GOING GREEN WITH OSI (Pty) Ltd
We live in a world where resources are being stretched to the point of exhaustion and where the effects of current consumption patterns are inducing long term damage to the sustainability of the planet. Society has begun to question the way in which we operate within our environment and the consequent self analysis has resulted in what is becoming a paradigm shift in the way the world views its activities. This includes even the most fundamental issues around how we utilize natural resources, how we recycle our air and water and the type of energy sources we utilize to power our homes and industry. The causes and consequences have been well documented and the focus has now shifted to what must be done to avoid these imminent crises.
The following are global, but more specifi cally African, problems with serious consequences if not addressed in the near future:
- Water shortages
- Power shortages
- Global warming
- Air pollution
- Pollution of rivers, dams and underwater supplies
- Overloaded and inadequate waste removal and treatment facilities
The effects of these problems have led to contamination from chemicals, pesticides and other pollutants which have resulted in a proliferation of stomach, heart and lung diseases. Ozone Services Industries (Pty) Ltd, saw these serious problems and took action to provide products and technology to address some, if not all, of these issues. By using OZONE and ULTRA VIOLET technology, OSI is able to produce and supply environmentally safe products.
REDUCING YOUR CARBON FOOT PRINT
Ozone is one of the most benefi cial substances on this planet!
What is Ozone?
It is formed by splitting oxygen molecules (O2) into atomic oxygen (O), which then recombines with the other oxygen molecules to produce ozone molecules (O3).
Where does ozone come from?
Nature. And nature is efficient. The new growth in the forests, the trees, the grass on your front lawn, and the plankton in the ocean are continually creating oxygen.
As you read this, the oxygen is rising up into the atmosphere to where the ozone
layer is. In the region of the ozone layer, our rising oxygen is bombarded by the
sun’s photo chemical energy in the form of ultra violet (UV rays). The UV energy bombardment changes the oxygen from O2 (two atoms of stable
oxygen), into O3 (three atoms of unstable active oxygen). We call this pure form of oxygen, "ozone." The using up of the UV rays to create ozone is how the ozone layer shield us from
their harmful effects. This is all part of the natural process of life on this living biosphere called earth.
Being heavier than the oxygen in the atmosphere, this newly created ozone falls back to earth, eventually giving us one atom of oxygen, it changes back to O2, and is immediately replaced by more rising oxygen which is also soon changed into ozone by the sun.The ozone falls to earth and is all around us purifying our water and air, decomposing bacteria, moulds and fungi. It is the fresh smell of laundry dried outdoors in the country. It is the fresh air at the seashore and the sweet smell of the air after a lightning storm. Lightning, also possessing photo chemical and electrical energy creates ozone as well.
It has been proven extensively that O3 will kill bacteria, viruses, fungi and moulds by attaching to them and oxidizing and eliminating them. (Oxidizing means to burn without giving off light or heat). These bacteria are lower life form organisms, and are mostly anaerobic. That means they can't live around activated oxygen/ozone. Ozone has been shown repeatedly to kill pathogens yet not harm nominal cells. This is because disease causing pathogens do not have any strong enzyme coatings to protect them, as do all the higher life forms like us.
Ozone vs. Chlorine
Increased environmental consciousness has resulted in an accelerated movement away from multi-chemical based water treatment. This has lead to a greater recognition of ozone as being the strongest, fastest, commercially available disinfectant and oxidant. Ozone oxidation reactions take place several thousand times faster than those of chlorine for destruction of bacteria, viruses, yeast, moulds, cysts, mildew, algae and most other organic and inorganic contaminants. Ozone in appropriate doses can treat all water-borne pathogens, while chlorine cannot (given practical, safe doses). Additionally, unlike chlorine, ozone leaves no harmful chlorinated by-products in the water and quickly reverts back to pure oxygen when unused. Ozone is more than 3,000 times faster acting and 2.5 times stronger than chlorine. Ozone does not contaminate available water supplies; automatically helping with efforts to preserve good quality water. Similarly the use of ozone in laundry greatly reduces operating, energy and water costs. Advancement of ozone-based technology to a safe, environmentally friendly, state-of-the-art approach has made the transition away from chlorine a comfortable one.
Advantages of Ozone
- Replaces harmful chemicals or detergents such as chlorine.
- Being a gas it can penetrate inaccessible areas killing bacteria, viruses, germs, fungi and mould.
- Reverts back to oxygen in 20 minutes.
- Occupation immediately after disinfection.
- Purifi es air and water leaving NO chemical residue.
- Recycling of contaminated water for irrigation or drinking.
What is Ultra Violet Irradiation?
- UVC light is germicidal i.e. it deactivates the DNA of bacteria, viruses and other pathogens and thus destroys their ability to multiply and cause diseases.
- Specifi cally, UVC light causes damage to the nucleic acid of microorganisms by forming covalent bonds between certain adjacent bases in the DNA. The formation of such bonds prevent the DNA from being unzipped for replication, and the organism is unable to reproduce, in fact, when the organism tries to replicate, it dies.
- Ultra violet technology is a non-chemical approach to disinfection. In this method of disinfection, nothing is added which makes this process simple, inexpensive and requires very low maintenance.
- Ultra violet purifi ers utilize germicidal lamps that are designed and
calculated to produce a certain dosage of ultra violet.
The principle of design is based on a product of time and intensity
(You must have a certain amount of both for a successful design).
What is Photo Catalytic NANOTECHNOLOGY (TITANIUM DIOXIDE)?
A new innovation called photo catalytic nanotechnology is now been utilized
to clean and purify indoor air.
The technology consists of Titanium dioxide (TiO2) crystals, only 40 nanometers in size, which form a molecular machine powered by light. TiO2 is a semiconductor charged by ultra violet photons.
When these nanoparticles are charged, powerful oxidizing agents called Hydroxyl radicals are produced.
These free radicals destroy airborne germs and pollutants in the air.
Why is OSI (Pty) Ltd A GREEN COMPANY?
All products produced and supplied by OSI (Pty) Ltd use only OZONE or UV technologies in safe quantities, specifi cally designed for each application. With each project, we strive to provide adequate solutions to all our clients' requirements, reducing their carbon foot print and ensuring that there are no harmful chemical impacts on the environment as well as the client.
OSI (Pty) Ltd offers 4 vital services which fall under the following brands:
- Air treatment: AIRZONE used in air purifi cation, deodorizing and sanitizing.
- Water treatment: AQUAZONE used in water purifi cation, deodorizing and sanitizing.
- Sewage and water recycling: BIOZONE and OZONIA used in sewage and waste water recycling back into fl ushing systems, irrigation and even drinking water through further treatment.
- Odour treatment: AIR & AQUAZONE used in large areas with serious odour problems such as garbage areas, mortuaries and abattoirs.
The Natural Oxidation methods that OSI (Pty) Ltd promotes, are becoming
increasingly in demand where alternatives to chlorine and chemical treatments are
sought after and where preservation of the environment is important.
Air purifi ers for infection control often include one or more of these components:
- High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) fi lter
- Antimicrobial protection
- Ultra violet germicidal light
GO FORWARD WITH OSI (Pty) Ltd
Our services widely expand into 3 different markets namely:
- Health and Home (domestic): Air and water purifi cation using local and imported products marketed under the Airzone, Aquazone, Biozone and Saunozone brand names.
- Commercial and Industrial: Air and water purifi cation, principally rinsing systems for Bottling Plants, small water purifi cation requirements, smoking areas such as Casino chains, tackling sick building syndrome and sanitising hospitals, mortuaries and abattoirs. These are products developed, designed and manufactured by OSI under the Airzone, Aquazone and Biozone brand names.
- Plants and Projects: Mainly municipal Water Treatment Plants and Mine
Anglo Plats Modikwa Mine Disinfection Drinking Water
Sewage Disinfection
When installed the Biozone System will look similar to that depicted in this photo
Ozonia Ushaka Island Aquarium
GOING GREEN WITH OSI (Pty) Ltd
Here is a typical example of an OSI (Pty) Ltd building service application:
A) Air conditioning ducts, Cooling tower treatment and Indoor offi ce air:
OSI Product: AIRZONE HERMES - Will destroy bacteria, viruses, germs and fungi build-up inside the duct system, providing sanitized indoor offi ce air. The Result: Cleaner indoor offi ce air, vast reduction of staff absenteeism and viral distribution.
B) Garbage areas:
OSI Product: AIRZONE ODOFREE and ODYSSEY - Will destroy bacteria which cause foul odours where there is a buildup of refuse and waste products. The Result: Cleaner and safer refuse areas, reduction in foul odours.
C) Sewage and water recycling:
OSI Product: BIOZONE (NOKAK) - Sewage treatment plant treats the effl uent on
site and produces clear, odourless and environmentally safe water for irrigation of
lawns, sports fi elds, golf courses and agricultural plots.
To make the recycled water drinkable, further biological processes need to be
applied. No chemicals used!
The Result: Massive reduction of environmental waste water, huge fi nancial
savings.
D) Reception, public areas and bathrooms:
OSI Products: AIRZONE GIAI, SANI AND CALYPSO - Will sanitize, deodorize and purify the surrounding air. Also used in the prevention of swine fl u and TB transmission in the air amongst others. The Result: Healthier premises, lowered absenteeism and a reduction in embarrassing foul odours in bathrooms and kitchens.
E) Foul odours inside offi ces such as smoke or dead rodents:
OSI Product: AIRZONE ODOGO - A portable unit designed to destroy bacteria that cause unwanted odours indoors. The Result: Fast and effi cient result in getting rid of those unwanted odours