Safety Guidelines for the Use of Ozone Decomposition Catalysts: Six Major Industry Scenarios and Key Precautions

A company specializing in the research and development and production of a series of environmentally friendly catalytic materials, including ozone decomposition catalysts, carbon monoxide catalysts, hopalat agents, manganese dioxide, copper oxide, VOC catalysts, and hydrogen peroxide catalysts, is compiling information to provide highly adaptable catalytic material solutions for various environmental governance scenarios. We hope this information will be helpful.

Our main customer base includes: industrial waste gas treatment companies, ozone purification equipment manufacturers, environmental protection companies in the automotive, shipbuilding, exhaust gas treatment, petrochemical, and chemical industries, coating, printing, VOCs treatment, municipal and industrial wastewater treatment companies, flue gas treatment companies in the metallurgical and thermal power industries, laboratory and enclosed space air purification equipment manufacturers, and environmental engineering general contracting and operation and maintenance companies.

How to safely use ozone decomposition catalysts? This is the most pressing question for end-users such as wastewater treatment plants, semiconductor factories, and food sterilization workshops. Ozone decomposition catalysts can efficiently convert residual ozone into oxygen, but if operating conditions and procedures are ignored, the catalyst may rapidly deactivate, or even cause equipment corrosion, overheating, or fire risks. This article outlines key safety considerations for six typical application scenarios to help users achieve safe, economical, and long-term operation.

I. Wastewater Treatment Plant Exhaust Gas Treatment
Exhaust gas collected from covered wastewater tanks often contains residual ozone, which must be catalytically decomposed before being released into the atmosphere.

Safety Precautions: Wastewater exhaust gas has extremely high humidity (typically RH > 80%). Water vapor competes with ozone for adsorption active sites, leading to a sharp drop in decomposition efficiency. A demister or desiccant layer must be installed before the catalyst bed to control the relative humidity below 70%. Simultaneously, substances such as hydrogen sulfide and ammonia in the exhaust gas can poison the catalyst; therefore, it is recommended to install an activated carbon pretreatment device. Furthermore, for long-term operation, the bed pressure drop should be checked monthly to prevent biofilm or inorganic salt blockage.

II. Semiconductor and Electronics Factory Cleanrooms
Ozone is used in chip manufacturing for wafer cleaning and photoresist removal, with ozone concentrations in the exhaust gas reaching thousands of ppm.

Safety Precautions: High-concentration ozone decomposition releases a large amount of heat, and the catalyst bed temperature may exceed 200℃. High-temperature resistant (≥600℃) honeycomb ceramic carrier catalysts must be selected, and temperature monitoring and overheat alarm devices must be installed. Cleanrooms are extremely sensitive to particulate matter; high-efficiency filters should be installed at the exhaust end to prevent active component dust from escaping and contaminating the product. Simultaneously, avoid mixing with process waste gases containing fluorine or chlorine, otherwise rapid poisoning will occur.

III. Printing and Corona Treatment Equipment During the surface treatment of plastic films and paper, the corona roller generates ozone. The equipment typically integrates a small decomposer.

Safety Precautions: Corona treatment workshops are often accompanied by oil mist and volatile organic compounds, which can coat the catalyst surface, forming carbon deposits. Monthly shutdown is required to inspect and clean the catalyst surface for oil stains. In cases of severe contamination, heat treatment regeneration (calcination at 300–400℃ for 2 hours) should be performed. If not cleaned for a long time, the catalyst micropores will be completely blocked, leading to abnormally high internal temperatures and a fire hazard.

IV. Disinfection of Tap Water and Bottled Water Residual ozone in water after ozone disinfection needs to be catalytically decomposed before entering the bottling or pipeline network.

Safety Precautions: Since aqueous ozone decomposition catalysts come into direct contact with liquids, pH and hardness must be carefully monitored. Strong acids (pH < 5) or strong alkalis (pH > 9) will corrode the active components; it is recommended to maintain the pH between 6 and 9. Calcium and magnesium ions in water easily form scale on the catalyst surface; a softening device can be installed before the reactor, and the catalyst should be acid-washed with citric acid solution every six months. Additionally, avoid water containing oil or surfactants, as these will clog the pores.

V. Disinfection of Food Processing Workshops: After ozone is used for space disinfection, residual ozone must be quickly removed before personnel enter.

Safety Precautions: Food-grade applications have strict limits on the leaching of heavy metals from catalyst materials. Catalyst products that meet FDA or food contact material standards must be selected, avoiding those containing harmful components such as chromium and lead. High humidity air after disinfection will also affect efficiency; it is recommended to install a silica gel dehumidifier at the fan inlet. After each disinfection cycle, ventilate for 5–10 minutes before allowing personnel to enter, ensuring the ozone concentration is below 0.1 ppm.

VI. Laboratory Fume Hoods and Small Equipment The exhaust gases from equipment such as UV ozone cleaners and ozone aging chambers must be catalytically decomposed before being discharged into the ventilation system.

Safety Precautions: The laboratory environment is complex and may contain acid mist and organic solvent vapors. Never mix the catalyst with volatile strong acids (such as hydrochloric acid or nitric acid), as this will cause rapid poisoning and inactivation. Before use, ensure that the fume hood's exhaust volume meets the catalyst's required space velocity range (typically 3000–10000 h⁻¹). When changing the catalyst, wear protective gloves to avoid direct contact with the active powder.

Summary: Three Core Elements for Safe Use How to safely use ozone decomposition catalysts? The summary is "one control, two preventions, and three monitoring"—control humidity and temperature (humidity < 70%, temperature 10–80℃), prevent poisoning and scaling (pre-treatment, regular cleaning), and monitor outlet concentration and pressure drop (establish a daily inspection system). By adhering to these three points, the catalyst lifespan can reach more than 2 years, and the system operation will be safer and more economical. If you encounter rapid catalyst deactivation in practical applications, please check the above scenarios for troubleshooting, or consult professional technicians for regeneration and maintenance.

Author: Gloria
Date: 2026-04-21