Abstract:
A modular ozone generator includes an ultraviolet (UV) lamp within a chamber for converting some of the oxygen molecules in air to ozone molecules. The air is introduced through an inlet at a high point of the chamber and discharged through an outlet at a low point of the chamber to increase the proportion of ozone molecules relative to the oxygen molecules discharged due to the higher density ozone molecules migrating downwardly. The introduced air is conveyed through a diffuser to provide multiple streams of air flowing about the lamp to enhance irradiation of the oxygen molecules and form ozone molecules. A second or more ozone generator modules are beneath the first ozone generator module with an interlocking mechanism to align the outlet of an upper ozone generator with the inlet of a lower ozone generator module. The number of cascaded ozone generator modules forming a vertical stack is a function of the concentration (and amount) of ozone molecules sought to be generated. Readily removable end caps for each ozone generator module accommodate repair and replacement of any and all internal components with or without dismounting the ozone generator module from its supporting structure. Slidably mounted tabs accommodate attachment of the ozone generator modules to hard points of the supporting structure.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     The present application is a continuation-in-part application of an application entitled “Modular Ozone Generator” assigned Ser. No. 11/029,288, filed Jan. 5, 2005 and assigned to the present assignee. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The present invention relates to ozone generators and, more particularly, to stackable modular ozone generators particularly adapted for use in ozonating the air in the return line of a swimming pool or spa.  
         [0004]     2. Description of Related Prior Art  
         [0005]     All modern swimming pools and spas include a pump for recirculating the water through a filtration apparatus. The filtration apparatus filters and collects organic and inorganic matter suspended in the water passing through the filter. The micro-organisms that may be part of the organic matter are usually responsible for algae and other organic contaminations of the water in the swimming pool or spa. Conventional treatment procedures include mixing chemicals with the water in the swimming pool or spa to destroy the contaminating micro-organisms. Some of these chemicals may be hazardous to the health of a user of the swimming pool or spa for a period of time until the chemicals have dissipated or otherwise been rendered impotent.  
         [0006]     The injection of ozone into water to kill micro-organisms is part of a procedure that has been carried out for decades. Usually, such ozone injection is used in conjunction with waste water treatment plants. Other installations requiring sterile water have also used ozone entraining apparatus in an attempt to destroy any micro-organisms present. There have been some instances of injecting ozone into the return line of swimming pools and spas but for the most part, such installations have not been functionally or practically successful. The main reason for lack of success relates to the low concentration of ozone in the air injected, which required significant amounts of ozone enriched air. Such large amounts of ozone enriched air tended to cause cavitation at the impeller of the pump drawing water through the return line. Additionally, air would tend to collect within the filter and compromise the rate of water flow and the filtration process.  
         [0007]     Existing apparatus for injecting ozone enriched air into the return line from a swimming pool or spa tends to be sized as a function of the amount of ozone to be injected per unit of time. To increase the amount of ozone enriched air injected generally required different or larger sized units and hence such replacement incurs a significant cost.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     A modular ozone generator includes a tubular UV lamp disposed within a chamber for emitting radiation in the ultraviolet frequency range to cause conversion of some of the oxygen molecules within the chamber into ozone molecules to produce ozonated air. Air inflows into the chamber through a diffuser having a number of inlets surrounding or adjacent the UV lamp. During irradiation of the oxygen molecules by the UV lamp, the resulting ozone molecules will migrate downwardly within the chamber as the ozone molecules are heavier than the oxygen molecules. This results in a higher concentration of ozone molecules at the bottom of the chamber. To take advantage of the increased concentration of ozone molecules in the air at the lower part of the chamber, an outlet is formed therein. When two or more modules are used, the second module is placed beneath the first module and its inlet is connected with the outlet of the first module. Thereby, the air with the higher concentration of ozone molecules enters the second module and is dispersed about a second UV lamp to generate further ozone molecules. Thereby, the concentration of ozone molecules is further enhanced. Where a yet higher concentration of ozone molecules is desired for a particular application, further modules may be stacked downwardly. Thus, a selected number of modules may be employed at each location of use as a function of the concentration of ozone molecules desired to be entrained within the water to be treated. Each module includes keyways at the top and bottom for slidably receiving tabs to secure the uppermost and lowermost modules to a supporting structure. Keys engage the keyways facing one another between the modules to interconnect adjacent modules. Detachably attached end caps accommodate repair/replacement of elements within a module without requiring dismounting of a module from its support and eliminate detachment of one module from another for such purposes.  
         [0009]     It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide a diffused flow of air about a UV lamp within an ozone generating module to increase the concentration of ozone molecules relative to the oxygen molecules.  
         [0010]     Another object of the present invention is to provide large volume slow moving air about a UV lamp within a module to enhance exposure of oxygen molecules to UV radiation.  
         [0011]     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a flow of air about a UV lamp to provide cooling of the UV lamp and enhance the production of ozone molecules.  
         [0012]     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide relatively slow moving air about a UV lamp to minimize turbulence of the air flowing about the UV lamp and enhance production of ozone molecules.  
         [0013]     A further object of the present invention is to provide relatively low turbulence air flow within an ozone generating module to enhance settling of ozone molecules about the outlet and increase the ratio of ozone molecules to oxygen molecules outflowing from the ozone generator.  
         [0014]     A still further object of the present invention is to provide two or more ozone generating modules serially connected to serially irradiate ozonated air flowing into the second and any further serially connected modules.  
         [0015]     A yet further object of the present invention is to provide a method for generating ozonated air in a plurality of serially connected ozone generating modules to increase the density of ozone molecules as a function of the number of serially connected ozone generators.  
         [0016]     A yet further object of the present invention is to provide a diffuser for diffusing an in flow of air about a UV lamp to enhance production of ozone molecules.  
         [0017]     These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art as the description thereof proceeds.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0018]     The present invention will be described with greater specificity and clarity with reference to the following drawings, in which:  
         [0019]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a pair of stacked modular ozone generators;  
         [0020]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  2 - 2 , as shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0021]      FIG. 3  is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating the mounting of a tubular UV lamp within each module;  
         [0022]      FIG. 4  is a partial exploded view showing the inlets and outlets of the respective modules;  
         [0023]      FIG. 5  is a partial exploded view illustrating the detachably attached end caps and lamp supporting ribs;  
         [0024]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  6 - 6 , as shown in  FIG. 3 ;  
         [0025]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  7 - 7 , as shown in  FIG. 6 ;  
         [0026]      FIG. 8  is a partial cross sectional view illustrating inflow of air or ozonated air through a plurality of apertures disposed about the UV lamp;  
         [0027]      FIG. 8A  is a detail view of the air inflow shown in  FIG. 8 ;  
         [0028]      FIG. 9  is an end view of a diffuser taken along lines  9 - 9  shown in  FIG. 8 ;  
         [0029]      FIG. 9A  is a partial cross sectional view taken along lines  9 A- 9 A shown in  FIG. 9 ;  
         [0030]      FIG. 9B  illustrates a reverse view of the diffuser shown in  FIG. 9 ;  
         [0031]      FIG. 10  is a variant air discharge diffuser locatable about a lamp; and  
         [0032]      FIG. 11  is a further variant air discharge diffuser locatable along the UV lamp.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0033]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , there is illustrated an ozone generator  10  formed of a first module  12  and a second module  14 . Each of these modules constitutes an ozone generator. Upon actuation, each module will generate ozone enriched air (ozonated air) for discharge at its outlet. By cascading the modules, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the degree of concentration of ozone in the air ultimately discharged from ozone generator  10  will be enhanced. It is to be understood that one or more further modules may be serially connected and extending downwardly.  
         [0034]     Each ozone generator  10  is primarily intended for use with a swimming pool or spa. Depending upon the amount of water in the pool or spa, one or more modules ( 12 ,  14 ) may be used to ensure an effective degree of entrainment of the ozone in the water to ensure oxidization of organic material that may be present. In particular, it is intended that the ozone, upon coming in contact with micro-organisms, destroys such micro-organisms.  
         [0035]     Still referring primarily to  FIG. 1 , an overall description of ozone generator  10  will be provided. A pair of tabs  16 ,  18  are slidably mounted at the rear of module  12  to permit positioning of the tabs in conformance with hard points of a support or supporting structure. A similar pair of tabs  16 ′ and  18 ′ extend downwardly from the lower-most module (module  14 , as shown in  FIG. 3 ). Electrical power to the circuitry and lamps disposed in each of modules  12  and  14  is housed within a conduit  20  secured to a fitting  22  by a nut  24 , in accordance with conventional practice. The ozone enriched air is discharged from module  14  through a fitting  26  into a pipe or tube  28 .  
         [0036]     Each of modules  12  and  14  includes a body  30 , which is preferably a hollow aluminum extrusion having a cross-sectional configuration to be described below. A section  32 , having the same exterior configuration as body  30 , is attached to the body and houses the electrical circuitry for a UV lamp along with a socket for the lamp. Additionally, it includes the channels for channeling a gas, such as air, into body  30  and further channels for channeling the ozone enriched air out of the body. An end cap  34  seals the exposed end of section  32 . A further end cap  36  seals the corresponding end of body  30 . A strap  38  is lodged within mating depressions  40  at the bottom edge of end cap  34  of module  12  and depression  42  at the upper edge of lower end cap  34  formed as part of module  14 . Attachment means, such as screws or bolts  74 ,  76 , extend through apertures in depressions  40 ,  42  for engagement with body  30  to retain end cap  34  and section  32  attached to the body.  
         [0037]     Referring jointly to  FIGS. 2, 3  and  4 , further details will be described. As modules  12  and  14  are essentially identical, common reference numerals will be used for common elements. Fitting  22 , in combination with nut  24  and conduit  20  comprise common off-the-shelf fitting assemblies used to interconnect electrical conduit  20  with an aperture  52  at the bottom of section  32  of module  14 . Thereby, electrical conductors extend from within conduit  20  to a terminal board  52  within section  32 . Further conductors extend from terminal board  52  in section  36  of module  14  to terminal board  54  within section  32  of module  12  through an aperture  58  at the top of the section and aperture  52  in section  32  of module  12 . Further electrical conductors extend from each terminal board  54  and are connected to lamp plug  56  in each respective module. Thereby, electrical power is provided to each of lamps  58  particularly shown in  FIG. 3 .  
         [0038]     Each section  32  includes a plurality of inwardly extending radially oriented ribs  60 ,  62  and  64  for supporting and centrally orienting base  66  of each respective lamp  58 . These ribs may be tapered toward the lamp base, as shown in  FIG. 3 . The base of each lamp includes an annular flange  68  that bears against a wall  70  of section  32  and within a cylindrical section  72  after penetrable insertion of the lamp through an aperture  73  in the wall, which wall serves as a mounting for said lamp. The lamp is retained thereagainst by ribs  60 ,  62  and  64 . Attachment means, such as bolts  74 ,  76  penetrably engage strap  38  and are in threaded engagement with corresponding channels  108 ,  110  in body  30  (see  FIG. 5 ). Thereby, the strap serves to tie module  12  with module  14 .  
         [0039]     Further bolt  76  of module  12  and further bolt  74  of module  14  also engage corresponding channels in body  30  and further secure end caps  34  and sections  32  to their respective body  30 . A cover  78  and gasket  80  is secured by a plurality of bolts  82  to section  32  of uppermost module  12 . The purpose of this cover is to seal aperture  58  at the top of section  32  of module  12  and to shield but not cover inlet  84  within section  32  (see  FIG. 3 ). Thereby, the interior of section  32  is sealed and water and other foreign matter is discouraged from flowing into inlet  84 .  
         [0040]     Referring jointly to  FIGS. 3 and 5 , end cap  36  and its function, as well as its cooperation with the corresponding end of body  30  will be described. The end cap includes a plurality of ribs  90  extending toward body  30  for receiving and guiding end  92  of lamp  58  into a socket  94 . Thereby, insertion of a replacement lamp is readily performed by simply removing end cap  34 , withdrawing the lamp and inserting a replacement through aperture  73  in wall  70 . As end  92  of the lamp approaches end cap  36 , it will be guided into its socket and little skill to install the lamp is required by a workman. A gasket  96  is disposed intermediate end cap  36  and body  30  to maintain the integrity of chamber  98  within the body.  
         [0041]     Further gaskets provide a seal between end cap  34  and section  32  and between section  32  and body  30 . When two or more modules are employed, a mechanical structural interconnection therebetween is provided by a further strap  100  (like strap  38 ) nesting within depressions  102  and  104  in the respective end caps. Attachment means, such as bolt  106 , penetrably engages strap  100  through an aperture extending inwardly from within depression  102  and into threaded engagement with channel  108  formed as part of bodies  30 . This same channel is threadedly engaged by bolt  74  extending through end cap  34  and section  32  at the other end of module  12 . Similarly, a bolt  107  penetrably engages strap  100  and extends through an aperture formed as part of depression  104  into threaded engagement with a channel  110  disposed in body  30  of module  12 . This same channel is engaged by bolt  76  extending through end cap  34  and section  32  at the other end of the module  14 . A further bolt  109  penetrably engages depression  104  and the aperture therein at the upper edge of end cap  36  corresponding with module  12  into threaded engagement with channel  110 . This channel is similarly engaged by a bolt  74  extending through end plate  34  and section  32  at the other end of module  12 . This same channel is engaged by bolt  76  extending through end cap  34  and section  32  at the other end of module  12 . A yet further bolt  112  penetrably engages depression  102  and the aperture therein at the lower edge of end plate  36  corresponding with module  14  into threaded engagement with channel  108 . This same channel is engaged by bolt  74  extending through end cap  34  and section  32  at the other end of module  14 .  
         [0042]     Referring jointly to  FIGS. 3, 5 ,  6  and  7 , further interconnections between adjacent modules will be described along with further details attendant mounting of the module or a set of modules to a support or supporting surface. A keyway  120  extends along the top rear edge of body  30 . A similar keyway  122  extends along the bottom rear edge of the body. Tab  16  includes an apertured flat segment  124  for penetrably receiving attachment means, such as a screw, bolt, nail, or the like, for securing the tab and the supported module to a supporting surface. The lower end of tab  16  includes a bulbous segment  126  slidably disposed within keyway  120 . This bulbous segment may be a partial circular segment bent from a part of a sheet of material forming tab  16 , as illustrated. Thereby, the tab may be slidably moved along keyway  120  to position it in correspondence with a hard point of the supporting surface. A key  128 , shaped in the manner of a dog bone in cross section, includes opposed bulbous ends  130 ,  132  for slidable engagement within keyway  130  in module  12  and keyway  120  in module  14 . The distance between the bulbous ends is configured to ensure that module  14  is captured adjacent to and in contacting relationship with module  12 . Thereby, key  128  (or keys  128 ), in combination with straps  38 ,  100  (see  FIGS. 4 and 5 ) provide a mechanical interconnection between modules  12  and  14  to maintain the modules adjacent one another to form a unitary structure. It may be noted that bulbous ends  130 ,  132  of key  128  are shown as cylindrical elements and may be an aluminum extrusion. Alternatively, the bulbous ends may be solid.  
         [0043]      FIG. 6  illustrates a yet further module  15  identical with modules  12  and  14 . The purpose of this illustration, in dashed lines, is that of representing further and possibly multiple modules identical with modules  12  and  14  and stacked therebelow. As each module not only produces additional ozone molecules but also increases the concentration of ozone molecules within the air, the number of modules employed would be a function of not only the amount of water to be ozonated but the flow rate and entrainment rate of the ozone molecules in the water.  
         [0044]      FIG. 6 , as well as  FIG. 3 , also illustrate further tabs  16 ′ and  18 ′ which are identical with tabs  16  and  18 . Bulbous segment  126 ′ of each of tabs  16 ′ and  18 ′ slidably engages keyway  122  in module  15 . Obviously, if only module  12  or only modules  12  and  14  were employed, tabs  16 ′ and  18 ′ would engage the keyway  122  of the lowermost module.  
         [0045]     Referring primarily to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the step of ozone generation and the steps of conveying the ozonated air through and discharge it from ozone generator  10  will be described. Air is drawn in through inlet  84  of module  12  into chamber  98  of module  12 . The air within the chamber is irradiated by ultraviolet (UV) light emanating from lamp  58 . Such irradiation will convert some of the oxygen molecules into ozone molecules. As particularly shown in  FIG. 3 , inlet  84 , shielded by cover  78 , is formed within section  32 . The flow of air within chamber  98  from the inlet traverses the length of lamp  58  to expose the flowing air to the full length of the lamp and thereby increase the creation of ozone molecules. At the far end of the module, the air flows intermediate ribs  90  and into a passageway  142  extending the length of body  30  beneath chamber  98 . The ozonated air flows from passageway  142  into section  32  wherein it is directed downwardly through an outlet  144  in an upper section  32  and into an inlet  84  of a lower section  32 ; O-rings or the like are used to seal the junction between the outlets and the inlets to prevent escape of any ozonated air. It is noted that inlet  84  of module  12  is identical with inlet  84  of module  14 . The air is directed from inlet  84  of module  14  into chamber  98  of the module. This air includes ozone molecules created in module  12 . Further exposure to lamp  58  in module  14  will produce further conversion of oxygen molecules into ozone molecules. Again, the ozone enriched air within module  14  will flow along lamp  58  into passageway  142  of module  14 . The ozone enriched air in channel  142  of module  14  is exhausted through outlet  144  in module  14 .  
         [0046]     As particularly shown in  FIG. 4 , a fitting  146  is secured to section  32  with a bolt  148 . The purpose of fitting  146  is that of interconnecting tube  28  with outlet  144  at the bottom of section  32  of module  14 . An O-ring  150  is disposed between fitting  146  and section  32  to ensure a leak free interconnection between tube  28  and outlet  144 . It is to be noted that further O-rings  150  or similar sealing members may be disposed between the outlet of one module and the inlet of an adjacent module to provide a leak free interconnection.  
         [0047]     Ozone molecules are more dense and hence heavier than oxygen molecules. This physical attribute of these molecules is purposely used in the present invention to increase the concentration of ozone molecules in the ozone enriched air discharged from each module and from a set of modules forming the ozone generator. More specifically, the ozone molecules created within module  12  will tend to migrate downwardly within chamber  98 . Thus, the downward migration and hence concentration of ozone molecules at the bottom of the chamber will be greater than at a height upwardly therefrom. This greater concentration of ozone molecules will flow into passageway  142  and be discharged into chamber  98  of module  14 . Again, the ozone molecules entering chamber  98  of module  14  and the further ozone molecules created therein will migrate downwardly to increase the concentration at the bottom of chamber  98  in module  14 . Thereby, the concentration of ozone molecules in the air flowing into passageway  142  of module  14  and into tube  28  will be enhanced.  
         [0048]     The flow of air through ozone generator  10 , whether formed of a single module or of a multiple stacked molecules to provide a cascade-like creation of ozone molecules, may be introduced into the water by a venturi-like device  152  (see  FIG. 4 ) having water flowing therethrough to create a low pressure environment to draw the ozone enriched air into entrainment in the water. This technology is well known. Alternatively, a pump  152  may be used to draw air through the ozone generator and entrain it within water through a sparger or the like.  
         [0049]     In the event of the air flow around and about the UV lamp in the first module or the flow of ozonated air in the second or subsequent modules does not produce a cooling function for the UV lamp, it may overheat. Such overheating reduces the production of ozone molecules. In the event the airflow or flow of ozonated air into the module is restricted, the production of ozone molecules is reduced. In the event of significant flow of air or ozonated air across a UV lamp, turbulence about the lamp occurs and the rapidly moving air or ozonated air across the UV lamp will reduce exposure to the UV radiation and thereby decrease the production of ozone molecules. Furthermore, the turbulence created may impede settling of the ozonated air proximate the outlet of a module. To overcome these detriments to production of ozone molecules, it would be beneficial to have a relatively large volume of slow moving air/ozonated air flow past the UV lamp. Moreover, dispersing the inflowing air/ozonated air about or along the UV lamp will have a beneficial effect resulting from irradiation by the UV lamp. Finally, with the air/ozonated air moving relatively slowly, the heavier ozonated molecules are more likely to settle proximate the outlet and thereby increase the concentration of the ozone molecules in the outflow through the outlet of the module.  
         [0050]     Referring to  FIG. 8 , there is shown the left end of modules  12  and  14 , as more fully shown in  FIG. 3 . Common elements have been assigned common reference numerals. Instead of having the air enter module  12  or the ozonated air enter module  14  through a single aperture, a diffuser is used to translate the inflowing air/oxygenated air into a plurality of streams generally encircling UV lamp  58  within each respective module. The diffuser will be discussed in further detail with joint reference to  FIGS. 8A, 9 ,  9 A and  9 B. Wall  70  includes a cylindrical section  72  extending about annular flange  66  of lamp  58 . The annular flange abuts against an annular wall  162  extending radially inwardly from the cylindrical section into circumferential contact with base  68  of the lamp. A further cylindrical section  164  extends from the annular wall and encircles base  66  of the UV lamp. Perimeter  166  of diffuser  160  abuts and is supported by the inner wall of body  30 . Internal perimeter  168  of the diffuser abuts the end of further cylindrical section  164  and generally encircles base  66  of the UV lamp.  
         [0051]     Further details of the diffuser will be described with primary reference to  FIGS. 8A, 9 ,  9 A and  9 B. Diffuser  160  includes a cylinder  170  abutting annular wall  162 . As described previously, inlet  84  accommodates an inflow of air, as represented by arrow  172 . The air flows through aperture  174  in cylinder  170  into a plenum  176  defined by further cylindrical section  164 , annular wall  162 , cylinder  170  and an annular flange  178  terminated by internal perimeter  168 . A plurality of apertures  180  extend through flange  178  and provide fluid communication with the interior of plenum  176 . Accordingly, an air flow, as represented by arrow  172 , flows into inlet  184 , through aperture  174  and into plenum  176 . The air is exhausted from the plenum through each of the plurality of apertures  180 . As particularly noted in  FIG. 9 , these apertures generally extend about base  66  of the UV lamp. Thereby, the UV lamp is ultimately washed by the plurality of streams of air exiting from apertures  180 .  
         [0052]     Preferably, the sum of the areas of apertures  180  is significantly greater than the cross sectional area of inlet  84 . Thereby, the flow of volume through inlet  84  and apertures  180  remains constant but the velocity of flow from the apertures is significantly reduced. The reduced airflow velocity will provide a sufficiently slow rate of advancement of air through module  12  to enhance the number of oxygen molecules irradiated by the UV lamp and resulting in an increase in density of the ozone molecules relative to the oxygen molecules in the air. Additionally, the airflow about the UV lamp will tend to draw off excess heat and thereby enhance the production of ozone molecules. Because of the relatively low velocity of air flow through module  12 , the degree of air turbulence within the module is low and ozone molecules have a greater opportunity to migrate and collect in and about the outlet of the module to enhance the concentration of ozone molecules exiting from module  12  and subsequently introduced to module  14  as described above.  
         [0053]     Module  14 , disposed below module  12 , as described above, also includes a diffuser  160  to disperse the ozonated air flowing into module  14  about its UV lamp at a relatively low velocity. As discussed above, the air entering module  14  is ozonated air and this ozonated air is further irradiated by the UV lamp within module  14  to increase the density of ozone molecules relative to the oxygen molecules in the air.  
         [0054]     Referring to  FIG. 10 , there is illustrated a first variant diffuser  190  encircling a UV lamp  58  extending from a base  66 . It includes a tube  192  to be placed in fluid communication with inlet  84  of module  12 . Thereby, a flow of air enters the first variant diffuser. Tube  192  is in fluid communication with a hollow ring  194  partially encircling UV lamp  58 . A cap  196  seals the end of the ring. A plurality of apertures  198  are formed in ring  194 . The total area of the apertures is preferably greater than the cross sectional area of inlet  84  to provide the same volume of air flow therefrom but at a lower velocity than the air flow velocity associated with inlet  84 . The apertures exhaust the air flowing into tube  192 , as depicted by arrows  200 ,  202 . In the preferred embodiment, the outflow of air from apertures  198  is toward base  66  in order to enhance mixing with air existing within module  12  and requiring a reverse in direction of flow toward the outlet of the module. This will slow down the airflow velocity and yet there will be significant volumetric airflow. For reasons set forth above, the resulting airflow will have a cooling effect upon the UV lamp, minimize turbulence to enhance pooling of ozone molecules at the outlet and enhance irradiation of oxygen molecules flowing past the UV lamp.  
         [0055]     A second variant diffuser  210  is shown in  FIG. 11 . It includes an inlet  212  placed in fluid communication with inlet  84  of module  12 . This second variant diffuser is essentially an elongated tube  214  having a cap  216  to seal the end opposite from the inlet. A plurality of apertures  218  are disposed along the tube to exhaust the air inflowing to the tube along a UV lamp. The resulting airflow from second variant diffuser  210  will have the same beneficial effects as diffuser  160  and first variant diffuser  190 .  
         [0056]     In the above discussion of the first and second variant diffusers shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , respectively, reference has been primarily made to module  12 . It is to be understood that either of these diffusers may be located in module  14  since modules  12  and  14  are essentially identical in structure. Were either of the first or second variant diffusers disposed in module  14  or subsequently mounted modules, the air flowing thereinto would be oxygenated air, as described above. As set forth in detail above, each subsequent module would increase the concentration of ozone molecules to air molecules in the air outflowing therefrom.