Expert Tips & Advice

Ozone can be used for the treatment of water in multiple industries including municipal water treatment; wastewater; bottled water, wineries and breweries; aquaculture; drinking water for livestock; hydroponics; water treatment in cooling towers and air washers; public swimming pools; aquariums and zoos; commercial laundry facilities; soil/groundwater remediation and more.

Ozone is typically generated using the electrical discharge method where oxygen is exposed to high voltage resulting in oxygen molecules colliding with O2 to create the unstable O3 molecules. 

Ozone is 13 times more soluble than oxygen. This solubility makes ozone very useful in many water treatment applications. Ozone can be dissolved in water much easier than oxygen although it does still require mechanical mixing.

Ozone is one of the most effective oxidants on earth, making it better than most chemical alternatives at breaking down contaminates and killing bacteria.

What is ammonia?

Ammonia (NH3) is a colorless, alkaline gas at ambient temperature and pressure, with a distinct pungent odor. Ammonia is very soluble in water and forms the ammonium cation (NH4+) on dissolution in water. In the pH range of most natural waters nitrogen exists principally as NH4+. Ammonia may be present in groundwater as a result of the degradation of naturally occurring organic matter or manmade sources. Natural ammonia levels in groundwater and surface water are usually below 0.2 mg/L, but many regions throughout the world have high levels of naturally occurring ammonia. Ammonia may also originate from nitrogen-fertilizer application, livestock operations, industrial processes, sewage infiltration, and cement mortar pipe lining. During 1998 to 2010, samples from 393 private water wells in Saskatchewan were analyzed for ammonia and it was detected in more than 87% of the samples with an average value of 1.19 mg/L.

Water/wastewater organizations have for many years struggled with measuring gases and vapours in sewers over long periods of time.  

The physical nature of the application creates high levels of corrosive gases, heat, water and high humidity which negatively impact all sensors including catalytic, electrochemical and photo ionisation.

Issues & Solutions for Calibrating a Six Gas Detector in the Wastewater Industry

Continuing improvements in workplace safety and the ongoing protection of workers within Industry is creating a new wave in the water/wastewater sector. Many organizations are moving towards measuring six (6) gases in sewage treatment and sewer lines throughout Australia.