Ozone, or trioxygen (O³), is an inorganic molecule, taking form as a pale blue gas with a distinctively pungent smell. Ozone is formed from dioxygen (O²) by the action of ultraviolet (UV) light and electrical discharges within the Earth’s atmosphere.
Ozone is a powerful oxidant (far more so than dioxygen) and has many industrial and consumer applications related to oxidation, including in laundering where it is powerful at disinfecting, breaking down soils in linen and boosting the properties of detergents and cleaning agents.
Discovery of Ozone
In 1785, the Dutch chemist Martinus van Marum was conducting experiments involving electrical sparking above water when he noticed an unusual smell, which he attributed to the electrical reactions. A half-century later, Christian Friedrich Schönbein noticed the same pungent odour and recognised it as the smell often following a bolt of lightning. In 1839, he succeeded in isolating the gaseous chemical and named it “ozone”.
Many studies on the disinfection mechanism of ozone followed. The first ozone generator was manufactured in Berlin by Von Siemens, who also wrote a book about ozone application in water. This caused a number of pilot projects to take place, during which the disinfection mechanism of ozone was researched and established by 1906.
Ozone Sanitation Technologies
It took some time before scientists could determine how to effectively leverage ozone for industrial applications. Since the early 1990s, the use of ozone in commercial and industrial laundering applications has been evolving rapidly.
Ozone allows washing to be conducted using cold water, thereby saving considerable heat energy and water consumption. Additionally, ozone enhances the wash process, resulting in a significant reduction in detergent dosage and number of rinses, thus saving water.
Ozone-powered cold wash cycles are gentler on fabrics, thus extending linen life. Finally, ozone sanitation technologies are beneficial for effluents, resulting in reductions in COD (chemical oxygen demand). Microorganisms are destroyed effectively in ozone-wash waters, and washing and drying cycles are shorter, thus saving energy.
OTEK System by Ozone Technologies
Ozone Technologies was established in 2005, commercialising breakthrough technologies in UV-generated ozone. Today, Ozone Technologies enjoys a unique position in the market with a customer base that spans every sector of the laundry landscape, from small commercial establishments to public and government facilities.
More than 1000 systems are now installed worldwide, delivering improved productivity, substantial reductions in utilities and energy costs, and significantly reduced carbon footprints. The patented OTEK laundry system is a clear leader in its field. The core OTEK UV ozone engine, now in its third generation, continues to benefit from real time field experience and the changing needs of its customer base.
Key Benefits of the OTEK System
The OTEK System provides a quick return on investment once installed and delivers huge savings in operating costs:
- Reduces energy use by up to 90% by operating without hot water service
- Delivers water savings of up to 40% with shorter wash cycles
- Productivity savings of up to 30% with shorter wash cycles
- Reduces dryer gas use by up to 40%
- Reduces chemical costs as ozone boosts the power of detergents
Ozone clean technologies are only getting more advanced over time and more businesses than ever are implementing it for the reduced operating costs, and because it is better for the environment as it requires less water, less energy and fewer chemical and detergents.
Ozone Technologies’ patented OTEK System is like a turbocharger in your wash. We can help reduce laundry operating costs while boosting the performance of your washing machines and chemicals. Book a free demonstration today or contact us to find out more.
