Ozone generation and recovery system

Abstract

A continuous ozone generation and recovery system is provided including a source of oxygen-rich gas; at least one high-throughput corona generator; means for passing the oxygen-rich gas through an electrical corona at a high ratio of gas volume:electrode area to synthesize ozone in a concentration not greater than 1 wt% in the gas stream; means for cooling the generator and maintaining the ozone-containing oxygen stream below decomposition temperature; means for cooling the ozone-containing oxygen gas stream; means for contacting the cooled gas stream with silica gel to adsorb the ozone and recover an oxygen-rich gas stream; means for recycling the recovered oxygen-rich gas stream for ozone synthesis; and means for recovering the adsorbed ozone from the silica gel. Recycle of unconverted oxygen has strong economic value. Dry nitrogen-rich gas stream from an air separation unit which also provides the oxygen source may be used advantageously as an inert carrier gas for desorbing the ozone.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.