Salher launches OZ Wizard: Innovative automatic ozone generation equipment for water and environmental protection

According to UN figures, around 9 million people die annually from drinking contaminated water and it is estimated that by 2025 only one third of the world’s population will have safe drinking water. Therefore, the emergence of water disinfection technologies such as UV radiation and ozonation are helping to ensure a safe supply in a context of increasing global demand. The launch of Salher’s OZ Wizard offers an efficient, cost-effective and sustainable solution to one of the greatest challenges of the 21st century: access to quality water.

A compact, modular system applicable in multiple industries

The design of OZ Wizard allows it to be integrated into projects of any size, from small installations to large industrial plants. In addition, its compact format facilitates its implementation in small spaces without sacrificing performance, ensuring effective disinfection and removal of microorganisms in wastewater and drinking water.

This equipment is designed for applications in key sectors such as the agri-food industry, construction, urban supply systems, and even hospital and tourist facilities, where water treatment is essential for the safety and quality of the services offered.

1. Construction sector: Construction companies can benefit from the use of ozone in their water treatment projects, especially in greywater reuse and wastewater treatment in sustainable buildings. Ozone removes bacteria, viruses and organic compounds without altering the natural characteristics of water, promoting the efficient use of water resources.
   
2. Energy sector: In the energy industry, the use of ozone is vital for the treatment of cooling water and other industrial processes. It removes contaminants and microorganisms that can affect the efficiency of generation equipment and extends the life of the systems, reducing the consumption of chemicals and the maintenance required.
3. Agri-food industry: Water quality is crucial in food and beverage production. Ozone disinfects without leaving toxic residues, protecting the water used for irrigation, washing fresh produce and cleaning equipment, without affecting the flavours and quality of the food. It is also effective in removing pesticides and other chemical contaminants that may be present.
4. Municipalities and cities: For drinking water treatment systems in cities and towns, ozone is an advanced technology that ensures the removal of pathogens, organic pollutants and heavy metals without resorting to other chemicals, which can generate harmful by-products. The use of ozone in the water supply network ensures clean and safe water for human consumption and other domestic uses.
5. Tourism sector: Hotels and resorts can improve their guests’ experience by using ozone in their drinking water systems and swimming pools. This technology offers safer disinfection without odour and skin irritation in comparison with other methods. In addition, ozone is ideal for the reuse of treated wastewater, favouring the sustainability of the tourism sector.
6. Hospital sector: In hospitals, ozone plays a crucial role in water disinfection, ensuring that water supply systems are free of pathogenic micro-organisms. This factor is essential to prevent nosocomial infections and ensure a clean and safe environment in operating theatres, care areas and laundry services.

Ozone generation to treat wastewater

Ozone, a molecule composed of three oxygen atoms (O3), is generated through a technology known as corona discharge, which mimics the natural process that occurs during a thunderstorm. This method uses an electrical discharge to break up the oxygen (O2) molecules present in the air, allowing individual oxygen atoms to bond with other oxygen molecules to form ozone.

Ozone generators are used in industrial systems to apply this controlled electrical discharge in the presence of oxygen or dry air, ensuring a constant production of ozone for specific purposes. These generators are often equipped with regulators that allow the ozone concentration to be adjusted according to the needs of the process, ensuring proper dosing for each application. Modern systems also incorporate safety and monitoring measures, preventing the release of excessive levels of ozone into the environment, which is crucial to ensure operational safety.

The design and capacity of generators vary according to their intended use. For example, systems for large industrial facilities or water treatment plants include large capacity units, while generators for smaller applications, such as in hospitals or hotels, are more compact and easier to integrate.

Salher has developed its OZ Wizard to produce ozone ensuring continuous performance and easy integration with existing systems and offering an advanced and environmentally friendly technological option for water treatment.

Why should we use ozone to disinfect water?

There are numerous technologies for water treatment, but ozone is one of the most efficient and sustainable. Without the need for other chemicals, such as chlorine, this colourless and odourless gas, with high oxidising power, is capable of disinfecting water quickly removing viruses, bacteria and other microorganisms, leaving it free of germs and suitable for consumption or reuse, according to the regulations in force in each country.

The main advantages of using ozone to disinfect water are:

• Removal of persistent bacteria and viruses with other technologies.
• It requires less ozone in comparison with other chemical products.
• It does not increase the content of inorganic salts or leave toxic residues in the water.
• Ozonation technology is becoming increasingly accessible and economical.
• It removes unwanted tastes and odours, leaving water with a purer taste (ideal for sectors such as the agri-food industry, the hospital sector or urban water supply networks).
• The use of ozonised water systems is not only ideal for drinking water purification, but also for the disinfection of surfaces, foodstuffs and industrial systems, especially in CIP (Clean in Place) processes.