxidize some forms of iron in the nutrient solution. When using ozone. the best iron stability is with Fe-EDTA, followed by Fe-DTPA. Fe-EDDHA has poor stability and should not he used.

The effective ozone dose for disinfection, and oxidization is time related and therefore cumulative (dosage = concentration of ozone x time). Some growing systems operate continuously (e.g. bare root NFT). In batch style growing systems where irrigation is applied at intervals rather than continuously, a bypass shunt enables continuous circulation of solution in the nutrient reservoir between irrigation cycles. Irrigation is then applied by opening a valve to the irrigation line as required. A second pump dedicated for irrigation can also be used.

Ozone should be applied continuously from system start-up. If brought "on-line" later, microorganisms and organic loading (the ozone demand) may build up to levels where the system ozone capacity is insufficient to provide the desired effect. The ozone system and associated filtration components keeps the solution clean and disinfected. resulting in less deposits and bio-film formation inside irrigation lines and on growing system surfaces, improving sanitation and reducing maintenance needs. Continuous cleaning of the solution means that the same solution can be re-used for longer periods before dumping (many months), providing fertilizer levels are regularly monitored and adjusted as required.

The venturi mass transfer system is also highly efficient at dissolving oxygen into the nutrient solution, ensuring near saturation levels of dissolved oxygen for plant root respiration. An additional venturi can be added after the ozone degasser to provide air bubbles in the nutrient solution supplied to the plants. This is particularly advantageous in deep flow hydroponic systems when the solution is introduced continuously in the bottom of the system and moves through a loose root zone to an overflow.

This is how it works

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Water or nutrient solution is directed from the source by a pump or diversion valve. As the solution passes through the mazzei injector it draws ozone from the ozonator which then becomes mixed into the stream. The solution continues on into the mixer/degasser canister where the ozone is further dissolved into the solution. Any remaining ozone is then removed from the flow and vented through the trap and carbon destruct filter. The treated solution is then returned to the reservoir or irrigation system. It's just that simple.

 

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