Bridging Pilot-Scale Testing to Full-Scale Design of UV Disinfection Systems

Much research has been conducted in the use of ultraviolet light in water disinfection - its effectiveness against pathogens (particularly Cryptosporidium oocysts); UV equipment reliability, system design, and operation; construction and operating costs, and other basic issues. But how does all this previous research translate into something useful for actual applications in municipal drinking water utility companies?

This objective of this report is to develop and translate pilot-scale research in the use of ultraviolet light for water disinfection to full-scale design. The report describes:

• Design scenarios, configurations, and detailed capital cost estimates for retrofitting UV into an existing treatment plant
• Medium power (MP), and low power high output (LPHO), types of UV reactors from several manufacturers including Calgon Carbon Corporation, Severn Trent, Trojan Technologies Inc., WEDECO-Ideal Horizons, and IDI/Denard.
• Long-term performance, process control, reliability, and O & M costs of UV disinfection in drinking water treatment
• The impact on UV system performance of flow rate, treatment chemicals, feed water characteristics, and UV lamp fouling, aging, and cleaning
• Regulatory agency acceptance of UV disinfection in drinking water systems

This report will help design engineers and water utility managers make informed decisions about the choice, configuration, operation, and cost of several types of UV disinfection systems in drinking water treatment.