Published on September 7, 2020
Written By: St John Vuetilovoni, Product Manager HH/AQY at Aeroqual Ltd.
WHAT APPLICATIONS IS THE HIGH-RANGE OZONE SENSOR FOR?
Ozone sterilization is commonly used in hospitals to sanitize equipment and significantly reduce or eliminate the spread of bacteria. In addition, ozone sterilization applications are emerging where time is a constraint and therefore a higher dosage of ozone may be required to reduce the sterilization time while still achieving efficacy. An example of sterilization of public transport where vehicles such as buses and trains use ozone treatment to achieve short turnaround times between journeys. For these applications a limit of 20 to 25 ppm has been requested by some operators, so the 0-30 ppm range of the new sensor is ideal.
WHY USE AN OZONE SENSOR?
Ozone sensors are used to monitor the level of ozone delivered, to ensure that the correct level has been achieved and maintained for prescribed time before the ozone generator is switched off. This ensures processes are consistent, measureable and effective. Aeroqual monitors have control outputs that can be used to control the ozone generatores. Sensors are also used to ensure people know when it is safe to re-enter environments after ozone treatment.
WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT MEASURING HIGH LEVELS OF OZONE?
Ozone sensors exposed to high levels of ozone can become saturated and require a longer recovery time relative to the exposure level. Therefore, we recommend the use of a second sensor to determine when people can safely return to an environment after ozone treatment has taken place. The 0-0.5 ppm gas sensitive semiconductor (GSS) ozone sensor can be used to check ozone levels are within OSHA and/or NIOSH designated short time and personal exposure limites.
WHAT TYPE OF SENSOR TECHNOLOGY IS USED?
The new ozone sensor is a gas sensitive electrochemical (GSE) type. It has a linear and fast response, an ability to measure up to 30ppm, and has low cross-interference from volatile organic compounds (VOC’s) (e.g. cleaning agents) that may be found in the types of environments being sterilized.
GSS and GSE sensors mentioned above are teh two leading technologies for the low-cost measurement of ozone. Both sensor types have strengths and weaknesses. Follow this link for a blog on these technologies to help explain why one may be selected over the other, such as using a GSS sensor for sterilization post-treatment ozone level check.
Sensor specifications are available here.
WHAT MONITORS WILL THE NEW OZONE SENSOR WORK ON?
The new 0-30 ppm ozone sensor is compatible with Aeroqual portable ozone monitors, and Aeroqual fixed Series 900 ozone monitors.
OTHER OZONE APPLICATIONS
Ozone has many uses and is also used in a wide number of other applications to preserve fresh food, disinfect and purify water, purify air in manufacturing environments, among many others.
To discuss your particular ozone monitoring requirements, whether for sterilization, research or commercial, or any other application, please get in touch with Cameron Instruments Inc.