title: Comparative disinfection efficiency of pulsed and continuous-wave UV irradiation technologies.
abstract: Pulsed UV (PUV) is a novel UV irradiation system that is a non-mercury lamp-based alternative to currently used continuous-wave systems for water disinfection. PUV polychromatic irradiation disinfection efficiency was compared to that from continuous-wave monochromatic low-pressure (LP) and polychromatic medium-pressure (MP) UV systems, using two types of actinometry (ferrioxalate and iodide-iodate) and an absolute spectral emission method for fluence measurement. All three methods were in good agreement. Once accurate and reliable methods for fluence measurement were established, the inactivation of Escherichia coli and pathogen surrogates phage T4 and T7 were investigated under each technology. Inactivation was significantly faster using PUV irradiation compared to LP or MP UV lamps at equivalent fluence levels. A significant fraction of the enhanced PUV inactivation efficiency was due to wavelengths greater than 295 nm.
authors.affiliation: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA. bohrerz@duke.edu
authors.forename: Zuzana
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Bohrerova
authors.forename: Hilla
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Shemer
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lantis
authors.forename: Christopher A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Impellitteri
authors.forename: Karl G
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: Linden
mesh_terms: D004203:Disinfection / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000528:radiation effects; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays; D014871:Water Microbiology / Q000592:standards*; D018508:Water Purification / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*