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What
is Active Oxygen?
Active
Oxygen is Created Naturally
Active Oxygen is a naturally
occurring gas created by the force of corona discharge during lightning storms
or by UV light from the Sun.
Definition of Active Oxygen:
Active Oxygen (O3) is an
allotrope of oxygen (O2). It is 1.5 times as dense as oxygen and 12.5 times more
soluble in water and leaves no residuals or byproducts except oxygen and a
minimal amount of carbon dioxide and water. It can be manufactured from dry air
or from oxygen by passing these gases through an electric field of high
potential sufficient to generate a "corona" discharge between the electrodes.
Ultraviolet light and shorter wavelength radiation also causes oxygen to undergo
conversion to Active Oxygen, which may be used for industrial wastewaters (Belew
1969). Active Oxygen is a more potent germicide than hypochlorite acid by
factors of 10 to 100 fold and disinfect 3125 times faster than chlorine (Nobel
1980).
Active Oxygen is highly
unstable and must be generated on site. The measure of an oxidizer and its
ability to oxidize organic and inorganic material is its oxidation potential
(measured in volts of electrical energy). Active Oxygen’s oxidation potential
(-2.07V) is greater than that of hypochlorite acid (-1.49V) or chlorine
(-1.36V), The latter agents being widely used in water treatment practice.
Oxidation potential
indicates the degree of chemical transformation to be expected when using
various oxidants. It gauges the ease with which a substance loses electrons and
is converted to a higher state of oxidation (EPA 1990). Theoretically the
substance with the lower oxidation potential will be oxidized by the substance
with the higher oxidation potential. A substance can only be oxidized by an
oxidizer with a higher potential (EPA 1978). The oxidation potentials of common
oxidants and disinfectants associated with water and wastewater treatment are
all of a lower oxidation potential than Active Oxygen. There is only one element
with a higher oxidation potential than Active Oxygen and that is fluorine.
Organic compounds treated
with a powerful oxidant as Active Oxygen will not always be converted totally to
carbon dioxide and water, especially under abnormal industrial wastewater
conditions.
Therefore, no other commonly
employed and less powerful water treatment oxidant (i.e. chlorine, bromine,
chlorine dioxide, etc.), all of which have lower oxidation potentials than
Active Oxygen, will oxidize an organic material completely to carbon dioxide and
water if Active Oxygen will not.
Is
Active Oxygen Safe?
Active Oxygen is very safe -
in over 100 years of use, there has never been a fatal accident. While chlorine
forms thousands of extremely toxic by-products, Active Oxygen forms virtually
none. These and other properties make Active Oxygen an IDEAL PURIFICATION and
DISINFECTING agent. Active Oxygen is generated electrically and therefore adds
no chemicals into the treated water.
More About
Active Oxygen and What Active Oxygen Can be Used For
The universal
disinfectant
Disinfection by 3-atomic
oxygen called Active Oxygen takes place by rupture of the cell wall - a more
efficient method than Chlorine that depends upon diffusion into the cell
protoplasm and inactivation of the enzymes. Active Oxygen level of 0.4 ppm for 4
minutes has been shown to kill any bacteria, virus, mold and fungus.
When the effectiveness of
Active Oxygen as a disinfectant was measured, up to a certain dosage there was
little or no disinfection. At higher levels the sanitizing effect increased
greatly. For complete disinfection there has to be a surplus of residual
Active Oxygen in the solution to assure that every living microorganism has
been contacted.
In the area of viruses
there is yet to be discovered an antibiotic that is truly effective. There are
indications that DNA viruses such as Herpes are implicated in human cancers,
since they organize the genetic material of the host cell to produce new
viruses. Active Oxygen will inactivate viruses on contact even at very low
residual concentrations. In case of polio only 0.012 ppm removes all viruses in
less than 10 seconds.
Mold
and mildew are
easily controlled by Active Oxygen in air and in water. Giardia and
Cryptosporidium cysts are susceptible to Active Oxygen but not effected
by normal levels of Chlorine.
Mold and mildew are easily controlled by Active Oxygen in air and
in water. Giardia and Cryptosporidium cysts are susceptible to Active
Oxygen but not effected by normal levels of Chlorine.
TASTE & ODOR CONTROL
Most tastes and odors in
water supplies come from naturally occurring or manmade organic material
contamination. Bacterial decomposition of humic material imparts taste to
surface water, also the action of algae and actinomycetes give rise to
objectionable tastes. Chlorination of humic material leads to chlorophenols that
are far stronger odor and taste antigonists than the original phenol and the
Chlorine. Most of these odors are removed by treatment with Active Oxygen. Even
some sulfur compounds such as hydrogen sulfide, mercaptans or organic sulfides
can be oxidized to Sulfates with Active Oxygen.
REMOVAL OF HEAVY METALS
Active Oxygen oxidizes the
transition metals to their higher oxidation state in which they usually form
less soluble oxides, easy to separate by filtration. e.g. iron is usually in the
ferrous state when it is dissolved in water. With Active Oxygen it yields ferric
iron, further oxidized in water to Ferric Hydroxide that is very insoluble and
precipitates out for filtration.
Other metals: Arsenic (in
presence of Iron), Cadmium, Chromium, Cobalt, Copper, Lead, Manganese, Nickel,
Zinc - can be treated in a similar way. At Active Oxygen levels above 4 ppm
however, Manganese will form soluble permanganate, showing up as a pink color.
COLOR
REMOVAL
Surface waters are generally
colored by natural organic materials such as humic, fulvic and tannic acids.
These compounds result from the decay of vegetative materials and are generally
related to condensation products of phenol like compounds; they have conjugated
carbon/carbon double bonds. When the series of double bonds extend upwards of
twenty, the color absorption shows up in the visible spectrum. Active Oxygen is
attracted to break organic double bonds. As more of these double bonds are
eliminated, the color disappears. Surface water can usually be decolorized when
treated with 2 to 4 ppm of Active Oxygen.
Active
Oxygen vs. CHLORINE
In comparing disinfection
efficiency, Active Oxygen is effective 25 x more than Hypochlorous acid (HOCI),
2,500 x more than Hypochlorite (OCI) and 5,000 x more than Chloramine (NH2CL).
This is measured by comparison of CT constants - the Concentration & Time needed
to kill 99.9% of all microorganisms. Chlorine reacts with organic materials to
form Chlorine containing organics such as Chloroform, Carbon Tetrachloride,
Chloromethane and others, generally known as Trihalomethanes (THMs).
Active Oxygen reacts with
Organics to break them down into simpler compounds. These (e.g. Oxalic Acid) do
not readily break down all the way to Carbon Dioxide with just Active Oxygen,
but if subjected to bacterial degradation on activated charcoal, they will be
removed. This water can be later treated with a low level of Chlorine say 0.2 -
0.3 ppm to maintain sanitation in the distribution system. This way no THMs will
be formed. The THMs have been implicated as carcinogens in the development of
Kidney, Bladder and Colon Cancer. The regulatory authorities are again
decreasing the levels of THMs that can be in Community water systems. At the
present time the limit is 0.05 ppm. Based on the scientific research, the level
will be most likely soon lowered to 0.01 ppm.
Active Oxygen does not react
significantly with THMs as they are more resistant to oxidation - it takes a
very long time to achieve full oxidation. Some THMs are removed as a result of
physical sparging by the aeration action of the Active Oxygen/air mixture.
ALGAE
REMOVAL
Ozonation of a water
contaminated with Algae oxidizes and floats the Algae to the top of the
reservoir. The Active Oxygen will also oxidize the metabolic by-products of the
Algae and remove the undesirable odor and taste.
IMPROVED
COAGULATION & TURBIDITY REMOVAL
Oxidation of dissolved
organic materials by Active Oxygen results in polar and charged molecules that
can react with Polyvalent Aluminum or Calcium to form precipitates. Treatment of
a surface water with up to 0.5 ppm of Active Oxygen results in a decrease in
turbidity, improved settleability and a reduction in the number of particles.
Referred to as pre-ozonation this treatment destabilizes the colloid with
a resultant reduction of the amount of coagulant needed to produce a clear
filtrate.
Active
Oxygen REACTIONS TO ORGANICS
Active Oxygen reacts rapidly
with most simple aromatic compounds and unsaturated aliphatics, such as Vinyl
Chloride, 1,1-dichloroethylene, trichloroethylene, p-dichlorobenzene, Benzene,
etc. But it reacts slowly with complex aromatics and saturated aliphatics.
Active Oxygen will degrade many organic compounds, such as sugars, phenols,
alcohols, and as it degrades these materials it returns to Oxygen.
Coupling Active Oxygen
with Hydrogen Peroxide
will cause the formation of
very active Hydroxyl ions which cause a nucleophilic attack on organic
compounds. This can cause displacement of Halogens and other functional groups
such as Amines and Sulfides. Coupling Active
Oxygen with Hydrogen Peroxide will cause the formation of very active Hydroxyl
ions which cause a nucleophilic attack on organic compounds. This can cause
displacement of Halogens and other functional groups such as Amines and
Sulfides.
Active
Oxygen SOLUBILITY
If oxidizable chemicals are
present in the water, even more Active Oxygen will dissolve to satisfy the
demand. One limiting factor is the efficient of the mass transfer device used.
In case of a pump and Bubble Diffuser, the water column should be at least 16ft.
high. Higher concentrations of Active Oxygen in water cause more vigorous
oxidation of even resistant organic compounds.
AIR
TREATMENT
Active Oxygen reacts rapidly
with most odors, oxidizing them to less harmful elements or all the way to
harmless Carbon Dioxide.
More and more of our
furnishings and floor coverings are made from synthetic materials. Under the
stagnant air conditions which prevail because of the lack of ventilation,
decomposition products and solvents leach out of these synthetic materials and
fill the indoor space. Much has been said about the "sick building syndrome"
and this usually refers to institutional building. But they have basically the
same problems as the private home. When odors are inhaled, they increase the
demand for oxygen in the human body thus depleting the body of oxygen.
Modern buildings are
constructed so tightly that odors and pollutants are trapped inside. Nature's
own cleansing process, which uses both activated oxygen and negative ions are
left outside.
Dust, pollen, molds, mildew, bacteria and viruses can fill the air in our living
spaces. These can cause odors, irritation and allergic response. Fumes from
paints, cleansers, carpets, pressed board, fabrics and other chemicals are also
breathed in daily by you and your family.
According to the EPA, many pollutants in the typical home or office are at least
10 times higher than in outdoor air. The average household spends 90% of their
time indoors.
A Person Takes Over 20,000 Breaths Each Day
Have you ever walked into someone's home and noticed an odor that you are not
accustomed to? Odors are constantly created in the spaces where we live. Finding
a simple solution to clean air is not always easy.
Air Filters Are Only Part of the Solution
As air passes through a filter, small particles that are floating in the air are
trapped. This is helpful in reducing particles such as dust, pollen and dander,
but is only part of the solution. Most gases and odors pass right through even
the best Hepa filters.
"We get 60% of our energy from the air we breathe."
ECONOMIES
Active Oxygen is effective
against a large variety of water treatment problems. In general, the more
problems in the water to be treated with Active Oxygen, the less an ozonation
system costs when compared to other more conventional treatment methods. When
one is comparing the cost of an ozonation system to other treatment systems
there are some key factors to consider; here are a few:
·
There is no need
to purchase, ship or store chemical oxidants or disinfectants
·
There is no labor
for handling.
·
Many health and
safety concerns are reduced or eliminated.
·
Because Active
Oxygen reacts so much more quickly there is opportunity for substantial savings
in space requirements for the treatment system.
·
Because Active
Oxygen treatment design is flexible, one of the variety of installations can be
adapted to any fit any design circumstance.
·
It is likely that
much of your existing treatment facilities are adaptable to an Active Oxygen
based treatment system.
·
The pay back of
your investment can be surprisingly short.
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