FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions from operators, midstream teams, and water managers evaluating ozone for oil and gas water.
Why choose ozone over biocides for oil and gas water? +
Ozone is approximately 3,000 times more effective than chlorine as a disinfectant and acts 25 times faster. Unlike chemical biocides, ozone does not leave residual chemicals or add to the salinity of produced water, and it decomposes back into oxygen within minutes. Ozone also oxidizes iron, hydrogen sulfide, and dissolved organics that biocides cannot address.
Can ozone remove hydrocarbons and organics from produced water? +
Yes, this is one of ozone's most significant advantages over other disinfection technologies. Through direct ozonation and the generation of hydroxyl radicals (advanced oxidation), ozone breaks down dissolved hydrocarbons, BTEX, soluble organics, and other contaminants that pass through conventional treatment largely intact.
Does ozone leave harmful residuals in treated water? +
No. Ozone naturally reverts to oxygen, leaving no chemical residual in treated water. This is a significant advantage over chlorination, which leaves residual chemicals that complicate reuse and disposal. Ozone-treated water can be discharged directly or reused without additional chemical neutralization.
At what stage in the treatment process is ozone applied? +
Ozone is typically applied after primary oil-water separation and solids removal have reduced free hydrocarbons and suspended solids. It oxidizes dissolved iron, hydrogen sulfide, and organics and kills bacteria before the water is stored, reused for fracturing, or sent to a disposal well. In recycling operations, ozone is often dosed continuously to keep bacteria counts low and prevent biofouling in pits and pipelines.
How is ozone generated for oil and gas water applications? +
Ozone is generated on-site from oxygen or dry air using corona discharge generators. On-site generation eliminates the need to store or transport hazardous chemicals, which simplifies regulatory compliance and reduces safety risk. Purifico systems include integrated generation, dissolution, and monitoring in a single packaged unit.
Can ozone systems handle variable flow rates at a water facility? +
Yes. Purifico systems are designed to modulate ozone output in response to flow rate and water quality changes. Automated controls maintain target CT values (concentration x contact time) across changing water quality and flow, keeping bacteria control steady as production and flowback rates swing.
What are the typical energy requirements for ozone oil and gas water treatment? +
Energy consumption depends on ozone output and feed gas type. Oxygen-fed systems are approximately 40% more efficient than air-fed systems. Modern corona discharge generators produce ozone at 6–12 kWh per kilogram of ozone. While energy cost is higher than UV on a per-treatment basis, the elimination of chemical procurement, biocide dosing, and byproduct management typically results in a lower total cost of operation over the system lifetime.
