Does anyone out there use ozone in your disinfection of your bicarb system? We are preparing to institute this process, and need anyones likes, dislikes, or any other remarks. Let us know. Thanks in advance.

It is a relatively simple process, much neater than "slopping bleach" in the system. It does have some draw backs through, you have to monitor water temperature (if the water temp goes up ozone dissappates and you will not get strong enough level in loop) and you have to monitor the humidity in the room where the ozone generator is (high humidity can cause it to fail). We have had some problems with both of these but they were easily rectified. The only other problem with this procedure we have had is problems with our chlorameter (it's seems to be very touchy). Other than that cultures, LAL's are looking fine. Hope this helps at least a little bit.

AH! OZONE........Nature's purifier. Ozone can be a very safe and effective disinfectant and it's use in industry has grown to monumental proportions. One problem is temperature of the water for sure. Warmer water will not hold ozone or oxygen in solution. Humidity is always a problem in a water environment and a dessicant chamber on the air inlet filter is usually effective to solve the problem. In industry, they use bottled oxygen or oxygen generators to feed the ozonator. This really gives the process a punch since room air actually holds minimal, enough for us, oxygen. I have yet to see a properly installed and maintained (actually minimal upkeep) ozone system not work.

Many waste treatment plants have gone to ozone for their oxygenators inplace of bleach. They're cheaper to run and a lot less hastle.

That's it from me
Life is GOOD
Willie Burcham

Ozone is a definite bonus, especially if your policy is to disinfect daily - saves alot of time and energy. No real need for residual testing at all - although I'm sure some inspectors would argue that. No nasty chemicals and long rinse times... just turn on your ozone generator and rinse your equipment as per normal procedure. O3 turns back into 02 after about 17 minutes - hence the lack of need for residual testing. I just opened a new facility - have been using only ozone to disinfect for three months and have yet to see any significant growth. Another good thing about ozone is the way that it "envelopes" or disintegrates bacteria instead of "killing" it so to speak - minimizes the potential for endotoxin release.
I am also experimenting with disinfecting my water loop with ozone as well - the problems I see with that are that turbulance causes ozone to break up quicker, by the time it get's around through all the twists and turns at 60 PSI the concentration is significantly less, with a spray ball in your storage tank, your almost certain not to see any ozone make it through.

I am still looking for some more documentation on ozone myself - not too much out there & I'd like to have some more solid answers for inspectors when they come to visit If anyone out there know's where I could get some documentation, let me know!

Try getting in touch with Utrapure Water magazine. Wish I had my copies here but I know they have published several articles over the years and have listed several references.

You might try calling Osmo/Zyza in Seattle. 800-633-3080. Then supply a bicarb system that uses ozone and I bet they have literature ir articles on it.

Wish you luck in your search. I know there's a lot of info out there.

Life is GOOD

Willie B.

In my search for Ozone articles I came across the following that may be of interest to you...
1.On the EPA web site an article entitled
"Alternative Disinfectants & Oxidants Guidance Manual", April 1999,p 3.1-3.50
2.www.watertechonline.com/article.asp?indexid=5211004
"Ozone has its place in the water bottling plant".
3. www.watertechonline.com/article.asp?indexid=230201
"Chlorine's decline affects POU industry".
4.Contemporary Dialysis & Nephrology,
"The Advantages of Ozone Disinfection in Water and Bicarbonate Distribution Systems For Dialysis Centers", December 1998,p17-19,
Rebecca Amato.
5. Water Technology, "Leave Chemicals Behind With Ozone Treatment",April 1997,p53-57,Beth Hamil & Allen Clawson.
6.www.conline.com/~lorri/.
Oxygen Therapies, including "History of Ozone",p1-4

I hope you are able to find some of this information, and if anyone has any other source, please share!

Hi ,
We are maintaining 6 R.O plants in different H/D units. Would like to know if there any portable ozone generators available ? The size , weight , or such data will be appreciated .. Thank you in advance.

Hoselock.