UV Disinfection Sizing: A Method for Comparing Apples to Oranges

Colorado Springs Utilities
Colorado Springs, Colorado

As ultraviolet (UV) light technology for wastewater disinfection has evolved, various methods
have been used to size UV systems to meet discharge permit requirements for bacterial limits.
Many of these methods have resulted in inappropriately sized UV systems, leaving agencies and
design engineers with the need for an objective approach. Using third-party validated bioassays
is one option; however, there are variations in the various bioassay validation methods, which
can make a direct comparison of the delivered dose among various equipment manufacturers
difficult. One of the goals of the Colorado Springs Utilities’ (SU) Las Vegas Wastewater
Treatment Facility (LVWWTF) Alternative Disinfection design build project, was to develop an
objective and comprehensive approach to evaluate the UV design dose proposed by various UV
manufacturers. This case study presents the simplified approach developed to select an
appropriate dose based on projected plant flows, third-party validation relationships, and
observed UV transmittance (UVT).

Metric Used:
Posted: May 20th, 2011 | Filed under: 100K-500K, Stormwater, Waste Water Treatment, Water Treatment | Tags: Achieve Disinfection Permit Limits, Cost Savings, Energy Savings, Improved UV Disinfection, Plant Optimization | No Comments »

---