What is UV Sterilization?

The Emperor Aquatics Approach to Successful UV Sterilization

Successful ultraviolet sterilization lies in the details! Science combined with Established Engineering Guidelines. Ultraviolet (UV) Sterilization is unmatched in its efficiency, simplicity and dependability when applied as a microorganism disinfectant. Understanding the science (the effect that UV-C light has over a living microorganism) is only the beginning. Learning and following the established engineering guidelines provides control and an objective, To achieve successful germicidal disinfection.

The Objective of UV Sterilization

To render unwanted or harmful waterborne microorganism's incapable of reproducing using ultraviolet light (specifically the spectral area of UV-C). Ultraviolet light is a spectrum of light just below the range visible to the human eye (see "Light Spectrum" chart). UV light is divided into four distinct spectral areas and they are Vacuum UV (100-200 nm), UV-C (200-280 nm), UV-B (289-315 nm) and UV-A (315-400 nm). These spectral areas are very specific. UV-C (200-280 nm) is the most lethal range as a germicidal disinfectant (capable of altering a living microorganism's DNA, keeping it from reproducing). UV-C, with 264 nanometers being the peak germicidal wavelength, is known as the germicidal spectrum.

UV Sterilizations Benefits & Limitations

It is critical to first identify the microorganism! Each type of microorganism requires a specific UV-C radiation exposure rate to successfully complete the disinfection process. The targeted microorganism must be directly exposed to the UV-C radiation long enough for the radiation to penetrate the microorganism's cell wall. However, it takes only seconds for UV-C light rays to inactivate waterborne microorganisms by breaking through the microorganism's cell wall and disrupting their DNA. This often totally destroys the organism or at the very least, will impair its ability to reproduce.

Benefits:
Germicidal disinfection (directly exposing living microorganisms to UV-C light) is unmatched by ozone or chlorine for simplicity and safety. Chlorine/bromine leaves a residual in the water that can irritate the skin and eye tissue of mammals, reptiles and birds. Ozone, if not measured and controlled properly, is capable of causing severe tissue damage, even death with fish and invertebrates. In contrast, UV treatment only takes place inside the UV exposure chamber and leaves no residual downstream, and therefore is harmless to the animals in the pond. UV Sterilization is a proven solution to waterborne pathogens, viruses, algae, bacteria and protozoa commonly associated with aquatic re-circulating systems.

Limitations:
UV Sterilization treatment takes place inside the UV exposure housing. Exposure time between the waterborne microorganism and the UV-C light is critical in achieving successful UV disinfection. The condition of the application's water will determine how well the UV-C light penetrates through it (UV transmittance). UV-C is absorbed by the targeted microorganism or by other organic waterborne particles, it is for this reason that UV equipment should be positioned after the mechanical filter, where it receives solids-free water.

4 Steps to SMART UV Sterilization Success

Using a UV Sterilizer successfully begins with:

1. Identifying the "Target Microorganism" (example: Waterborne Algae)
2. Identifying the Target Microorganism's required UV Dose (example: 22,000 µWs/cm²)
3. Receiving Accurate UV Flow Rate Information from the UV Manufacturer
4. Selecting the correct UV model that delivers the required UV dose at your application's flow rate

Two Decades of providing RELIABLE UV Treatment.

Competing UV Sterilizer Manufacturers and their dealers cannot justify their flow rates. Why? Because they grossly overrate their UV equipment! Overrated UV's will not deliver the required UV dose and will result in a
disappointed customer.

The Emperor Aquatics, Inc. SMART UV difference is INTEGRITY. Compare our lower SMART UV flow rates to any competitor's flow rates. Call them, question their numbers and request a copy of the calculations that support their claims. You'll most likely find that they offer little technical assistance.

Below is a UV Flow-Rate Comparison between our 25 Watt SMART UV and the competing UV brands. This comparison uses the established "Waterborne Algae" UV Dose Rate (22,000 µWs/cm²) as a benchmark. The comparison graph shows the actual UV dose achieved based on the manufacturers' recommended
flow rates.

NOTE:
• The UV Flow Rate establishes the achieved UV Dose. For successful UV Treatment of
  Waterborne Algae, the required UV Dose is 22,000 µWs/cm².
• All calculations are based upon actual equipment specifications using the Bolton Photosciences, Inc.
  "UV CALC" program, which is recognized by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency).

Click Here for Specific Microorganism UV Dosages

Emperor Aquatics Larger "SMART UV Size" & Accurate Flow-Rates Deliver
GREATER UV PERFORMANCE... GUARANTEED!

• Emperor Aquatics, Inc. 25 Watt SMART UV Sterilizer Published Recommended UV Flow Rate:
  472 GPH* UV Dose using this manufacturer's UV Flow Rate: 30,000 µWs/cm²
• Our Competitor: Aqua Ultraviolet 25 Watt UV Published Recommended UV Flow Rate:
  1,200 GPH* UV Dose using this manufacturer's UV Flow Rate: 3,300 µWs/cm²
• Our Competitor: Current USA Gamma 25 Watt UV Published Recommended UV Flow Rate:
  1,200 GPH* UV Dose using this manufacturer's UV Flow Rate: 3,300 µWs/cm²
• Our Competitor: W. Lim WAVE 25 Watt UV Published Recommended UV Flow Rate:
  3,600 GPH* UV Dose using this manufacturer's UV Flow Rate: 1,300 µWs/cm²

*Publicized Manufacturer Recommended UV Flow-Rate
All products, manufacturer names and likenesses may be trademarked and are properties of their owners.

SMART UV Sterilizer Lite Water Flow Rates

SMART UV Sterilizer Water Flow Rates

SMART HO UV Sterilizer Water Flow Rates

SMART HO ML UV Sterilizer Water Flow Rates

HOSS UV Sterilizer

*Suggested flow rates are based on "end of lamp's useful life" performance (80% power)
*Maximum flow rates are based on new lamp output (100% power)
*Flow rates consider 90% UV transmissibility

When their answers don't make sense remember Emperor Aquatics, Inc.!

Some of these UV competitors may debate the information we have provided here. If that is the case, we suggest they take it up with Bolton Photosciences, Inc. and the Environmental Protection Agency!

Common Pond Microorganism UV Dosages

Target Microorganism
The size, biological make up and life cycle of a microorganism all play a critical part in successful germicidal disinfection. By way of comparison, there are approximately 65,000 known protozoa and only 4,500 bacteria of which all require their own specific UV-C dose. A microorganism's size plays a significant roll in the UV dose required to irradiate it. Protozoa are often many times larger than bacteria and therefore require a much higher UV dose. The speed (flow rate) at which the waterborne microorganism travels through the UV housing (across the UV lamp field) establishes the UV dose (µWs/cm²) received (see chart below).

Microorganism Life Cycle

Life Cycle is another critical factor that requires consideration when applying UV Sterilization. For example, the marine parasite Cryptocaryon (salt water white spot) is an excellent representation of how complex a microorganism's life cycle can be. Cryptocaryon has a four part life cycle. A warm water parasite, cryptocaryon can be lethal to many species of marine fish. Diagram A is very descriptive, showing the many characteristics of this microorganism. The aquaculture community has waged battles against cryptocaryon and have lost, specifically at the encysted (Tomont) stage, simply due to its evasiveness by attaching itself to its substrate. Disease outbreaks still occur even with filtering the water column using extremely fast flow rates.

Our SMART UV Sterilizers work for them. Imagine the possibilities for you!