EN
3
Generating ozone
Ozone is formed in the atmosphere in three ways:
Solar radiation:
Powerful solar radiation splits one oxygen molecule into two atoms. These free
oxygen atoms combine with other oxygen molecules: O
2
+ O = O
3
UV radiation:
Oxygen molecules can also split in the atmosphere due to powerful UV radiation. In
this case, the wavelength of the radiation is 185nm. This process is called photodisintegration. Near
the Earth, ozone is formed in a reaction between nitrogen dioxide (NO
2
) and oxygen (O
2
) triggered
by UV radiation.
After a rainstorm:
It is formed in large quantities in a bolt of lightning, that powerful flow of electricity
between the clouds and the earth.
How is it produced in the ozone generator?
Our generator uses a high-voltage discharge (actually small-scale bolts of lightning) to break up the
oxygen molecules into their constituents
–
that is, two oxygen atoms. This process is called
corona
discharge
. When this occurs, the oxygen atoms (or oxygen free radicals) become highly reactive.
Since a large number of oxygen molecules are also present in addition to the reactive oxygen atoms,
these atoms immediately react with them and thus ozone is formed (O
2
+ O = O
3
). The ozone
molecules thus generated are extremely unstable and immediately perform what they were created
for: they react with contaminants and thus destroy them through oxidation via the oxygen free
radicals. As soon as the contaminants are destroyed and no more ozone is generated, the ozone free
radicals connect with other oxygen free radicals, thus forming stable oxygen molecules again. That
is, ozone soon transforms into oxygen.
1.3
THE USE OF OZONE
Ozone technology can be used in numerous ways. While it is environmentally friendly, it is also a
powerful oxidant. It can therefore be effectively used anywhere to remove contaminants, viruses and
bacteria in the air chemical-free (unlike, for example, chlorination, which is a chemical technique). In
addition to air treatment, ozone is widely used to treat water. It is possible to transform numerous
organic contaminants into less harmful substances or to mineralize them completely, for example, in
water or carbon dioxide or perhaps in sodium chlorides or nitrogen. Inorganic substances, such as
sulfides, cyanide and metal complexes, are also oxidizable. The advantage of oxidation with ozone to
purify air or water is that no harmful by-products are created, such as certain sodium chlorides and
chlorine compounds. Organic and inorganic substances that ozone does not oxidize include glass,
rust-free steel, Teflon, PVC, ceramics and concrete. Ozone is not suitable for cleaning air conditioners
but can be used to temporarily disinfect slightly dirty or freshly cleaned ones.
1.4
THE IMPACT OF OZONE ON HEALTH
Ozone is a highly poisonous oxidant. It is dangerous and extremely hazardous to health. Safety
measures must be taken to prevent the uncontrolled release of this gas.
WARNING!
Do not inhale ozone. Inhaling ozone reduces lung function for a number of
days.
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