If you're serious about indoor air quality, you need to be thinking about ozone monitoring. The risks of ozone exposure have been acknowledged by government agencies including the FDA, OSHA, NIOSH, and EPA, as well as in healthy building standards such as WELL and Fitwel.
You will get efficient and thoughtful service from Quanju.
However, ozone is often poorly understood compared to other indoor air quality factors. As a result, companies often struggle to compare between different ozone monitoring solutions, leading to the topic being overlooked or improperly addressed.
In this article, we'll clear up some of the daunting technical terminology around ozone and ozone measurement. By the end, you'll know what ozone is, when you should be concerned about it, and the various types of sensors used to measure ozone levels indoors and outdoors. Are you ready? Let's go!
What is Ozone?
A quick technical definition. Ozone (O3) is a colorless gas composed of three atoms of oxygen. Two oxygen atoms form O2 oxygen, which is essential for all life on Earth. That extra atom can detach from ozone and attach itself to other substances, altering them in the process.
Good vs bad ozone. When ozone occurs naturally in the upper atmosphere, 10 to 30 miles above the ground, it protects us from the sun's ultraviolet radiation that would otherwise have harmful effects on plant and human life. This is the good ozone - the one we're worried is depleting over time (colloquially referred to as the ozone hole).
However, at ground level, ozone is a harmful air pollutant for human beings and the environment. Smog, which most of us have had the displeasure of experiencing, is primarily composed of ozone.
Bad ozone is formed by nitrogen oxides mixing with volatile organic compounds (VOCs), in the presence of sunlight. These compounds are released by burning fossil fuels such as coal and gasoline, as well as by chemicals such as solvents evaporating.
Ozone is a form of oxygen. When formed naturally in the stratosphere, it positively affects life on Earth; when formed at ground level by human activity it is harmful.
For the rest of this article, we'll be referring to ground level or 'bad' ozone.
Why Indoor Ozone is Cause for Concern
In the past, scientists assumed that indoor ozone levels were negligible and not something to worry about. However, today this is seen as a misperception: significant levels of ozone seep indoors from outdoor environments, especially during the summer. We've also filled our offices with more indoor ozone emission devices such as photocopiers, printers, and certain types of air purifiers. Schools and offices have been found to be particularly risky in this regard.
Learn more about common sources of indoor ozone.
Ozone is a health hazard. Inhaling ozone can damage the lungs. At low amounts, this can manifest in chest pain, coughing, shortness of breath and throat irritation. People with existing respiratory conditions can be especially susceptible.
At higher levels and with prolonged exposure, ozone can reduce lung function, inflame and damage cells that line the lungs, aggravate asthma and chronic lung disease, and cause permanent lung damage (see this summary by the EPA).
Ozone can hurt your business. As with other elements of poor indoor air quality, ozone-related ailments hurt businesses over the long run due to the costs of absenteeism and reputational damage. Ozone also plays a part in healthy building standards such as WELL, which may require business to meet thresholds for indoor ozone in order to become certified.
Ways to Measure Ozone - How Ozone Sensors Work
Reducing harmful indoor ozone exposure starts with accurately measuring ozone levels in your buildings. There are two main types of sensors used in commercial air quality monitoring devices:
Metal Oxide Semi-conductor (MOS) Sensors
The nitty-gritty:
MOS sensors work by heating a thin film of metal-oxide particles (or, in the case of Kaiterra products, nanoparticles). When heated to around 300'C, this surface adsorbs ozone and other gasses, releasing electrons from the oxygen present on the surface and changing the electrical resistance of the metal-oxide layer.The sensor detects these changes, which are proportional to the presence of a gas or group of gasses in the air.
Pros:
- Can detect even low levels of ozone typically found outdoors ( < 0.1 ppm)
- Can reach lab levels of accuracy
- Less cross sensitive to nitrogen dioxide
Cons:
- Cross-sensitive to other VOCs typically found indoors
- Takes some time to start up (due to the film needing to heat)
- Require more power than alternatives, which can make buildings less energy efficient
The bottom line:
MOS sensors are accurate and can detect even very low levels of ozone, and aren't likely to report erroneous results due to the presence of NO2, which is often found outdoors. However, they can be cross sensitive to indoor VOCs and can drive up energy costs, which makes them less suitable for indoor air monitoring. This is why Kaiterra uses MOS sensors for monitoring TVOC, but not ozone.
Electrochemical (EC) Sensors
The nitty-gritty:
Simply put, in an electrochemical sensor, ozone gas diffuses across a permeable barrier into a cell containing electrodes and electrolytes. As ozone gas permeates the membrane, it alters the electrochemical potential of the electrodes, increasing the conductivity proportionally to the amounts of ozone in the air. The EC sensor can translate this signal into a numeric ozone concentration (in ppb or ppm).
Pros:
- Return consistent results over time - measurements can be repeated and give an accurate picture of improvement or decline over time
- Accurate at detecting ozone at the ppm levels that are typically found indoors
- Less susceptible to cross-interference from other volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
Cons:
- Less accurate at detecting lower ozone levels, which might be needed for ambient ozone measurement)
- Can be susceptible to changes in humidity
- Cross sensitive to nitrogen dioxide (NO2) - typically generated by diesel engines and present outdoors
The bottom line:
Electrochemical sensors are the go-to solution for measuring ozone indoors, where they can provide accurate and consistent measurements and clearly 'single out' ozone among other VOCs. This is why Kaiterra uses EC sensors for monitoring ozone using the Sensedge Mini.
Challenges of Measuring Ozone
Despite increased awareness of the risks of indoor exposure to ozone, many challenges still remain when it comes to measuring it accurately:
Lack of Consistent Standards
Different government agencies and certifying organizations have set different thresholds for acceptable levels of ozone, for example:
- According to the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), workers should not be exposed to more than 0.10 ppm over a period of 8 hours.
- The UK's Health and Safety Executive (HSE) set the workplace exposure limit at 0.2 ppm over a 15 minute reference period.
- The WELL v2 standard talks about 0.051 ppm.
- Fitwel's Enhanced Indoor Air Quality Testing and Monitoring Protocol sets the level at 0.07 ppm
Despite increased awareness of the risks of indoor exposure to ozone, many challenges still remain when it comes to measuring it accurately:Different government agencies and certifying organizations have set different thresholds for acceptable levels of ozone, for example:
As we've covered in our previous article about ozone in the workplace, there's no definitive way to frame indoor ozone, and instead the tendency is to rely on industrial exposure limits and ambient ozone breakpoints. These environments are not necessarily identical to an office.
Variable Ozone Levels Make Measurement Difficult
Another major challenge in measuring ozone is that it varies dramatically. As Charles Weschler summarizes in Ozone in Indoor Environments: Concentration and Chemistry:
Under normal conditions, the half-life of ozone indoors is between 7 and 10 min and
is determined primarily by surface removal and air exchange.
Indoor ozone concentrations can vary from hour-to-hour, day-to-day, and season-to-season, as well as from room-to-room and structure-to-structure... It is not unusual for indoor ozone levels to change 30 or 40 ppb in less than 1 hour. Given that indoor ozone levels vary with multiple factors including time-of-day, weather conditions, ventilation parameters, geographic location and season, it is not reasonable to speak of a single indoor ozone concentration that is representative of most indoor environments.
These frequent and unpredictable changes in ozone levels mean that measurement needs to be an ongoing process rather than a singular effort. Organizations looking to effectively implement ozone monitoring will find that continuous monitoring is better suited, rather than periodic spot testing (read our full comparison between the two).
Incorporate Ozone Monitoring in Your Indoor Air Quality Strategy
As you become more familiar with different aspects of indoor air quality, you can better tailor your tools and strategies. Getting a comprehensive picture of the current state of air quality in your buildings - including ozone, particular matter, variants of concern and carbon dioxide levels - is an essential step towards improving it.
Ready to get started? We've recently announced that Kaiterra's Sensedge Mini indoor air quality monitor now supports ozone monitoring. Check out the details below:
Gas detection is crucial when it comes to monitoring ozone levels in the air, and an ozone detector is the key tool for this purpose. These analyzers measure the concentration of ozone gas in parts per million (ppm), providing essential information for safety and environmental monitoring. However, the unique nature of ozone as an unstable gas presents challenges in detection. Ozone decays to form oxygen based on factors such as temperature, humidity, time, and air agitation, making consistent measurements tricky. To ensure accurate gas detection, it is vital to understand the intricacies of ozone detectors and follow best practices for their use. This guide offers essential information and tips to help users obtain reliable ozone measurements through effective gas detection techniques.
Pros
Cons
Ozone is highly effective in killing bacteria, fungi, viruses, and molds both on surfaces and suspended in air.
- Ozone gas has been critical in many applications during the COVID pandemic.
- Ozone detectors are used to confirm ozone levels for disinfectant applications and to protect from elevated levels of ozone exposure.
- Ozone is a strong oxidizing agent. At high levels, it is harmful to plants and humans.
- Ozone does not exist in nature and must be artificially created using ozone generators.
- Ozone is unstable and requires insight to obtain repeatable and accurate measurements.
Best Ozone Detector
The best ozone detector is the Forensics Detectors Ozone Detector. Why? Because it is calibrated in the USA to NIST traceable sources. This is the only way to be assured of maximum accuracy of your ozone ppm readings.
What Is Ozone Gas?
Ozone is a simple gas made up of three oxygen molecules with the chemical formula O3. It has unique behavioral characteristics. It is an unstable gas and decays to oxygen, meaning that it is tricky to handle and measure.
Ozone is a strong oxidizing agent and offers interesting disinfectant properties to effectively kill fungi, bacteria, and viruses. It is often used in "cleaning" situations. For example, ozone is used in transportation applications to clean police vehicles, transit buses, and commercial passenger aircraft.
Why Is Ozone a Special Gas?
Ozone is a special gas because it is unstable and decays to oxygen over time. It cannot be stored in a gas bottle. This unique characteristic makes it tricky to obtain repeatable ozone measurements. Ozone gas also has oxidization properties, making it a useful disinfectant for cleaning and abatement companies. Thanks to ozone's unique therapeutic properties, it is also used throughout medical therapies and applications.
How Is Ozone Gas Measured?
Ozone is measured in the air using low cost gas meters and ozone detectors. These devices cost between $300 and $. Typically, low cost detectors employ electrochemical sensors. These are galvanic cells that output voltages proportional to the ozone concentration. These cells are useful in the ppm ozone concentration range.
More expensive ozone detectors employ ultraviolet (UV) absorption technology. Ozone molecules in the air absorb UV radiation. When the change in light absorption is measured by photodetectors, the detector outputs a proportional electronic signal. UV absorption is the best way to detect low levels of ozone in the parts per billion (ppb) range.
How Do Ozone Sensors Work?
Ozone detectors, meters, and analyzers employ sensor elements to detect O3 gas molecules. These sensors come in three varieties: (1) electrochemical cells, (2) semiconducting metal oxide sensors, and (3) ultraviolet absorption sensors.
Ozone Sensor Technology
Working Principle
Pros
Cons
Electrochemical Cells
Ozone molecules interact with metal electrodes through a redox reaction, generating a linear voltage output proportional to the ozone concentration.
- Low cost
- Small
- Easy to integrate with electronics
- Immediate ON
- Cross-sensitivity to oxidizing gases, such as Cl2 and NO2
- Lifetime between 24 and 36 months
- Influenced
by temperature and humidity
Semiconducting Metal Oxide
Ozone molecules interact with a film of metal oxide material, where surface redox reactions take place. A power-law relationship transpires between the ozone concentration and conductivity of the sensor.
- Long lifetime, lasting over five years
- Very sensitive
- Low cost and simple construction
- Robust
- Cross- sensitivity to oxidizing gases, such as Cl2 and NO2
- 10-minute warm-up time
- Influenced by temperature and humidity
Ultraviolet (UV) Absorption
Ultraviolet light is emitted and absorbed by ozone at 254 nm. The absorption is detected with a photodetector. Using the Beer-Lambert law, the UV absorption and ozone concentration is determined.
- Most sensitive (ppb)
- Most selective
- Lifespan over 10 years
- Expensive
- Bulky
- Complicated due to more components
- 10-minute warm-up time
What Level of Ozone Is Safe? Acceptable?
Various government agencies have recommended ozone gas exposure limits and emission levels. Some examples are shown in the table below.
Agency
8 hour TWA
Other
Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA)
0.1 ppm
0.3 ppm over 15minutes
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
0.1 ppm
5 ppm IDHL Immediately Dangerous To Life or Health
US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
0.07 ppm
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) - ozone output of indoor medical devices 21CFR801.415
0.05 ppm output & accumulation
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH)
0.1 ppm
UL - Environmental Claim Validation Procedure (ECVP) for Zero Ozone Emissions from Air Cleaners
Want more information on ozone monitoring equipment? Feel free to contact us.
0.005 ppm
UL867 - Standard for Electrostatic Air Cleaners
Any device that requires power to clean the air
0.05 ppm
American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) Environmental Health Committee
0.01 ppm
California Air Resources Board (CARB) ozone emissions electronic air cleaners
0.05 ppm
Is Ozone Safe to Breath?
No, it is not. If you inhale ozone, a cough response is immediately triggered. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has established the Immediately Dangerous To Life or Health ozone concentration as 5 ppm.
When working with ozone, make sure you are in a well-ventilated area and have a personal ozone meter to warn you of high levels.
More on the health effects of ozone can be found here.
What Does Ozone Smell Like?
Ozone has a familiar photocopier room smell. You may not have noticed it, but the ultraviolet light emits ozone in photocopier rooms or when you print a lot of pages at home.
The ozone odor is sometimes described as a "clean," electric smell.
Can I Determine Ozone Concentration Using My Nose?
No, you cannot. Although your nose can detect very low levels of ozone < 0.02 ppm, the nose quickly adapts and experiences olfactory fatigue.
Olfactory fatigue is used to describe losing sensitivity to specific odors after exposure. When continuously smelling the same scent, your nose and brain will adapt and lose sensitivity to that smell over time. Eventually, you will not recognize the odor, hence the term olfactory fatigue.
Olfactory fatigue will dissipate when the smell is removed, so your sensitivity will return to normal after some time. Each person has different sensitivities to different smells, which also varies with age.
All in all, don't bother trying to correlate the potency of ozone scent to a particular amount of ozone. It simply is not a reliable method of detection.
Can Ozone Be Used as a Cleaning Disinfectant?
Yes, it can. Ozone is a strong oxidizing agent that can kill bacteria, molds, fungi, and viruses.
When ozone generators or electrostatic air purifiers create ozone, the gas can reach every corner in the room, making it a very effective and residue-free approach compared to spray or chemical methods.
The efficacy in killing microorganisms like bacteria, fungi, and viruses depends on the ozone concentration, exposure time, temperature, humidity, and air agitation.
All in all, ozone is comparable to other disinfectant methods, such as UV light and chemical disinfectants.
What Level of Ozone Is Needed to Kill Pathogens?
When using ozone to kill pathogens, there are two components that must be determined: (1) concentration and (2) exposure time. Many resources have developed efficient protocols for a variety of pathogens, but each has its intricacies. We recommend referencing the latest literature in the field using Google Scholar. As a guide, here are some examples:
Pathogen
Ozone Concentration (ppm)
Time (minutes)
Bacteria
0.3 - 2.3
< 20
Virus
0.2 - 4.0
< 30
Mold
3.0 - 5.0
60
Fungi
< 0.3
< 2
What Is an Ozone Detector Used For?
There are many uses of ozone detectors. Some examples include:
Personal Protection Equipment
Portable ozone detectors are clipped onto workers to provide personal protection, ensuring safe exposure levels. For example, ozone is used to disinfect aircraft. When workers are cleaning, portable ozone detectors provide protection from elevated levels of ozone exposure.
Sanitization / Disinfectant / Cleaning
Portable ozone detectors are used to verify ozone concentrations in crop grow rooms. This ensures high yield and destroys pathogens such as fungi, microbes, bacteria, and viruses. High range ozone detectors are occasionally required for this purpose.
Occupation Space Safety
Many water treatment facilities employ ozone to disinfect storage containers. On a production line of small units, wall-mounted ozone monitors are placed to protect employees from equipment malfunctions and large ozone emissions.
Ozone Therapy & Medical
Ozone has many medicinal benefits, as it is used to disinfect and treat disease. It inactivates bacteria, viruses, fungi, yeast, and protozoa. Ozone has also been used to treat diseases such as infected wounds, circulatory disorders, geriatric conditions, macular degeneration, viral diseases, rheumatism/arthritis, cancer, SARS, and AIDS. Therefore, portable low-level ozone gas detectors are required by medical workers to ensure they are working within safe ozone exposure limits.
How Do I Select an Ozone Detector?
In order to select the best ozone detector, follow this guide. To understand your application and narrow down your selection, answer these questions:
-
What ozone range do I need?
- Typical ranges include:
- 0-1ppm with 0.001ppm resolution (1ppb)
- 0-5ppm with 0.01ppm resolution
- 0-20ppm with 0.1ppm resolution
- 0-100ppm with 1ppm resolution
- 0-ppm with 1ppm resolution
- 0-10,000ppm with 10ppm resolution
-
What resolution do I need?
- Resolution depends on the accuracy you require and maximum full scale range of the detection range you select. Do not confuse however resolution with accuracy.
-
What is my budget and operating cost budget?
- Your budget will most likely dictate the performance on the ozone meter. However, never forget the accuracy of any gas detector is most dependent in the quality of its calibration. Ensure it has been calibrated to NIST traceable ozone. Especially for ozone since only a few labs in the USA are able to calibrate to ozone.
-
Do I need a micro-pump or probe?
- This will depend on your application. Try not to use a external pump. If you need flow or a pump, ensure the meter or analyzer has been calibrated with a built in pump version ozone analyzer.
-
Is it for personal protection or to remain within the OSHA exposure levels?
- If so, you require a 0.01ppm resolution detector that is accuracy and suitable for lower levels of detection.
-
Do I need stationary wall-mounted unit or a portable unit?
- Avoid using a portable unit as a 24-7 monitor. The portable units due to their internal battery charging, are not suitable to remain in the ON position for a long period of time. In addition, their housing and alarming may not be adequate for a room monitoring situation, which itself may pose a large problem.
-
Why Would I need a HIGH RANGE (0-100ppm) Ozone Detector?
- A high range OZONE detctor is often used by abatment treatment companies, manufacturing, R&D and scientists to track higher levels of OZONE up to 100ppm.
What Are Ozone Detector Applications?
Examples of some real ozone detector applications used by our customers:
How Long Do Ozone Detectors Last?
- Ozone detectors using electrochemical cells last between 24 to 36 months.
- Ozone detectors using semiconducting metal oxide sensors last about five years.
- Ozone analyzers using ultraviolet absorption detection last over ten years.
What Is Ozone Calibration?
Ozone (O3) is a unique gas and cannot be calibrated with a calibration bottle setup like most gases. As ozone is an unstable gas, it cannot be stored at a fixed concentration in a gas cylinder.
Therefore, ozone must be generated on-site. The produced ozone must be calibrated to a NIST traceable source to ensure correct calibration. Only a few laboratories in the USA have the expensive, NIST calibrated equipment required to perform ozone detector calibration.
As an example, the Forensics Detectors Ozone USA NIST Traceability Procedure is highlighted here. Forensics Detectors provides ozone calibration services, which can be purchased here.
What Is Ozone Bump Testing?
Bump testing is a procedure when the user exposes the ozone detector to a small amount of 'blast' gas to ensure the detector operates and alarms as programmed.
The function of this test is to verify proper operation and build user confidence, particularly in hazardous applications. It is recommended to bump test your ozone detector when first purchased, followed by weekly tests. This is especially important in LIFE- THREATENING and / or DANGEROUS applications. See video explanation here.
Ozone bump testing is performed using a small ozone generator.
How Do I Take Care of My Ozone Detector?
- Store your ozone detector at normal room temperature - about 70F with 50% RH (well within operating specifications).
- Store it away from electromagnetic or magnetic sources, such as phones.
- Store it in a clean environment with no dust or particles.
- Store it away from any exhaust gas, concentrated vapors, and harsh chemicals.
- Clean the casing of your detector with a damp cloth.
- Store it in a stable place where there are no vibrations or continuous shaking.
How Do I Properly Test for Ozone Gas?
When operating an ozone detector, there are some important tips to consider given the unique nature of ozone. Be smart, read your product manual, and keep the following tips in mind:
- Ensure the ozone detector is within its calibration period.
- Ensure the ozone detector has been bump tested and validated as operational.
- Ozone tends to drop to the ground since it is heavier than air. If you are concerned about early warning, place your sensor low to the floor.
- If you are using ozone as a disinfectant, ensure that you have enough fans running in your indoor environment. Forced air mixing of ozone will ensure it reaches all the small spaces and will not remain stagnant.
- When using a personal ozone detector, turn it ON, and keep it on you. Set your alarms as desired.
- If you smell ozone, it is probably present at levels lower than your alarm level presets due to your sensitive sense of smell. Take this as a sign that ozone is present and keep your eyes on the ozone concentration.
- Refrain from using accessory pumps or probes. Do so only if required and keep the tubing as short as possible.
- If performing analytical measurements, keep the unit stationary. Ensure humidity and temperature are also tracked and kept as constant as possible to obtain repeatable and comparable results.
- If performing low level ozone measurements < 5 ppm with a portable detector, ensure the gas detector is stationary.
- Keep ozone's heaviness into consideration when testing. This means that the measured ozone gas concentration will vary based on height.
Should I Use a Pump With My Ozone Detector?
There are two types of ozone detectors:
- Diffusive ozone detectors, where there is no forced air and natural diffusion facilitates detection of O3 molecules.
- Forced air or pumped air ozone detectors. This is where a micro-pump or pump accessory is integrated within the detector that forces sampled air to the sensor head.
When possible, it is best not to agitate the ozone and use diffusive detection. This is because as ozone tends to decay more quickly when agitated. In other words, the ozone breaks down faster. A pump or probe accessory may be required for point sampling. In this case, the addition of the pump or probe will agitate the ozone and increase its decay time, reducing the detected ozone concentration. Be aware of this effect as we always get the question, "why am I detecting less ozone when I attach the probe?"
Avoid any accessory pumps or probes and only use them as necessary to ensure maximum accuracy. If you plan to use a probe, there are two things you should do:
- Ask the manufacturer to calibrate the ozone with the pump attachment.
- If not calibrated with the pump, keep the tubing as short as possible.
Can My Ozone Detector Measure Outdoor Ozone Levels?
Low cost ozone detectors in the ppm range cannot measure outdoor ozone levels. This is a classic mistake we sometimes see our customers making. A generic 0- 20 ppm detector with 0.1 ppm resolution will not be able to detect atmospheric ozone.
The outdoor ozone concentration is in the parts per billion (ppb) concentration range. To detect ozone in the ppb range, you need a UV absorption analyzer. UV detectors are the only devices that can reliably and accurately measure ozone in the ppb range. This is a sophisticated piece of equipment that requires technical training to operate properly. In addition, UV analyzers are very expensive. Technical considerations such as temperature, humidity, and sampling techniques are required to ensure consistent and accurate measurements.
If you are a novice and are curious about your outdoor ozone levels, we recommend using Airnow. Enter your zip code to obtain the ozone levels from your local air quality station.
Can My Ozone Detector Measure the Output of My Ozone Generator?
No, not likely. Ozone generators typically produce thousands of ppm of O3. Do not use your standard (0 - 20 ppm) detector to test the output of your ozone generator as it will permanently damage the sensor. Only use an ozone detector to test the output if you are absolutely certain the range of the meter is within the output range. For example, if you have a custom built ozone meter with a range from 0 - 10,000 ppm, then testing ppm of ozone will be OK.
However, ozone generators are typically at an ozone output of mg/hr or g/hr. See the next section to convert to ppm and determine the expected ppm range - which will then help narrow down the appropriate ozone detector range.
How Do I Convert Ozone from mg/hr to ppm?
Customers with an ozone generator typically wish to purchase a detector to determine the output concentration. Ozone generators produce very high concentrations of ozone, often close to or over ppm. Be careful not to place the ozone detector at the output of any generator. You will blow it out!
Ozone generators are typically rated on ozone output based on gravimetric and time metric units, such as a mg/hr. This can be converted to ppm using the conversion factors below:
1 ug/mL = 1 mg/L = 1g/m3
1 g/m3 = 1 mg/L = 1 ppm of ozone in water (mass)
1 g/m3 = 467 ppm of ozone in air (volume)
1 ppm = 2.14 mg/m3 in air (by volume)
Let's consider an example:
What is the ozone concentration in ppm at the output of my ozone generator with a 200 mg/hour @ 2 LPM rating?
So at 2 LPM (liters per minute), after one hour, there would be 2 x 60 = 120 liters emitted since there are 60 minutes in one hour.
Within the 120 liters, there are 200 mg of ozone generated. So, we need to obtain a mg/L unit. A simple division of 200 / 120 = 1.67 mg/L.
From the conversions, we know that 1 mg/L = 1 g/m3, therefore:
1.67 mg/L = 1.676 g/m3
therefore, knowing that:
1 g/m3 = 467 ppm of ozone in air (volume)
then,
1.676 g/m3 = 780 ppm.
Final Words
Gas detection for ozone is the most challenging among all gases due to its unique physical properties. When selecting an ozone detector, it is crucial to conduct thorough research and ask detailed questions, particularly about NIST ozone traceability calibration, as not all detectors are created equal. For most applications, low-cost electrochemical cells provide adequate gas detection capabilities. However, if measuring ozone in the parts per billion (ppb) range is necessary, investing in a UV analyzer, which typically costs over $, is essential. Proper research and understanding of the specific gas detection requirements are vital to ensure accurate and reliable ozone measurements.
About The Author
Dr. Kos Galatsis ("Dr.Koz") is the President of FORENSICS DETECTORS where the company operates from the scenic Palos Verdes Peninsula in Los Angeles, California. He is a subject matter expert on gas sensor technology, gas detectors, gas meters and gas analyzers. He has been designing, building, manufacturing and testing toxic gas detection systems for over 20 years.
Every day is a blessing for Dr. Koz. He loves to help customers solve their unique problems. Dr. Koz also loves spending time with his wife and his three children going to the beach, grilling burgers, and enjoying the outdoors.
Read more about Forensics Detectors here.
:
: +1 424-341-
Gas detection for ozone is the most challenging among all gases due to its unique physical properties. When selecting an ozone detector, it is crucial to conduct thorough research and ask detailed questions, particularly about NIST ozone traceability calibration, as not all detectors are created equal. For most applications, low-cost electrochemical cells provide adequate gas detection capabilities. However, if measuring ozone in the parts per billion (ppb) range is necessary, investing in a UV analyzer, which typically costs over $, is essential. Proper research and understanding of the specific gas detection requirements are vital to ensure accurate and reliable ozone measurements.
Are you interested in learning more about commercial ozone generator? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!