What are ionizers and other ozone generating air cleaners?

Quanju are exported all over the world and different industries with quality first. Our belief is to provide our customers with more and better high value-added products. Let's create a better future together.

From:  Indoor Air Pollution: An Introduction for Health Professionals

Ion generators act by charging the particles in a room so that they are attracted to walls, floors, tabletops, draperies, occupants, etc. Abrasion can result in these particles being resuspended into the air. In some cases these devices contain a collector to attract the charged particles back to the unit. While ion generators may remove small particles (e.g., those in tobacco smoke) from the indoor air, they do not remove gases or odors, and may be relatively ineffective in removing large particles such as pollen and house dust allergens. Although some have suggested that these devices provide a benefit by rectifying a hypothesized ion imbalance, no controlled studies have confirmed this effect.

Ozone, a lung irritant, is produced indirectly by ion generators and some other electronic air cleaners and directly by ozone generators. While indirect ozone production is of concern, there is even greater concern with the direct, and purposeful introduction of a lung irritant into indoor air. There is no difference, despite some marketers' claims, between ozone in smog outdoors and ozone produced by these devices. Under certain use conditions, ion generators and other ozone generating air cleaners can produce levels of this lung irritant significantly above levels thought harmful to human health. A small percentage of air cleaners that claim a health benefit may be regulated by FDA as a medical device. The Food and Drug Administration has set a limit of 0.05 parts per million of ozone for medical devices. Although ozone can be used in reducing odors and pollutants in unoccupied spaces (such as removing smoke odors from homes involved in fires) the levels needed to achieve this are above those generally thought to be safe for humans.

See also:

Related Questions

Ozone was first used in water treatment in the late s and ozone is more widely used in Europe and Asia than the United States.

Ozone is an unstable gas consisting of three oxygen atoms (O&#;); the gas will readily degrade back to oxygen (O&#;), and during this transition a free oxygen atom, or free radical (O&#;) will form. The free oxygen radical is highly reactive and short lived; under normal conditions it will only survive for milliseconds.

Ozone is a colorless gas that has an odor similar to the sharp electric smell of the air after a major thunderstorm.

Ozone has a greater disinfection effectiveness against bacteria and viruses compared to chlorination. In addition, the oxidizing properties can also reduce the concentration of iron, manganese, sulfur and reduce or eliminate taste and odor problems. Ozone oxidizes the iron, manganese, and sulfur in the water to form insoluble metal oxides or elemental sulfur. These insoluble particles are then removed by post-filtration. Organic particles and chemicals will be eliminated through either coagulation or chemical oxidation. Ozone is unstable, and it will degrade over a time frame ranging from a few seconds to 30 minutes. The rate of degradation is a function of water chemistry, pH, and water temperature.

Ozonation Process

The formation of oxygen into ozone occurs with the use of energy. This process is carried out by an electric discharge field as in the CD-type ozone generators (corona discharge simulation of the lightning), or by ultraviolet radiation as in UV-type ozone generators (simulation of the ultraviolet rays from the sun). In addition to these commercial methods, ozone may also be made through electrolytic and chemical reactions. In general, an ozonation system includes passing dry, clean air through a high voltage electric discharge, i.e., corona discharge, which creates an ozone concentration of approximately 1% or 10,000 mg/L. In treating small quantities of waste, the UV ozonation is the most common while large-scale systems use either corona discharge or other bulk ozone-producing methods. Ozone test strips are a must.

The raw water is then passed through a venturi throat which creates a vacuum and pulls the ozone gas into the water or the ozonated air is then bubbled up through the water being treated. Since the ozone will react with metals to create insoluble metal oxides, post filtration is required.

Primary Advantages to Ozone

1 | Ozone is effective over a wide pH range and rapidly reacts with bacteria, viruses, and protozoans and has stronger germicidal properties than chlorination. It has very strong oxidizing power with a short reaction time.

2 | The treatment process does not add chemicals to the water.

The company is the world’s best commercial ozone generator supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.

3 | Ozone can eliminate a wide variety of inorganic, organic, and microbiological problems as well as taste and odor problems. The microbiological agents include bacteria, viruses, and protozoans such as Giardia, Cryptosporidium, and other waterborne pathogens

Pathogenic and waterborne disease screening test.&#;

&#;

Disadvantages to Ozone

1 | There are higher equipment and operational costs and it may be more difficult to find a  professional proficient in ozone treatment and system maintenance.

2 | Ozonation provides no germicidal or disinfection residual to inhibit or prevent regrowth of bacteria.

3 | Ozonation by-products are still being evaluated and it is possible that some by-products may be carcinogenic. These may include brominated by-products, aldehydes, ketones, and carboxylic acids. This is one reason that the post-filtration system may include an activated-carbon filter.

4 | The system may require pretreatment for hardness reduction or the addition of polyphosphate to prevent the formation of carbonate scale.

5 | Ozone is less soluble in water, compared to chlorine, and, therefore, special mixing techniques are needed.

6 | There are potential fire hazards and toxicity issues associated with ozone generation.

Important tool - ORP Monitoring

&#;

&#;

For more commercial ozonatorinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.