Disinfectants

Disinfectants kill unwanted microorganisms present in water. GES can supply several disinfection techniques with emphasis on environmental friendly solutions. The techniques are:

» Ozonation

» UV Disinfection

» Chlorine Dioxide Disinfection

» Hypochlorite Disinfection

Ozonation

Ozone has been used for disinfection of drinking water in the Municipal Water Industry in Europe for over 100 years and is used by a large number of Water Companies. Ozone is a very strong oxidation medium, with a remarkably short life span.

It consists of oxygen molecules with an extra O-atom, to form O3. When ozone comes in contact with odour, bacteria or viruses the extra O-atom breaks them down directly, by means of oxidation. The third O-atom of the ozone molecules is then lost and only oxygen will remain. Hence there are generally no by-products; unlike most disinfecting agents. It is safe for the environment.

Ozone is used in the pharmaceutical industry, for drinking water preparation, for treatment of process water, for preparation of ultra-pure water and for surface disinfection.

The advantages of ozonation include:

» eliminates odors

» reduces oxygen demanding matter, turbidity and surfactants

» removes most colors, phenolics and cyanides

» increases dissolved oxygen

» production of no significant toxic side products

» increases suspended solids reduction

The disadvantages of ozonation include:

» high capital cost

» high electric consumption

» highly corrosive, especially with steel or iron and even oxidizes Neoprene

To minimize the disadvantages of ozonation in wastewater treatment plants, some innovations have been developed: use and recycle of oxygen feed to air gap and improved design of ozone contactors.

UV Disinfection

For the past 100 years science has recognized the bactericidal effects of the ultraviolet area of the electromagnetic spectrum.

The water treatment industry uses special lamps that emit UV light of a particular wavelength in order to disinfect water. Ultraviolet Sterilization is unmatched in its efficiency, simplicity, and dependability when applied as a microorganism disinfectant.