Does Ultraviolet Light Reduce TOC’s?

Total Organic Carbon, TOC, refers to organic carbon compounds found in water and may include man-made compounds, natural or altered product, or synthetic material. TOCs may contain bacteria and harmful materials or pathogens that could cause damage, system failure or health consequences if not effectively removed. Identifying and measuring concentration of TOC’s and water and practicing TOC reduction methods protects consumers, the environment, and many industries.

Removal of TOCs is critical in many applications where high-purity water is important for process quality. TOC reduction is important in: 

• Pharmaceutical industry processes

• Wastewater treatment

• Food and beverage industry

• Semiconductor and microelectronics production 

The impact of TOCs such as bacteria and other organic compounds can have serious negative effects on these processes and others. 

How UV Lamps Reduce TOCs

Ultraviolet, UV, lamps have been used for more than 100 years to eliminate harmful viruses and bacteria in many disinfection applications.  UVC lamps effectively kill microorganisms on surfaces, in the air and in water. UV lamps for TOC reduction remove harmful TOCs from water sources for many applications. 

Some TOC removal lamps utilize 185 nanometer (nm) emissions to produce ozone, which is a powerful oxidizer. Ozone lamps leads to oxidation of the total organic compounds which is the chemical reaction caused by 185 nm UV lamps.  TOCs are ionized by UV lamps and are then removed by a deionization process. 

Benefits of UV Lamps for TOC Reduction

UV lamps for TOC reduction provide many benefits in addition to delivering an effective, safe and reliable method to purify water.  UV lamps which are designed to emit wavelengths in the 254 nm range are the most effective germicidal lamps, and also remove viruses, bacteria, mold and other harmful pathogens including TOCs.  UV lamps for TOC reduction provide:

• Germicidal efficacy

• Low maintenance costs

• Low operational costs

• Can be used in air, water, and surfaces indoors or outdoors

• Produce no harmful byproducts such as with chemicals 

LightSources is a leading global supplier of UV lamps for germicidal applications in air, water, and surfaces. We provide high-quality, high-tech UVC germicidal lamps and UV lamps for TOC reduction.  Contact us to learn more about our UV germicidal lamps and TOC removal. 

UV Light Keeps Kitchens and Restaurants Cleaner

Restaurants have been finding innovative ways to keep patrons safe from germs while keeping their doors open.  Ultraviolet (UV) light and the powerful germicidal benefits of UVC energy is nothing new, although restaurant owners are taking notice of the many ways this germicidal technology can help their business.  UVC lamps are part of many systems worldwide such as air purification systems, water disinfection systems and surface sterilization systems. 

Where UVC Lamps Help Restaurants

High intensity UVC lamps have proven efficacy in eliminating a wide range of harmful pathogens including viruses, bacteria, mildew, and mold.  This germicidal technology can be harnessed in various systems to protect food directly in addition to protecting surfaces, water, and the air in enclosed spaces.  Here are some of the most popular areas of installing UV sterilization lamps for restaurants and food service applications:

Food irradiation - The short wave electromagnetic energy has powerful sterilization effects, keeping food safe with UV germicidal irradiation.  UV lamps can help to keep food fresher, longer, and prevent early spoilage as well as preventing many harmful germs like E. Coli and Salmonella. 

Kitchen hood exhaust systems – UV energy has the ability to prevent the buildup of grease in commercial kitchen hoods.  This mitigates fire risk, reduces equipment maintenance, and prevents foul odors that can occur from grease buildup.  

Keep walk-in freezers clean – UV lamps prevent mold and mildew from forming in cool, damp places like walk-in freezers which is critically important to storing fresh food and meeting health code regulations. 

Air sterilization in eating areas – sterilizing the air that circulates through a restaurant’s HVAC system helps to keep patrons safer with cleaner, purified air.  UV lamps in HVAC systems keep the air cleaner by eliminating airborne pathogens and removing foul odors from the air. 

UVC Lamps for Restaurants and Kitchens

LightSources is a leading supplier of UVC germicidal lamps found in UV sterilization systems worldwide.  We offer a wide selection of germicidal lamps including:

• Low pressure mercury lamps

• Medium pressure UV lamps (MPUV)

• Amalgam lamps with proprietary technology

• High intensity UV lamps

• Specialty UV lamps

• Customizable lamp design solutions

• Prototype solutions

LightSources offers quality UVC germicidal lamps engineered with proprietary technology that outlasts and outperforms comparable lamps.  

LightSources employs the leading, high-tech UV lamp engineers in the industry with deep technical knowledge of UV radiation and lamp design.  We follow a strict quality policy as part of our ISO9001:2015 registration and provide quick turn-around time to meet your production schedules.  Contact us to learn more about how our high-quality germicidal lamps can improve your restaurant and kitchen UV sterilization systems. 

UV Efficiencies in AC Units

Almost everyone enjoys the refreshing comfort of an AC unit in their home, commercial or industrial location during the heat of summer. But along with that comfort come microorganisms, mold, and mildew inherent in the passageways of an AC system. These unwanted intruders make the system work harder and shorten the mechanisms’ operating life.

AC Units: Breeding Ground for Pathogens

They can also cause a variety of ailments, including colds, allergies, COPD, bronchitis, asthma, headaches, and nausea. More serious illnesses include lung infections, pulmonary disease, autoimmune deficiency, and even cancer. This can cause serious long-term health consequences, even for those with no other underlying health conditions.

No amount of human labor, even by a licensed professional, can eliminate all the microorganisms and spores that collect in the vents, coils, and drain pans, and along the other interior surfaces of an AC system. Even the highest-quality HEPA filter cannot trap all the potentially toxic microscopic pathogens and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that escape the AC system. The application of chemicals will only dispel toxins into the same area the AC blower system is intended to service.

UV Light Prevents Build-Up and Improves Efficiency

The answer is to install, with a new AC unit or as a retrofitted adjunct to an existing unit, a UV light sterilization system, particularly with light in the frequency of 253.7 nanometers (commonly referred to as 254 nm). UV light at that pinpointed frequency will instantly destroy the nucleus of each microorganism that passes through its radiation. Such UV light purification systems will work with optimum efficiency at temperatures ranging from 40° to 120° F, can be programmed to radiate 24/7 or only in tandem with the AC blower, and are virtually maintenance free, with bulbs lasting several thousand hours.

The UV in-duct version of AC purification systems should be mounted near and downstream from the system’s coil and should be aimed at the coil and condensation pan. The efficiencies gained from installing a UV germicidal AC purification system are many and varied. Families will be healthier, with less time spent taking the kids to the doctor. Workforces will operate more efficiently with greater productivity and decreased absenteeism.

LightSources is a leading global supplier of high-quality UV germicidal lamps to suit HVAC sterilization needs.  We design, engineer and manufacture high-tech germicidal lamps to meet various disinfection system needs and OEM specifications. Contact us to learn more about our many options for UVC germicidal lamps.

Keeping Food Safe with UV Light

In the food growing, processing, and service industries, a lot of things can go wrong. Dangerous contaminants lurk around seemingly every corner during each step of the process of bringing food from the field to the table. As a result, the agricultural, food processing, and restaurant businesses are subject to some of the most stringent regulations, resulting in increased costs, both to producers and consumers.

UV light food sterilization equipment can play an indispensable part as a silent partner in keeping food safe and of optimal quality for human consumption. UV light can be used to destroy harmful microbes, viruses, and other microorganisms that can threaten to shut down a business, temporarily or permanently, through substantial government fines, product recalls, costly litigation, and their resultant bad publicity.

UV Food Sterilization Keeps Food Fresher Longer

Properly installed and operated, UV light food sterilization systems can effectively and efficiently ensure that food and beverage products are free from the harmful microorganisms that human effort alone cannot begin to adequately combat. The result is a safer end product that stays fresher longer, increasing shelf life and preventing premature sprouting of foods like potatoes and onions.

Products during processing are invariably exposed to the air and various surfaces within the sphere of operation. UV germicidal lamps can continuously sterilize such air and surfaces, along with any water used for rinsing products or included as an ingredient in the production process. Surfaces may include everything from tables to slicers and grinders to pans, bottles, and conveyor belts, to the final packaging material, all of which can be constantly sanitized by UV light.

UV light sterilization systems are relatively low cost and very low maintenance, and eliminate the need for chemicals, herbicides, and pesticides. Examples of food industries efficiently and effectively benefited by UV light sterilization systems are beef, fish, and poultry producers; dairy and cheesemakers; beverage companies; liquid sweetener manufacturers, such as corn syrup; frozen food companies; bakeries (where UV light was first used to treat flour and yeast to eliminate insects); fruit and vegetable producers; and chocolatiers.

LightSources is a leading supplier of UVC germicidal lamps, found in air, surface, and water sterilization applications around the globe. We offer a wide selection of UV lamps and equipment to meet the needs of any surface, water or air sterilization system.  Contact us to speak with an engineer about our high-tech UV germicidal lamps.