Industry Applications
Ultraviolet (UV) disinfection utilizes ultraviolet-C (UVC, wavelength 200–280 nm) radiation to inactivate microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and protozoa.
When UVC light irradiates microorganisms, it penetrates their cell walls and damages the DNA or RNA inside microbial cells. The destroyed nucleic acid loses the ability to replicate and reproduce. As a result, microorganisms cannot multiply and lose their infectivity, thus achieving the purpose of disinfection.
The disinfection effect depends on the UV dose, which equals UV intensity multiplied by exposure time.
Two mainstream UV lamp types are widely used in water treatment:
Low-pressure UV lamps: mainly emit monochromatic 254 nm UVC, featuring high energy efficiency.
Medium-pressure UV lamps: produce broad-spectrum UVC wavelengths, with stronger penetration, suitable for water with low UV transmittance.
Unlike chemical disinfection methods such as ozone and chlorine, UV disinfection adds no chemical substances to water, generates no disinfection by-products, and will not change the physical and chemical properties of treated water.
