Why is ozone produced on-site in water treatment facilities?

The production of ozone on-site in water treatment facilities primarily stems from its instability, which is a crucial consideration in its application. Ozone is a powerful oxidizing agent used for disinfection and to remove contaminants from water. However, it has a very short half-life, meaning it decomposes quickly back into oxygen. This instability is beneficial when using ozone as a treatment process because it ensures that the gas is generated fresh and applied promptly, maximizing its effectiveness as a disinfection method.

The need for ozone to be used immediately after production makes on-site generation essential. Transporting ozone can be risky and impractical due to the need for special handling to maintain stability, which creates challenges concerning safety and the potential degradation of ozone's disinfection capabilities during transport.

While ozone's stability is not an advantage—indicating it cannot be stored and transported easily—it highlights the necessity of producing it directly at the treatment facility, where it can be utilized immediately for water treatment processes. This ensures that the ozone is used when it is most effective, contributing to the overall efficiency and safety of water treatment operations.