How Do You Calculate Ozone?
Calculating ozone depends heavily on the context: are you measuring ozone in the air, in water, or calculating the ozone production needed for a specific application? Different methods and units are used for each scenario.
Ozone concentration in air is typically measured in parts per million by volume (ppmv) or parts per billion by volume (ppbv). This is done using ozone analyzers which measure real-time ozone concentrations. See the U.S. National Park Service's explanation of ozone measurement. Conversions exist between these volume-based measurements and weight-based measurements (grams per cubic meter, g/m³).
- Conversion Example (from reference 2): 1 g O₃/m³ = 467 ppmv O₃. This means one gram of ozone per cubic meter of air is equivalent to 467 parts per million by volume. Another conversion (reference 1 and OxidationTech) states that 1 mg/l = 1 g/m³ = 1 µg/ml = 467 ppm O3.
Another important calculation involves determining the 8-hour ozone design values used in air quality standards. This involves averaging ozone concentrations over an 8-hour period. See the EPA's guide on calculating 8-hour ozone design values.
Calculating Ozone Concentration in Water
Ozone concentration in water is often expressed in milligrams per liter (mg/L), which is equivalent to parts per million (ppm).
- Conversion Example (from reference 1): 1 mg/L = 1 ppm O₃ = 1 g O₃/m³ water.
Calculating ozone dosage rates for water treatment applications involves factors like water flow rate and desired ozone concentration. Online calculators are available to simplify this process. See examples at OxidationTech and Ozone Solutions.
- Example Calculation (Ozone Solutions): (3.78 • 60 • GPM • PPM) / 1000 = g/hr. This formula helps determine the ozone production rate (grams per hour) based on gallons per minute (GPM) and desired parts per million (PPM).
Calculating Ozone Production Requirements
For industrial or commercial applications utilizing ozone generators, calculating the required ozone production is crucial. This depends on the desired ozone concentration and the flow rate of the gas or water being treated. Further equations and examples can be found at Ozone Solutions' FAQ page.
