Modular ozone water treatment apparatus and associated method

An apparatus for transferring ozone into a flow of contaminated water, said apparatus comprising:

• a venturi having a gas inlet for being connected to a source of ozone gas;
• an infusion chamber connected in fluid communication with said venturi and downstream therefrom, said infusion chamber comprising a generally vertically oriented tube having an inlet opening, an outlet opening, and opposing closed ends, and
• pump means connected in fluid communication with said venturi and said infusion chamber for circulating contaminated water through said venturi and said infusion chamber to produce a closed head space above the inlet opening and within the closed upper end of said infusion chamber so that the inlet opening is below a level of water within said infusion chamber, and
• means connected downstream from said infusion chamber for producing a back pressure in said closed head space,
• said apparatus defining means for producing a relatively large number of relatively small bubbles in the water to enhance transfer of ozone into the water.

A method for treating contaminated water comprising the steps of:

• generating ozone gas;
• circulating a flow of contaminated water through a venturi while drawing generated ozone gas into the flow of water;
• and
• passing the ozonated water through an infusion chamber comprising a generally vertically oriented tube having an inlet opening, an outlet opening, and opposed closed ends and being located downstream from the venturi while producing a back pressure and maintaining a closed head space above the inlet opening and within the closed upper end of the infusion chamber so that the inlet opening is below a level of water within the infusion chamber thereby producing a relatively large number of relatively small bubbles in the water to enhance transfer of ozone into the water.