Process modeling of ultraviolet disinfection

Abstract

Currently available process models for ultraviolet (UV) disinfection do not account for many of the fundamental physical phenomena that are known to affect reactor performance. A modeling approach was developed which employs numerical representations of hydrodynamics and the radiation intensity field; these simulations were accomplished by the methods of computational fluid dynamics and line-source integration. The modeling approach also allowed the identification of process characteristics which limited reactor performance. Based on the output of the models, two geometric modifications were developed and applied to a pilot-scale UV system that resulted in significant improvements in reactor performance. The results of this research illustrate the benefits of UV process analyses which incorporate detailed representations of the velocity and intensity fields.