WO2015048022A1

WO2015048022A1 - Pool cleaning application of water purifier

Info

Publication number: WO2015048022A1
Application number: PCT/US2014/056988
Authority: WO
Inventors: Roy SUBRATA
Original assignee: University Of Florida Research Foundation, Inc.
Priority date: 2013-09-24
Filing date: 2014-09-23
Publication date: 2015-04-02

Abstract

Disclosed are systems and methods for disinfecting water. In some embodiments, the systems include an ozone generator that generates ozone to diffuse into water, and a diffuser panel through which the ozone travels through before being introduced into the water. The ozone generator comprises a plasma discharge device that creates ozone from air. In some embodiments, the ozone percolates through the water in the form of micro-bubbles that eliminate microbes in the water.

Description

POOL CLEANING APPLICATION OF WATER PURIFIER

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001 ] This application claims priority based on U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 61/881 ,506 filed September 24, 2013, which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Recreational swimming pool water is a playground for bacteria and parasites. Therefore, swimming pools require regular cleaning. Typically, chlorine is the most often used chemical for pool cleaning to keep swimming pools. However, the use of chlorine in water presents certain disadvantages, including skin irritation, eye irritation, and unpleasant odors. Chlorine also fails to catch certain stubborn microbes present in swimming pool water.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0003] The disclosed apparatuses and methods can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0004] Fig. 1 A is a diagram of a first embodiment of a pool disinfecting system.

[0005] Fig. 1 B is a diagram of a second embodiment of a pool disinfecting system.

[0006] Fig. 2 is a block diagram of a third embodiment of a pool disinfecting system. [0007] Fig. 3 is a block diagram of a fourth embodiment of a pool disinfecting system.

[0008] Fig. 4 is a block diagram of an embodiment of an ozone generator with a diffuser panel.

[0009] Fig. 5 is a block diagram of an embodiment of an ozone generator in the form of a surface discharge actuator.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0010] Disclosed are systems and methods for disinfecting swimming pool water. In some embodiments, the systems include an ozone generator that generates ozone to diffuse into swimming pool water and a diffuser panel through which the ozone travels through before being introduced into the swimming pool water. The ozone generator comprises a plasma discharge device that creates ozone from air. The ozone passes from the plasma discharge device through the diffuser panel into the swimming pool water. In some embodiments, the ozone generator may release the ozone as micro-bubbles that percolate through the swimming pool water to substantially eliminate (e.g., eliminate about 70% or more, about 80% or more, about 90% or more, about 99% or more) of the microbes (e.g., bacteria, fungus, other microbes found in pool water, and a combination thereof) present upon introduction of the ozone. The ozone micro-bubbles may break down the microbes in the swimming pool water faster than larger bubbles would. Moreover, the micro- bubbles may diffuse into the swimming pool water faster than larger bubbles would. Therefore, the use of ozone micro-bubbles may disinfect the swimming pool at an accelerated rate relative to the use of larger ozone bubbles. [001 1 ] In another embodiment, the swimming pool comprises a pool tank filled with swimming pool water. The pool tank has one or more ozone generators positioned on the base and/or the walls of the pool tank. The ozone generator comprises a plasma discharge device and a diffuser panel. The ozone generated from the plasma discharge device releases through the diffuser panel in the form of bubbles. The bubbles diffuse into the swimming pool water breaking down the harmful microbes in the swimming pool water similar to the embodiment discussed above.

[0012] In yet another embodiment, the swimming pool comprises a pipeline, a water pump, one or more ozone generators, and a pool tank filled with swimming pool water. The pipeline comprises the water pump and the one or more ozone generators that can be positioned anywhere within the pipeline, in particular, before and/or after the water pump. The swimming pool water flows through the pipeline passing through the water pump and the ozone generator before the swimming pool water enters the pool tank. The ozone generator is positioned in proximity (e.g., in line before or after the water pump) to the water pump to disinfect the swimming pool water before it enters the pool tank. The ozone generator may release ozone into the swimming pool water in the pipeline in the form of ozone micro-bubbles that quickly disinfects and diffuses into the swimming pool water.

[0013] Fig. 1A illustrates a first embodiment of a swimming pool disinfecting system

100. The pool disinfecting system 100 comprises a swimming pool tank 1 13, an ozone meter 122, and an outlet 137. The swimming pool tank 1 13 contains the liquid

1 16 to be disinfected. The pool disinfecting system 100 may include one or more ozone generators 1 19a-d, each ozone generator 1 19 generates ozone from air supplied to the generator. An example of such an ozone generator 1 19 is illustrated in Fig. 4, which is described in further detail below. The ozone generator 1 19 can comprise one or more plasma discharge devices, such as dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) devices. An example of such a device is illustrated in Fig. 5, which is described below.

[0014] In some embodiments, the flow of ozone is regulated using the ozone meter 122 that is connected to the tank 1 13 and/or the liquid 1 16. The ozone meter 122 may function to assist a user of the pool disinfecting system 100 to minimize ozone leakage into the atmosphere while maximizing disinfection of the liquid 1 16. For example, the ozone meter 122 may measure an amount of ozone that is introduced into the tank 1 13. The ozone meter 122 may also measure the amount of ozone that enters the atmosphere from the liquid 1 16. In an embodiment, the ozone meter 122 and the ozone generator 1 19 may communicate with one another to regulate the amount of ozone entering the liquid 1 16 in the tank 1 13 and/or escaping out of the liquid 1 16 into the atmosphere.

[0015] As is illustrated in Fig. 1A, the ozone generators 1 19 are positioned on the base of the tank 1 13. Each ozone generator 1 19 generates ozone that is delivered to the liquid 1 16 in the tank 1 13 via a diffuser panel 125. Further detail of the diffuser panel is illustrated in Fig. 4, which is described below. In this embodiment, the ozone generator 1 19 may deliver the ozone from the base of the tank 1 13. The ozone generator 1 19 generates the ozone which may manifest in the liquid 1 16 as ozone bubbles 128 which are released from the diffuser panel 125 into the liquid 1 16.

Accordingly, ozone bubbles 128 percolate through the liquid 1 16 and diffuse into the liquid 1 16 to disinfect it.

[0016] Each of the ozone bubbles 128 released from the diffuser panel 125 may be of the same diameter as another. Alternatively, each of the ozone bubbles 128 released from the diffuser panel 125 may be of a different diameter than another. As illustrated in Fig. 1A, additional ozone bubbles 131 percolate throughout liquid 1 16 to disinfect it.

[0017] In one embodiment, the diffuser panel 125 may be a microdiffuser panel positioned on the ozone generator 1 19. The ozone generator 1 19 may then deliver the ozone through the microdiffuser panel resulting in the formation of micro-ozone bubbles. The micro-ozone bubbles may have a diameter of about 1 millimeter to 1 micron.

[0018] In another embodiment, the plasma discharge device in the ozone generator 1 19 may be a microscale plasma discharge device. The microscale plasma discharge device may generate ozone manifesting in the liquid 1 16 as micro-ozone bubbles that may have a diameter of about 1 millimeter to 1 micron.

[0019] In yet another embodiment, the plasma discharge device in the ozone generator 1 19 may be a microscale plasma discharge device. In addition, the diffuser panel 125 may be a microdiffuser panel positioned on the ozone generator 1 19. In this instance, the ozone generator 1 19 may generate ozone that percolates through the liquid 1 16 as micro-ozone bubbles that may have a diameter of about 1 millimeter to 1 micron.

[0020] In addition, the ozone oxidizes salts, and chemical compounds, such as arsenic, may be contained within the liquid. In some embodiments, residual ozone can be absorbed by an ozone scrubber 134 provided at least partially within the tank 1 13. The scrubber 134 can contain materials such as charcoal and titanium oxide. As illustrated in Fig. 1A, the scrubber 134 may be a detachable attachment wherein a user of the swimming pool disinfecting system 100 may add or remove materials as needed. [0021] Ozone-treated liquid can exit the tank 1 13 via the outlet line 137. In some embodiments, a further ozone meter 140 can be connected to the outlet line to detect any residual ozone contained in the liquid. The further ozone meter 140 may operate similar to the ozone meter 122 which regulates the amount of ozone generated in the tank 1 13 and entering the atmosphere. The ozone-treated liquid may then be filtered by a filtration unit and dispensed by a dispenser on the end of the outlet line 137. Similarly, outlet line 137 may function to clear any sediment or by-products that collect at the bottom of the tank 1 13.

[0022] Fig. 1 B illustrates a second embodiment of a pool disinfecting system 150. As indicated in Fig. 1 B, the system 150 comprises swimming pool tank 153 filled with swimming pool water 156. System 150 also comprises one or more ozone generators 159a positioned along the base of the tank 153. As with the previous embodiment, the ozone generator 159 can comprise one or more plasma discharge devices, such as dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) devices.

[0023] In this embodiment, as illustrated in Fig. 1 B, the pool disinfecting system 150 may also comprise one or more ozone generators 159b-c positioned along the walls of the tank 153. The ozone generator 159 may release the ozone through the diffuser panel 164 in the form of ozone bubbles 161 a-b. The ozone bubbles 161 may percolate through the liquid 156, eliminating microbes in the liquid 156 and then diffusing into the liquid 156. As illustrated in Fig. 1 B, additional ozone bubbles 167 percolate throughout liquid 156 to disinfect it.

[0024] In some embodiments, the amount of the ozone introduced into the swimming pool is measured using an ozone meter 180 that is coupled to the liquid 156 and the tank 153. The ozone meter 180 functions to assist a user of the pool disinfecting system 150 to minimize any ozone leakage into the atmosphere while maximizing the disinfection of the liquid 156. The ozone meter 180 may also measure the amount of the ozone released from the liquid 156 into the atmosphere. In an embodiment, the ozone meter 180 and the ozone generator 159 may

communicate with one another to regulate the amount of ozone entering the liquid 156 in the tank 153 and/or escaping out of the liquid 156 into the atmosphere.

[0025] In one embodiment, the diffuser panel 164 may be a microdiffuser panel positioned on the ozone generator 159 similar to those described in reference to diffuser panel 125 in Fig. 1A. The ozone generator 159 may be structured similar to the ozone generator 1 19 described above in relation to Fig. 1A. Similarly, the ozone generator 159 can include embodiments similar to those described in reference to ozone generator 1 19 in Fig. 1 A.

[0026] Ozone-treated liquid can exit the tank 156 via an outlet line 173. In some embodiments, a further ozone meter 176 can be connected to the outlet line to detect any residual ozone contained in the liquid. The further ozone meter 176 may operate similar to the ozone meter 180 which regulates the amount of ozone generated in the tank 156 and entering the atmosphere. The ozone-treated liquid may then be filtered by a filtration unit and dispensed by a dispenser on the end of the outlet line 173. Similarly, outlet line 173 may function to clear any sediment or by-products that collect at the bottom of the tank 153.

[0027] Fig. 2 illustrates a block diagram of a third embodiment of the pool disinfecting system 200. The pool disinfecting system comprises a swimming pool

201 . The swimming pool 201 comprises a pool tank 203 filled with swimming pool liquid 206. The pool tank 203 includes one or more diffuser panels 208. The swimming pool tank 203 further comprises a closed ozone channel 212 that may not contain any liquid but instead functions as a channel for ozone to travel through before being introduced into the swimming pool. The closed ozone channel 212 may comprise one or more ozone generators 209. Furthermore, the closed ozone channel 212 may allow for air to pass through the closed ozone channel 212 assisting the ozone generator 209 in generating ozone.

[0028] As with the previous embodiments, the ozone generator 209 can comprise one or more plasma discharge devices 218, such as dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) devices. The ozone generator 209 may further comprise an ozone outlet 221 . The plasma discharge device 218 generates ozone and releases the ozone into the closed ozone channel 212 through the ozone outlet 221 . The ozone may flow freely through the closed ozone channel 212. The ozone may then flow through the diffuser panel 208 into the liquid 206, resulting in the formation of ozone bubbles that percolate through the liquid 206.The ozone bubbles may eliminate microbes in the liquid 206 and diffuse into the liquid 206.

[0029] In one embodiment, diffuser panel 208 may be a microd iff user panel resulting in the formation of micro-ozone bubbles that may have a diameter of about 1 millimeter to 1 micron. In another embodiment, the plasma discharge device 218 may be a microscale plasma discharge device, also resulting in the formation of micro- ozone bubbles that may have a diameter of about 1 millimeter to 1 micron.

[0030] The pool disinfecting system 200 may be configured to allow the ozone to flow through the diffuser panel 208 into the liquid 206 at preferably non-operational hours to clean the liquid 206 in an environmentally and medically safe manner. In another embodiment, the pool disinfecting system 200 may be configured to allow the ozone to flow through the diffuser panel 208 into the liquid 206 at automated intervals throughout the day. [0031] In some embodiments, the amount of the ozone introduced into the swimming pool is regulated using an ozone meter 225 that is coupled to the tank 203 and/or liquid 206 similar to the ozone meters 122 and 180 referenced above in Fig. 1A and 1 B. Ozone-treated liquid can exit the tank 203 via an outlet line 230 similar to the referenced outlet line 137 in Fig. 1A and the outlet line 173 in Fig. 1 B. Moreover, a further ozone meter 233 may operate similar to the referenced further ozone meter 140 in Fig. 1A and the further ozone meter 176 in Fig. 1 B.

[0032] Fig. 3 illustrates a block diagram of a fourth embodiment of the pool disinfecting system 300. The pool disinfecting system 300 comprises a swimming pool tank 303. The swimming pool tank 303 comprises liquid 306, a pipeline 309, a liquid chamber 310, and an ozone meter 312. The pipeline 306 may comprise a pipeline entrance 313, a water pump 315, one or more ozone generators 318, an inlet 321 , and an outlet 324. In an embodiment, the pool disinfecting system 300 circulates the liquid 306 in a periodic manner. For example, the pool disinfecting system 300 circulates the liquid 306 each evening to substantially eliminate or eliminate the microbes in the liquid 306. In an embodiment, the one or more ozone generators 318 can be positioned before and/or after the water pump 315 or else where in the pipeline 309. Other configurations of the pipeline are contemplated and the various

components can be configured in various positions.

[0033] In one embodiment, additional liquid enters the pipeline 309 through the pipeline entrance 313. The additional liquid may then flow through the water pump 315. The water pump 315 may comprise an air inlet, an aspirator, or any device capable of bringing an air mixture into the pipeline. Subsequently, the additional liquid may flow across the ozone generator 318 thereby disinfecting the additional liquid before it flows through the inlet 321 and enters the liquid chamber 310. As mentioned above, the liquid 306 can be circulated periodically.

[0034] As with previous embodiments, the ozone generator 318 may comprise one or more plasma discharge devices 327 and one or more diffuser panels 330. The plasma discharge device 327 may generate ozone and release the ozone through the diffuser panel 330. The ozone released through the diffuser panel 330 diffuses into the additional liquid flowing across the ozone generator 318 and disinfects the additional liquid.

[0035] The diffuser panel 330 may be a microdiffuser panel that releases ozone in the form of micro-bubbles. The micro-bubbles may have a diameter of about 1 millimeter to 1 micron. The micro-bubbles may quickly diffuse into the additional liquid before or after the additional liquid enters the liquid chamber 310 through the inlet 321 .

[0036] In another embodiment, pre-existing liquid from liquid 306 may enter the pipeline 309 to re-circulate the pre-existing liquid and disinfect it using the ozone generator 318. Similar to the embodiment described directly above, the pre-existing liquid may enter the pipeline 309 through the pipeline entrance 313. The pre-existing liquid then may then flow through the water pump. 315. Subsequently, the pre-existing may flow across the ozone generator 318. The ozone released from the ozone generator 318 may diffuse into the pre-existing liquid before it enters the liquid chamber 310 through the inlet 321 . The diffuser panel 330 may be a microdiffuser panel that releases ozone in the form of micro-bubbles. The micro-bubbles may have a diameter of about 1 millimeter to 1 micron. The ozone micro-bubbles may quickly diffuse into the pre-existing liquid.

[0037] In some embodiments, the flow of ozone is measured using an ozone meter

312 that is connected to the tank 303 similar to ozone meter 225 in Fig. 2 discussed above. Ozone-treated liquid can exit tank 303 via an outlet line 324 similar to the referenced outlet line 230 in Fig. 2, outline Iine137 in Fig. 1A, and the outlet line 173 in Fig. 1 B. Moreover, the a further ozone meter 340 may operate similar to the referenced further ozone meter 233 in Fig. 2, further ozone meter 140 in Fig. 1A, and the further ozone meter 176 in Fig. 1 B.

[0038] It is noted that the pool disinfecting system 300 may be structured such that the ozone generator 318 may be located anywhere throughout the pipeline 309 or the inlet 321 . For example, the ozone generator 318 may be located at the edge of inlet 321 such that the water exits the inlet 321 and flows through the ozone generator 318 before entering the liquid chamber 310.

[0039] Fig. 4 is a block diagram of an embodiment of an ozone generator 400 with a diffuser panel 406. The ozone generator 400 comprises one or more plasma discharge devices 403, one or more diffuser tubes 404, and a diffuser panel 406. The plasma discharge device 403 is further described below in relation to Fig. 5. The diffuser panel 406 may comprise a plurality of micro-vents 409. The diffuser panel 406 and the micro-vents 409 may disperse ozone and spread the ozone over a larger area in the swimming pool. Additionally, the diffuser panel 406 and the micro-vents 409 may enhance the mixing of the ozone into the swimming pool water.

[0040] In one embodiment, the plasma discharge device 403 generates ozone which travels through the diffuser tubes 404. The ozone then travels through the diffuser tube 404 to the micro-vent 409. The micro-vent 409 may diffuse the ozone into micro-bubbles. The micro-vent 409 may disperse the micro-bubbles from the ozone generator 400 to the swimming pool water.

[0041] The micro-vent 409 and diffuser panel 406 may operate to increase the speed of ozone diffusion in the swimming pool water. More specifically, the micro-vent 409 and the diffusion panel 406 create micro-bubbles that may increase a local reaction rate of the ozone with the microbes in the swimming pool water, thereby taking less time to produce sufficient oxidative damage to DNA, RNA, and proteins distributed in microbes throughout the swimming pool water. As such, the diffuser panel 406 and the micro-vents 409 assist in increasing the efficiency of the ozone disinfection process while consuming a low amount of power. For example, an ozone generator 400 may use about 0.1 watt/cm². It is noted that the ozone generator 400 may be structured differently in alternative embodiments to perform the same diffusion functionality.

[0042] Fig. 5 illustrates an example plasma discharge device 500. The plasma discharge device 500 is configured as a dielectric barrier discharge device that comprises first and second electrodes 503 and 506 that are separated by a layer of dielectric material 509. By way of example, the dielectric material 509 comprises alumina, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), glass reinforced epoxy laminate sheets (e.g., FR-4), polyimide (e.g., Kapton), or poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). Also by way of example, the first and second electrodes 503 and 506 may be micro- electrodes. When an electric potential or an electric field is applied across the electrodes 503, 506, an electrical discharge in the form of a plasma 51 1 is generated that, in the presence of air or oxygen, creates ozone. In addition, the plasma 51 1 creates an electrostatic force that applies a directional bias (local pressure differential) on the gas in which the device 500 is provided. Therefore, the device 500 can be used not only to generate ozone but also generate a directional flow of the ozone. In some embodiments, the flow generated by the surface discharge actuators is such that additional means, such as pumps or fans, are not needed to generate air/ozone flow. Example dielectric barrier discharge devices that are suitable for use in the disclosed systems are described in detail in U.S. 2010/0127624, US 201 1/01 16967, and WO 201 1/156408, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference into the present disclosure.

[0043] In one embodiment, the plasma discharge device 500 may be a microscale plasma discharge device. A microscale plasma discharge device is also configured as a dielectric barrier discharge device that comprises first and second electrodes 503 and 506 that are separated by a layer of dielectric material 509. However, the first and second electrodes 503 and 506 of the microscale plasma discharge device are micro- electrodes. The use of micro-electrodes may increase the speed of ozone diffusion into the swimming pool by creating the micro-bubbles that have increased local reaction rates with microbes in the swimming pool water while consuming low amounts of power. For example, a 1 in² electrode configuration may result in the microscale plasma discharge device generating ozone at an ozone production rate of 200 ppm in approximately ten minutes. It is noted that the plasma discharge device 500 may be structured differently in alternative embodiments to perform the same diffusion functionality.

[0044] In the foregoing disclosure, various embodiments have been described. It is noted that those embodiments are mere example implementations and that alternative embodiments are possible. All such embodiments are intended to fall within the scope of this disclosure.

[0045] It should be noted that ratios, concentrations, amounts, and other numerical data may be expressed herein in a range format. It is to be understood that such a range format is used for convenience and brevity, and thus, should be interpreted in a flexible manner to include not only the numerical values explicitly recited as the limits of the range, but also to include all the individual numerical values or sub-ranges encompassed within that range as if each numerical value and sub-range is explicitly recited. To illustrate, a concentration range of "about 0.1 % to about 5%" should be interpreted to include not only the explicitly recited

concentration of about 0.1 wt% to about 5 wt%, but also include individual concentrations {e.g., 1 %, 2%, 3%, and 4%) and the sub-ranges {e.g., 0.5%, 1 .1 %, 2.2%, 3.3%, and 4.4%) within the indicated range. In an embodiment, the term "about" can include traditional rounding according to significant figures of the numerical value. In addition, the phrase "about 'x' to 'y'" includes "about 'x' to about y".

[0046] It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of the present disclosure are merely possible examples of implementations, and are merely set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of this disclosure. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiment(s) of the disclosure without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the disclosure. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and protected by the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMS Claimed are:

1 . A system for disinfecting water comprising:

an ozone meter configured to regulate an amount of ozone in a pool tank to minimize ozone leakage into an atmosphere; and

one or more ozone generators, each ozone generator comprising a plasma discharge device configured to create ozone that can percolate through the water of the pool tank to disinfect the water.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the pool tank comprises a swimming pool.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein each ozone generator further comprises a diffuser panel.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the diffuser panel is configured to produce micro-ozone bubbles that have a diameter of about 1 millimeter to 1 micron.

5. The system of claim 3, wherein the one or more ozone generators are positioned at a bottom base of the pool tank.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the plasma discharge device comprises a dielectric barrier discharge device comprising first and second electrodes that are separated by a dielectric material and wherein the plasma discharge device is configured to generate a plasma when an electric potential is applied across the first and second electrodes, wherein the plasma is mixed with air to create the ozone.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the ozone meter is configured to communicate with the one or more ozone generators to regulate an amount of the ozone present in the water.

8. A system for sanitizing water comprising:

an ozone generator configured to create ozone, the ozone generator comprising a plasma discharge device;

a closed ozone channel through which an amount of the ozone flows from the ozone generator through a diffuser panel into the water of a pool tank;

wherein the diffuser panel is configured to deliver the ozone from the closed ozone channel to the pool tank so that the ozone percolates through the water to sanitize the water;

an ozone meter configured to measure the amount of the ozone present in the pool tank; and

wherein the ozone generator and the ozone meter are configured to communicate to regulate the amount of the ozone generated in the water.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the plasma discharge device is a dielectric barrier discharge device comprising first and second electrodes that are separated by a dielectric material, wherein the plasma discharge device is configured to generate a plasma when an electric potential is applied across the first and second electrodes.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the first and second electrodes have a 1 in² electrode configuration.

1 1 . The system of claim 8, wherein the plasma discharge device is configured to generate ozone at an ozone production rate of 200 ppm.

12. The system of claim 8, wherein the diffuser panel is configured to produce micro-ozone bubbles that have a diameter of about 1 millimeter to 1 micron.

13. The system of claim 8, further comprising a water pump, wherein the ozone generator is positioned in proximity to the water pump.

14. The system of claim 8, further comprising the pool tank, wherein the pool tank comprises a swimming pool.

15. A method of disinfecting water comprising:

generating ozone from a base of a pool tank filled with the water;

discharging the ozone through a diffuser panel so that the ozone percolates through the water; and

regulating an amount of the ozone in the pool tank to minimize ozone leakage into an atmosphere.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the ozone discharged is in the form of micro-bubbles that have a diameter of about 1 millimeter to 1 micron.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein a plurality of ozone generators generates the ozone at the base of the pool tank, each ozone generator configured to generate the ozone at an ozone production rate of 200 ppm.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein each ozone generator comprises a dielectric barrier discharge device comprising first and second electrodes that are separated by a dielectric material, wherein the dielectric barrier discharge device is configured to generate a plasma when an electric potential is applied across the first and second electrodes.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the dielectric barrier discharge device generates a directional flow of the ozone without aid of a pump or fan.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising aspirating air into the pool tank; and mixing the air with the plasma to generate the ozone.