UV irradiation is widely used as a disinfection method to microbiologicallysafeguard the water supply systems. Modern reliable water treatment processes imply the use of multi-barrier treatment and disinfection of water. It combines UV radiation as a main disinfection stage with a residual disinfection effect by chemical agents for sanitary safety of facilities and distribution pipes.
UV disinfection is applied in almost any production process which uses water as raw material or supplementary element. The disinfection standards applied in such industries like pharmaceutical, food & beverage and microelectronic are much more stringent compared to potable water standards. Also UV disinfection is used for water treatment in mining processes.
Wastewater is a major source of microbiological contamination of the environment. UV disinfection for wastewater treatment completely eliminates the need for chlorination and, as a result, excludes expensive safety measures and dechlorination. UV disinfection provides microbiological safety of wastewater discharge into water bodies without negative ecological impact. Wastewater disinfection becomes more significant due to the increasing water shortage and need for reuse of treated wastewater.
UV disinfection is used in industrial processes where water is recirculated. For example cooling circuits, fire extinguishing, washing processes , water based heat exchangers, etc. The number of UV installations in the power industry is continuously growing. The UV disinfection in this industry is mainly used for operational purposes and infrastructure.
Combination of UV disinfection and chlorination are mainly used for water disinfection in swimming pools and recreational water parks. UV disinfection of swimming pools significantly reduces the amount of free residual chlorine in pool basins, which has a beneficial effect on organoleptic water quality and reduces the formation of chloramines. UV disinfection ensures high germicidal effect against chlorineresistant microorganisms.
UV disinfection is increasingly used for fresh and sea water disinfection in aquaculture plants. Water treatment in aquaculture plants is a recycled process. Unlike chlorination and ozonation, UV disinfection is not hazardous for the aquatic life; it prevents diseases and creates favorable conditions for aquaculture growth and reproduction.