Corrosion from ozone generators in garbage chutes
Corrosion can happen with the wrong kind of generator. Corona discharge (spark-type) ozone generators make nitrogen oxides as well as ozone. In a damp bin room these form nitric acid, which corrodes steel chutes, hoppers and compactors. UV ozone generators don't make nitrogen oxides, so they don't cause this corrosion. Use only UV ozone in a garbage system.
Why does a spark-type generator cause corrosion?
Air is about 78% nitrogen. The electrical spark that makes ozone in a corona discharge generator splits nitrogen as well, which forms nitrogen oxides. When they meet moisture, from humid air or a wet surface, they form nitric acid, which can corrode steel over time. In garbage chutes, we've seen this corrosion particularly around the entry point, where the corona discharge generator joins the chute.
Garbage chutes in Australia, damaged by another company's ozone generator.
Which parts are at risk?
The steel closest to where the ozone goes in, and where the air is damp: the base of the chute, the chute's hopper and any compactor.
How do UV ozone generators avoid this corrosion?
UV light at 185 nanometres splits oxygen, not nitrogen, as the sun does when making the ozone layer. So a UV generator makes ozone without nitrogen oxides, and no nitric acid forms. UV ozone has other benefits in a garbage system too: the output stays steady whatever the humidity, the ozone smells cleaner without the nitrogen oxides, and low, steady levels are easier to control.
Every Garbage Doctor® uses our Si-Zone® UV ozone generator, guaranteed free of nitrogen oxides and the nitric acid corrosion they cause.
How can you tell which kind a building has?
Look in the maker's manual or specifications. Corona discharge, or corona, means a spark type. Ultraviolet, or UV, means lamps. If the manual or specifications don't say, ask the supplier how the generator makes ozone, and whether the generator makes nitrogen oxides.
What if our chute already has corrosion?
We recommend having a chute maintenance company inspect the chute. Replacing a corona discharge generator with a UV ozone generator stops more nitric acid forming. You are welcome to send us photos of the chute and the generator, and we'll advise on the best way forward, free of charge.
Questions about ozone and corrosion
Does the Garbage Doctor make nitric acid?
No. Our systems make ozone with UV lamps, so they make no nitrogen oxides, and no nitric acid can form.
Our UV ozone generators have been installed with chutes, bins, carousels and compactors from all manufacturers, including Elephants Foot, WasteTech, JJ Richards, Wanless, James Hardie and JD MacDonald.
Talk to us about your building
Call 1300-ODOURS (1300 636 877), or send us photos of your bin room and chute, and we'll recommend the right system.
More guides
- What is ozone and how does it work?How ozone (O3) is made, and how ozone is used in commercial odour control equipment such as the Garbage Doctor.
- Types of ozone generatorsCorona discharge and ultraviolet ozone generators compared, and which is best for garbage odour control.
- Si-Zone ultraviolet ozone generatorsThe UV ozone generator inside every Garbage Doctor, with a long history of use against garbage odours.
- Electrical testing requirements for odour control equipmentWhy your supplier should be testing and tagging your odour control or scenting system, as local law requires.
- Duty of care surrounding the garbage systemWhy the owners corporation, strata committee or body corporate has a duty of care for the garbage system.
- How germicidal UV-C is used in garbage systemsHow germicidal UV-C differs from ozone, and where UV-C is used in garbage systems.
- What is photocatalytic oxidation?How photocatalytic oxidation breaks down garbage odours inside an air purifier.
- Using scented vapour for garbage odour controlHow scenting adds a pleasant fragrance once the odour is neutralised, in a chute, bin room or public space.
- Garbage chute cleaning: why a clean chute can still smellWhy a freshly cleaned chute can still smell, and how chute cleaning and odour control work together.
- Why air fresheners alone don't fix bin room odourWhy sprays mask bin room odour for a while, why the odour comes back, and what neutralises the odour.
- Do extraction fans stop bin room odour?Why an extraction fan moves bin room odour around rather than removing the odour, and what works instead.
- Air conditioning in bin rooms: why it spreads odourWhy air blowing over the bins spreads more odour, how to set the air conditioning, and what neutralises the odour.