Veolia Water Technologies & Solutions

Ozone and UV Water Treatment - Disinfection & Purification Applications

Disinfection and purification processes have many applications. For instance, treating drinking water with ozone provides well tasting, colorless crystal clear water. Ozone, UV and AOP based processes are also used in wastewater treatment, soil remediation, among others. For laboratories and healthcare, water purification applications range from renal dialysis or sterile services to glassware washing and DNA sequencing.

Ozone and UV Water Treatment - Disinfection & Purification Applications

Disinfection and purification processes have many applications. For instance, treating drinking water with ozone provides well tasting, colorless crystal clear water. Ozone, UV and AOP based processes are also used in wastewater treatment, soil remediation, among others. For laboratories and healthcare, water purification applications range from renal dialysis or sterile services to glassware washing and DNA sequencing.

Municipal Applications

Countless municipal applications

Veolia's ozone generators and UV reactors have been designed so that they can be integrated into all types of treatment steps with the minimum amount of work and time. Depending on the application we can supply either a single technology or adopt a multi-process approach to achieve the desired result.

Color Removal

Color due to organic molecules or products break down quickly when they come into contact with ozone. The powerful oxidation potential of ozone has made color removal one of the "classic" ozone applications for drinking water along with taste and odor removal which are also organic based. This need has crossed over to wastewater treatment (industrial and municipal) and today ozone is used extensively to remove color from effluents from dye manufacturers, textile mills, pharmaceutical factories and other industrial companies.

Ozone is also used extensively as a "bleach" in many processes such pulp and paper manufacturing, kaolin production and even textiles (stone washed denim). Veolia has a broad range of ozonia products, ranging from laboratory scale ozonators to large engineered ozone plants to satisfy any possible color removal need.

Disinfection

Both Ozone and UV are well recognized methods for water and wastewater disinfection in the industrial and municipal markets. Each can be used for the inactivation of viruses.

UV is a proven cost effective disinfection alternative for water and wastewater, as well as numerous industrial applications. ozonia offers several UV products for water and wastewater treatment which are fully bioassay validated with independent third party certification per recognized regulatory guidelines.

In addition to disinfection, ozone is also an effective treatment for taste, odor and color removal, iron and manganese reduction, as well as being a flocculating agent.

Ozone and/or UV are effective and environmentally friendly alternatives to chlorine and chlorine derivatives for water and wastewater disinfection.

Drinking Water

Both Ozone and UV are well recognized methods for municipal drinking water treatment and disinfection. Each can be used for the inactivation of viruses, bacteria and other microbial contaminants. While UV is limited to disinfection, ozone is also an effective treatment for taste, odor and color removal, iron and manganese reduction, as well as being a flocculating agent. Ozone and/or UV require a relatively short residence times for disinfection unlike chemicals such as chlorine and chlorine derivatives.

Drinking water is treated to kill or inactivate any pathogenic micro-organisms such as viruses, bacteria and parasites, to remove inorganic and organic trace contaminants which have found their way into the water system because of pollution and to reduce the naturally occurring organic compounds such as humic acid and algal metabolites. In general, surface waters such as lakes and rivers contain higher levels of micro-organisms and are more prone to contamination than groundwater and require different treatment regimes. To reduce the risk to consumers, more and more countries are introducing new drinking water regulations containing stricter limits on pathogens and contaminants.

Wastewater

Effluent wastewater from an industrial facility may carry a broad and variable range of contaminants, including BOD, COD, color, phenols, cyanides, sanitary waste and a host of complex chemicals. Ozone, in combination with UV and/or other physical, chemical or biological processes, has the potential to treat complex industrial wastes due to its strong oxidative nature. In combination with medium pressure UV, ozone exhibits the power of advanced oxidation for TOC reduction, as well as destruction of organics. Potential industries that can benefit from ozone and UV include pharmaceuticals, textiles, automotive, foundry, etc.

In arid areas, due to water scarcity, treated wastewater can be used for a reuse application such as land or golf irrigation. Water recycling avoids water shortages and protects water resources. Water recycling is safe, environmentally sustainable and cost-effective for decision-makers who care about environmental resources. For operating cost reduction, municipalities and industry are smart to invest in reuse installations to reduce their fresh water consumption. Veolia can implement different solutions to contribute to integrated water management.

Micropollutants

Urban wastewater is becoming increasingly contaminated with organic substances such as biocides, EDCs, PCPs and pharmaceuticals. These contaminants have become a major issue for utilities. Many facilities struggle to eliminate micropollutants with conventional treatment processes. To combat these emerging pollutants ozonia has developed a comprehensive product range to treat micropollutants.

Ozone-based treatment processes have demonstrated their effectiveness under many conditions and are an economical and energy efficient solution compared to the other treatment technologies. Ozonation also has the added benefit of disinfection and improved water quality.

Veolia offers the most powerful solution available to eliminate micropollutants in urban wastewater: Ozonation. The ozonia brand is a recognized leader in the treatment of emerging pollutants due to years of focused research, company expertise and pilot study support from Veolia.

Browse ozone, ultraviolet and advanced oxidation products

Industrial Applications

Countless industrial applications 

Veolia's ozone generators and UV reactors have been designed so that they can be integrated into all types of treatment steps with the minimum amount of work and time. Depending on the application we can supply either a single technology or adopt a multi-process approach to achieve the desired result.

Aquaculture (Fish Farming and Hatcheries)

Ozone and/or Ultra Violet (UV) disinfection can play important roles in the prevention and elimination of fish diseases in aquaculture systems. Ozone, a powerful oxidizing agent disinfects and oxidizes organic pollutants while increasing the water's dissolved oxygen level. The end result is exceptional water quality, which is a fundamental requirement for intensive fish farming.

UV light systems economically disinfect make-up water in both fresh and saltwater farms without additional chemicals or bromate formation. Both ozone and UV systems are easy to adapt to large scale ponds and raceways as well as small holding tanks and nurseries. Improved water quality leads to reduced mortality rates and an increased yield of a healthier product. Other benefits include a reduction of chemical additives for water treatment or vaccines and antibiotics. Veolia has extensive experience in the aquaculture industry with numerous hatchery and fish farming installations worldwide.

Beverage and Water Bottling

Over the last decade there has been an increased demand for bottled water and other beverages. This demand has drawn manufacturers attention to the need for specialized filling techniques, proper sanitation practices and enhanced water disinfection and bottle sterilization. Most bottling companies rely on the use of ozone to meet these ever increasing legislative and consumer quality demands.

There are three main applications for ozone in the bottling industry including the ozonation of the wash water used to clean the bottles prior to filling, ozonation of the actual bottling water and ozone for Clean In Place (CIP) system sanitation. Experience has indicated that a small dose of ozone from a high concentration ozone generator in the region of 0.2 mg/l to 0.4 mg/l is sufficient to sanitize the product and the product packaging.

Regardless of the application point of ozone, the final bottled product will be dramatically improved with consumer safety and confidence increased.
 

Color Removal

Color due to organic molecules or products break down quickly when they come into contact with ozone. The powerful oxidation potential of ozone has made color removal one of the "classic" ozone applications for drinking water along with taste and odor removal which are also organic based. This need has crossed over to wastewater treatment (industrial and municipal) and today ozone is used extensively to remove color from effluents from dye manufacturers, textile mills, pharmaceutical factories and other industrial companies.

Ozone is also used extensively as a "bleach" in many processes such pulp and paper manufacturing, kaolin production and even textiles (stone washed denim). ozonia has a broad range of products from laboratory scale ozonators to large engineered ozone plants to satisfy any possible color removal need.

Cooling Towers

Ozone has been proven a valuable tool as a biocide for the treatment of industrial and utility cooling water systems. When properly applied an improvement in operational efficiency due to increased heat transfer can be expected. Additional benefits include improved environmental impact by reduced chemical blow-down and an overall reduction in on-going chemical costs. Reduced system corrosion when attributed to chemical biocides is also possible.

Cyanide Regeneration

Cyanide processes used for the extraction of gold and silver from mineral ores frequently generate thiocyanide due to the processing of sulphur containing solids. Ozone can be utilized to recover cyanide from thiocyanate for less than the cost of newly purchased cyanide. Net benefits include reduced chemical consumption and handling, safety and lower operating costs.

Food / Produce / Poultry

In recent years there has been an increased focus on food safety and in particular the methods used to reduce and eliminate pathogens from fresh produce. With the rise in consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables, incidents of foodborne illness have also greatly increased in the US, drawing significant attention from researchers and authorities.

Traditional methods revolve around the use of chemicals such as chlorine in the sanitizing of produce, specifically in rinsing and washing. Chlorine is widely used in these processes but it has a limited effect in killing bacteria on fruit and vegetables surfaces. There is also wide concern with regards to the by-products of chlorine and its effects on health and the environment.

Ozone is becoming a popular alternative solution to traditional sanitizing agents and providing additional benefits. Ozone is an oxidizing agent, 1.5 times more powerful than chlorine and effective over a much wider spectrum of microorganisms. Ozone kills viruses and bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Listeria much faster than chlorine and other chemical agents and is free of chemical residues as it decomposes into simple oxygen.

To simplify the integration of ozone into an existing or future process, ozonia® has developed a broad range of pre-engineered and pre-fabricated injection skids to fit nearly every application.

There are many different applications in the food industry for ozone. Here are a few:

•    Disinfection of Process Water
•    Produce Washing and Rinsing
•    Process Water Recycling
•    Produce Storage

Process Water

The term "process water" covers all types of industrial water applications from recirculated wash water in car washes right through the spectrum to foodstuffs rinsing, steep-water in maltings, cooling water make-up, etc. In each case the addition of ozone will achieve a certain result to improve the process be it simple disinfection or the reduction of an unwanted component.

Pulp Bleaching

Ozone is considered, from an ecological point of view, to be the best candidate for the bleaching of both hardwood and softwood pulp. It is a replacement for chlorine in a combination-competition approach with other bleaching chemicals, such as Chlorine Dioxide, Hydrogen Peroxide and per-Acetic Acid.

Ozone is used, either on High-Consistency pulps (HC), containing 30 to 40% dry solids, or on Medium-Consistency pulp (MC), with 10 to 12% dry solids contents. In each case the process of mixing the gas with the pulp is the key factor.

  • HC Bleaching: The pulp is preliminary acidified and pressed until a consistency around 40%. A "drum" mixer is then used to optimize the contact of the gas with the pulp. In these cases, mixers operating at 2 bar are used.
  • MC Bleaching: The acidified pulp is directly treated in a mixer. In this case, mixing takes place at 12-13 bar. This assumes controlled compression without destroying the ozone.

In both cases, the oxygen off-gases can be reused in the client's process, either for oxygen delignification, oxidation of white liquor or for the waste water treatment stage, decreasing consequently the ozone variable cost.

Ultrapure Water

Ozone and UV are the most widely accepted and recognized methods for disinfection of ultra-pure water (UPW). Most commonly used in the pharmaceutical, semiconductor, cosmetics and beverage industries, UPW systems treated with ozonia ozone and UV systems routinely achieve microbial counts below 1 cfu / 100 ml. Ozone has proven itself the most reliable technique for clean-in-place (CIP) applications where minimum down-time to remove bio-burden is required.

With several hundred ozonia ozone and UV installations installed and operating on UPW systems, Veolia is the recognized world leader for ultra-pure water sanitization. Ozonia MEMBREL* Electrolytic Ozone Systems disinfect in-situ offering the added benefits of simplicity to a complicated process. In combination with ozonia Medium Pressure UV, ozone removal, TOC reduction and product safety are assured.

Wastewater

Effluent wastewater from an industrial facility may carry a broad and variable range of contaminants, including BOD, COD, color, phenols, cyanides, sanitary waste and a host of complex chemicals. Ozone, in combination with UV and/or other physical, chemical or biological processes, has the potential to treat complex industrial wastes due to its strong oxidative nature. In combination with medium pressure UV, ozone exhibits the power of advanced oxidation for TOC reduction, as well as destruction of organics. Potential industries that can benefit from ozone and UV include pharmaceuticals, textiles, automotive, foundry, etc.

Browse ozone, UV and advanced oxidation products

Laboratories & Healthcare

Water purification for laboratories, healthcare and industry

Laboratories

Spearheading the manufacture and supply of self-contained and purpose-built water purification units, Veolia Water Purification Systems UK provides for all types of laboratory and research applications, from glassware washing, through reagent make-up, to cell culturing and DNA sequencing.

Our laboratory units use proven reverse osmosis membranes, integrated in advanced systems with UV photo-oxidation, ion exchange and sub-micron filtration, capable of producing water purity of up to 18.2MΩ at production rates up to 30 l/hour.

Cost-effective, reliable, and inexpensive to maintain, Veolia Water Purification Systems UK solutions are easily installed and understood. Which means your lab teams can get working and start solving in no time.

Healthcare

Wherever and whenever healthcare is in need of a water purification system, Veolia Water Purification Systems UK provides the solution. Whether that's for renal dialysis or sterile services in hospitals, clinicians seeking answers via laboratory analysis or instrument disinfection for dental services, we have the capabilities to build and deliver systems built to last, that comply with the highest quality and safety standards.

Industrial

Wherever and whenever healthcare is in need of a water purification system, Veolia Water Purification Systems UK provides the solution. Whether that's for renal dialysis or sterile services in hospitals, clinicians seeking answers via laboratory analysis or instrument disinfection for dental services, we have the capabilities to build and deliver systems built to last, that comply with the highest quality and safety standards.

Browse water purification products from Veolia Water Purification Systems UK

Products & Services

Disinfection and purification products