Manufacturer: E P Aeration Inc.

Type: Aeration using Ozone (UV)

Location: San Louis Obispo, CA

Products: SDF AquaMats® Models 15000, 15001, 15004 & 15006 ; BDF AquaMats® Models 20920, 20534, 20535, 20536 ; SDF AquaMats® Models 25000, 25001, 25004 & 25006

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EP AERATION OZONE SYSTEM

Ozone has been used for disinfection of drinking water in the Municipal Water Industry in Europe for over 100 years and is used by a large number of Water Companies.

In over 100 years of usage in massive quantities , there is not a single record of ozone ever having caused a death. Compare this with chlorine! However, ozone must be treated with care.

An important characteristic of Ozone is its greater disinfection effectiveness against bacteria and viruses compared to chlorination. In addition, the oxidizing properties can also reduce the concentration of iron, manganese, sulfur and reduce or eliminate taste and odor problems. Ozone oxides the iron, manganese, and sulfur in the water to form insoluble metal oxides or elemental sulfur. These insoluble particles are then removed by post-filtration. Organic particles and chemicals will be eliminated through either coagulation or chemical oxidation. Ozone is unstable, and it will degrade over a time frame ranging from a few seconds to 30 minutes. The rate of degradation is a function of water chemistry, pH and water temperature.

Ozonation Process

The formation of oxygen into ozone occurs with the use of energy. This process is carried out by an electric discharge field as in the CD-type ozone generators (corona discharge simulation of the lightning), or by ultraviolet radiation as in UV-type ozone generators (simulation of the ultraviolet rays from the sun).

Ozonation... Why ?

 Dissolves into water 13 times faster than O2
 Kills viruses, bacteria, molds, spores, and cysts up to 3000 times faster than chlorine
 Keeps the inside of bottom-laid tubing clean and maintenance free
 Oxidizes Nitrite to Nitrate
 Oxidizes organic nutrients, chlorohydrocarbons
 Precipitates iron, manganese, and heavy metals from water
 Produces increased water clarity
 Has been shown to affect soil absorption rates of salts and other compounds

EPAeration systems generate ozone in two ways, each of which mimics the way ozone is produced in nature. Generally, our lake and pond systems utilize ultraviolet light to produce the small amounts of ozone appropriate to that application. In our recirculation, closed-loop water treatment systems, we utilize corona-discharge (high-voltage electricity) generators, which produce larger quantities of ozone which are usually injected directly into the recirculation or pump system. The availability of both types of ozone generators and the modular nature of our systems allows us to customize systems recommendations to solve the myriad of specific problems possible in a wide range of applications.

The use of ozone in most lake and pond applications is not intended to "kill algae" or sterilize the water feature. Instead, our lake and pond systems are designed to:

 Address the Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) of the water with Aeration
 Use ozone to increase oxygenation in the water
 Oxidize hydrogen sulfide
 Precipitate out certain metals and suspend solids
 Keep the aeration tubing clean and maintenance-free

Of course, if circumstances demand larger quantities of ozone, we have the capabilities of meeting such demand.

Generally speaking, EPAeration's aeration/ozonation systems are compatible with other non-chemical strategies, such as the use of bio-augmentation systems. While it is true that ozone will kill bacteria, (even beneficial ones) on contact, only a small number of sludge-eating bacteria, for example, will come into contact with the ozone at the point of bubble release. Ozone will usually be consumed by other substances in the water, and never reach the surface to be recirculated.

Ozone has a half life on the order of minutes when dissolved in water. Half life is the time it takes for half of the ozone to revert back to oxygen. Therefore, ozone must be generated on site and constantly introduced into the water to be effective.