UV Bacteria Destruction

The electromagnetic radiation map - the spectrum - is characterized by the wavelength of each wave in its group: Radio waves in Meters, Micro waves in Millimeters, Infrared in Microns, the visible light and Ultra Violet in Nanometers (One meter = 1,000,000,000 nm) and the shortest waves - X waves and Gamma radiation.

The short area between 200-300 nm is called: the "a biotic area" - deadly for live creatures. When microorganisms were radiated with lamps that produced a biotic wave length - it was found that the deadliest wavelength is 260nm.

Low pressure Mercury lamps produce 85 percent of their power in a wavelength very close to 260nm. This attribute makes them efficient in purifying water and other materials removing microorganisms.

Methods: 

There is a variety of methods to use UV lamps:

• Exposing surfaces to UV light.
• Transferring solids, liquids, gas and air through the radiation area. This transfer can take place in rooms, containers, open and closed channels and transparent pipes that has either a UV lamp in the centre or several lamps externally.

Considerations: 

Before operating a UV system, several factors should be considered:

• The sensitivity of the energy that will be used for purification. This is organisms in different development stages require different energy levels
• Using a UV system doesn't mean that in contamination in the rest of the system won't occur. That's why the lamp should be positioned as close as possible to the faucet
• A temperature of 30-40 degrees, which is essential to the maximal production of the lamp can be obtained by the isolation of the lamp with a quartz sleeve
• If the lamp is being turned on often, it will wear out quickly. (The lamp life is between 7,500-10,000 hours).

The main advantages in this method is that there are no chemical modifications taking place in the system and there are no dangerous by-products.

Usage: 

It's low cost, ease of use and no need for added chemicals make this method more common as a stand-alone method or in tandem with additional purification methods:

Drinking water: 

In home purifying water systems

Beverages: 

To prevent chlorine taste and chlorination by products

In food industry: 

washing fruits and vegetables

Drugs and cosmetics: 

The standard requires the use of high quality water when creating drugs and cosmetic products

Hospitals: 

Dialysis, labs and even regular treatment in immune systems patients.

Water reservoirs: 

To prevent contamination

Sewage purification: