UV Dose & System Selection

UV dose UV light output at 254 nanometres is known as UVC light (germicidal region). UVC light has the ability to inactivate all known microorganisms, bacteria, pathogens, virus and moulds, including chemically resistant organisms, such as Cryptosporidium and Giardia. UV dose is measured in mj/cm2. Systems are typically sized in two ways: - 1. To provide a minimum level of UV intensity. This sizing ensures that the UV intensity at the furthest location from the UV lamp (UVC light source) is the minimum dose the system will provide. This UV dose is known as a wall dose. 2. An average dose takes into account the wall dose (furthest distance from the UV lamp) and the area immediately in front of the UV lamp where the UV output is greatest. The sizing method calculates an average dose for the system. Sizing UV Systems. Sizing a UV system is based around water quality. For sizing UV disinfection systems, water quality is measured in UVT (Ultraviolet Transmittance). This measures the intensity of UV light required to penetrate a fluid. If the water is of high quality, e.g. borehole water, the UVT will be high - around 95% UVT. If the water is low quality, e.g. river water, the UVT will be low - around 80% UVT. It is important to note that a fall in just a few % UVT can double the amount of UV intensity required to provide disinfection. Typical Application Typical UVT % Normal Required Dose Drinking Water 90% - 95% 25 mj/cm2 RED - 40 mj/cm2 RED Waste Water 50% - 80% 30 mj/cm2 Wall Dose Swimming Pools 94% 60 mj/cm2 Average Aquaculture 85% - 90% 320 mj/cms2 Average Rain Water Harvesting - Irrigation 80% - 85% 150 mj/cm2 Wall Dose Rain Water Harvesting - Process 80% - 85% 30 mj/cm2 Wall Dose Process Water - Towns Mains 90% 30 mj/cm2 Make-up Water - Towns Mains 90% 30 mj/cm2 Cooling Loops 70% - 90% 30 mj/cm2 How to Specify UV Systems The use of UV light has now become standard practice in a vast range of industries, including municipal drinking water and waste water treatment, Industrial process and manufacturing, offshore and marine and aquatics. Ultraviolet disinfection systems are used to ensure water is free from harmful organisms and is a proven, regulated and environmentally friendly technology. In order to provide the best Ultraviolet system to suit your needs, the following variables are required to accurately size a UV system for a specific application. The following information is helpful but not essential to providing a quotation: - •Flow e.g. 150 m3/hr •Application e.g. Drinking Water / Waste Water / Swimming Pools •Water Source e.g. Borehole / Surface Water / Final Effluent •UVT (Ultraviolet Transmittance) e.g. 90% UVT •Details of pre treatment e.g. Filtration •Intended use e.g. Irrigation / Drinking Water / Process Water •Known biological challenge e.g. Cryptosporidium reduction •Known dose standard e.g. 30 mj/cm2 minimum / 60 mj/cm2 average •Treatment Cycle e.g. Single pass treatment or re-circulation