|
Swimming Pool Ozone Generators
Ozone is created when three atoms of oxygen are bound
together. The extra oxygen atom makes ozone a highly
effective and energetic oxidizer. This enable ozone to
destroy algae, viruses, bacteria and other unwanted
organisms on contact with no harmful by-products. Ozone also
has the added benefit of breaking down harmful chemicals and
act as a flocculent, causing the total dissolved solids to
be suspended and therefore easily removed by the water
filtration process. Ozone also oxidizes combined chlorine
and bromine, freeing them to be continuously reused. This
enable a savings of about 90% on sanitization costs.
Many consumers label ozone generators as
"alternative sanitizers" but ozone generators actually are
both a sanitizer as well as an oxidizer. It should be noted
that ozone is the only treatment other than chlorine
compounds that is approved by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA). Typically, a sanitizer is defined
as an agent that can kill 99.9 percent of all growing
bacteria.
Please remember that there is no single
agent that will act as an ideal sanitizer for every possible
situation. Several factors influence a sanitizers
effectiveness including the nature, intensity, the
concentration of the sanitizer, types of organisms present
as well as other various factors such as pH and water
balance in your swimming pool. Ideally you want the kill
time to be short (30 seconds or less) while keeping the sanitizer
concentration low.
Oxidation
Oxidation is often a frequently overlooked part of the
treatment of your swimming pool water. Generally, about 90
percent of your chlorine and bromine in your swimming pool
water is used to oxidize organic and inorganic loading.
Oxidization is important for several factors.
-
Sanitizers are neutralized by
organic matter. This depletes the chlorine or
bromine reserve and cause undesirable effects
such as odor
-
Organic matter can provide
protection to the very pathogens you are trying
to kill. Sanitizers oxidize these organic matter
and hence can destroy pathogens more easily.
-
Organic matter provides
nutrients that pathogens and unwanted organism
need to reproduce and multiply.
Oxidization is also important for
inorganic compounds such as pyrogens and metals that can
cause staining and corrosion as well as adverse reaction to
bathers. Oxidizing inorganic matter reduces them to inert
compounds that either precipitate or coagulate for the
filter to remove them from the water.
All this explained, ozone does have one
major drawback. It is very unstable and while this is what
gives ozone its potency, its nearly impossible to establish
an ozone residual without considerable expense. Therefore we
recommend using chlorine or bromine as a residual sanitizer
and inject ozone via a bypass venturi (commonly called
sidestream injection).
Ozone And Sanitation
Bacteria and other micro organisms cannot develop a
resistance to ozone. This is where ozone varies from other
'alternative sanitizers'. Ozone will react with any pathogen
it contacts. Most 'alternative sanitizers' kill by
essentially poisoning them. Ozone destroys pathogens and
unwanted organisms by cellular lysis (kills by rupturing the
cell membranes). Simple molecules will be broken down into
carbon dioxide and water and more complex molecules may be
broken down in a variety of configurations that precipitate
and are removed by filtration.
Ozone is pH neutral and most importantly
changes in pH will not degrade ozone's performance and
conversely it will not affect the pH of any pool or spa.
Ozone is an oxidizer as well as a potent
sanitizer, not merely an alternative sanitizer. When used
with chlorine or bromine, ozone acts as the primary oxidizer
allowing those chemicals to operate more effectively as
sanitizers. Please remember that while ozone will contribute
to sanitation, it is not its main role. It should be used in
conjunction with chlorine and bromine. It will however save
you about 90 percent of chemical costs of chlorine and
bromine.
Aqua-Pool-Warehouse highly recommend the
Prozone International company and their selection of ozone
generators. In our experience, our clients have been
extremely pleased with their products and we are proud to
present you with a variety of selection for all your
swimming pool need no matter the size and application of
your pool.
Aqua-Pool-Warehouse has it all. We have the experts, the products, the experience and all the solutions you can possibly need for any of your swimming pool ozone generator needs. Our principals have been in the pool business for over 45 years and we can help with any of your questions. You are just a click away from our friendly and knowledgeable staff.
Note: Never add water to a chemical.
Always add chemicals to water.
|
