Ozone in Water Treatment—The Designer's Role

This paper presents the designer's role in providing an efficient and reliable ozone system for use in water treatment. The 789 m3/h (5 mgd) regional water plant in Avon, Colorado, USA is used as a case study. In the process design, two alternatives were evaluated. The ozone alternative was selected based on its multiple benefits. These benefits included iron and manganese removal, taste and odor control, coagulation and disinfection. Each aspect of the ozone system design is reviewed.     

Rationales for Multiple Stage Ozonation in Drinking Water Treatment Plants

Starting in the early 1970s, the application of ozone for drinking water treatment began to evolve from primarily single-purpose, single-stage use for disinfection, taste and odor control or iron and manganese oxidation, to multipurpose uses of ozone. As a result, most of the newer drinking water treatment plants have installed two- and even three-stages of ozonation. in order to maximize the technological benefits of ozone and to minimize the costs involved.     

Cellular Toxicity and Mutagenicity Assays from On-Site Sampling of Drinking Water Treatment Plants Using Multistage Ozonation

Studies were carried out on-site in a potable water production plant utilizing ozonation treatment at three stages of the process. The quality of water in the treatment line was studied by chemical analysis, but also for toxicity to Hela cells after XAD resin concentration, and for mutagenesis to Salmonella Ames strains and mammalian cells V79 HGPRT system. With a sufficient dose of ozone and activated carbon adsorption, the initial cytotoxicity of the raw water and the mutagenic or promoter activity are destroyed.     

Ozonation of Drinking Water: A Design Methodology

The formation of potentially carcinogenic organic halides has been shown to result from drinking water disinfection with chlorine. xidative treatment of organic halide precursors with ozone prior to chlorination has surfaced as an attractive technique for reducing the formation of these compounds. In addition to reduction of precursor levels, preozonation has been reported to effect other beneficial results in water treatment. This paper presents design methodologies to optimize the implementation of the ozonation process for water treatment applications. Pre-design considerations common to all ozonation design processes are discussed. Subsequently, design procedures for the ozone generation and contacting systems are reviewed.     

Removal Characteristics of Organic Pollutants in Sewage Treatment by a Pre-Coagulation,Ozonation and Ozone/Hydrogen Peroxide Process

The applicability of a sequential process of ozonation and ozone/hydrogen peroxide process for the removal of soluble organic compounds from a pre-coagulated municipal sewage was examined. 6–25% of initial T-COD_Cr was removed at the early stage of ozonation before the ratio of consumed ozone to removed T-COD_Cr dramatically increased. Until dissolved ozone was detected, 0.3 mgO₃/mgTOC₀ (Initial TOC) of ozone was consumed. When an ozone/hydrogen peroxide process was applied, additional COD_Cr was removed. And we elucidated that two following findings are important for the better performance of ozone/hydrogen peroxide process; those are to remove readily reactive organic compounds with ozone before the application of ozone/hydrogen peroxide process and to avoid the excess addition of hydrogen peroxide. Based on these two findings, we proposed a sequential process of ozonation and multi-stage ozone/hydrogen peroxide process and the appropriate addition of hydrogen peroxide. T-COD_Cr, TOC and ATU-BOD₅ were reduced to less than 7 mg/L, 6 mgC/L and 5 mg/L, respectively after total treatment time of 79 min. Furthermore, we discussed the transformation of organic compounds and the removal of organic compounds. The removal amount of COD_Cr and UV₂₅₄ had good linear relationship until the removal amounts of COD_Cr and UV₂₅₄ were 30 mg/L and 0.11 cm^?1, respectively. Therefore UV₂₅₄ would be useful for an indicator for COD_Cr removal at the beginning of the treatment. The accumulation of carboxylic acids (formic acid, acetic acid and oxalic acid) was observed. The ratio of carbon concentration of carboxylic acids to TOC remaining was getting higher and reached around 0.5 finally. Removal of TOC was observed with the accumulation of carboxylic acids. When unknown organic compounds (organic compounds except for carboxylic acids) were oxidized, 70% was apparently removed as carbon dioxide and 30% was accumulated as carboxylic acids. A portion of biodegradable organic compounds to whole organic compounds was enhanced as shown by the increase ratio of BOD/COD_Cr.     

The Effect Of Preozonation,Ozone/Hydrogen Peroxide Treatment,And Nanofiltration On The Removal Of Organic Matter From Drinking Water

Pilot scale experiments were performed to evaluate the ability of ozonation, ozone/hydrogen peroxide treatment and nanofiltration to reduce levels of organic matter, mutagenicity, total adsorbable halogens, color and turbidity from purified and bank-filtered surface water rich with humic material.

Ozonation and ozone/hydrogen peroxide decreased the amount of organic material from drinking water by about 20 percent measured as TOC and COD_Mn. Color and turbidity level reductions were 49 and 11 percent, respectively. Ozonation reduced the AOX concentrations formed during postchlorination from 150 μgL^?1 to 75 μgL^?1. The addition of hydrogen peroxide further improved the removal to 37 and 26 μgL^?1 depending on the ratio of H₂O₂/O₃. The mutagenicity reduction followed the same pattern: without ozonation the chlorination-derived mutagenicity was 1,450 net revertant L^?1 after the ozonation 700 and after the H₂O₂/O₃ treatment from <100 to 400 net revertant L^?1 depending on the H₂O₂/O₃ ratio. Nanofiltration appeared to be the most effective way to remove organic material. The removal of TOC was 68%, COD_M 72%, color 90%, turbidity 68%, AOX 88%, and mutagenicity 85%.     

Oxidation by UV and Ozone of Organic Contaminants Dissolved in Deionized and Raw Mains Water

Organic contaminants dissolved in deionized pretreated and raw mains water were reacted with ultraviolet light and ozone. Ozone first was used for partial oxidation followed by ozone combined with ultraviolet radiation to produce total oxidation. The reduction of TOC level and direct oxidation of halogenated compounds were measured throughout the treatment process. The rate of TOC reduction was compared for ozone injected upstream and inside the reactor.     

Influence of Carbonate on the Ozone/Hydrogen Peroxide Based Advanced Oxidation Process for Drinking Water Treatment

The influence of carbonate on the ozone/hydrogen peroxide process has been investigated. Carbonate radicals, which are formed from the reaction of bicarbonate/carbonate with OH radicals, act as a chain carrier for ozone decomposition due to their reaction with hydrogen peroxide. The efficiency of bicarbonate/carbonate as a promoter for the radical-based chain reaction in presence of hydrogen peroxide has been calibrated and compared to a well-known chain promoter (methanol) and an inhibitor (tert-butanol). Relative to tert-butanol, the hydrogen peroxide induced ozone decomposition is accelerated by bicarbonate/carbonate. Relative to methanol, bicarbonate/carbonate in presence of hydrogen peroxide is less effective as a promoter under comparable experimental conditions.     

Experiences with Ozone Treatment Of Drinking Water in Yugoslavia

Ozone currently is being used in several drinking water treatment plants in Yugoslavia. The new Belgrade water treatment plant “Makis” is the largest one with 42 kg/h of installed ozone generating capacity and has been in operation since 1987. This paper describes the main features of ozone application in drinking water treatment. The experimental results of “Makis” pilot-plant investigations and a few examples of ozone application in Yugoslavia are presented.     

Applications of Ozone in Japan for Water and Wastewater Treatment

In Japan, ozone is used for potable water treatment, night soil and industrial wastewater treatment, and for offensive gas treatment at sewage and night soil treatment plants. This paper describes its implementation, and presents experimental findings of the combined ozone and ultraviolet radiation as a new ozone utilization technology.     

Formaldehyde Formation During Ozonation Of Drinking Water

Partial oxidation of natural organic material during ozonation produces oxygenated by-products of low molecular weight. Formaldehyde, being the most common oxygenated by-product of ozone, is considered to be a problematic compound by the water industry due to its potential adverse health effects. This research attempts to provide specific information on the effects of water quality parameters, specifically, pH and alkalinity, the structure of humic material, and the operational parameters, e.g., ozone dosage and contact time, on generation of formaldehyde. The results showed that ozonation caused almost an immediate formation of formaldehyde, which reached a peak value, and then started to decrease with continued ozonation. Ozonation of aqueous fulvic acid produced higher concentrations of formaldehyde compared to other types of humic material. Formaldehyde formation was suppressed by high bicarbonate levels, and enhanced at higher pH. Formaldehyde accumulation was more dramatic at low ozone dosages.     

Removal of Natural Organic Matter from Groundwater Using Advanced Oxidation Processes at a Pilot Scale Drinking Water Treatment Plant in the Central Banat Region (Serbia)

To improve water quality, a pilot-scale evaluation into upgrading the conventional treatment process was conducted. By following DOC content, UV₂₅₄ absorbance, SUVA and by-products formation, three oxidative pre-treatments were evaluated: pre-ozonation (2.2 g O₃/m³); O₃/H₂O₂ process (2.2 g O₃/m³; H₂O₂:O₃ = 1:2) and O₃/H₂O₂ process (2.2 g O₃/m³; H₂O₂:O₃ = 2:1). The second pre-treatment gave the best results, with a final average DOC content of 0.9 mg C/L, UV₂₅₄ absorbance of 0.06 cm^?1 and the lowest THMFP of 130 μg/L. UV₂₅₄ absorbance can serve as a proper indicator for predicting THM and HAA formation, yielding a correlation coefficient ≥ 0.90.     

Impact of Drinking Water Preozonation on Granular Activated Carbon Quality and Performance

A bench-scale laboratory system was set up to study the impact of residual ozone on the properties and performance of granular activated carbon (GAC). Simulating a carbon service life of two years, the study demonstrated that the effect of residual ozone was minimal and was the same as aerated or nitrogen-purged waters. Dissolved oxygen did modify the surface properties of GAC, with some impact on the adsorptive properties of exposed carbon. However, after thermal reactivation, the physical and adsorptive properties were comparable to reactivated virgin carbon.     

Changes in Ozone Demand of Water During the Treatment Process

The protocol for the measurement of ozone demand of water and the change in the dissolved ozone residual with time, using the Gas Ozone Test (GOT) was applied in monitoring water quality of two water treatment facilities. The change in the ozone concentration of water as a function of time was measured for each sample. The resulting half-time was correlated with the ozone dosage, although this parameter does not appear to be directly linked to the characteristics of the water samples studied. The change in the ozone concentration of water as a function of time and ozone dose, measured by the GOT, has direct applications in the sizing of ozonation reactors.     

Ozone Treatment in Cooling Water Systems

Ozone treatment for preventing the biofouling in cooling water systems is investigated.

In the fresh water system, the separating effect of the ozonated water on the microorganisms such as the sphaerotilus and the zoogloea which adhere to the piping and form the slime is recognized. When the ozonated water is supplied intermittently to the piping without stopping the flow of the cooling water, a constant volume of cooling water can be maintained. At the velocity of 1 m/sec, the amount of metal corrosion produced by the ozonated water is reduced on the mild steel, increased on the copper and does not change on the cast iron, when compared with that produced by the water containing no ozone.

In the seawater system, since many substances are oxidized by the ozone, the same treatment as that in the fresh water system cannot be applied. However, if the seawater in the cooling system can be replaced with ozone-containing air intermittently once a week, the adhesion of organisms such as barnacles and mussels to the piping can be prevented without having a bad influence on the other living oceanic organisms.     

The Installation of GAC and Ozone Surface Water Treatment Plants In Anglian Water,UK

The surface water treatment plants in Anglian Water are being upgraded in order to more reliably meet the requirements of the EEC Drinking Water Directive. Ozone and additional GAC filtration capacity are being installed at 11 waterworks treating river and reservoir water, with capacities ranging from 11 to 360 ML/d. The installations and reasons for the plant designs are discussed.     

The Treatment of Spa Water with Ozone Produced by UV Light

Some North American manufacturers are selling devices which produce ozone from UV radiation, which is pumped or sucked into spas, presumably to disinfect the water, without having to use chlorine. To test this claim, a private spa used by two people at least once a day was equipped with a UV radiation unit and an ozone (generating by UV) unit. Bacterial analyses were conducted during experiments carried out using chlorine alone, ozone generated by UV radiation, unit and an ozone (generating by UV) unit. Bacterial analyses were conducted during experiments carried out using chlorine alone, ozone generaed by UV radiation, and ozoen in combination with UV radiation.

Heterotrophic plate counts, and counts of Staphyiococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were lowest when using chlorine, next lowest when using ozone #x002B; UV radiation, and highest when using UV-generated ozone. It is concluded that insufficient dissolved ozone is present for a sufficient reaction time to effect disinfection of these organisms by ozone generated by UV radiation. The fact that the odor of ozone was present above the spa water indicates that contacting also was inefficient.     

An Assessment of the Benefits Afforded by the Continuous Versus Intermittent Operation of Ozone for Drinking Water Treatment

Stricter regulation by OFWAT has encouraged water companies to optimize all stages of the water treatment process. This work reviews the ozonation process, in order to evaluate the benefits and disadvantages of continuous versus intermittent ozone operation. Two Advanced Water Treatment Works (AWTW) were surveyed, Farmoor AWTW, Which involves traditional (chemical) treatment processes, and Kempton Park AWTW, which incorporates slow sand filter sandwich? beds. Both reviews indicated that continuous ozone operation would result in an optimized solution based on dependability of ozone plant, reliability of water quality and cost efficiency.     

Fate of Organic Pollutants in a Full-Scale Drinking Water Treatment Plant Using O3-BAC

This research investigated the fate of organic pollutants in each unit of a full-scale O₃-BAC (biological activated carbon) drinking water treatment plant with micro-polluted raw water under different temperatures. Total organic matters were largely removed with low DBPs (disinfection by-products) formed. Large molecules were broken into smaller ones by O₃ and middle-sized ones totally removed. Concentration of polysaccharide decreased except under high temperature. Small molecule contaminant species of refractory industrial additives, hydrocarbons, aromatics, herbicides, possible DBPs, etc., were detected. Some species passed through treatment process, some were removed and also new species formed.     

Combined Use of Ozone and Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) in Potable Water Treatment; Effects on GAC Quality After Reactivation

Common processes in potable water treatment regarding dissolved organics removal (natural organic matter, NOM, and organic micropollutants, OMP) include oxidation techniques – like ozonation -and adsorption onto granular activated carbon (GAC). This paper deals with combined ozonation and GAC filtration. Effects on water quality are discussed: partial oxidation of dissolved organics by ozone, leading to changing adsorption behavior and enhanced biodegradation in GAC columns. Special emphasis is laid on long term effects of ozone on GAC quality after several thermal reactivations. Long term experience indicates that ozonation prior to GAC filtration, leading to moderate ozone concentrations in the GAC influent, does not influence GAC quality negatively, even after more than ten reactivation cycles.