Oxygen is preferred over air for ozone production due to its higher concentration and purity. Air, which comprises approximately 78% nitrogen and 21% oxygen, contains a lower concentration of oxygen. When air is used in ozone generation, a significant portion of the energy is consumed in converting nitrogen molecules, which are inert and do not participate in ozone formation. This results in lower ozone production efficiency. By using oxygen as the feed gas, the energy is solely focused on converting oxygen molecules into ozone, maximizing the ozone production rate.
Additionally, oxygen is cleaner and contains fewer impurities compared to air, ensuring the production of higher-quality ozone. The absence of nitrogen reduces the risk of producing harmful nitrogen oxides (NOx) as byproducts, which can have adverse effects on the environment and human health. Therefore, utilizing oxygen for ozone production not only enhances efficiency but also improves the purity and environmental impact of the ozone generated.