Technology
Ultraviolet bactericidal irradiation of the air and surface is carried out using ultraviolet bactericidal (UVGI) systems. The UVGI systems are sanitary and preventive anti-epidemic tools aimed at reducing the number of microorganisms and infectious diseases.
Disinfection by the ultraviolet bactericidal irradiation
means killing (inactivation) of microorganisms, pathogens, infectious and parasitic diseases in the air and on objects. The purpose of disinfection is to interrupt the transmission paths of epidemic process. There are 2 main methods adopted by Rapid!xp Pulsed Xenon Ultraviolet Disinfection System:
PULSED XENON
Rapid!xp Pulsed Xenon Ultraviolet Disinfection System involves the pulsing of high-power xenon lamp to produce broad spectrum light (200~470nm).
High-intensity, full-spectrum UV disinfection units kill up to 99.9% of coronaviruses including today’s SARS-CoV-2, C. auris, Norovirus, C. diff, and “Superbugs” including MRSA and E. coli. All in remarkably small, yet powerful units designed for any sized space.
Rapid!xp is the Surface & Air Germ Elimination system utilizes the germ-killing power of ultraviolet light to protect spaces from harmful bacteria and viruses, using a combination of UV-C, UV-B, UV-A, and Violet-Blue light.
How does UV Light Works?
Rapid!xp is the Surface & Air Germ Elimination system utilizes the germ-killing power of ultraviolet light to protect spaces from harmful bacteria and viruses, using a combination of UV-C, UV-B, UV-A, and Violet-Blue light.
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When pulsed UV light levels are sufficiently high, the germicidal action of the UV band and bacterial cell wall rupture resulting from sudden heating
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Absorption of pulsed light energy by bacterial cells may cause vaporization of the water leading to cell disruption, including cell wall damage, cytoplasmic membrane shrinkage, cell content leakage, mesosome rupture, and other effects.
Inactivation mechanisms of the Pulsed UV Light are:
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Photochemical effects from the UV (same as from UVGI)
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Photothermal effects from heating during long-duration pulsed light treatment (>10 s)
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Photophysical effects from induced structural stresses that can occur with 5s of pulsed light treatment
Heating Effect on the microbes’ survival:
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Desiccation from low RH can cause the death of bacteria due to the removal of water, which is essential for normal bacterial cellular functions
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Death from dehydration is due to complex interplay factors and dried bacteria dies from simultaneous stresses that mainly relate to oxidation processes
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Microbes can increase in size and mass under higher RH due to internal absorption and the binding of water molecules to the cell surface, which makes harder for the UV rays to inactivate the pathogens
UVGI Technology
Air Filtration
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UVGI
In combination with air filtration (for big size pathogens), UVGI is the most effective and economic technology for disinfecting air
The UV technology can contribute to the control of epidemics and to halt contagious airborne disease epidemics, including such multidrug-resistant microbes like MRSA, XTB, SARS and Avian Influenza.
UV Amalgam lamps are the most important element of the UVGI devices:
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Low Pressure (LP) – monochromatic, they produce a narrow band of UVC at 254nm
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Medium Pressure (MP) – polychromatic, they produce a broader but flatter spectrum from 200nm to 400nm
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UV spectrum of lamps can influence photoreactivation in bacteria (and not in viruses), i.e. broadband UVB/UVC lamps are more useful to damage enzymes in bacteria that facilitate photoreactivation
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Example: E.coli bacteria can photorepair itself after irradiation with low pressure lamps
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There are no sufficient studies to prove that MP are much better than LP, thus both lamps can be used based on the price-preference
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In Low Pressure lamps 60% of the electrical input power converted to light, of which 85% occurs near 254nm
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Frequent starting may accelerate lamp aging, because emissive coatings on the electrodes are eroded during starting and evaporating during use.
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End of lamp life is reached when the coating is completely removed from one or both electrodes.
Bonus Tips:
UV output of the lamps (irradiation efficiency) may be affected by:
Lamp age
On/Off cycling rate
Air velocity
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Optimal air velocity is 2-3m/s 400~600fpm) to ensure UV system
effectiveness
Temperature
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Some lamps can lose 25% of their UV output when the air temp drops from 27°C to 16°C
NOTE!
Cooling effect or limiting air velocity and temperature specifications should be obtained from the UV lamp manufacturers to identify the conditions within which the lamps can be efficiently operated.
