Barriers and Deployment of UV-C LED Technology in Municipal Water and Wastewater Applications
Aaron Leber (AquiSense Technologies)
The first municipal scale deployment of UV-C LED technology was by United Utilities UK in 2019. This system built by Typhon Treatment UK was 3rd party validated in accordance with the 2006 USEPA UV Disinfection Guidance Manual. Six systems were installed with a total flow rate of around 5,000 USGPM. This proved the engineering/technical viability of mercury-free UV-C LED lamp technology at municipal scale. However, even with this installation in operation for over 5 years, opinions remain varied on the commercial viability and wider scale adoption of this technology.
The varying opinions is largely centered on whether ites possible to overcome the barriers of high-cost/low-efficiency UV-C LED devices, i.e. is it possible for a sub-5% efficient UV-C light-source to be incorporated in a commercially viable treatment system, when there are 15% to 35% efficient UV-C light-sources available? This paper will reference technical data demonstrating both viability and non-viability of UV-C LED technology deployment.
This paper will further discuss the broader elements of mid/long-term supply chain security implications, regulations considerations, and technical limitations.
Finally, this paper will give an overview of some case studies of UV-C LED technology projects currently deployed in municipal applications. It will provide application goals and performance results. It will also outline the challenges and advantages in comparison to conventional mercury-vapor lamp technology.
Case studies:
-United Utilities
o Municipal Drinking Water, United Kingdom
o 5,072 USGPM
-Southern Nevada Water/Las Vegas Valley Water
o Municipal Drinking Water, USA
o 6 installations; Flow rates 315 m3/hr to 1,500 m3/hr
-HDR
o Potable Reuse. Maryland, USA
o Improve long-term water supply resiliency & water quality using conventional vs LED UV-C Disinfection
-University of Colorado at Boulder
o Mobile Trailer, USA
o Compare LP UV & UV-C LED system for disinfection of pathogens and viruses.
-Halifax Water / Dalhousie University
o Wastewater Discharge. Nova Scotia, Canada
o Compare existing LP UV system with LED UV-C system
