Technology

Clarizon electrochemical ozone generation technology uses a patented catalyst to generate ozone either in an acid electrolyte (in which case the ozone is released as a gas for subsequent use) or directly into the water to be treated.

In acid electrolyte, energy efficiencies of 20 to 30 kWh/kg of ozone (for the overall system) are achieved with 25% to 40% of the output gas being ozone. Ozone is produced at a rate of about 2 kg/day per m² of electrode.

Direct generation into water uses a proton exchange membrane (PEM) laminated between the electrodes to produce a very simple system suitable for use in small industrial processes and domestic appliances. Ozone is generated directly into water at 4 to 6 ppm at a rate of about 200 g/day per m² of electrode at an energy efficiency of about 200 kWh/kg.

Clarizon's catalyst is about 100 times more efficient than Lead Dioxide, the only electrochemical electrode currently in serious use for ozone generation. This means that electrochemical generation can now compete with the dominant current technology for generating ozone, Cold Corona Discharge.

Clarizon is now developing its first products for specific markets in collaboration with partners.

A comparison with Cold Corona Discharge

At present, by far the most commonly used technology for the large-scale generation of ozone is Cold Corona Discharge. In this, cold, dry oxygen or air is passed through the space between two electrodes separated by a dielectric material, which is usually glass. When a high voltage is applied across the electrodes, some oxygen, O₂ , molecules are split into oxygen atoms, which then combine with other oxygen molecules to form ozone, O₃.

However, the concentration of ozone in the output gas is low. CCD systems typically produce a concentration of ozone of about 2% to 5% when air is used as the input gas and of about 8% to 12% when pure oxygen is used. Because of the inefficiency, waste heat is generated and must be removed, often with cooling water.

A further problem is the requirement for the input gases to be very dry. This means that either a power consuming drying system or oxygen generation system must be installed at extra capital cost.

Benefits of Clarizon's electrochemical system

Clarizon’s technology offers a number of benefits to end users, compared to other ozone generation technologies:

It produces ozone at high concentrations (> 30%) and at high current efficiencies (>35%).
It is simple, not requiring excessive cooling or an expensive oxygen supply.
It can generate ozone directly in pure water, avoiding the need to dissolve ozone gas into the water to be treated.
It operates at low voltages and small, portable systems are practical.
It offers lower capital and operational costs.