What Is Ozone?

Ozone was first isolated in the 19th century and was named "ozone," derived from the Greek word for "to smell," because of its characteristic odour.

The oxygen in the air we breathe is a diatomic gas. Ozone is a triatomic form of oxygen that is colourless at normal concentrations. This third oxygen atom is held quite loosely within the molecular structure and takes part in the reactions that give ozone its powerful oxidising properties. It is this powerful oxidising nature that has led to ozone being used in disinfection, odour treatment and many other chemical processes.

In addition to being a powerful oxidising agent, ozone is an unstable gas that naturally reverts back to oxygen. This instability means that the gas must be produced at the point of use (in situ) using an ozone generator. No chemicals are stored, and ozone production stops as soon as the ozone generator is switched off. Depending on the environmental conditions of the process, ozone reverts back to oxygen within a few minutes or hours.

Although ozone is a gas, it is soluble in water, where it can be used as a primary disinfectant, a flocculant aid and a chemical oxidant. As in air, ozone naturally reverts to oxygen without leaving any residue.

As with all chemicals, ozone has a defined spatial exposure level. All systems that use ozone must be designed to deliver the desired result while maintaining the highest degree of safety for both workers and the public. OCS OZON has many years of experience in the use of ozone, from small-scale applications to bespoke engineering for large-scale requirements. Contact us to determine the application best suited to your needs.