LUXURY  YACHT
APPLICATIONS

       As the title suggests, we will address the use of ozone in more down-to-Earth and personal uses. But first, an answer to an often asked question. No, we can not use the "Chem-Free" Ozone Generating Systems to replenish the "Ozone Layer." That would be analogous to tossing single grains of sand into the surf in an effort to rebuild an eroded beach.

       Our atmosphere is composed of 21% Oxygen and 78% Nitrogen, with rare gases such as Argon, and Neon, among others, comprising the remaining 1%. All stars, including the local one we call the Sun, generate incredibly large amounts of electromagnetic (radio wave) energy. Some of that energy is in the Ultraviolet spectrum.

       When a photon of UV light strikes an O2 molecule, the energy level of both atoms of oxygen is increased. If sufficient energy is absorbed from the photon, the two atoms of oxygen will split apart because like charges repel as we learned in High School Science. The largest percentage (Approx. 80%) of the single oxygen atoms will shed the absorbed energy in the form of a less energetic photon of light in the blue wavelength, which in turn is the reason for our blue skies. Fortunately however, the remaining 20% will glom onto an O2 molecule and the result is, of course, O3, OZONE!

       Ozone is created and destroyed again and again in the process of protecting us from solar UV light energy. As previously stated, all UV light is dangerous. Without the blanket of air and the ozone that is generated and contained therein, absolutely NO life forms as we know them could exist on the Earth's surface.

       Lightning is a terrifyingly powerful discharge of extremely high voltage that generates incredibly large flows of DC or direct current. A high energy electron released during the lightning bolt performs precisely the same function as a photon of UV energy in splitting apart atmospheric O2 and resulting in the formation of very large amounts of ozone. If you like the nice clean smell of the air after a thunderstorm, then thanks should be given to all that ozone. For that reason, we refer to ozone as "Mother Nature's Deodorizer."

       The preceding two natural phenomena that result in the formation of ozone can be duplicated in microcosm to conveniently produce ozone for commercial use. By placing germicidal UV lamps in optically shielded enclosures and passing air around and over the lamp, small amounts of very high quality ozone can be created.

       A high voltage electrical discharge can be isolated and contained in a "Corona Discharge" chamber, through which air is passed, with precisely the same results as a bolt of lightning. If pure oxygen instead of air is passed through a given UV or corona discharge chamber, not only will the corresponding output be increased, superior quality ozone will be produced as well.

       The third atom of oxygen in an ozone molecule is very poorly bound to the molecular structure. For that reason, that extra atom is always ready to combine with (Oxidize) anything that is receptive. A molecule of ozone has a very short life. Depending on local humidity, barometric pressure and temperature, it can last from as long as an hour in a very cold and dry environment, to as little as a few seconds in a warm, wet environment.

       When ozone self-destructs through shedding the extra O atom, it reverts back to the O2 form of oxygen with which we are all so familiar. Therefore, ozone does not leave any harmful by-products in its wake as do other commonly used oxidizers such as chlorine.

       An interesting use of ozone is in the shipping and storage of fruits and vegetables. Injecting very small amounts of ozone into refrigerators and walk-in coolers will prevent the food stored therein from cross contamination of taste and odor. Furthermore, the shelf life of the food is greatly enhanced as bacteria that cause spoilage and rot are eliminated. Mold and mildew spores are also inactivated.

       Another early discovery was the fact that ozone is an exceptionally powerful disinfectant and sterilizer. Nice, France was the first to apply ozone in a municipal water treatment system in 1906. Paris soon followed suit, and to date there are over two thousand municipal water treatment plants worldwide that are using ozone in the treatment process. Why is that? Simple, ozone is over three thousand times more powerful than chlorine in purifying water. The use of ozone in municipal water treatment has shown explosive growth in the past decade, and that growth will become exponential in the future.

       The city of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, very recently had its municipal water treatment system contaminated by a parasite called Cryptosporidium. Four hundred and fifteen thousand people became very ill as a result and one hundred and twelve died. Therefore, it is my contention that any water added to the RO water contained in the fresh water holding tank should be considered potentially contaminated, especially in some distant ports of call. Ozone is recognized as the best and most effective weapon against Cryptosporidium parasites, as well as, all other water-borne pathogens.

       Fresh water holding tanks are always vented to the atmosphere, therefore, it is possible for the water therein to become contaminated through the vent. For that and other reasons, fresh water tanks are routinely sterilized through "Super Chlorination," or the dumping of large, and generally uncontrolled amounts of chlorine into the tank and through the water distribution system. Should any of the chlorinated water reach the RO system's semi-permeable membrane through back-flushing, it will be destroyed.

       A point of more immediate concern is the fact that there are several toxic by-products of chlorine called chloramines generated by normally approved rates of chlorination, even under closely monitored and controlled conditions as found in a municipal water treatment plant. Continued super chlorination will also exert a high toll on water system components such as pumps, valves and plumbing.

        For the above stated reasons and others such as the "Rotten egg odor" from hydrogen sulfide, adding an ozone purification system to the fresh water tank or tanks is becoming popular. Not only will ozonation assure total and complete purity of the water from a holding tank, the water will never have bad odors or a nasty taste. More importantly, it will never again be necessary to add chlorine or Chlorox to the tanks.

       No virus or bacteria is known to be resistant to destruction by ozone. Bacteria, such as Mycobacteria which are fairly resistant to chlorine, requiring hours of contact time, have been found to be very sensitive to ozone in very low concentrations. Contact with ozone results in complete inactivation of the bacteria and viruses within a few seconds. An ozone injection system which treats fresh water tanks for 15 minutes a day will keep the water pure.

       Yacht bilge odor can easily be eliminated through the judicious application of very small amounts of ozone. Odors from cooking, such as garlic, fish, cabbage and numerous other "Galley odors" can easily penetrate to all areas of a yacht. Ozone has been applied to numerous air handlers that serve galley areas. An air conditioner "Dirty Sock Syndrome," and other musky odors, including mold and mildew, can be totally eliminated. A recent installation for mold and mildew in a large yacht involved adding a small ozone generator to the yacht's make-up air handlers. The air was very effectively "polished" and the problem eliminated to the complete satisfaction of the owner. Furthermore, bacteria and viruses dispersed in an aerosol have been shown to be inactivated by ozone in concentrations as low as 0.01 PPM (Parts Per Million) in free air.

       Ozone has also been used to totally eliminate the nausea-causing odors of diesel fuel. Three yachts recently used a temporarily installed ozone generator to remove the residual odors from a diesel spill that had proved impossible to eliminate otherwise. A large sailing cruise ship had such fuel odors emanating from the entire bilge area of their two hundred foot brigantine. The engineer stated unequivocally that he could not believe the answer was as simple and effective as the installation of one of our UV-type generating systems.

       The University of Florida published a paper in July of 1993, entitled "Construction and Design Protocol for Reducing Moisture and Other Indoor Air Quality Problems in Warm, Humid Climates." The handout was for the "First International Symposium on Sick Buildings." Item number 28 suggested, "Consider ozone generators as a method of reducing indoor air pollution. Studies have shown that modest ozone generation equipment, generating to levels of 0.05 ppm, can reduce certain microbiological agents, odors and mildew." We have demonstrated that fact in each and every application of our ozone generating systems.

        The fact that ozone can do all of the above jobs and not leave other unwanted odors and perhaps harmful by-products in its wake, make ozone and ozonation the only truly "Environmentally Friendly odor control and purification method and system available today. Ozone technology is not new by any means as is obvious from the start of this article. However, state-of-the-art generation and delivery systems available make this old technology readily and handily available to everyone for many and varied uses. That is especially in the luxury yacht market as has been amply demonstrated by the number of systems installed and operating to the owner's, captain's and crew's satisfaction.

       It should be stressed that generating and delivering ozone in the parts per ten million and/or parts per million range necessary to properly accomplish a given task, demands exacting science and engineering. One should be cautioned to always consult a recognized and thoroughly qualified professional in applications of ozone prior to proceeding with any ozonation project. Ozone systems can be a great and very pleasurable addition to virtually any yacht, boat, ship and even a home or business.

        There are several new and exciting maritime applications of ozone and devices that use ozone as the prime active agent on the way. The future of ozone aboard luxury yachts is virtually assured now that properly designed and engineered ozone generating and delivery systems are available for maritime applications. However, one should proceed with caution in selecting a manufacturer and/or supplier of ozone generating systems. A device that is appropriate for shore-side applications is, in all probability, not up to the task of dealing with the demands of maritime conditions.

        Welcome to the future of ozone aboard luxury yachts as well as, many other marine and maritime applications and be glad we have so much of it overhead as well.