Chemistry
What is ozone and what does it do?
What is oxidation?
Why is oxidation important?
What is disinfection?
Why is a chlorine residual required?
Is ozone an algicide?
Does ozone affect pH?
Does ozone work with bromine?
Does ozone work with ionizers?
My pool has turned cloudy since starting the ozone system, What should I do?
How much will chlorine usage be reduced?
How often do I have to shock?
What constitutes a shock?
Can I use non-chlorine shocks?
Equipment
How is ozone generated?
I've heard ozone works on spas, will it work on pools?
Can I install Prozone equipment outdoors?
How long will it take to install a Prozone Unit?
What are the different types of ozone equipment offered by Prozone?
How long should I run the ozonator?
How can I tell the unit is operating correctly?
I smell ozone, is it safe?
Additional Help
Where can I obtain additional help?
Chemistry
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.
Additional Help
Where can I obtain additional help?
Prozone maintains a web site at http://www.prozoneint.com.
The site contains additional information,
including manuals, which can be downloaded.
