OZONE (185nm) Low Pressure Quartz Ultraviolet (UVV) Lamp Facts: Applications and Optimizing Output

Ozone (185nm) is a colorless gas that is used when disinfection, reduction of total organic compounds (TOC’s), bleaching and/or odor abatement is required.  It can be used directly in air or indirectly, such as, infusion into water.  Here are just some of the applications in you’ll find Ozone being used for:

· Pool and Spa maintenance

· TOC Reduction in Semi Conductor processing

· Volatile organic compounds (VOC’s) / Odor abatement

· HVAC air disinfection in buildings

· Air “Sanitizers”

· Aqua Culture (Fish Farming, Aquariums, Hydroponics)

· Livestock processing and waste

· Food and Beverage processing

Ozone producing lamps are manufactured using pure quartz, which transmits the 185nm ozone wavelength found in a low-pressure mercury arc lamp. The lamp’s current, mercury vapor pressure, argon pressure and ambient operating temperature/humidity determine the optimum output of the lamp.  It’s necessary to operate the lamp within the optimum combination of these parameters for the best of 185nm radiation output, which is primarily responsible for ozone generation.

In the formation of ozone, the oxygen molecules (O₂) become disassociated and combine to form ozone (O₃).  At low humidity, about 50% of the 185nm radiation is absorbed by the oxygen present in the air at a distance of 5 inches.  At higher levels of humidity, some of the 185nm radiation is absorbed by the moisture, reducing the amount of ozone produced.  The equipment chamber design is equally important.  If the lamp is centered in a chamber having a diameter less than 10 inches, the chamber wall, and not the oxygen of the air around the lamp body, will absorb the 185nm radiation. If the lamp is centered in a larger diameter chamber, then more 185nm radiation will be absorbed by the greater volume of oxygen in the air around the lamp situated in the center of the chamber resulting in more ozone!

Airflow through the lamp chamber must also be considered because if the ozone (185nm) is not removed rapidly from the container, the 254nm radiation which is also generated by the germicidal lamp will cause the generated ozone to decompose.  Therefore, a sufficient air velocity through the chamber will minimize the decomposition of ozone by the 254nm radiation.  At lower velocities the concentration of ozone at the exit of the container will be greater; however, the total amount of ozone in a given area will be less.

Ozone production from low pressure germicidal lamps can be optimized.  Ozone not only instantly kills all bacteria and viruses, but also kills algae and fungi which are resistant to chlorine. It imparts no taste to water, but actually removes taste and odor. Ozone treated water does not develop slime which is a problem in swimming pools and water cooling towers.  Ozone reverts back to oxygen quite readily due to heat.

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