UV water disinfection for process and ultrapure water

Many industries require clean, disinfected water for various purposes. Such purposes are, for example, rinsing and cleaning, sample analysis or cooling. But production processes in the food and beverage, cosmetics, chemical, semiconductor and other industries also depend on clean water.

High-energy UV light is an established eco-friendly method of process water treatment. It does not require the addition of chemicals such as chlorine. Special UV lamps not only destroy bacteria, viruses, parasites and fungi. They can also break down harmful total carbons (TOC) in certain processes.

Microorganisms cannot build up resistance to UV light like they can to chemical water treatments. In fact, UV light inactivates chlorine-resistant pathogens, such as cryptosporidium.

What types of process water are treated with UV light?

Rinsing and cleaning with UV purified water

Many manufacturing processes require treated water for rinsing and cleaning. For example, the surface cleaning of parts before coating or another process step requires treated water. But also washing down floors and other surfaces in food processing and other environments that require a low bacterial count.

UV water treatment for storage tanks

UV water treatment for storage tanks

Process water is often stored in closed tanks or other large vessels for later use. UV lamps immersed into the tanks provide a safe, reliable and efficient treatment method to eliminate microbes and biofilm formation. And this without having to add chemicals such as chlorine to the tank. UV treatment reduces ongoing maintenance costs compared to chemical methods.

UV for Ultrapure Water (UPW) treatment

Some applications such as chemical analysis, medical research, and semiconductor and electronics manufacturing require especially high-purity water. This is often referred to as ultrapure water (UPW).

In UPW treatment, UV light is typically used as a post-treatment. This prevents recontamination after reverse osmosis and ion exchange treatment.

A high dose of UV light is important to ensure a high degree of disinfection. Therefore, it is necessary to use lamps with a high purity grade quartz glass. (Noblelight NIQ lamps)

Industrial water reuse made possible with UV treatment

Water scarcity and waste disposal regulations have increased in recent decades. As a result, the cost of industrial process water supply and disposal has increased for manufacturers.

As a result, there is an increasing focus on water reuse in industrial settings. By treating industrial process wastewater with UV, sometimes in combination with other methods, a manufacturer can reuse this water. This can reduce or eliminate water supply and sanitation (wastewater) costs.

UV water treatment for laboratory water purification

Commercial and industrial laboratories in healthcare, pharmaceutical, food and beverage, microelectronics and other industries require high quality water. This ensures precise and reliable sample analysis. Purified water also protects sensitive lab equipment and analytical instruments helping reduce downtime and costs.

UV water treatment is typically used as the last step after reverse osmosis and filtration for washing and rinsing (Type III Primary Grade). But it can also be used for general laboratory purposes (Type II Purified Water) and for highly sensitive analyzes such as HPLC (ASTM Type I Ultrapure Water).

UV water treatment for aerosol-generating water systems eliminates legionella

Water systems such as cooling towers, air washers, nebulizers and humidifiers generate aerosols. They can spread legionella over a wide area. When people inhale these aerosolized Legionella bacteria, it can cause severe pneumonia and sometimes death.

Legionella are aquatic bacteria found in all fresh water. However, any man-made water system, if not properly maintained, can amplify the growth. Especially water that is between 77°F and 113°F, where there can be enormous proliferation posing considerable health risks.

UV light is an effective non-chemical water treatment method to eliminate legionella in process water prior to being aerosolized.

UV disinfection technology is commonly used in systems that meet regulations such as ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 188 in the US, or DIN EN 13623 testing verification standards (in Germany this testing is required as part of the 42nd BImSchV in conjunction with the VDI 2047 Sheet 2 and 3 guideline).

Why OEM’s Choose Noblelight

- Global operations and support with a long track record of financial stability

- Customized solution capabilities with technical expertise to support new product engineering design and applications including testing capabilities and computer simulation

- Inventory stocking options to minimize leads times

- Fewer callbacks due to our reliable and high quality lamps

- Easy to integrate, high quality lamps enable OEMs and end users to easily meet EPA (surface water treatment rules (LT2ESWTR), FIFRA), NSF/ANSI 55, FDA 21CFR179.39, 21CFR129.80, OSHA, ASTM, CLSI-standards, USP compliance, and other related compliance regulations and certifications

- In-house materials (manufacturing of highest purity grade quartz glass) enable extremely high UV output lamps

- Dedicated account manager

- Ease of ordering and payment

  • No detrimental taste or smell
  • No added chemicals
  • No environmental impact
  • Short radiation time
  • Effective against chlorine-resistant pathogens
  • Low capital and operating costs
  • Easy to maintain and operate
  • Industrial process water treatment
  • Rinsing and cleaning processes
  • Production processes in the beverage and food industries
  • Production processes in the cosmetics, chemical, pharmaceutical and semiconductor industries
  • Injection water for oil production on drilling platforms
  • Laboratory sample analysis such as HPLC

More information

Blog: Disinfection with UV light

Blog: Disinfection with UV light
How does UV disinfection work?

How does UV disinfection work?
UV disinfection of process water in the paint store

UV disinfection of process water in the paint store

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