What is ozone and what does it do?
Ozone is a form of oxygen that contains three atoms (O3)
rather than the normal two (O2). Ozone acts
as an oxidizer and disinfectant (sanitizer) in the pool.
Prozone equipment is designed primarily to provide
oxidation and some disinfection of the water. Ozone is
the most powerful oxidant and disinfectant readily
available.
What is oxidation?
Oxidation is the process by which bather load
(contaminants) are removed from the water. Ozone reacts
with bather load and the result of the reaction is
filterable precipitants.
Why is oxidation important?
Most chlorine introduced into a pool is used up in
oxidation reactions with bather load. These reactions
result in combined chlorines which are the source of
odors and irritation.
The removal of bather load is important for several
reasons:
- Bather loading reduces water quality and clarity
- Bather load neutralizes chlorine (ie combined
chlorine is formed, combined chlorine is a poor
sanitizer)
- Bather load provides nutrients (food) for
bacteria and algae.
- Bather load can provide protective coatings to
bacteria and viruses, making them harder to kill.
Ozone reduces bather loading which in turn reduces
chlorine usage. Most chlorine is normally used up in
reactions with bather load so its removal by ozone
substantially reduces the amount of chlorine required.
What is disinfection?
Disinfection is the process by which bacteria and
viruses are inactivated. Ozone kills bacteria by
rupturing the cell wall (similar to popping a balloon)
and by destroying the outer shell of viruses. Unlike
most chemical disinfectants, microorganisms cannot
develop a resistance to ozone.
Why is a chlorine residual required?
Because ozone is a gas and very reactive, it is
impractical to establish an ozone residual. Therefore, a
chlorine residual is required to protect swimmers.
Is ozone an algicide?
Ozone controls algae indirectly by removing bather load
and making chlorine more efficient.
Does ozone affect pH?
Ozone is pH neutral and does not affect or act
differently over the normal range of pH values found in
pools.
Does ozone work with bromine?
Yes. However, equipment size must be increased to
accommodate bromine-ozone interactions.
Does ozone work with ionizers?
Yes. Ozone reacts with copper and silver very slowly.
My pool has turned cloudy since starting the ozone
system, What should I do?
Cloudiness is a sign that ozone is doing its job.
Continue to run the filter and it should disappear in a
few days.
Clouding could also indicate a filter problem. Check
filter for damage and proper operation. Backwash if
necessary.
How much will chlorine usage be reduced?
Results depend on a variety of factors, but a typical
residential pool will use 60-80 percent less chlorine.
Chlorine usage on commercial pools will typically be
reduced by 40-60 percent.
How often do I have to shock?
The amount of time between shocking will typically be
2-4 weeks, although this figure may vary.
What constitutes a shock?
A true shock, or breakpoint chlorination, occurs when
ten times the combined chlorine levels is added to the
water. Consult the chlorine manufacturer’s
recommendations to determine the precise quantities
required.
Can I use non-chlorine shocks?
Yes, but they are not recommended since they do not have
the same effect as a chlorine shock.
Equipment
How is ozone generated?
Ozone is generated by passing air over a specially
designed UV lamp. As the air passes over the lamp, some
of the oxygen is converted to ozone.
I've heard ozone works on spas, will it work on
pools?
Ozone will work on pools. Spas are actually more
difficult to treat because there is less water per
bather and they are operated at higher temperatures.
Prozone systems have been in use since 1977 and
models are available for any size pool.
Can I install Prozone equipment outdoors?
All Prozone equipment is rated for outdoor use.
How long will it take to install a Prozone Unit?
It will typically take 30-60 minutes to plumb the unit.
An electrician may be required by law to perform the
electrical hook-up. Installation is very easy with
Prozone’s step by step instructions.
What are the different types of ozone equipment
offered by Prozone?
Prozone builds two types of UV ozone generators for
pools: venturi driven (PZIV and PZVII) and compressor
types (PZII Series). The PZIV is for aboveground pools,
the PZVII Series for inground pools up to 40,000
gallons, and the PZII Series for large residential,
commercial pools and commercial spas. The PZII Series is
UL NSF rated.
Venturi Driven
The PZVII Series, PZIV, and spa units operate by running
water through a device called a venturi. When water
flows through the venturi, it creates suction, drawing
air past the ozone producing lamps.
Installation: Bypass over the filter. The inlet leg
to the venturi is plumbed between the pump and filter
and the outlet leg is plumbed into the return after the
filter and heater if installed (ozone can erode copper
tubing).
Installation Concerns: Venturis will not operate
properly if the pressure on the outlet exceeds 5 psig.
Pools with in floor cleaners, equipment below water
line, or with eyeball valves may require compressor
systems.
Compressor Driven
The PZII Series uses diaphragm compressors to force
air over the ozone producing lamps. Venturis are still
used with the compressor to reduce the load on the
units.
Installation: Compressor systems may be installed
with a bypass as described in the venturi section or by
plumbing directly into the return after the filter and
heater if installed.
Special Installation Considerations: Equipment
installed below the water line or more than 8 to 10 feet
above it should use a solenoid valve instead of a check
valve.
How long should I run the ozonator?
Ozone generators run with the pool circulation system.
The longer the system is run, the greater the benefits
the user will derive from the ozone generator.
Typically, 6-8 hours per day is sufficient although this
can be reduced to 4 hours during low usage. The system
should be run for 24 hours after a heavy usage such as a
party.
How can I tell the unit is operating correctly?
Venturi Systems
Ozonator: The PZVII Series has a clear gasket at each
end of the unit. It will emit a blue glow when the
system is operating properly.
The PZIV has a gasket at the top of the unit and an
air gap on the bottom. Both will emit a blue glow when
the unit is operating.
The PZIII-X has translucent end caps which will emit
a bluish green glow when the unit is operating.
Venturi: The water appear opaque white from the
thousands of entrained bubbles.
Compressor Systems (PZII Series)
Ozonator: The barbs at the end of the case are
translucent and will glow blue when the unit is
operating. Look at the base of the barb (hexagonal)
where the tubing is clamped on the long white cases.
Compressor: Listen for motor noise. Unit can run even
if diaphragm fails, so a change in the sound of the
system may indicate a problem.
Venturi: The water appear opaque white from the
thousands of entrained bubbles. In some cases, larger
bubbles may appear with compressor systems.
I smell ozone, is it safe?
The quantity of ozone produced will never reach levels
which are harmful at the return or in the pool room
under normal operation.
