The Emporia City, KS Commission approved a request authorizing the Public Works Department to proceed with an Ozone Equipment purchase Wednesday afternoon during an active session. The current equipment at the Water Treatment Plant uses atmospheric air and bubble diffusers and was installed in 1995, with an expected life of 15 to 20 years. The Ozone equipment and process is the primary disinfection action at the Water Treatment Plant. The equipment, which is slated to be installed in 2016, with a project construction cost estimate of $2.6 million.
Ozone equipment installed 20 years ago was primary based on air feed as the source of oxygen for ozone generation. Using air as the feed gas results in lower concentration ozone of 1-3 percent ozone. Newer oxygen fed ozone generators produce ozone at 10 percent concentration. Higher concentration ozone dissolves more readily in water for more efficient use of the ozone produced.
There is also a reduction in the size of the generator to produce the same mass of ozone, normally indicated in pounds/day. The reduction in the nitrogen levels also minimizes damage tot he generator due to the formation of nitric acid.
As a result of these advantages newer ozone systems have shifted to some form of oxygen feed, either from liquid oxygen supplied by gas companies or made on site using oxygen concentrators. The latter take air and remove the nitrogen to get to oxygen levels of 93%.
The first ozone systems were installed 20-30 years ago and are now being upgraded as the one in Emporium is later next year.