Can ozone optimize and stabilize the pH level of source water to improve the effectiveness of our water treatment solution?

pH is a measure of how acidic or alkaline water is. The range goes from 0 to 14, with 7 being neutral. Ozone like water is pH 7. The pH level of the source water is a very important measurement in engineering an ozone water treatment solution.

pH in essence measures the relative amount of free hydrogen and hydroxyl ions in water. Acidic water has more free hydrogen ions, alkaline water has more free hydroxyl ions.  pH is measured in "logarithmic units”, each representing a 10-fold change in acidity/alkalinity.

Because ozone is neutral it will not adversely affect pH levels in water, however it can stabilize and optimize pH levels to improve water treatment effectiveness. The addition of ozone in existing treatment trains, that require chlorine and other chemicals, can improve their effectiveness resulting in significant reductions in the quantity of chemicals required.

The cosmetics industry has experienced significant water treatment challenges given the rise in Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CEC’s) and the traditional use of chlorine and other chemicals in the treatment train. In one case study, the introduction of ozone to optimize pH levels resulted in a 30% increase in the effectiveness of the chlorine used in the treatment train. This resulted in significant reductions in consumable costs as well as the company’s environmental footprint. 

Ozone can also stabilize excessively high or low pH in source water which can be detrimental in the treatment train. High pH can result in encrusted build-up on water pipes and system mechanics. High pH also reduces the effectiveness of chemicals such as chlorine, resulting in the need to increase quantities.  At the other end of the spectrum, low-pH can corrode or dissolve metal pipes and other components in the water system.

The pH levels of precipitation and water bodies vary widely across geographic regions. Determining the pH level of source water is a crucial step in the design of an effective water treatment solution. Ozone can effectively treat source water without adversely affecting pH levels and can also optimize pH levels in the treatment trains of solutions requiring the use of chemicals to improve their efficiency and reduce their operational costs.

Aclarus Ozone systems offer the integration of Auto PH Adjust. This option eliminates the need to work with a secondary supplier and ensures seamless integration within the treatment train. For more information on how Aclarus Ozone can stabilize pH levels, increase water treatment effectiveness and reduce your operational costs, please contact us here.