In this post I have explained the basic construction of an ozone generator apparatus for disinfecting a closed premise from dangerous viruses such as coronavirus. Ozone is a tested and an officially recommended method of eliminating viruses and pathogens on outside surfaces.
Viruses Cannot be Killed with Medicines
The fact that makes a typical influenza virus or SARS a menace worldwide is that it cannot be killed with antibiotics, or any form of medicine. This is because viruses use the host's cells to replicate, which makes it almost impossible for the drug to distinguish the host cell from the virus. Due to this reason it becomes really hard for the medicine to target the virus without interfering with the host cell.
Also, drugs are unable to "kill" viruses simply because viruses are not living organisms, rather are complex bio-molecules, which stay inactive outside a living cell, and become active only once they enter a living cell.
The only way these may be eliminated is by natural means, such as by having a strong immune system, having plenty of rest, lots of fluid intake, and a pollution free resting place, possibly enhanced with oxygen supply.
What is Novel Coronavirus
The pandemic novel coronavirus, first detected in China (year 2019) is a type of virus that has proven to be even more resilient and dangerous than its earlier cousin, the SARS virus.
The World Health Organization was quick to declare the illness as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. The disease caused by this new virus was named as COVID-19 (coronavirus disease -2019), and the virus was named as SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2).
Novel Coronavirus Structure
As shown in the figure below, the SARS-CoV-2 molecules are roundish in shape and consist of proteins called spikes poking out from the body surface.
These spikes are used for hooking onto human cells, then undergo a structural transformation.
The process allows the membrane of the virus to merge with the host cell membrane.
Next, the virus releases its genes into the host cell so that it can duplicate it self, producing more viruses.
A detailed analysis of the internal structure of SARS-CoV-2 is given in the following data.
Nucleocapsid Protein (N): This section is attached with the RNA genome to constitute the nucleocapsid.
Spike Protein (S): It plays a vital role in binding with the host receptor cells to help easy entry into the host cell.
Envelope Protein (E): It works together with Membrane Protein to create the viral envelope.
Membrane Protein (M): It works as the main organizer of the CoV body, and also defines the structure of the viral envelope.
How Long can Novel Coronavirus Survive Outside a Living Cell?
It is still not confirmed for how long a SARS or a Coronavirus is able to survive over non-living surfaces. Researches have shown that an influenza virus is able to survive on an outside surface or outside a living cell for around 5 to 8 hours, under normal temperatures and environmental conditions. If an ordinary influenza virus can sustain for 5 hours then possibly the SARS-CoV-2 being more resilient should be able to sustain even longer.
Can Sunlight "Kill" Novel Coronavirus?
The bad news is, the SARS-CoV-2 will not die even under peak sunlight, unless the temperature is over 50 degrees Celsius.
Moreover, the UV rays from the sun is too weak to cause any harm to the coronavirus protein structure.
So sunlight cannot be considered as an effective source for killing coronavirus, but accumulated heat from sunlight, mainly in tropical countries might eventually eliminate these viruses, due to heated surfaces like roads, bridges, railings, vehicles etc.
Must Read: How to Make DIY Ultraviolet Generator Box, for Disinfecting Suspicious Objects
Can Ozone Gas "Kill" Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2?
Yes, ozone gas can be effectively used for destroying coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, or any other virus.
The high oxidizing property of ozone gas can react with the external protein layer of novel coronavirus and rupture it, eventually causing an inactivation of the pathogen.
But, ozone gas can also damage human cells, especially the respiratory cells if the gas is inhaled, leading to cancer. Therefore, the procedure must be carried out without human presence in the chamber or the premise which is to be sanitized using ozone.
Ozone gas has the power to rupture the coronavirus protein layer, disintegrate it, and eventually destroy it.
What is Ozone
Ozone is an inorganic molecule with a chemical formula O3 hence is also called trioxygen. In nature ozone is usually produced through thunder lightening, due to corona discharge, and through UV rays.
Artificially, ozone can be manufactured through electric arcs or corona discharge set ups.
Both the above sets ups involve the generation of extremely high voltages which is able to break the air resistance and interact with the surrounding dry oxygen in the air.
Ozone from Corona Discharge
Corona discharge is emitted when a conductor open on one end, is subjected with an extremely high voltage in the order of many 10s of thousand of volts on its other end. This results in the conductor leaking the high voltage from its surface, which can be seen in the form of a faint purple light around the conductor in darkness. This light effect is called the corona discharge.
The interaction of this leaking high voltage with the oxygen molecules O2 causes the oxygen molecules to split into two oxygen atoms 2O, which reunite back with the neighboring oxygen molecules in triplets to form ozone O3 .
Ozone from Tesla Coil
A Tesla coil is a very popular high voltage generator circuit which is used for displaying bright purple flying electricity discharges from a coiled conductor terminal. Although it is fun project for creating ornamental lighting effect, the corona discharge ultimately results in the production of ozone which could be used for sterilizing a location from corona virus.
A simple Tesla coil circuit is shown below for experimental purpose, although the ozone generated from this set up will be too small.
Once powered, the top open terminal of the 200 turn coil will begin emitting corona discharge, and this may also initiate the generation of ozone. To use this set up for killing coronavirus, operate the unit inside a locked premise with doors and windows closed. Make sure there are no living creatures inside the room. The Tesla coil circuit should be controlled with a timer so that it is automatically switched OFF after a a couple of hours. This timer must be accompanied with an exhaust fan so that once the ozone generation stops, the exhaust fan is switched ON to suck out the harmful ozone from the room. After about about 30 minutes from the elapsed time, it may be safe to enter the room, which now may be considered disinfected.
Ozone from High Voltage Arc
An electrical arc is formed when a high voltage source is brought near a neutral or grounded terminal. Due to the high voltage, the electrical charge is able to jump across the air gap to produce an electrical arc or spark.
This high voltage electricity breaks the air particles around the arc by the process of ionization which results in the generation of ozone.
In air, oxygen is in the form of dioxygen molecules O2. When a high voltage electrical arc comes in contact with O2, it cleaves the molecule into two to create two separate oxygen atoms 2O. These free 2O oxygen radicals disperse around and recombine with other dioxygen molecules to produce O3 which is ozone gas.
The reaction can be interpreted with the following chemical formula:
3O2 ➝ 2O3
A simple high volatge arc generator can be built using a CDI ignition coil set up as shown below:
Using Automobile Ignition Coil for Generating Electrical Arc
For generating rapid and high concentration of ozone, the following high voltage arc generator can be used, which is built using a standard automobile ignition coil and a CDI circuit:
The set up looks simple, and just needs to be connected as per the given schematic for getting the proposed high voltage arcing and ozone generation.
You will require the following parts for the construction:
- 1/4 watt 5% Resistors 1k, 100k, 10k - 1 each
- 1/2 watt 5% resistors 470 ohm, 100 ohm - 1 each
- Potentiometer 100k - 1no
- Electrolytic capacitors 1uF/25V, 100uF/25 V - 1 each
- 0.01uF ceramic disc - 1no
- 1uF / 400V PPC associated with the SCR - 1no
- SCR - BT151 philips
- Diodes 1N4007 = 4nos
- Transistor TIP122 - 1no
- IC 555 - 1no
- Two wheeler Ignition coil unit - 1no
- Transformer 0-12V/1 amp/220V
- Mains AC to 12V DC adapter for powering the circuit
Adjusting the 100 k pot will allow the spark to be slower or faster, and also stronger or weaker.
The sparks generated from this circuit will generate high amounts ozone for disinfecting any standard room from coronavirus. However, make sure the gas is not inhaled by any living creature. Also, the voltage generated from this apparatus can be up to 30 kv, and therefore can kill a human within seconds, so please proceed with caution.
Again, use of a timer is recommended for automatically switching OFF the system, and switching an exhaust fan.
Conclusion
Ozone generators can generate ozone from surrounding atmosphere and are often applied as room disinfectants.
The antipathogenic reactions of ozone have already been confirmed since many decades. Its eradicating actions on bacteria, viruses, fungi, and in numerous types of protozoa, are the mains reasons why it's being increasingly employed for sanitizing municipal water supplies in towns globally.
Normally, viruses tend to be tiny, individual contaminants, made with crystals and macromolecules. As opposed to bacteria, these elements can multiply only inside the host cell. Ozone kills viruses by diffusing through their outer layers of protein into the central nucleic acid, causing instant destruction of the viral RNA. At increased levels, ozone ruins the capsid or exterior protein covering through oxidation.
The majority of analysis on ozone's virucidal benefits have focused on ozone's predisposition to bust apart lipid molecules at areas of multiple bond construction. This implies that, when the lipid package of the coronavirus is broken, it may become impossible for the DNA or RNA of the virus to survive any longer.
WARNING: All the concepts explained above have dangerous and life threatening consequences if not used correctly or with due precautions. The author cannot be held responsible for any damage to life, property, health, or whatsoever, in regard to the construction and usage of the above explained theories.
Comments
I’ve been using an ozone generator since mid-March to combat Covid-19 infection. I turn it on for 20 minutes (it has a timer) and when I get home 2 hours later I leave all my clothing and purchases in the ozone room, take a shower, then open all the windows in the house, and go outside for a while.
An ozone generator is a great thing to use while you are AWAY from it. I’ve used an ozone generator in construction to de-mold catastrophe bathrooms, nullify rat nests under homes, and get a head start on termite eradication.
Thanks for giving a thumbs up for something that works. Despite the fact that ozone generators have a valid use, certain people are prone to operate them wrong, forget the read the manual, die, etc.
Thanks very much for the feedback, appreciate it!
Hi Swagatam – 2 comments in one:
1: COPPER kills bacteria and viruses. In our western rush to build cheaper mega-hospitals using PVC pipe and stainless steel, we have lost the ability to kill Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) which is widespread in hospitals.
2: Another example of western medical and pharmaceutical arrogance – In Russia and its surrounding countries, Phage Therapy has been alive and well for 90 years.
Stun guns produce a nice arc when in “threat mode”. They’re ubiquitous and often affordable. What about those as a source of triatomic oxygen plus close-up to the arc also UV? I was thinking about this for a small chamber which could be used to enclose the arc of a stun gun around a focuser/eyepiece at public viewings at an astronomy park to sterilize items which tend to come into contact with one of the most dangerous points-of-entry of viral contagions as well as unicellular pathogens.
Would that, in your opinion, “fit the bill”? And then one also has the device being repurposed for it’s original purpose too.
Any form of high voltage arc in the atmosphere will generate ozone, so stun gun arc will also do the same and can be used for eliminating viruses within an enclosed container.
Again thank you for your work here and keeping current affairs.
I have been reading a lot about cold plasma and even searched for an opensource project to make one.
Im not very skilled in electronics to design something at this level. I hear cold plasma has a very safe way of use, to treat air for many viruses besides the Covid 19 virus
Yes cold plasma employs a dielectric barrier made with mica insulator between the two arc electrodes, but I am not sure how it helps to enhance the ozone generation effect. However in any case, ozone will continue to be harmful for humans if inhaled, no matter how it s produced.
Strong UV light/lamp can be applied inside ventilation duct / or in room behind close door ( no people or living organism) for air cleaning/ disinfection including coronavirus.
Hi, Swagatam. Your site seems exciting for a brandnew electronics student like me. I have verry little electronics knowledge but the ozone generator seems very doable to me, thank you. I’d like to try that because I always hear about the benefits of ozone as a source of oxygen.
More specifically, against the corona disease and other virus-bacteria-fungi related problems, I try to have a cheap device/circuit for producing so-called “colloidal silver” (CS), which is considered a natural antibiotic. If I can find or have a relatively simple diagram of circuit producing some specific range of values, I think I can build (imitate) it with the help of a friend who is a better than me in electronics.
I came across your site when I was searching about “polarity changers”. The CS generator circuit I want to have needs to produce 30 volts, an adjustable range of 0-2 ma, and automatic polarity reversal preferably adjustable between about 10 to 60 seconds at its output electrodes. The ideal power input would be the most widely available power units like a 5v, 9v or 12v wall-adapter.
I already produce somewhat crude CS without a soldered-circuit but using a 30v printer adapter, a 1m potentiometer, cables, and other supplies like the silver wires, etc. And I’ve also managed to add a manual polarity changing switch but it’s almost a torture to manually switch the polarity every 60 seconds (let alone 30 seconds or less) for several hours! (polarity switching is said to prevent or decrease oxidation and blackening (mudding) of silver rods during electrolysis, thus increasing the quality of the CS).
Many sources say a 555 timer with a dpdt relay (along with some resistors and capacitors) would do the time-adjusted polarity switching. But others say h-bridges using transistors would be a more reliable and noiseless alternative. I almost know nothing about any of these but I only hope to get the necessary items and follow a circuit diagram probably with the help of a more knowledgeable and skillful friend. But I couldn’t find any ready circuit diagram (and am unable to figure out myself) regarding how to do, for instance, the h-bridge method so as specifically produce 30 volts, 0-2 ma and polarity switching at an adjustable interval of seconds.
If you can provide such a diagram for me, it would be great. If this is not possible for any reason, thank you anyway for the great work you provide on your website. There are already so many inspiring circuits and projects I’d like to try or learn about.
Greetings from Turkey.
Thanks mvm, you can probably try the following design, and check the response:
Thank you for your answer and design, Swagatam. It looks encouraging/possible to me despite my serious lack of knowledge. The two leads going to the motor can be used as my connections going to the silver electrodes, I suppose.
I believe this design is from one of the previous projects in your site although I couldn’t locate it. When you said “check the response”, I thought I’d be able to find some explanations in that design/project which would show me how to produce the specific values I seek. Did I misunderstand something?
No problem mvm, I have modified the design from the following article:
https://www.homemade-circuits.com/motor-toy-circuit/
yes that’s right, the motor points needs to be replaced with the desired load.
Great, thank you! I’m exited about trying to build it!
I don’t know much about the brushless motors in the typical “muffin fan”. Could the already-extant circuit in one of those one might have lying-around one’s junk-box make the desired alternating current to drive that colloidal silver generator?
Caution: if taken internally colloidal silver suspensions can clog arterioles and be very dangerous if the particle size is not being carefully-controlled! Topical applications not carefully controlled in this manner should be safe. I doubt colloidal silver has any better value against corona than any typical antibiotic would. But triatomic oxygen-rich water should. Pond sterilizers for water-gardens and more sophisticated aquarium set-ups should be good ready sources of off-the-shelf sterilant production.
I salute the encouragement of learning to produce our own home-brew electronic devices. Right now there’s a serious disease outbreak and it may be that now is not the time to be indulging in hands-on projects for becoming facile in whipping-up purpose-driven circuits. Off-the-shelf repurposing of common/available items could be a more profitable topic ’til the crisis is past. I’m just sayin’ …
Today I treated my grocery including some fresh fruit with an ozone generator for 20 minutes and left them alone for another 40 minutes. The produce didn’t seem to be damaged afterwards. I am hoping the produce won’t start going bad sooner than usual.
Thank you for this article, very helpful!
Thanks very much for the feedback!
I really recommend you
How can I become good I electronics like you
I’m an electronic engineering student from Nigeria
keep experimenting, reading, troubleshooting electronic circuits for many many years, you will become an expert.
You make the following two statement on your article. Will you please provide a scientific case study used to validate these claims.
1- “the SARS-CoV-2 will not die even under peak sunlight, unless the temperature is over 50 degrees Celsius. Moreover, the UV rays from the sun is too weak to cause any harm to the coronavirus protein structure”
2- “ozone gas can be effectively used for destroying coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, or any other virus”
Your implantation is a very effective utilization of ozone, my only concern is in the validity of the application and dismissal or UV applications.
I recently
Purchased an Ozone generator from amazon and plan to use it to sanitize groceries in the back of my car before bringing them in the house. Is this a feasable plan?
Depending on the volume of Ozone created by your generator, Ozone can degrade plastic and rubber:
Also–I hope you’re not running the Ozone generator while you’re driving!
Yes, according to me it is feasible, because ozone is not a chemical, it is powerful oxidizing agent, and kills virus through this characteristic, and this oxidizing property shouldn’t affect the vegetables…still I would recommend you to confirm this from a credible source
You can refer the following article for confirming the first point
https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202002/08/WS5e3eb7aea31012821727601d.html
As far as ozone is concerned it is a well known fact that it kills all viruses impeccably
UV rays can definitely kill coronavirus only if it is in a concentrated form, UV from sun may be too weak to cause any harm to the SARS-CoV-2 protein layer
The source of that article seems to have been a locale where international visitors for Olympics competition reported a need for masks due to industrial air pollution. This type of pollution frequently could be described as “photo-smog” which uses UV energy from the Sun to combine certain components of the direct pollutants into other compounds plus ground-level triatomic oxygen. So that result may not be generally applicable or valid.
I’m keeping a colony of deer mice ( which formerly were an infestation of deer mice in my home ). In studying on our dear www regarding risks of infection from such an endeavor one of the most believable-sounding articles reported that in keeping those indoors one must observe bio-war-lab protocols such as UV sterilization exhaust air, gloves, smocks &c. The article further went on to point out that such colonies of study specimens kept outdoors had never been responsible for human transmission of Han River Valley fever ( “Hanta” or Navajo Flu ), Leptospirosis, Tularemia or any of a host of other dangerous-to-humans zoonotic contagions citing copious solar ultraviolet radiation as well as the dilution-effect of being in the open air.
Do you have any citations “proving” that UV at typical solar sourced levels is ineffective? This would tend to depend on latitudes as well as other factors not the least-of-which might be naturally-occuring variations in the depth of the high-altitude layer of the atmosphere where triatomic oxygen ( or it’s formation from normal diatomic oxygen ) absorbs a lot of solar UV and helps keep levels of that within our operating parameters for freedom from skin cancers. The article referred to may have come-about as a highly-conservative statement in order to protect large populations in photo-smog environments while those in the countryside might well be able to depend on solar UV for novel corona-virus safety.
Diogenes is not ready to extinguish his famous lamp in-regard to the concept that solar UV cannot be highly helpful in curbing the spread of this virus. If it doesn’t absolutely obliterate the virus I doubt it does a lot to help it do what it does…
Sun rays produce UVA and UVB rays which are not effective in inactivating coronavirus, there are plenty of credible sources who have acknowledged this fact. However, it’s the heat from sun light during April May in tropical countries like India might help to eliminate or suppress the propagation of this virus significantly.
We may see this happening soon in India with positive results.
I suspect that the efficacy of using solar UV to kill the virus is a bit more complicated than that. If solar UV were too weak to penetrate into a virus and break up its internal proteins it wouldn’t be able to penetrate the dead cells of the epidermis to damage the deeper cells of the dermis.
More than likely, the exposure time for solar UV to kill coronavirus is long enough to present a health hazard for humans. Narrow beam UVC is an effective way of destroying virus without posing a threat to human health:
https://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/news/20180212/can-uv-light-be-used-to-kill-airborne-flu-virus-#1
You are welcome Aabhishek, you can contribute paid articles to this site.
Hi Swagatam,
Your Corona virus article is very interesting. I would like to know if a HV spark discharges ozone gas, what will happen if there is no spark but the electrodes only display the bluish discharge. Will this also produce ozone gas? Also if there is no bluish discharge, will ozone still be produced?
Regards
Jan
Thank you Swagatam.
No problem jan!
Thank you Jan, yes corona discharge will also produce ozone gas but not as strongly as an electric spark or arc. In the darkness if you cannot see any bluish discharge around the generator then it may not help. The blueish color indicates the presence of the high voltage interaction with air, and therefore a possible emission of ozone.
Yes sir , I am a retired electrostatic spray painter of over 30 YRS . We used a RANSBURG # 2 handgun that has a transformer pack when plugged in to wall outlet would have 90KV AT about a half amp of electrostatic current. At the end of the hand gun was a round bell for atomization of paint with a ground brush touching the spinning bell . To discharge it we would touch that brush/ bell point when we finished piece been painted, usually file cabinet . It would give off a BLUEISH SPARK/LIGHT . Also while in use you could see that effect if lights would be turned off ( we got crazy requests wanting to witness the almost star wars/ light sabre effects that had myths of how we accurately painted thru the infamous BLUE LIGHT ). My question is was there an ozone gas generated ? Never had the flu but had horrible allergies which is neither here or there . Thank you for any insight on this , Dave Bryan
That sounds so interesting David! Yes, corona discharge will no doubt produce ozone gas…which can be dangerous to human respiratory system if allowed to accumulate inside a unventilated room.
Appreciate your feedback..
Dear Sir, the arc generated through HV must pass through stainless steel dielectric insulated through crystal, ceramic or glass to be efficient.
The best functional circuit I have, being an expert in ozone generation for the last 40 years, is a simple 555 timer, working on 12 volts, with R1= 750k, R2=100k and C2=472. The signal passes through a totem pole and IRFP340 MOSFET. The Mosfet is protected by a 12V zener to the ground.
This way you have a 90% duty cycle on the ignition coil and a frequency of 330Hz. This is mostly typical for producing the best arc for cold corona discharge unit.
A potential meter on R1 with a protecting resistor of 10k works well for reducing the O3 capacity when needed.
The smell of Ozone is not very pleasing but the benefits are superb.
Have a safe life all.
Thank you for sharing the valuable information, appreciate it!
Although this is from China, it might be cheaper and less trouble than building one and appears to do the job. Ozonating water allows one to then wash with it as disinfectant. Ozone can stay dissolved in water for up to 20 minutes, but typically much less if it has work to do.
Greetings from Las Tunas, Cuba. I have to thank you for the practical design and with relatively affordable components even in my country of your circuits.
Do you have something about PI based on AT2560 ?. I’ve been following you for a long time and I’ve done a couple of circuits, otherwise my admiration for how hard you work. : – )
Amir
It’s my pleasure Amiri, I am always happy to help, however I do not have the mentioned circuit with me at the present moment.