How Do UV Water Purifiers Work?

The Power is in the Lamp

As our FAQ post on germicidal ultraviolet light teaches, UV-C lamps produce rays at 254 nanometers (nm) — a wavelength which destroys the DNA structure of harmful microorganisms. Each ultraviolet water purifier uses one or more UV-C lamps to make many bacteria and viruses harmless. Read on for more details on how they work.

Operation of an Ultraviolet Water Purifier

Water disinfection using a UV purifier is a rapid process which does not use chemicals or produce byproducts. Water should also be visually clear and not colored, cloudy, or turbid — since UV should be the final step before use.

1. One or more UV-C lamps, protected by quartz sleeves and working at their intended capacity, produce rays lethal to any harmful microorganisms that pass by. Note: Dirty quartz sleeves or old UV lamps may hinder proper performance.
2. Infected water enters the UV purifier chamber and flows into the space between the quartz sleeve and the chamber wall.
3. Suspended microorganisms are exposed to germicidal ultraviolet rays produced by the lamp (see section below about exposure time).
4. Disinfected water exits the chamber and is ready for use.

Intensity + Time = Proper UV Water Purifier Disinfection

Exposure time is how long the water is inside the UV purifier chamber, being exposed to the germicidal lamp(s). Exposure time is related to the flow rate. The higher the flow rate, the lower the exposure time. The lower the flow rate, the higher the exposure time. To achieve proper disinfection, the water must be exposed to UV-C light (at the wavelength of 254 nanometers) for an appropriate amount of time, depending on the lamp’s intensity. View our microorganisms page for UV-C dosage data for many different waterborne bacteria and viruses.

Read our other FAQ to learn about UV air and surface model operation.

Learn More & Shop UV Disinfection

Ultraviolet.com is your source for learning about germicidal ultraviolet technology and its many uses for water, liquid, air, and surfaces. Browse the following pages for more information.

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