2020 has seen significant changes in the way we live our lives. Covid-19 has introduced (dare I say it) “unprecedented” restrictions on how we travel, communicate, work, and socialize. Yet it has also created opportunities for 1000s of innovations aiming to overcome these restrictions and even combat the Coronavirus.

Interest in ozone as a sterilant against Covid-19 generated so many inquiries that we wrote a blog: Does ozone sterilization kill the Coronavirus which causes COVID-19? In response to requests for a high-range ozone sensor for sterilization processes, we have developed a 0-30 ppm electrochemical ozone sensor head compatible with our portable and fixed ozone monitors.

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 is 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.

Ozone sensors are used to monitor the level of ozone delivered, to ensure that the correct level has been achieved and maintained for a prescribed time before the ozone generator is switched off. This ensures processes are consistent, measurable and effective. Aeroqual monitors have control outputs that can be used to control the ozone generators. Sensors are also used to ensure people know when it is safe to re-enter environments after ozone treatment.

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. Our 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 limits.

The new ozone sensor is a gas sensitive electrochemical (GSE) type. It has a linear and fast response, an ability to measure up to 30 ppm, 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 the two leading technologies for the low-cost measurement of ozone. Both sensor types have strengths and weaknesses, I have written a blog on these technologies to help explain why one may be selected over the other, such as using a GSS sensor for a sterilization post-treatment ozone level check.

Sensor specifications are available here.

The new 0-30 ppm ozone sensor is compatible with Aeroqual portable ozone monitors, and Aeroqual fixed Series 900. See the full range of ozone monitors here.

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, we’d love to hear from you.