Large area radiation source for water and wastewater treatment

Abstract

There is a strong desire for processes that improve the safety of water supplies and that minimize disinfection byproducts. Stellarray is developing mercury-free next-generation x-ray and UV-C radiation sources in flat-panel and pipe form factors for water and wastewater treatment applications. These new radiation sources are designed to sterilize sludge and effluent, and to enable new treatment approaches to emerging environmental concerns such as the accumulation of estrogenic compounds in water. Our UV-C source, based on cathodoluminescent technology, differs significantly from traditional disinfection approaches using mercury arc lamps or UV LEDs. Our sources accelerate electrons across a vacuum gap, converting their energy into UV-C when striking a phosphor, or x-rays when striking a metallic anode target. Stellarray's large area radiation sources for wastewater treatment allow matching of the radiation source area to the sterilization target area for maximum coverage and improved efficiency.

Bacteria Inactivation via X-ray-Induced UVC Radioluminescence: Toward in Situ Biofouling Prevention in Membrane Modules

“…Example layout of the radioluminescence membrane biofouling control (RMBC) concept, showing (A) an external X-ray source (e.g., a flat panel source); (B) a spiral-wound membrane element; (C) a penetrating X-ray beam; and (D) a UVC-radioluminescent feed spacer achieving bacterial inactivation.…”

Development of a UVC-based disinfection robot

“…Hence, novel no-touch disinfection technologies, such as ultraviolet and hydrogen peroxide vapor technologies (Carling, 2017), have emerged, which complement traditional modes of cleaning. Ultraviolet disinfection uses ultraviolet-C (UVC) lamps to disinfect the air (Nicholas, 2010) (ultraviolet germicidal irradiation for air disinfection), water (Mueller, 2011) (waste water, potable water) and surfaces (Casini, 2019) in hospital or other public places. Used for decades to reduce the spread of bacteria, this method destroys the outer protein coating or deoxyribonucleic acid of the virus.…”