Ozone generators are at the core of ozone therapy and there are many types of machines to choose from with many different names and terminology. This article aims to narrow down some of those terms and clear up the confusion.
A brief history of ozone generators
The first ozone generators are believed to have been created by Werner von Siemens in 1857. In 1870, Dr. C. Lender was using ozone to purify blood in test tubes. Dr. John Kellogg began using ozone steam saunas in Michigan in 1880 and the first water treatment plant using ozone was built in Holland in 1893.
Famed inventor Nikola Tesla patented his ozone generator in 1896 and began selling machines and ozonated olive oil to doctors in the early 20th century. At the same time, Dr. SR Beckwith was using his Thermo-Ozone Generator to treat illnesses. 1957 saw Dr. J. Hansler’s ozone generator patent which helped create a foundation for ozone in Germany. More than 8,000 German doctors use it today.
Ozone therapy is experiencing a resurgence in popularity today which has led to the creation of a number of generators that vary widely in terms of noise, ozone creation, ozone destruction through heat, and more.
Ozone creation methods.
Ozone can be produced in a variety of ways, but many ozone generators primarily use one of these methods: electrochemical, ultraviolet radiation, cold plasma, and corona discharge. Others use cold ozone production, an advanced method of corona discharge, which has a number of advantages. Here is a quick summary of each method.
Electrochemical: Generally, an electrical current is applied in an electrolytic solution of water and highly electronegative anions. At the anode a mixture of oxygen and ozone is created. You don’t find many of these in ozone therapy circles.
Ultraviolet radiation: Ozone is created naturally in the air when oxygen meets ultraviolet rays. The same applies to machines using this method, as the oxygen is bombarded with ultraviolet light.
cold plasma: You don’t see many cold plasma ozone generators on the market for ozone therapy because they produce very little ozone compared to a corona discharge ozone generator and you can’t adjust the strength of the ozone. Adjustable ozone strength is crucial when performing ozone therapy.
Corona Discharge: Corona discharge is the most widely used ozone production method for therapeutic purposes. With corona ozone generators you can adjust the frequency of ozone. This means that if you’re looking for the desired ozone strength at a precise flow rate, chances are you’ll get what you’re looking for.
cold corona discharge Corona discharge ozone generators have come a long way. They have become more efficient and, when designed correctly, produce virtually no heat. Also known as cold ozone production or cold spark technology, cold corona discharge is what most modern generators use.
In addition to the method of creating ozone, these machines have other differences that you will need to be aware of.
glass vs ceramic ozone cells
Glass and ceramics are two of the most popular materials for good ozone cells. Glass cells have the disadvantage that they are very temperamental and subject to burning over time. For that reason alone, many companies are switching to ceramic cells. Ceramic is as resistant to ozone as glass and does not create pollutants. Washable cells are a great advantage because if a cell accidentally gets dirty, wet, or oily, there is no need to replace the washable cells, which could save a lot of money.
How many cells do you need?
There really is no controversy when it comes to the number of ozone cells. If you’ve heard that a second cell will destroy ozone, you’ve heard a myth. All large commercial and industrial ozone generators use multiple cells because a single unit would get too hot and could be noisy. There are many advantages to having a multi-cell unit and no advantages to having a single-cell unit.
dealing with voltage
The great thing about ozone is that you don’t have to have extremely high voltages to create it. A properly built machine can produce ultra pure ozone with just 12 volts. Units that operate on 120 volts require special certification for foreign shipments. Lower voltages are just as effective and safer for the user.
If you are abroad or planning to travel abroad with an ozone generator, you will be much happier if the unit has universal voltage. This would allow you to use it anywhere as long as you have the correct country plug, without the need to purchase a separate step-down transformer.
Noise and heat in ozone generation
Noise and heat are the main causes of complaints with some ozone generators. A high voltage single cell unit has the potential to generate a lot of heat and noise. Heat destroys ozone, and units that generate a lot of heat must have noisy cooling fans or some other coolant to keep the ozone stable (with varying degrees of success). A unit with efficient, low voltage ozone cells will create the ozone you want without noise or overheating. These are especially ideal when doing insufflations. Beware of companies that claim their machines don’t generate heat but install cooling fans inside. If there is no heat, there is no need for a fan.
Gamma ranges and how much is too much
Some companies tout high gamma levels as one of the main reasons to buy their machine. Research from Russia has shown that gamma concentrations in the high 90s and above are detrimental to human health. The ideal range for typical ozone therapy, therefore, would be in the mid-90s and below.
Why it matters where and how a machine is made
There is a growing desire for ozone generators made in the United States. There are good reasons for that. Some machines made in China lack quality control and may not do what they are supposed to do. Companies that manufacture their machines in their own country are more likely to have full or partial control over the process.
You’ll also want to make sure you buy from a company that provides a good warranty and support. You don’t want one that sells a machine and then doesn’t offer even basic support. A toll-free number is also helpful to your bottom line, and several companies have one.
You may also want to consider how much input a company really has in creating their machines. It’s easy to buy units from a company that makes ozone equipment and resell them as your own, but if someone designs a unit personally and oversees the manufacturing, that person is more likely to be able to help you with the use of the unit and any potential. problem solving.
The key factors for choosing an ozone generator
For the most options, the best ozone creation, and the best support, look for the following:
- Cold ozone production
- More than one ceramic ozone cell
- universal voltage
- Low voltages used in the actual creation of ozone.
- No excess heat production or need for cooling fans
- Made in EE.UU.
- A good warranty and support options.