Disinfection is a critical step in water treatment, from process water to drinking water, to kill harmful microorganisms. Ozone disinfection is a popular choice due to its effectiveness and efficiency.
How Ozone Disinfection Works
Ozone (O₃) is a gas molecule consisting of three oxygen atoms. Compared to regular oxygen (O₂), ozone has one extra oxygen atom which makes it highly reactive and highly oxidative. This property is the basis of ozone’s power as a disinfection agent.
The ozone disinfection process begins with the formation of ozone gas which is usually produced through corona discharge or UV radiation. Ozone gas is then injected into the water flow through a diffuser or injector system. When ozone comes into contact with microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, or protozoa, the ozone molecules will attack the cell walls and internal structures of the microbes. As a result, the microorganisms die or are unable to replicate further.
Advantages of Ozone Disinfection Compared to Other Methods
The main advantage of ozone compared to other disinfectants such as chlorine is its speed of action and its broad spectrum of activity. Ozone is not only effective against bacteria and viruses, but is also able to oxidize complex organic compounds and heavy metals that can cause color, odor, or taste in water.
Here are other advantages of ozone disinfection.
1. High Effectiveness
Ozone has a higher oxidation potential than chlorine. This means that ozone is able to deactivate microorganisms more quickly and thoroughly, even against chlorine-resistant pathogens such as Cryptosporidium and Giardia.
2. No Harmful Residues
After the disinfection process is complete, ozone will decompose back into oxygen (O₂), leaving no harmful chemical residues in the water. This is very important to maintain water safety and reduce the need for further processing stages.
3. Improve Water Quality
In addition to killing microorganisms, ozone also oxidizes substances that cause color and odor in water, such as iron (Fe²⁺), manganese (Mn²⁺), and certain organic compounds. The result is water that is not only safe, but also clear and odorless.
4. Operational Efficiency
With the right automation system, the ozone disinfection process can be seamlessly integrated into water treatment plants without the need for manual chemical handling. This facilitates operations and increases the consistency of results.
Read Also: UV Disinfection: An Efficient Solution to Ensure Clean Water Quality
Application of Ozone Disinfection in the Industrial World
Although ozone disinfection can be applied in various sectors, this technology is very relevant for the needs of industries that require high water quality, such as the food and beverage industry, pharmaceuticals, electronics, and large-scale clean water processing. In the food and beverage industry, for example, water from ozone disinfection is used for washing raw materials, process water, and even bottled drinking water. Ozone ensures that there is no microbiological contamination that can damage the product or harm consumers.
Likewise in clean water and wastewater treatment, ozone disinfection is used at the final stage (post-treatment) to ensure that water that is discharged into the environment or reused is free from pathogens.
Challenges and Solutions
Despite its many advantages, the use of ozone also has technical challenges that need to be considered. Ozone is a highly reactive and unstable gas that must be produced on-site and cannot be stored. In addition, improper ozonation system design can cause inefficiency or even potential hazards for operators.
Therefore, it is important to work with a solution provider that has the expertise and experience in designing, operating, and maintaining ozone disinfection systems.
Ozone Disinfection Solutions from Lautan Air Indonesia
As a trusted partner in the field of water treatment for more than four decades, Lautan Air Indonesia is here to answer your ozone disinfection needs with comprehensive and integrated solutions.
Trust Your Water Disinfection Solutions to the Experts
The use of ozone disinfection is not only about technology, but also about how the technology is implemented properly. With the support of Lautan Air Indonesia’s team of experts, you will get a system that is not only effective in killing microorganisms, but also provides operational efficiency and maintains consistent water quality.
Do not hesitate to contact us if you want to consult further regarding the implementation of ozone disinfection in your facility. Our team is ready to assist you from feasibility studies to system commissioning in the field.
Contact Lautan Air Indonesia today for reliable, innovative, and industry-standard water treatment solutions. Make clean, safe water the standard in every line of your operation – with Lautan Air Indonesia, the best water solution is in your hands.