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Ultra-Violet Disinfections

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How Does Ultra Violet Disinfection Work?

Some essentials of operation of Ultra Violet disinfection must be understood to appreciate its effectiveness. In a typical ultra violet system, approximately 95 percent of the radiation passes through a special quartz glass sleeve and into the untreated water that flows in a thin film over the lamp. The lamp is maintained at an ideal temperature of 104 °F by the glass sleeve. Now what does the Ultra Violet radiation achieve? It basically affects alters the DNA in the cells of these microorganisms and thereby impedes their reproduction. Please keep in mind that Ultra Violet treatment it merely inactivates organisms and does not remove from the water.

Therefore, effectiveness of this process is directly dependent related to the lamp intensity, the exposure time of the organisms to the radiation and the general water quality parameters. Since we know that the intensity of the lamp decreases with time and usage; it is imperative that lamps are periodically replaced as a key maintenance consideration with respect to ultra violet disinfection. It is a great idea to see that the ultra violet systems being procured is equipped with a warning device to alert the owner when lamp intensity falls below the germicidal range. This would ensure that you replace the lamp before intensity deteriorates to unacceptable levels.

It has been proven that Ultra Violet light is a very effective disinfectant despite the fact that the disinfection can only occur inside the unit. Its drawback is that there is no residual disinfection in the water to inactivate bacteria that may survive or may be introduced after the water passes by the light source. When it is used independently, ultra violet radiation does not alter, change or improve the taste, odor, or clarity of the water. The percentage of microorganisms destroyed controls the level of disinfection that takes place and this is directly dependent on the intensity of the ultra violet light and the contact time that the water has with the radiation. If some material builds up on the glass sleeve and the intensity of the radiation reduces this adversely impinges on the effectiveness of the treatment.

For a more complete treatment, it is advised that either sediment filtration or activated carbon filtration should take place before water passes through an ultra violet treatment unit. Usage of sediment filtration or activated carbon filtration would ensure that particulate matter, color, and turbidity - factors that affect the transmission of light to the microorganisms - are removed before ultra violet treatment is applied for successful disinfection.

Since there is nil residual disinfectant after usage of ultra violet treatment, it is advised that this should be used close as possible to the point of use as possible. This is to obviate the fact that any part of the plumbing system could be contaminated with bacteria and usage of water that is passing through a plumbing system after ultra violet treatment defeats the very purpose for which it was established. Most often, this is the last device in a treatment train (which is a series of treatment devices), and could be used following treatments such as reverse osmosis, water softening, or filtration. Another safety measure to be adopted could be disinfection of the entire plumbing system with chlorine prior to initial use of an Ultra Violet system.