Standardization of Methods for Fluence (UV Dose) Determination in Bench-Scale UV Experiments

Ultraviolet (UV) disinfection is now an accepted technology for inactivation of a variety of waterborne pathogens in wastewater and drinking water. However, the techniques used in much of the previous research aimed at providing information on UV effectiveness have not yet been standardized. Thus in many peer reviewed published literature, it is not clear how the UV irradiations were carried out, nor how the average fluence (or UV dose) given to the microorganisms has been determined. A detailed protocol for the determination of the fluence (UV dose) in a bench scale UV apparatus containing UV lamps emitting either monochromatic or broadband UV light was developed. This protocol includes specifications for the…