Ozone LOC (Lifetime Operating Costs)
The average operational cost of the Aclarus Ozone System is approximately 5-10 cents per 1,000 litres of treated water, offering the lowest Lifetime Operating Cost (LOC) compared to other technology and a quick Return on Investment.
Aclarus Ozone systems are found in a wide range of applications precisely because they are a cost-effective and reliable treatment. There is significant independent research demonstrating the savings for municipalities.
Cost savings are found in four categories:
Less Monitoring of Equipment
Unlike the conventional chlorination systems, the Aclarus Ozone System requires very little operator intervention. A local programmable logic controller (PLC) continuously monitors oxidation readings and adjusts the ozone generator to maintain the pre-determined setting.
If the oxidation goes out of range, equipment fails, or an ozone leak occurs, an automated alarm system alerts the operator. A single Accuvac Ozone Test is performed once per day to confirm that the oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) is reading accurately.
Lower Peripheral Costs
Producing ozone requires more electricity than running a chlorination system. However, ozone does not have the same peripheral costs as chlorine, including the purchase of the chemical and the costs associated with its safe handling and storage.
UV systems can be more costly than ozone because they require a UV chamber that increases an organization’s CAPEX costs, use more electricity, and require the regular replacement of bulbs.
Easier Regulatory Compliance
Due to government regulations on chlorine discharges into waterways, significant operator time is spent monitoring and controlling the chlorine and sulphur dioxide feeds. Incomplete disinfection is a regulatory violation, and the operator time required to ensure compliance with regulatory bodies is significant.
Conversely, ozone control is completely automated, and since the ozone rapidly degrades to oxygen, it is unnecessary to remove the ozone post-disinfection. Operator time to control the ozone is therefore minimal.
Reduced Maintenance
Chlorine is extremely corrosive and damaging to nearly every component with which it comes into contact. The chlorine transfer lines and regulators must be cleaned/replaced annually. The ozone system uses 316 stainless steel for all its transfer lines, so maintenance cost is negligible.
UV systems, meanwhile, require regular monitoring of UV bulbs and their periodic replacement. The bulbs also end up in landfill.