UVC LEDs for

Decontamination of Water

page 1

Reference: SEDLMEIER, K.: Wasseraufbereitung mit UV LEDs. 2008

wavelength [nm]

deactivation of cells

Reference: http://images.nailsmag.com/post/M-na0911-LED-UV-LightSpectrum-1.jpg

Sterilization of water with ultraviolet light

Facts and Figures

UV spectrum: 100 400 nm
UVA (315 380 nm)
UVB (280 315 nm)
UVC (100 280 nm)
Unlike UVA and UVB,
UVC is absorbed in the atmosphere

most effective deactivation at 270 nm

MOs cant develop resistance

DNA of microorganisms is deactivated

Adv antage of UV radiation

page 2

portable

environmentally friendly

compact

run on DC

high life expectancy

UV LEDs

expensive

excimer laser, Nd:YAG laser, Ti:sapphire laser

Las er

high disposal costs

toxic

dependence on AC

limited life expectancy

light emission at 254 nm wavelength

conventional

Low -pres s ure m ercury v apor lam p

Generation of UVC Light

page 3

Reference:
http://halmapr.com/news/hanovia/files/2007/07/
hanovia-uv-lamp_blog.jpg

Reference:
http://www.leds24.com/bilder/produkte/gross/50-x-UVLEDs-5mm-2000mcd-30-UV-LED-ultraviolett_b2.jpg

Design of UV water purifiers

LEDs circular around water or water
around LEDs
length of light source and water flow
rate determine exposure time

Reference: http://www.freshwatersystems.com/images/mightoper.jpg

diameter of the purification chamber

to be considered
water itself absorbs UV energy

with 10 W up to 4 l/s can be

desinfected

wavelength 185 nm

reduction of TOC (total organic carbon)

wavelength 200 280 nm

disinfection

UV Treatm ent of ultra pure w ater

page 4

UV LED Performance Data

200mW

265nm Naked Bare Die (Flip chip form)

MODEL DF7V series

DOWA DoUVLEDs

page 5

no electrical danger

depth of penetration of UVC radiation into the human skin

depth
In m

threshold value of 6 mJ/cm, and/or 60 J/m daily radiation dosage

respectively, is recommended by the EU (EU Directive 2006-25-EC) (with
254 nm)

risk of skin cancer is very low

because of small depth of
penetration of UVC radiation

sunburn

Effect on Skin

conjunctivitis

Keratitis

Effect on Eyes

Optical danger:

Safety Aspects

page 6

top cover

UVC LED
water

magnetic agitator
at 500 rpm

safety switch

UVC
intransparent
casing

Test-Set-Up

page 7

defined contaminated water with E.Coli in

different concentrations

agitator for homogenous microorganism

distribution in the test solution

casing to protect environment from UVC

radiation

Pilz Magnetic Non-Contact Safety Switches,

PSENMAG Series

PSEN ma1.4a-50/PSEN ma1.4-10mm/ 1unit

IP65/IP67 or IP69k Protection

As the process is running, they ensure that

the machine operates provided the safety
gate is closed. If the movable guard is
opened, they work in conjunction with Pilz
evaluation devices to ensure that the
machine is shut down quickly.

Transmission can be increased by

additives

For 265 nm wavelength and 3mm

thickness: 15 % Transmission

Plexiglas Sunactive GS:

UVC-radiation does not permeate

solid bodies - even no window glass
(borosilicate, duran) or transparent
plastics (acrylic glass, polystyrene,
etc.)

UVC-transparent plastic is necessary

UV LED emits radiation in a narrow

beam. A lense is required to expand
the beam

UV-transparent plastics

page 8

3 mm, 1000 h irradiated

3 mm, unirradiated

8 mm, 1000 h irradiated

8 mm, unirradiated

Wavelength in nm

Transmission of Plexiglas Sunactive GS:

Spectral transmittance in %

Assessment

Step-by-Step Test
Procedure

Varied Test Parameters

Fix Test Parameters

calculation of the reduction efficacy of E.Coli in the water test solution with
the concentrations before and after the treatment
time dependent killing rate of E.Coli

determination of initial E.Coli-concentration before treatment

UVC LED treatment
agar plating of Water after treatment
incubation for 36 hours
counting of CFUs (Colony Forming Units)

concentration: 10E+6 to 10E+10 per cm

residence time: 0min to 30min
tests with and without agitator

microorganisms used: E.Coli

water quality and quantity: tap water, 250ml

Test Plan and Assessment

Overall Goal

feasibility study to assess to what extend the UVC LED treatment can be used
to purify contaminated water
analysis if such a system could be used under standard environmental
conditions without any safety issues

page 9

0 m in
not assessable

2 m in
not assessable

5 m in

not assessable

10 m in

not assessable

not assessable

15 m in

Test Results: CFUs per mL

1,1 x 106

not assessable

(initial concentration)

not assessable

1,1 x 106

1,1 x 106

Parameter
Set 1

not assessable

2 x 102

(initial concentration)

1.4 x 102

Parameter
Set 2
1,6 x 104

(initial concentration)

not assessable

Parameter
Set 3

Parameter Set 1:
30mA@10.25V, 15 min, no agitator, no direct contact between water and LED

no assessable results, i.e. no microbiolPgical reduction
Parameter Set 2:
35mA@10.35V, 15 min, agitator, direct contact between water and LED
no assessable results, i.e. no microbiological reduction

Parameter Set 3:
40mA@10.45V, 15 min, agitator, direct contact between water and LED
assessable results, significant microbiological reduction after 5 minutes

page 10

1,00E+07
1,00E+06
1,00E+05
1,00E+04
1,00E+03
1,00E+02
1,00E+01
1,00E+00
0

Test Results: CFUs per mL

page 11

8
Tim e in Minutes

design of suitable and safe set-up for standard daily use

possible encapsulation materials for the UVC-LED (UVC transparent)

selection of suitable autonomous energy supply for the UVC-LED

direct contact between LED and water is required

10

12

y = 732875e-0,75x

14

Outlook and next steps:

suitable settings:
40mA@10.45V, 15 min, agitator (due to cooling effects of the water, the maximum specified Voltage is
required)

CFU concentration
(CFU/cm )

16