What is Ozone Water?
What is ozone water?
Ozonated water is created by briefly infusing ozone into ordinary water through physical means. Ozone is formed when oxygen carries an extra oxygen atom., and it exhibits strong oxidizing properties, making it the second strongest oxidizing agent in the world—second only to fluorine. When ozone dissolves in water, it endows the water with these strong oxidizing properties.
Leveraging this strong oxidizing capability, ozonated water has been widely used as a sterilizing and disinfecting agent, bleaching agent, decontamination agent, and more. Its sterilization speed is 600 to 3000 times that of chlorine, and it is effective against almost all bacteria and pathogens.
Production Methods of Ozonated Water
There are multiple methods for producing ozonated water. Currently, the mainstream approaches include the bubble stone method, venturi tube method, and electrolyzed water method. Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages, and the appropriate production method can be selected based on different application scenarios and usage requirements.
Bubble Stone Method
This method involves generating ozone via corona discharge and then directly injecting it into water through a bubble stone. The advantages of this method are its low cost and ease of use. However, the resulting ozonated water has a low and uneven ozone concentration.
Venturi Tube Method
In this method, water is first atomized. Ozone generated by the corona discharge of an ozone generator is then infused into the atomized water through a venturi tube. A static mixer can be added downstream to ensure more thorough mixing of ozone and water. This method can be used in both small-scale and industrial ozone water treatment equipment. Its advantages include uniformly controllable and relatively high ozone concentration, though it comes with a higher equipment cost. It is currently one of the most widely used methods for producing ozonated water.
Electrolyzed Water Method
The electrolytic cell consists of upper and lower electrode components. When water passes through the high-voltage electrodes, water molecules decompose into oxygen and hydrogen atoms, which then form ozone and hydrogen gas. These gases dissolve directly into the water. The advantages of this method are its extremely high ozone concentration and the absence of by-products (unlike ozone generated by corona discharge, which may produce other oxidizing by-products if the oxygen purity entering the ozone generator is insufficient). Additionally, the amount of ozone emitted is minimal. The drawback is its higher cost.
Working Principle of Ozonated Water
The primary methods for generating ozone include the ultraviolet method, corona discharge air method, and electrolyzed water method. Regardless of the method, ozone is first formed by decomposing O₂ or H₂O molecules into oxygen atoms, which then combine with free oxygen molecules to form ozone. The strong oxidizing properties of ozone rely on these oxygen atoms.
Sterilization and Disinfection
When ozone comes into contact with bacteria, it oxidizes and decomposes the bacteria’s cell membrane and the enzymes required for glucose synthesis, causing them to dissolve and die. It can also destroy bacterial DNA and RNA, leading to their death. This reaction occurs almost instantaneously.
Compound Degradation
Ozone acts on compounds (such as pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals on fabrics) by oxidizing and breaking down their chemical bonds, rendering them ineffective.
Microorganism Elimination
Ozone can also decompose the cell membrane structures of microorganisms, damage their enzyme systems and genetic systems, ultimately causing their death.
Stain Removal
Ozone reacts with organic matter, decomposing it into harmless carbon dioxide and water to achieve stain removal.
During the oxidation reaction, oxygen atoms detach from oxygen molecules. Some are consumed, while the remaining ones recombine with oxygen to re-enter the air. Throughout this process, no harmful by-products are produced, which is why ozonated water is also widely used in the food processing industry.
Benefits of Ozonated Water
Broad-spectrum and High Efficiency
Ozone is effective against almost all bacteria and pathogens, with its action occurring almost instantaneously. Its killing speed is 600 to 3,000 times that of chlorine.
Safety
Ozonated water at a concentration of 0.4 mg/L to 1 mg/L already delivers efficient disinfection. At this concentration, it is non-toxic, non-irritating, and non-corrosive compared to other disinfectants and bleaching agents.
No Residue
The entire process of ozone generation and its action revolves around oxygen atoms. Oxygen atoms attach to oxygen molecules to form ozone; Part of it will be consumed, the remaining oxygen atoms recombine to regenerate oxygen. No other by-products are formed or left behind in this process.
Environmentally Friendly
Using ozonated water for operations means discharged wastewater contains no chemical residues. After ozone reverts to oxygen, it disperses into the air, water, and soil, enhancing their activity and contributing to environmental improvement.
Cost-effective
Apart from the initial cost of purchasing equipment, producing ozonated water does not require adding other substances. It simultaneously functions as a disinfectant, bleaching agent, and deodorant. While ozone generators need periodic replacement, their replacement cycle is relatively long.
Disadvantages of Ozonated Water
Short Duration of Effectiveness
Ozone is unstable under normal temperature and pressure and is not inherently soluble in water—it can only be temporarily mixed with water. The oxygen atoms in ozone will automatically detach from oxygen molecules after 15–30 minutes, meaning ozonated water cannot be stored for later use. The stability of these oxygen atoms depends on temperature and humidity.
High Initial Cost
The equipment cost of ozone water treatment processors is high, and its cost depends on unit water consumption demands and concentration requirements.. Ozone generators also have a limited lifespan and require regular replacement. The lifespan of an ozone generator is influenced by the frequency of use and the conditions under which it operates.
Potential Health Hazards
Since ozone is not soluble in water, some ozone may escape and disperse into the air during use. The higher the concentration of ozonated water, the more ozone will escape. High concentrations of ozone can damage the human respiratory and nervous systems. Prolonged inhalation of high-concentration ozone may also cause dizziness, headaches, and fatigue.
Corrosiveness
High-concentration ozone is corrosive. If ozone water needs to be used in direct contact with the human body, proper protective measures must be taken. Additionally, the strong oxidizing properties of ozone can cause oxidation in pipes and equipment used during operation. Therefore, materials in contact with ozonated water throughout its application must exhibit antioxidant properties.
Weak Purification Capability
While ozonated water can eliminate pathogens and microorganisms in water, it lacks general purification capabilities. It cannot remove pollutants.
Applications of Ozonated Water
Ozonated water, valued for its high-efficiency sterilization, disinfection, and reducibility, has gained favor across various industries. As ozone technology gradually matures and becomes more widespread, ozonated water is also increasingly emerging as the primary method for disinfection in multiple sectors.
Laundry
Traditional laundry methods rely on chemical compounds to remove stains, hot water or disinfectants for sterilization, and some industries even require bleaching agents. These approaches not only increase washing costs but also leave chemical residues that irritate the skin. Ozonated water, however, simultaneously achieves stain removal, sterilization, disinfection, bleaching, and deodorization. It reduces costs while eliminating the generation of harmful by-products throughout the process.
Medical and Dental Clinics
As early as World War II, Japan began using ozone for physical therapy. Today, ozone is applied in the treatment and prevention of conditions such as cervical and lumbar disc herniation, gynecological diseases, skin disorders, viral hepatitis, and even cancer. In dental clinics, it is also used to treat oral inflammation, diseases, and whiten teeth.
Agriculture and Aquaculture
Ozonated water’s broad-spectrum sterilization effect also benefits agricultural soil disinfection and crop protection against diseases. It not only reduces the use of chemical pesticides (making agricultural products healthier) but also enhances crop cell activity and boosts yields. In aquaculture, ozonated water eliminates pathogens in water, improves the survival rate of aquatic products, and reduces disease incidence.
Drinking Water Treatment
Currently, countries such as the United States, Germany, Japan, and Canada have adopted ozone for drinking water disinfection. Over 2,000 water plants in Europe have implemented ozone water treatment technology. Using ozonated water not only eliminates bacteria, viruses, and microorganisms in drinking water but also oxidizes metal substances to improve water quality and taste. Ozone’s high-efficiency sterilization, disinfection, and residue-free characteristics are gradually replacing chlorine-based disinfection.
Food Processing
Washing fruits and vegetables with ozonated water eliminates pathogens on their surfaces and removes pesticide residues. Ozonated water is also used in the production of dairy products, alcoholic beverages, and meat, thanks to its safety profile.
Agricultural Products Transportation and Storage
Ozonated water-treated fruits and vegetables can have their freshness preserved 2–3 times longer. First, ozone eliminates bacteria that cause spoilage. Second, it reacts with ethylene (the ripening hormone in produce) to form carbon dioxide and water, delaying the ripening process. Adding ozone to refrigerated trucks and cold storage facilities can significantly extend the shelf life of fresh produce.
Paper Product Bleaching
Using ozonated water for pulp bleaching helps enterprises save costs related to bleaching agents, wastewater treatment, and thermal energy. It is also more environmentally friendly, as it does not introduce additional chemical components into wastewater. In fact, ozone can further treat wastewater.
Can Ozonated Water Be Consumed?
Whether ozonated water can be consumed depends on its concentration.
High-concentration ozonated water, if consumed directly, can damage the human respiratory tract and disrupt the body’s microbial balance. However, it can be safely consumed after being left to stand for about 30 minutes, as ozone will automatically revert to oxygen and leave no residues in the water.
Low-concentration ozonated water can be consumed directly. When ingested, it passes through the intestinal tissues (filled with gastric juice) that are 4–6 meters long before entering the large intestine, by which time it has already transformed into oxygen-rich water. This does not pose any harm to the human body.
Appropriate use of ozonated water can help promote blood circulation, strengthen the immune system, accelerate metabolism, and more.
About Oshiner
Oshiner has been dedicated to the field of ozonated water since 2003. Our household ozone laundry system has obtained 5 national invention patents in China, and currently, our ozonated water treatment devices are recognized by agents in 50 countries worldwide.
Oshiner’s product lineup includes handheld ozonated water treatment devices, household-use ozonated water treatment devices, and commercial-use ozonated water treatment devices. Regarding ozone generation methods, we have conducted in-depth research on both the corona discharge method and the electrolyzed water method.
We have experienced R&D and sales teams, providing one-stop services covering product design, mold making, production, and marketing—making us a wise choice for you to enter the ozonated water treatment field.
To learn more, contact us right away!
