LaMotte Pool Manager Water Quality Handbook - Manual (Page 32)

Ozone
What is Ozone?
Most people think of
ozone as a layer of gas up
above the earth which
diffuses and protects us
from harmful ultraviolet
radiation. That ozone
layer is actually made by
sunlight striking oxygen
molecules (O
2
) and
adding another atom of
oxygen to produce ozone
(O
3
). Ozone can also be produced when an intense
electrical discharge splits the oxygen molecules, such as
lightning and photocopy processing. Both produce
relatively low levels of ozone which are quickly diffused
by the atmosphere.
There are two types of ozone generators for pools being
manufactured today: the ultraviolet (UV) method, and
the electrical discharge method (commonly known as
corona discharge). The UV method uses special UV
light bulbs which produce a specific bright light to break
up oxygen molecules in the air blown past the bulbs and
into the water. The corona discharge method utilizes
high voltage electrical charges in a confined space where
compressed air is forced through the chamber and into
the water.
Ozone is an effective oxidizer but it dissipates quite
rapidly. Because of this, ozone must be used in
combination with chlorine or bromine to meet public
pool health requirements.
Ozone is very effective against organics and can help to
eliminate organic combined chlorine compounds.
Why do we test Ozone?
Ozone is generated and added to pool water in a
bubbling fashion. If a UV lamp or discharge system
30
O
2
O
3