Ozone (O₃) is an unstable molecule generated by the exposure of oxygen (O^₂) to ultraviolet radiation or a high energy electrical discharge. The weak bond holding ozone's third oxygen atom is what causes the molecule to be unstable and thus such an effective oxidizer. Because of this instability, an oxidation reaction occurs upon any collision between an ozone molecule and molecule of an "oxidizable" substance such as certain forms of iron and manganese, organic molecules, or microbes. In an oxidation reaction, energy transfers to the ozone molecule leaving a stable oxygen molecule (O₂) and a highly unstable oxygen atom (O₁). The molecule being oxidized then bonds with the loose O₁ atom
creating an oxide of the substance.

Ozone is produced in nature by the ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun (in the upper atmosphere) and by lightning (in the lower atmosphere). The clean, sweet smell of ozone is often noticed after a lighting storm. Ozone can be produced commercially in much the same way as in nature - through the use of a UV lamp or by an electrical Corona Discharge (CD). The primary difference between the two methods is the ozone output. UV ozone generation technology is typically used for low concentration, low output applications such as residential pools and spas. CD technology is typically used for high concentration, high output applications such as commercial pools and industrial applications. Overall, CD technology is much more efficient than UV due to the ability of the high voltage electrical corona discharge to split a greater number of oxygen molecules, thereby creating more ozone.

DEL Ozone has been manufacturing CD ozone generators for 15 years. DEL introduced the Infinity^™ series of CD ozone generators in 1992. The Infinity series consists of eleven ozone generators capable of producing from 50-500 grams of ozone per hour. The Infinity generators are designed to meet the unique demands of commercial pools, aquatic life support and other industrial applications. Standard features include fully integrated computer control systems for complete system operation and monitoring, on-board ORP controllers for automatic start-up and shut-down, and self-contained oxygen concentrator units which produce oxygen at 85% purity. The Infinity line of CD ozone generators provide a state-of-the-art, user friendly option for applications requiring a high volume of ozone. All Infinity generators are UL and NSF registered.

Based on the engineering and technology in the Infinity line, DEL introduced the Genesis^™ series of corona discharge ozone generators which produce 2-25 grams of ozone per hour. The Genesis series was developed for commercial applications such as smaller commercial pools which require economical ozone solutions. Like the Infinity generators, the Genesis generators are automated for ease of use and utilize oxygen concentrators. The Genesis generators are also UL and NSF registered.

With a fully developed line of corona discharge ozone generators for industrial and commercial applications, DEL is again revolutionizing ozone generation technology by introducing corona discharge technology to a residential pool industry that has relied solely on UV technology. DEL has developed an entirely new line of CD generators for residential pools which are priced the same as comparably sized UV generators. The use of CD ozone technology for residential pools results in substantial increases in ozone output and reliability with greatly reduced power consumption and unit size as compared to UV generators. DEL introduced the Eclipse^™ line of CD ozone generators for residential pools at the NSPI Expo Las Vegas in December 1999. The basis of this new line is to "eclipse" UV technology while being offered at the same price point as UV generators. All Eclipse generators are UL classified.

Now DEL is also revolutionizing ozone technology available to the spa industry by adapting corona discharge technology to spa ozone generators. The new corona discharge ozone generators for spas are generally half the size of a UV generator with exponentially greater ozone output and efficiency. The new Corona Discharge spa units also offer decreased energy consumption and maintenance costs as compared with the UV generators they are replacing.

Thanks to DEL's engineering and manufacturing knowledge and experience, corona discharge ozone technology is no longer the exception in the pool and spa industry, it is now the rule!