Ozone Chemistry

Ozone

Ozone (O3) or trioxygen is a molecule composed of three (3) oxygen atoms, temporarily existing in a very unstable and reactive state. Ozone is so reactive that a suitable container for storage probably does not exist. Unlike the O2 molecule described in the next paragraph, this tri atomic oxygen defies man’s attempts to store or liquefy it. Compared to O2, O3 is an extremely active molecule, probably by a factor of 1,000 times and is sometimes referred to as activated oxygen.

Oxygen (O2) is normally thought of as the fraction of air which is utilized in breathing. It is very necessary and has many common and obvious uses. This regular oxygen or di oxygen is a relatively stable molecule, composed of two (2) oxygen atoms held together with a fairly firm double bond. This diatomic oxygen is stable enough to compress, liquefy and store, yet it is still quite reactive. Ozone can be visualized as a regular O2 molecule with a very nervous, active, reactive, excitable, energetic, corrosive and lively O1 atom as a side kick. This monatomic O1 atom does not like to be alone, and near the earth's surface, it refuses to stay with the fairly stable O2 double bond. It is active and reactive, with energy needing to be channeled in some useful direction. It will combine with virtually anything on contact, or at least will try. This active O1 will not stabilize until it can break away from the O2 and form a stable molecule with something else, virtually any other molecule that is available. If no other molecule is available, it will eventually unite with another O1 atom in the same situation, and restabilize as O2.

Ozone Mechanism

Negative ions are electrically charged particles which occur in nature during thunderstorms. Ozone is a form of oxygen which has been electrically energized, making it chemically more active than oxygen, which is created naturally during thunderstorms as lightning travels through the atmosphere.
Negative ions attach themselves to airborne particulates through a process known as ionization, which then make the particulates heavier than the surrounding air, causing them to drop and fall to the ground. Ozone, being one of nature’s most powerful oxidizing (odor removing) an agent, attaches to airborne pollutants, and through the process of oxidization, breaks down the molecular structure and neutralizes, or destroys, the odor producing pollutant. Together these two processes act in concert with one another in nature to clean and purify the air. That sweet smell after a thunderstorm is ozone.

Advantages

• Ozone can be used as a disinfectant, decolorizer, deodorizer, detoxifier, precipitant, coagulant and for removing tastes. Consequently, the use of ozone should be considered when there is a need to address any of these problems, and particularly when there is suspicion of water borne pathogens.

• Ozone production on site, via normal corona discharge, eliminates the problems of transporting, storing and handling of hazardous and dangerous materials.

• For efficiency, ozone is outstanding, as it is the most powerful and effective broad spectrum microbiological control or disinfecting agent available.

• Ozone is the strongest oxidant available for the treatment of odors.

• Ozone kills airborne pathogen & viruses.

• Ozone is only partially soluble in water; it is sufficiently soluble and stable such that its oxidation or disinfectant properties can be fully utilized

• Ozone reacts with a large variety of organic compounds resulting in oxygen-containing organic by-products.