How to disinfect water with ultraviolet light
Ultraviolet radiation has a number of useful properties that affect the surrounding space. In many areas, disinfection of water and air with ultraviolet radiation is common. The radiation wavelength range from 200 to 400 nm is similar to the spectrum of natural ultraviolet, so its action is practically safe.
Is it possible to disinfect water with ultraviolet light?
Ultraviolet is a radiation that acts on bacteria, microorganisms and fungi. Penetrating into the water, the rays help to destroy them and make the water harmless for use. It is worth considering in more detail the principle of the effect of ultraviolet radiation on liquids.
The principle of action of ultraviolet rays on water
Ultraviolet cleaning can be carried out in two ways: pulsed and constant.
Pulsed radiation assumes a wide range of waves, while constant radiation selects a specific spectrum, which is maintained throughout the cleaning process. Both methods are suitable for disinfection of wastewater.
The most effective bactericidal effect is observed at a wavelength of 205 to 315 nm. And best of all, the process takes place at a wavelength of about 260 nm. The disinfection process is due to the irreversible destruction of DNA and RNA molecules of microorganisms in the liquid. UV radiation negatively affects their membrane and cellular structures. As a result, pests quickly die.
Specific indicators of the effectiveness of decontamination will depend on the intensity of the radiation and the time of exposure. Dosages for various situations are prescribed in regulations. With the help of correctly calculated ultraviolet exposure, it is possible to reduce the level of contamination of the liquid by 5 times.
Equipment for disinfection
UV disinfection units are stainless steel or polymer chambers.
The chamber is equipped with a UV lamp, which has a reliable protective coating that prevents splashes from falling on it. In this case, source protection is approached responsibly, since all UV emitters are very sensitive to the effects of the external environment. Moisture can quickly lead to overheating or unstable operation.
Units for water disinfection do not need constant monitoring, since all processes are controlled by automation. Many advanced models are additionally equipped with remote controls that allow you to control the operation of all systems from a distance. A built-in alarm system will promptly warn of possible problems.
Wastewater equipment is characterized by a large size, as well as the presence of additional filters at the inlet. Filters preliminarily clean the liquid from mechanical impurities.
Industrial water purification devices can have several dozen emitters. This is because the system needs to quickly decontaminate large volumes of liquid.
In order for the equipment to work efficiently, it is recommended to regularly replace the fixtures and clean the protective covers from deposits that appear during operation. Deposits can significantly reduce performance and increase energy consumption for the procedure.
DEVICE FOR CRYSTAL CLEAR WATER. UV STERILIZER OWN HANDS
Most water disinfection devices use long-lasting lamps with a life of about 14,000 hours. After this period, you can independently carry out a replacement by referring to the instructions.
Technology of the procedure
All UV disinfection machines work on the same principle. They are pumped with fluid from an external source. Next, the lamps are turned on, exposing the liquid to irradiation with a set wavelength. This effect helps to destroy almost all bacteria in the water. The exact period of exposure will depend on the parameters set.
The disinfected liquid enters the outlet through filters that trap particles of dead organisms.
Advantages and disadvantages of the method
The process of UV disinfection is in demand in many areas of life. Such equipment is actively used by both owners of private houses and large companies. During the use of the method, lists of the pros and cons of this cleaning method have been formed. It is important to take them into account even before the introduction of technology.
The advantages of ultraviolet disinfection include:
- The power and functionality of ultraviolet emitters for water is enough to destroy about 99% of all known bacteria or microorganisms. At the same time, for a person, such an effect is quite safe even if the rules of use are violated.
- During treatment, the structure of water remains unchanged. Foreign elements do not enter the liquid, which allows you to save all the qualities.
- Modern devices use control technology that allows you to turn on the emitters and control the dose without user intervention.
- Fluid disinfection can be easily controlled. In cleaning methods with various substances, it is easy to overdose and make the liquid undrinkable. Immediately, the excess dose of radiation does not affect the quality of the liquid and the health of consumers.
- Using UV rays, you can disinfect water in just 5-10 seconds. No other technology can have such a rapid impact.
- The organization of the UV treatment system does not require a lot of additional equipment, tanks for purified liquid or complex filters.
Not without drawbacks:
- Some types of microorganisms still have resistance to ultraviolet radiation. To deal with them, you will have to choose a different method.
- For high-quality processing, it is imperative to monitor the content of iron and other metals. Exceeding the established norm may affect the effectiveness of disinfection. The problem is solved by installing functional filters for water treatment.
- Ultraviolet cleaning, as well as water quartzization, has a short-term effect. This means that even after processing, bacteria may well appear in it over time.
Water purification with ultraviolet light is a convenient and economical technology, which, however, is not without drawbacks. For this reason, people often resort to a combination of different processing methods.
