1. 1. How does ozone work?
Ozone (O3) is an allotrope of oxygen. It is a light blue gas with a special odor. Its molecular structure is
triangular, with a bond angle of 116°, its density is 1.5 times that of oxygen, and its solubility in water is 10 times that of
oxygen. Ozone is a strong oxidant, its redox potential in water is 2.07V, second only to fluorine (2.5V), its oxidation capacity
is higher than that of chlorine (1.36V) and chlorine dioxide (1.5V), and it can destroy the decomposing bacteria. The cell wall
quickly diffuses into the cell, oxidatively decomposes the glucose oxidase necessary for oxidizing glucose inside the bacteria,
and can also directly interact with bacteria and viruses to destroy cells, RNA, and decompose DNA ( Polymers such as DNA, RNA,
proteins, lipids, and polysaccharides destroy the metabolic and reproductive processes of bacteria. The killing of bacteria by
ozone is caused by the disruption of the cell membrane. This process is called cell dissociation because the cytoplasm is
comminuted in water and cells cannot be regenerated under dissipated conditions. It should be pointed out that, unlike
hypochlorous acid disinfectants, the bactericidal ability of ozone is not affected by the change of pH value and ammonia, and its
bactericidal capacity is 600-3000 times larger than that of chlorine. Its sterilization and disinfection effects occur almost
instantaneously. When the ozone concentration is 0.3-2mg/L in water, bacteria can be killed within 0.5-1min.
1. Viruses Ozone has been shown to have a very strong killing effect on viruses. For example, at a concentration of 0.05-0.45
mg/L ozone, the Poloi virus loses its activity within 2 minutes.
2. The cysts were completely removed at a concentration of 0.3 mg/L ozone for 2.4 minutes.
3. Spores Due to the protection of the spore coat, it is 10-15 times more resistant to ozone than the growing bacteria.
4. Fungi Candida albicans and penicillium can be killed.
5. Parasites Schistosoma mansoni was killed after 3 min.
