Chlorine and ultraviolet (UV) treatment
Chlorine and ultraviolet (UV) treatments are the most common methods of disinfecting water.
In the past, chlorine has been more widely accepted than UV. However, this is changing as it affects water taste and odour, is expensive and produces cancer-causing by-products in some waters. For this reason, UV is becoming the preferred way to destroy microorganisms.
CHLORINE
Long retention time required (20-45 minutes).
Corrosive.
Has a distinctive odour, can be tasted, modifies pH, connected with the production of carcinogens.
High maintenance.
Expensive to run.
Sodium hypochlorite degrades back into sodium chloride (salt) and therefore it becomes inactive on storage.
Hazardous when transporting, storing and handling.
UV (UV AFP system)
Fast disinfection (1.5 to 5 seconds) Non Corrosive. Does not effect odour, taste, pH, chemical composition,and does not leave any harmful by-products. Low maintenance. Generally cheaper to run than chlorine. Lamps only need replacing when recommended hours have been reached. No hazardous chemicals. If a chemical boost is required for a specific reason , then 5 to 15ml/l of hydrogen peroxide (H202) can be added. |
AFP ultraviolet disinfection systems are reliable, efficient and the most cost-effective way to solve the environmental and safety problems associated with chlorination.
UV utilises an environmentally safe cleaning system. The turbulent water flowing through the AFP tubes ensures optimum UV dosage and also provides a continuous self-cleaning action. Additional cleaning of UV’s smaller units, <12 L/s flow, can be done with a ‘bottle brush’. If additional cleaning is required, the AFP tubes can be easily cleaned with a clear water flush. In some extreme instances further cleaning can be done by recirculating a mild acid solution eg. citric acid – no toxic chemicals needed. Most importantly, UV AFP treated wastewater can be released directly into receiving waters.
The AFP system can accommodate a wide variety of flow rates for a range of disinfection applications.