Different Uses of Ozone: Environmental and Corporate Sustainability. Literature Review and Case Study

Abstract

An extensive and interdisciplinary literature review was carried out to evaluate the uses of synthetically produced ozone in many different application areas. The objective of the study was to investigate the disinfectant and purifying effectiveness of this natural compound and evaluate its use as an economically and environmentally sustainable alternative to treatments that often involve the adoption of pharmaceutical agents. Being a natural substance, the potential environmental sustainability of the use of ozone in areas such as water disinfectant; pesticide action in agriculture; and antibiotic, anti-inflammatory and antiviral actions in animal husbandry and fish farming are of interest. In addition to environmental sustainability, economic sustainability is also important for companies employing ozone in their processes. Thus, a case study was proposed that represents the use of ozone in a pilot swine farm located in Northern Italy, both as an alternative to pharmaceutical drugs for the animals and as an air and water purifier. The case study demonstrates the economic sustainability of ozone use, especially in the medium run, along with its ability to reduce animal mortality (by about 2%), as well as decrease use of pharmaceutical antibiotics.

Analysis of the Water Quality Improvement in Urban Stream Using MIKE 21 FM

“…In addition, it is known to have far-reaching effects, such as color, odor, TPC, chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal, manganese oxidation, and increased dissolved oxygen [24,25]. The ozone treatment facility installed at the Gulpo sewage treatment plant uses the high-efficiency ozone oxidation method [26].…”

Oenological characteristics of Vitis vinifera L. Cabernet Sauvignon grapes from vineyards treated with ozonated water

“…Among the products that can replace the pesticides used in viticulture, one of the most interesting is ozone in aqueous solution. In addition to the presumed efficacy of ozonated water in the control of fungal diseases, it does not generate any undesirable residues (Raio et al 2016, Remondino and Valdenasi 2018, Modesti et al 2019).…”

“…The main characteristic of ozone is its immediate consumption in the oxidation process without leaving toxic residues. This unique property, called self‐decomposition (Langlais et al 1991), allows ozone to be considered an ecological disinfectant (Remondino and Valdenasi 2018).…”

Evaluation of Ozone Generation in Volume Spiral-Tubular Dielectric Barrier Discharge Source

“…Ozone has been recently extensively applied as a potent oxidizing agent in many fields of science, technology and everyday life including chemical synthesis, semiconductor surface treatment, water disinfection, destruction of pollutants and odor removal, purification of products, decolorization (bleaching), vermin and insects control, automotive fuel afterburning, skin treatment and dental care, just to name a few [1][2][3][4]. However, at the same time, ozone is considered a highly toxic gas-its PEL (Permissible Exposure Limit) and REL (Recommended EL) health limits are as low as 0.1 ppm (0.2 mg/m 3 ) while IDLH (Immediate Danger Lethal Dose) is set at 5 ppm [5].…”