Using Ultraviolet LED Fixtures to Clean and Purify Water – ElementalLED.com
One of the less known uses of ultraviolet light is as a cleaning agent. Properly employed UV light can kill many organic compounds and clean bacteria and pathogens such as E-coli and Giardia from water sources, as well as serve as a basic disinfectant on surfaces. There are countless LED fixtures that allow for the construction of extremely energy-efficient, portable, UV LED tools. Though there are many applications for this type of LED, some of the best include on boats, in motor homes, or on camping trips – all places where a handy, reusable UV disinfectant tool that doesn’t have the same adverse long-term effects as other purifiers would be valuable.
How It Works
Just as the Sun’s rays include ultraviolet radiation, UV LEDs emit UV radiation that breaks up the atomic bonds between essential elements such as Oxygen and Hydrogen after prolonged exposure. This tears apart the molecules and DNA of microorganisms. The process yields harmless byproducts such as water, Oxygen gas, and Nitrogen gas. After that, everything not protected by a UV-opaque surface is dead. Laboratories have used the technique for decades, and the state of New York is even constructing a water treatment plant based on the same principle. Scientists evaluating commercial UV disinfectant technology caution that users should exercise care while cleaning with “germicidal UV” because if directed at human skin or eyes, it can cause significant damage. So it is important to assess the strength of the UV LED components to understand the risks before use – some UV light is used to tan, while others can quickly damage tissue.
Types of Cleaning Applications
? Sterilize workspaces and tools in medical facilities, laboratories, hotels, restaurants, and kitchens
? Purify air or water or pathogens, pollens, viruses, and some mold spores
? Treat potentially infected foods
Why Use UV Sterilization Over Other Types
The biggest advantage of using LED fixtures with UV light is that UV light can easily sterilize large quantities of microorganisms in the targeted area without the production of any harmful byproducts, chemical or otherwise. That means that as opposed to iodine tablets or chlorine, there is no chemical aftertaste in purified drinking water; as opposed to cleaning aerosols, there is no chemical release that could harm plants or animals in the same general area; and when food may have been infected by a virus or gotten a simple bacteria on it, a few minutes of UV treatment can make it salvageable if need be. By using LED lights, the process is easily, cheaply, and safely repeated, with minimal power consumption, regardless of location.
How to Set Up a Portable UV Sterilization Tool
Because the goal here is effectiveness without sacrificing portability, the important pieces are appropriate LED fixtures, the desired number of UV LEDs, the right connector, and a portable power source. Portable, rechargeable battery packs designed to work with LED lights are available and easy to use. Then all you need is to affix the UV LED lights to the LED fixture so that you have a way to hold the light, attach the UV light strip to the connector, and connect that to your power source. At that point you can begin using your UV LED to clean or purify.
John Brown is a retired specialist in LED fixtures. If you would like to learn more about LED fixtures, you may want to visit www.ElementalLED.com.
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