Ozone is an allotrope of oxygen, comprising a molecule of three oxygen atoms. It is highly unstable and a strong oxidant, which makes it a useful disinfectant and deodorant, as it spontaneously oxidizes many compounds.
Conventionally, oxygen-containing gas is fed through a generating cell containing two electrodes separated at a high voltage, whereupon a proportion of the diatomic oxygen is converted to ozone. One or more such generating cells are usually disposed in a housing to make an ozone generator. The ozone containing air is then directed to the area to be treated.
A known ozone generating cell has a glass tube, provided with an inner coating of aluminum. Concentrically surrounding the glass tube, but separated somewhat by spacers, is a stainless steel tube. The aluminum coating is connected to a high voltage supply, whilst the steel tube is earthed.
Oxygen-containing gas is passed between the tubes, and some of the oxygen molecules are converted to ozone by the high voltage discharge between the electrodes.
Though usually clad in a water jacket, the heat generated by the discharge makes the glass prone to failure.
A similar known generator has a mirror coating upon the glass tube (or the tube may be ceramic), and is surrounded by a stainless steel mesh. Again, the tube may overheat, this being aggravated by the insulating qualities of the mirror surface and the uneven field produced by the steel mesh.
GB 2318490 shows a pair of electrodes either side of a dielectric, one electrode being in the form of a sheet, whilst the opposing electrode features one or more extending thin flat wires. Whilst effective in producing ozone, the thin flat wires are fragile and difficult to apply. They may be applied as a conductive ink, though this process is inconvenient, and the resulting arrangement is still delicate.
The object of the present invention is to enable ozone to be produced in an efficient manner, going at least some way towards alleviating the problems associated with prior art ozone generating cells.