Feed gas
Dry air or concentrated oxygen enters the ozone-generation system.
Eltech Ozone Knowledge Centre
Understand ozone.
Apply it better.
Explore the science, engineering principles and practical treatment guidance behind correctly designed ozone systems.
O
O
O
O₃
Ozone molecule
Begin with the essentials
Your fastest route into ozone technology.
Four carefully ordered starting points for visitors who are new to ozone science and engineered treatment systems.
01
3 min read
Explore topic
02
What is ozone?
Understand the O3 molecule, instability, oxidation and why ozone must be generated on site.
4 min read
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03
How ozone is formed
See how energy separates oxygen molecules and enables O3 formation in nature and equipment.
5 min read
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04
Properties of ozone
Review the physical, chemical and treatment characteristics that influence ozone-system design.
4 min read
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Advantages of ozone
Explore where ozone can add value across oxidation, disinfection, odour and colour-control processes.
The oxidation journey
From oxygen to treatment and back to oxygen.
Ozone is generated at the point of use, transferred into the treatment process and allowed sufficient contact time for the target reaction.
Energy applied
Corona discharge or another generation method converts part of O2 into O3.
Mass transfer
Ozone is introduced into water or a controlled air-treatment contact zone.
Oxidation & decay
Ozone reacts with oxidisable targets and ultimately decomposes back toward oxygen.
Engineering note: Performance depends on ozone dose, transfer efficiency, water or air quality, contact time, temperature and the specific treatment objective.
Technology comparison
UV and ozone compared with engineering context.
A general comparison for early-stage evaluation. Final selection should follow water or air analysis and application-specific validation.
Design considerationUltraviolet (UV)Ozone
Primary mechanism
Radiation acts within the illuminated treatment zone.
Ozone gas reacts through oxidation inside the engineered contact area.
Process reach
Effective only where microorganisms receive a validated UV dose.
Gas distribution can reach a broader controlled volume when mixing is properly designed.
Contact requirements
Performance depends on intensity, exposure time and unobstructed irradiation.
Performance depends on concentration, contact time, humidity and ozone demand.
Odour compounds
UV alone is generally not selected as a broad odour-oxidation process.
Ozone can oxidise many odour-causing compounds under controlled conditions.
Output adjustment
UV output is controlled through lamp power, number and operating condition.
Generator output can be adjusted to match a validated treatment programme.
Equipment condition
Lamp output reduces with age and surfaces require inspection and cleaning.
Generators, feed-gas systems, destruct units and monitors require planned maintenance.
Best suited for
Contained irradiation zones with predictable exposure conditions.
Engineered oxidation or disinfection where gas transfer and exposure are controlled.
Design considerationUltraviolet (UV)Ozone
Primary mechanism
Microorganisms are exposed to germicidal UV radiation.
Dissolved ozone reacts through oxidation after gas-to-water transfer.
Water clarity
Turbidity and suspended matter can shield microorganisms and reduce UV transmission.
Ozone performance is governed by ozone demand, transfer efficiency and contact conditions.
Scale and fouling
Quartz sleeves require inspection and cleaning to maintain transmission.
Injectors, diffusers, contact tanks and monitors require application-specific upkeep.
Colour and odour
UV alone usually provides limited oxidation of colour and odour compounds.
Ozone is used to oxidise many colour- and odour-forming compounds.
Biofilm control
UV provides no downstream oxidant residual beyond the reactor.
Dissolved ozone can support biofilm-control programmes where compatible and correctly dosed.
Coagulation support
UV is not normally selected to alter particle coagulation behaviour.
Pre-ozonation can influence coagulation and filtration, depending on water chemistry.
Wastewater use
Applied as a disinfection barrier when transmission and dose are suitable.
Applied for oxidation, colour, odour and selected contaminant-treatment objectives.
Residual behaviour
Provides treatment only during passage through the UV reactor.
Ozone decays after reaction; residual and off-gas must be monitored and managed.
Best suited for
Clear water and validated point-of-treatment microbial control.
Applications needing oxidation alongside appropriately designed disinfection.
This comparison is educational, not a process guarantee. Validate treatment performance, materials, exposure limits and regulatory requirements for every installation.
Why engineers consider ozone
One molecule. Multiple treatment roles.
Ozone can be valuable when its generation, transfer, contact and safety systems are designed around the real treatment objective.
Strong oxidising potential
Ozone has a high standard oxidation potential, making it useful for many oxidation objectives.
View comparisonGenerated where required
Because ozone is unstable, it is produced at the treatment location rather than stored for long periods.
See formationShort-lived oxidant
After reaction and decomposition, ozone trends back toward oxygen; by-product control still depends on feed-water chemistry.
Review propertiesBroad application range
Engineered ozone systems support water, wastewater, odour and selected air-treatment applications.
Explore applicationsEngineering desk
Move from theory to system inputs.
Use the technical guides to understand flow, dosage, concentration, contact time, ORP and injection-system fundamentals before speaking with our application team.
Open calculations & conversionsComplete knowledge library
Find the exact technical topic.
Every original Ozone Info resource remains available, now organised by subject and searchable from one place.
Fundamentals · 3 min
About Ozone
A practical introduction to O3, oxidation and on-site generation.
Read topic Fundamentals · 4 minHistory of Ozone
Follow the discoveries and developments behind modern ozone technology.
Read topic Fundamentals · 5 minOzone Properties
Review the physical and chemical characteristics that affect application design.
Read topic Fundamentals · 4 minFormation of Ozone
Understand the energy-driven conversion of oxygen molecules into ozone.
Read topic Fundamentals · 4 minAdvantages of Ozone
Where appropriately designed ozone processes can add treatment value.
Read topic Fundamentals · 3 minOzone Production in Nature
See how ultraviolet energy and electrical discharge form ozone naturally.
Read topic Engineering · 6 minOzone-Compatible Materials
Material-selection considerations for ozone gas and dissolved-ozone systems.
Read topic Engineering · 7 minPolymer Electrolyte Membrane
An introduction to PEM ozone generation principles and system components.
Read topic Engineering · 8 minCalculations, Conversions & Equations
Useful concentration factors, dosage formulas and generator-output examples.
Read topic Engineering · 6 minDisinfection & Contact-Time Kinetics
Understand the relationship between ozone concentration and exposure time.
Read topic Engineering · 6 minApplication vs. Concentration
Reference treatment applications alongside indicative ozone concentrations.
Read topic Engineering · 3 minOxidising Potential of Ozone
Compare ozone's standard oxidation potential with other oxidising agents.
Read topic Engineering · 5 minHow to Read an Injection Chart
Interpret the relationship between water flow, dosage and ozone output.
Read topic Engineering · 5 minWhat Is ORP?
Learn how oxidation-reduction potential is used as a process indicator.
Read topic Microbiology · 6 minEffects of Ozone on Bacteria
Explore how ozone exposure can affect microbial cell structures.
Read topic Microbiology · 5 minBacteria & Virus vs. Ozone PPM
Reference concentration and exposure data for selected microorganisms.
Read topic Air treatment · 5 minOdour Destruction Using Ozone
Understand ozone oxidation for selected odour-causing compounds.
Read topic Water treatment · 6 minOzone vs. Chlorine in Water
Compare two treatment approaches across oxidation, residual and operation.
Read topic Water treatment · 5 minOzone & Colour Removal
See how ozone can oxidise selected colour-forming compounds in water.
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Engineering ozone responsibly
Good results begin with controlled design.
- Match dose and contact time to the actual treatment objective.
- Verify material compatibility and provide off-gas management.
- Monitor ambient and dissolved ozone where the application requires it.
Turn knowledge into a system
Have an ozone application in mind?
Share your flow, treatment objective and existing process. Our application team will help define the next engineering step.