A study demonstrates the effectiveness of ozone as a disinfectant agent against SARS-CoV-2 in public transport



[Valencià](/upo/rest/publicacion/idioma/ca?urlRedirect=https://www.uji.es/com/investigacio/arxiu/noticies/2021/9/covid-19-ozono-superficies/&url=/com/investigacio/arxiu/noticies/2021/9/covid-19-ozono-superficies/&urlRedirect=https://www.uji.es/com/investigacio/arxiu/noticies/2021/9/covid-19-ozono-superficies/ "Cambiar idioma a català")
[Español](/upo/rest/publicacion/idioma/es?urlRedirect=https://www.uji.es/com/investigacio/arxiu/noticies/2021/9/covid-19-ozono-superficies/&url=/com/investigacio/arxiu/noticies/2021/9/covid-19-ozono-superficies/&urlRedirect=https://www.uji.es/com/investigacio/arxiu/noticies/2021/9/covid-19-ozono-superficies/ "Cambiar idioma a español")
[English](#0)

Mobile menu

* [Profile](#0)
  + [Future students](/perfils/futurs/)
  + [UJI students](/perfils/estudiantat/uji/)
  + [PDI-PI](/perfils/pdipas/base/pdi/)
  + [PTGAS](/perfils/pdipas/base/pas/)
  + [AlumniSAUJI](/serveis/alumnisauji/)
  + [Companies and institutions](/perfils/empresa/)
* [Tools](#0)
  + [Virtual Classroom](https://aulavirtual.uji.es/)
  + [CAU](https://cau.uji.es/)
  + [Directory](//www.uji.es/institucional/contacta/)
  + [Gmail](http://gmail.uji.es/)
  + [Intranet (IGLU)](//www.uji.es/upo/rest/iglu/)
  + [Virtual Office](/seu/)
  + [Academic information (SIA)](http://sia.uji.es/)
  + [Others](//www.uji.es/serveis/scp/eines/)
* [Valencià](/upo/rest/publicacion/idioma/ca?urlRedirect=https://www.uji.es/com/investigacio/arxiu/noticies/2021/9/covid-19-ozono-superficies/&url=/com/investigacio/arxiu/noticies/2021/9/covid-19-ozono-superficies/&urlRedirect=https://www.uji.es/com/investigacio/arxiu/noticies/2021/9/covid-19-ozono-superficies/ "Cambiar idioma a català")
  [Español](/upo/rest/publicacion/idioma/es?urlRedirect=https://www.uji.es/com/investigacio/arxiu/noticies/2021/9/covid-19-ozono-superficies/&url=/com/investigacio/arxiu/noticies/2021/9/covid-19-ozono-superficies/&urlRedirect=https://www.uji.es/com/investigacio/arxiu/noticies/2021/9/covid-19-ozono-superficies/ "Cambiar idioma a español")
  [English](#0)

[# Universitat Jaume I](/)

* [# Universitat Jaume I](/)
* [Profile](#0)
  + [Future students](/perfils/futurs/)
  + [UJI students](/perfils/estudiantat/uji/)
  + [PDI-PI](/perfils/pdipas/base/pdi/)
  + [PTGAS](/perfils/pdipas/base/pas/)
  + [AlumniSAUJI](/serveis/alumnisauji/)
  + [Companies and institutions](/perfils/empresa/)
* [Tools](#0)
  + [Virtual Classroom](https://aulavirtual.uji.es/)
  + [CAU](https://cau.uji.es/)
  + [Directory](//www.uji.es/institucional/contacta/)
  + [Gmail](http://gmail.uji.es/)
  + [Intranet (IGLU)](//www.uji.es/upo/rest/iglu/)
  + [Virtual Office](/seu/)
  + [Academic information (SIA)](http://sia.uji.es/)
  + [Others](//www.uji.es/serveis/scp/eines/)
* [Studies](/mapa/estudis/)
  + [Studies](/mapa/estudis/)
  + [Bachelor’s degrees](/estudis/)
  + [University master’s degrees](/estudis/?p_estudio=m)
  + [Doctoral studies](/estudis/oferta/doctorat/)
  + [Lifelong learning](/estudis/base/formacio-permanent/)
* [Research and innovation](/investigacio/)
  + [Research and innovation](/investigacio/)
  + [Research portal](/investigacio/)
  + [Innovation](/innovacio/)
  + [Doctoral studies](/centres/escola-doctorat/)
  + [HRS4R](/investigacio/hrs4r/)
* [International](/internacional/)
  + [International](/internacional/)
  + [International Students](/internacional/base/estudiantat/estudiantado-internacional/)
  + [Exchange Programmes](/serveis/ori/base/programes-intercanvi/)
  + [Study Abroad](/internacional/base/study-abroad/)
* [UJI](/mapa/uji/)
  + [UJI](/mapa/uji/)
  + [Get to know the UJI](/mapa/uji/coneix-uji/)
  + [Structure and organisation](/institucional/estructura/)
  + [Strategy and quality](/institucional/estrategia/)
  + [Transparency](/transparencia/)
  + [Public integrity](/transparencia/liniaetica/)
  + [News](/actualitat/)
  + [Contact the UJI](/institucional/contacta/)
* [University life](/mapa/vida-universitaria/)
  + [University life](/mapa/serveis/)
  + [Library](/serveis/cd/)
  + [Campus](/mapa/uji/coneix-uji/campus/)
  + [Culture](/cultura/)
  + [Sports](/esports/)
  + [InfoCampus](/serveis/infocampus/)

[UJI](/)
[News](/com/sumari/noticies/)

## A study demonstrates the effectiveness of ozone as a disinfectant agent against SARS-CoV-2 in public transport

15/09/2021 |
SCP

Compartir

Compartir

×

Linkedin

BlueSky

Facebook

Mastodon

Whatsapp

Gmail

Imprimir

* [![ covid-19-ozono-superficies MicrosoftTeams-image2](/com/investigacio/arxiu/noticies/2021/9/covid-19-ozono-superficies/MicrosoftTeams-image2.png)](#)

A team from the Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV), the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), the Universitat Jaume I de Castelló (UJI), Hydrens - a spin-off of the UJI - and the Institute of Agrochemistry and Food Technology (IATA-CSIC) has just published a study that demonstrates the effectiveness of ozonation as a valid disinfection process against SARS-CoV-2 and other viruses in public transport. The work has been published in the *Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering* and has also had the collaboration of the Valencian companies LIC and Vareser.

The Hydrens team of researchers developed a numerical model that estimates the ozone concentration needed to meet disinfection criteria. To do this, the model takes into account the geometry and volume of the space to be treated, the type of materials inside it and their capacity to absorb ozone, and the characteristics of the impulsion-distribution system used.

"To determine the amount of ozone required, the model also takes into account the 'barriers' that the ozone may encounter, such as seats, bars, handles, etc., which cause the gas to decompose when it hits them. This ozone is lost, so it is also necessary to take this into account and add it to the amount of gas necessary for correct disinfection. And this is what we achieve with our model," says Javier Navarro, a researcher at the UPV's Department of Chemical and Nuclear Engineering.

**The catalyst is the key**

The model was validated in different tests, both in the laboratory and in metro and tram carriages - provided by Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat Valenciana - in which an ozonisation system was installed that progressively injected the gas until it reached the concentration determined by the model, as well as a catalyst for the decomposition of the residual ozone, thus preventing its emission into the atmosphere.

"After disinfection, there is residual ozone inside the wagon that needs to be eliminated as quickly as possible, and that is what the catalyst we provide at the ITQ allows. In the tests we have carried out, after applying the disinfection protocol developed, also taking into account our model, the residual ozone is eliminated through catalytic decomposition, thus leaving the inside of the wagon free of ozone and preventing its emission into the atmosphere," says Antonio Chica, a senior CSIC scientist at the Institute of Chemical Technology, a joint centre of the UPV and the CSIC.

Regarding how to apply it, the research team stresses that it should be done with empty wagons, without passengers, starting with the injection of ozone and ending with the catalytic decomposition of the residual ozone. They also point out that using ozone in this way makes it possible to disinfect areas that cannot be disinfected with other methods, such as ultraviolet light, as it does not reach every corner of the passenger compartment.

**A system suitable for buses, aeroplanes...**

"The efficacy of the system has been validated using porcine epidemic diarrhoea virus (PEDV) and murine norovirus (MNV-1) as surrogates for SARS-CoV-2 and human norovirus, respectively. The results clearly support the use of ozone as an effective measure for virus inactivation in public transport. In laboratory-scale experiments, we achieved inactivation with ozone concentrations of 100 ppm for 25 min at 25 °C and 95% relative humidity. And on a real scale, we achieved the same inactivation efficiency with 55 ppm ozone for 20 min at 32 °C and 87% RH, which shows the relevance of humidity in the inactivation efficiency," says Gloria Sánchez, researcher in charge of the Environmental Virology and Food Safety Laboratory (VISAFELab at IATA-CSIC).

Likewise, the UPV, CSIC, Hydrens, UJI and IATA team points out that, although the experiments were carried out on full-scale metro and tram cars, the procedure can be extended to other vehicles such as buses and aeroplanes and other interior spaces of buildings.

**Reference**

Irene Falcó, Walter Randazzo, Gloria Sánchez, Jose Vilarroig, Javier Climent, Sergio Chiva, A. Chica, J. Navarro-Laboulais, Experimental and CFD evaluation of ozone efficacy against coronavirus and enteric virus contamination on public transport surfaces, *Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering*, Volume 9, Issue 5, 2021, 106217, ISSN 2213-3437, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jece.2021.106217.

Information provided by:
[Communication and Publications Service](/serveis/scp/)

About us

[Home](/com/investigacio/cienciauji/)
[UCC+I](/serveis/scp/ucc/)

Research dissemination

[Ciència TV blog](/com/investigacio/arxiu/ciencia-uji-tv/)
[Ciència UJI newsletter](/com/investigacio/arxiu/ciencia-uji/)
[Horizon Europe newsletter](/com/investigacio/docs/butlleti-horizon-europe/)
[Comboi, a trip through science](/com/investigacio/docs/podcast-comboi-viatge-per-la-ciencia/)
[Scientific news](/com/investigacio/sumari/noticies/ )
[Easy reading news](/com/investigacio/docs/noticies-de-lectura-facil)
[News magazine. Research](/com/revista/tematica/investiga/)
[Radio](http://www.radio.uji.es/programa.php?id=46 )

Scientific divulgation

[Experimenta UJI](/com/investigacio/docs/experimenta-uji/)
[Innobar, con b de bar (Espaitec)](https://espaitec.uji.es/podcast-innobar-con-b-de-bar/)
[Magazine «Humanes i Socials»](https://humanesisocials.uji.es)
[H2020 Projects](/com/investigacio/docs/butlleti-h2020/)
[Projects and papers COVID-19](/com/investigacio/docs/estudis-articles-covid-19/)
[Research pitches](/com/investigacio/research-pitches/)
[The Conversation](/com/investigacio/docs/the-conversation/)
[UJI Divulga (Onda Cero)](/com/investigacio/docs/uji-divulga-onda-cero/)
[Scientific vocabulary](/com/investigacio/docs/vocabulari-cientific/)

Projects and studies

[Projects and studies](/serveis/scp/ucc/projectes/)

Resources of interest

[Divulgateca](http://www.divulgateca.es)

External networks

[CRUE](https://www.crue.org/)
[FECYT](https://www.fecyt.es/es/info/que-son)
[RUVID](https://ruvid.org/)



Useful links

[University card](http://www.carnet.uji.es/)

[Multimedia catalogue](http://jecom.uji.es/)

[University press](/serveis/scp/publ/)

[Web map](//www.uji.es/mapa/)

[Educational model](//www.uji.es/institucional/estrategia/modeleducatiu/)

[Language Observatory](/serveis/ol/)

[Open Knowledge Portal](/serveis/cd/bib/pco/)

[UJI shop](http://www.tenda.uji.es/)

[Security and privacy center](https://www.uji.es/organs/ouag/sg/docs/politiques/gen/)
|
[Website legal notice](https://www.uji.es/comu/avislegal/avislegalicondicions/)
|
[Accessibility policy](https://www.uji.es/serveis/ura/base/accessibilitat/)

Information and queries:
[UJI suggestion box](/comu/forms/bustia)

Universitat Jaume I CIF: Q-6250003-H Av. Vicent Sos Baynat, s/n 12071
Castellón de la Plana,
España

Tel.: +34 964 72 80 00