DISINFECTION
This is the most common application of UV light in water treatment. A pharmaceutical water system could have several locations where UV equipment would be installed. Some typical locations of installation would be post-carbon filter and pre-RO (reverse osmosis). When installed downstream of the carbon bed and/or directly upstream of the RO unit, a UV system can significantly reduce the microbial counts by destroying at least 99.9% of the bacteria present in the influent stream. Disinfection is also recommended for the process distribution loop and pre storage tank.
TOC REDUCTION
The USP 31 regulations require an upper limit of 500ppb for TOC for both USP Purified Water as well as for WFI. Aquafine uses a powerful 185nm wavelength appropriately sized and designed to meet this application.
OZONE DESTRUCTION
Ozone is commonly used in the pretreatment area of a water system, as well as for sanitizing process and re-circulating systems. Prior to the point-of-use, the residual ozone needs to be destroyed to ensure the process water is not compromised. Because it is a non-chemical, fast acting mechanism, UV technology is the preferred method for this application. After considering the appropriate variables, a properly sized UV unit can be guaranteed to destroy the ozone to non-detectable limits, insuring the integrity of the process and the product. A dosage of 90 mJ/cm2 is recommended for destruction of ozone residuals of 1.0ppm.
CHLORINE/CHLORAMINES DESTRUCTION
While the addition of chlorine and chloramines to city water may control bacteria levels, they have undesirable effects on the degradation of membrane filtration or RO. But popular methods of removal, such as carbon beds or chemical injection, have proven to be problematic. Sodium metabisulfite involves replacing one chemical with another and creates food for micro-organisms, while carbon beds can be inefficient, vulnerable to channeling and provide breeding grounds for micro-organisms. Aquafine Corporation pioneered the technology of chlorine and chloramines destruction utilizing UV light in the pre-membrane filtration or RO make-up water stream.