Over the last decade there has been an increased demand for bottled water and other beverages. This demand has drawn manufacturers‘’ attention to the need for specialized filling techniques, proper sanitation practices and enhanced water disinfection and bottle sterilization. Most bottling companies rely on the use of ozone to meet these ever-increasing legislative and consumer quality demands. There are three main applications for ozone in the bottling industry including the ozonation of the wash water used to clean the bottles prior to filling, ozonation of the actual bottling water and ozone for Clean in Place (CIP) system sanitation. Experience has indicated that a small dose of ozone from a high concentration ozone monitor in the region of 0.3 mg/l to 0.5 mg/l is sufficient to sanitize the product and the product packaging.
Ozone is a water bottlers‘ dream. Ozone’s powerful disinfection capability, high oxidation ability and short half-life make it the ideal candidate to perform the following critical functions in a bottling plant:
- Most powerful oxidizer.
- Instantly destroys bacteria.
- Improves flocculation of iron.
- Environmentally friendly.
- 3,125x more germicidal than chlorine.
- Been used for decades.
- Disinfect the bottled water from all bacteria and viruses including E.coli, cryptosporidium, and rotavirus.
- No harmful by-products.
- Treat the bottled water precipitating heavy metals such as iron and manganese, removing colour, tannin and hydrogen sulfide.
- Reduces sulfur odors.
- Clean and disinfect the bottles including reusable bottles prior to bottling.
- Clean and disinfect bottling equipment.
- Clean and disinfect the bottle caps.
- Create a sterile environment in the air found between the water surface and the bottle cap.
- Once bottled the residual ozone decomposes to oxygen.
