Ultraviolet (UV) Water Purifier
Ultraviolet water purifier uses short-wave UV rays to kill biological contaminants present in water. It does not use chemical additives or heat, thus retaining the water taste even after the treatment.
Water purification is the method of removing harmful chemicals, microorganisms and/or other particulate matter from water. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, about 90 percent of water is contaminated with pollutants. Hence, it is essential to opt for water purification before using it for the specific purposes. In most cases, water is purified for drinking purpose. Nevertheless, water is also purified for the medicinal and industrial purposes.
There are several water purification systems that are effective in removing undesirable substances from the water. The method of water purification can be physical (filtration) or chemical (chlorination). In addition, there are ultraviolet water purifiers that use electromagnetic radiations in order to effectively kill the bacteria, viruses, fungi, algae and other microbes present in raw water. Let's discuss in brief about ultraviolet water purifiers.
Ultraviolet (UV) Water Purification System
In ultraviolet water purifier, a UV light source of higher intensity than sunlight, also called germicidal radiation is used to kill biological contaminants. The spectrum that renders germicidal properties is the short-wave ultraviolet, which is produced by converting electrical energy. In UV purifier, a germicidal lamp source with low pressure enclosed in special quartz glass is used to generate short-wave UV light energy. The lamp is configured in such a manner that passing water is exposed to ultraviolet rays.
The microbes present in the water undergo a change in their nucleic acid (DNA) structure after the exposure to UV rays. Thus, microorganisms are killed by using ultraviolet water purifier. The effectiveness of killing microbes is directly related to the intensity and time of germicidal radiation in which the microbes are exposed. For example, a low intensity radiation requires a long exposure of the microbes; whereas, a high intensity radiation is effective to kill biological contaminants even within a short exposure.
Advantages of UV Water Purifier
Ultraviolet (UV) water purifiers offer several advantages over other water purification methods. In fact, it is the most efficient and cost-effective technology available for the water purification. There are no such biological water contaminants that are resistant to ultraviolet water purifier. Following are some of the advantages of ultraviolet water purifier:
Disadvantages of UV Water Purifier
One of the major disadvantages of ultraviolet water purifier is that it is effective only for treating biological water contaminants. Hence, it is necessary to use other water purification systems for physical and chemical treatment of water. The effectiveness of UV water purifier is less, if the water contains a high amount of suspended particles. For such cloudy waters, initial sedimentation or filtration treatment is necessary prior to purification with the help an UV purifier. The germicidal lamp used in UV water purifier should be cleaned and replaced regularly before it burns out. Considering these factors, ultraviolet water purifier requires high maintenance costs in comparison to other water purification systems.
There are several water purification systems that are effective in removing undesirable substances from the water. The method of water purification can be physical (filtration) or chemical (chlorination). In addition, there are ultraviolet water purifiers that use electromagnetic radiations in order to effectively kill the bacteria, viruses, fungi, algae and other microbes present in raw water. Let's discuss in brief about ultraviolet water purifiers.
Ultraviolet (UV) Water Purification System
In ultraviolet water purifier, a UV light source of higher intensity than sunlight, also called germicidal radiation is used to kill biological contaminants. The spectrum that renders germicidal properties is the short-wave ultraviolet, which is produced by converting electrical energy. In UV purifier, a germicidal lamp source with low pressure enclosed in special quartz glass is used to generate short-wave UV light energy. The lamp is configured in such a manner that passing water is exposed to ultraviolet rays.
The microbes present in the water undergo a change in their nucleic acid (DNA) structure after the exposure to UV rays. Thus, microorganisms are killed by using ultraviolet water purifier. The effectiveness of killing microbes is directly related to the intensity and time of germicidal radiation in which the microbes are exposed. For example, a low intensity radiation requires a long exposure of the microbes; whereas, a high intensity radiation is effective to kill biological contaminants even within a short exposure.
Advantages of UV Water Purifier
Ultraviolet (UV) water purifiers offer several advantages over other water purification methods. In fact, it is the most efficient and cost-effective technology available for the water purification. There are no such biological water contaminants that are resistant to ultraviolet water purifier. Following are some of the advantages of ultraviolet water purifier:
- It disinfects water without introducing any chemical additives or application of heat.
- UV water purifier disinfects water much faster (within a few minutes) than chemical water purification systems.
- It does not alter the chemical composition of water.
- The pH, taste, odor and water properties remain the same after purification with an ultraviolet water purifier.
- A superior quality ultraviolet water purifier is 99.9 percent effective in removing the harmful microbes.
- Unlike chlorine treatment, UV water purifier is effective against Giardia and Cryptosporidium.
Disadvantages of UV Water Purifier
One of the major disadvantages of ultraviolet water purifier is that it is effective only for treating biological water contaminants. Hence, it is necessary to use other water purification systems for physical and chemical treatment of water. The effectiveness of UV water purifier is less, if the water contains a high amount of suspended particles. For such cloudy waters, initial sedimentation or filtration treatment is necessary prior to purification with the help an UV purifier. The germicidal lamp used in UV water purifier should be cleaned and replaced regularly before it burns out. Considering these factors, ultraviolet water purifier requires high maintenance costs in comparison to other water purification systems.
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