Advances in Ozone Technology for Environmental, Energy, Food and Medical Applications

Abstract

Ozone (O3), a strong oxidizing agent, has found widespread applications since its structure was confirmed by Schubbe in 1839. It can be produced through ultraviolet radiation, electrochemical methods, or dielectric barrier discharge (DBD), with DBD being the most efficient for large-scale production due to its high stability. Ozone is widely used in environmental management, particularly in water treatment, air pollution control, and soil remediation. In water treatment, ozone effectively removes microorganisms and contaminants without generating secondary pollutants. In air pollution control, it degrades organic compounds in industrial waste and neutralizes toxic gases in automobile exhausts. Ozone also breaks down persistent pollutants like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in soil, improving soil quality. However, challenges remain related to ozone’s stability and high production costs. Beyond environmental uses, ozone is critical in industries and medicine. It helps remove pathogens and heavy metals in wastewater treatment, extends shelf life and deactivates mycotoxins in food processing, and shows promise in medical fields like orthopedics and cancer therapy. In the power industry, ozone plays a key role in water treatment and air purification. Overall, ozone technology offers significant potential for both environmental and industrial applications.