Cleaning and disinfection have become essential pillars for a multitude of industrial sectors.
Neglecting disinfection compromises the quality of products and services, disregards strict regulations regarding hygiene and safety, and above all, jeopardizes public health by opening the door to microbes, diseases, and infections.
Disinfection Methods
We find several different disinfection methods apart from UV-C, including:
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Effective, but may leave chemical residues, and their excessive use can lead to resistance issues. Some products are even highly harmful to the environment…
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Disinfecting through heat
This method proves to be effective for disinfection but can be damaging to certain equipment and materials sensitive to heat.
This is why at ERIES, we believe that using UV processes is the best disinfection solution possible for your sector.
It is crucial to emphasize that disinfection must always be carried out on clean surfaces. It is impossible to disinfect a surface already contaminated by biofilm, as this would compromise the effectiveness of the disinfection process.
The 3 different UV-C sources available on the market for disinfection are:
- Pulsed Light
- UV-C LEDs
- Low-Pressure Mercury Vapor Lamps (also referred to as ozone lamps)
At ERIES, we exclusively utilize low-pressure mercury vapor lamps in our equipment due to their low cost, lamp longevity, and easy maintenance.
But these are not their only advantages!
UV Germicidal Lamp: What are the Advantages?
- Disinfection of all germs without alcohol or chemical products (chlorine, bleach, etc.)
- Fast and effective (we’re talking about a few seconds to disinfect the internal surfaces of a 5L container)
- Less damage to sensitive materials
- Eco-friendly
- Versatility of application
- Adaptability to complex spaces
- Long lifespan (1 lamp = 9000 ignitions or 1 year in continuous use)
- Cost-controlled, even lower compared to other UV-C methods
Decontamination service: for which sectors?
UV Light Disinfection for the Food Industry
The disinfection processes in the food industry are primarily aimed at disinfecting the interior of food containers such as trays, bottles, jars, and other packaging.
They are also used to ensure the disinfection of surfaces susceptible to contamination on the production line. UV light applications are increasingly used for filling equipment, conveyors, transport containers, and all food contact surfaces. Of course, these processes take into account the safety of operators, with mechanisms and automation that prevent radiation leaks.
By eliminating pathogenic microorganisms present on production surfaces and food handling equipment, UV-C disinfection ensures the safety of products throughout the agri-food manufacturing process, thus extending the shelf life and nutritional value of foods.
Industrial UV Disinfection
UV disinfection in industries is typically done upon client request and in response to their specific needs. This can involve decontaminating various types of machinery (such as aseptic machines) or equipment. It is possible to adapt the device to any machine, provided that the required amount of UV-C is well controlled based on the exposure distance and rate.
UVC lamps for research sectors: medical, institutes, laboratories,…
UV-C Disinfection for Pharmaceutical and Cosmetic Industries
In the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries, the challenges related to disinfection are becoming increasingly complex due to the growing requirement to avoid using harmful chemical preservatives. Faced with this issue, the focus is primarily on decontaminating containers and spaces where the product manufacturing process takes place, ensuring optimal hygienic conditions for the production of medicines and cosmetic products, in accordance with rigorous purity standards.
This approach goes beyond simple disinfection. In a context where the use of chemical preservatives is to be avoided, a solution implemented through UV-C radiation disinfection technology provides significant relief from the constraints associated with container decontamination, such as packaging, films, thermoformed materials, etc.
Furthermore, it extends to the decontamination of product contents through water and liquid treatment solutions, ensuring the purity and quality of substances, whether they are essential oils, floral waters, etc., without compromising health.
UV Disinfection Process: How Does It Work?
The UV-C disinfection process relies on the powerful action of ultraviolet rays of type C. These rays, of a specific wavelength (ranging between 100 and 280 nanometers), penetrate microbial cells, disrupt their genetic structure, and render them unable to reproduce. This process is based on several essential scientific principles:
Interaction with DNA and RNA: Principles of UV-C Disinfection
Parameters Influencing the Efficacy of UVC Lamp
The UV-C light disinfection process relies on a complex germicidal action mechanism that takes into account several parameters. Light intensity, exposure duration, and the specific type of microorganism targeted are crucial factors that vary depending on the particular application of UV-C disinfection. The germicidal efficacy of this method also depends on the dose-response relationship, microbial susceptibility, and optical properties of the treated surfaces or food matrices.
The effectiveness of disinfection by UV-C lamps relies on the aforementioned parameters, among others, requiring careful management of the dose: exposure time, distance between the lamp and the surface to be treated, targeted microorganisms, and the angle of radiation. Here’s how these factors influence UV-C lamp disinfection:
UV Lamp Light Exposure Time:
The longer the exposure time of microorganisms to UV-C rays, the greater the likelihood that their DNA or RNA will be altered, rendering them unable to reproduce.
The exposure time depends on the level of contamination (some microorganisms may be more difficult to kill than others) and the power of the UV-C lamp.
Distance between the UV Tube and the Surface:
The intensity of UV-C rays decreases with distance. A UV-C lamp is typically more effective at a short distance because the intensity decreases as the distance increases.
Therefore, it is important to place the lamp at an optimal distance from the surface to be treated to ensure adequate exposure.
Angle of Ultraviolet Radiation:
UV-C lamps emit rays in a specific direction. An improper angle can result in shadow areas where the rays do not directly hit the surface.
Adjusting the angle of the lamp ensures that UV-C rays reach all parts of the targeted surface.
To understand further:
- The principles of ultraviolet radiation (difference between UV-A/UV-B/UV-C and their functionalities),
- The energy and dose required to calculate for effective disinfection,
Explore in more detail the technical principles of UV-C on this page.
ERIES UV Machine : UV Device and Usage
To address the most commonly encountered challenges in disinfection, ERIES has developed a range of standard products. This range has been designed in response to the recurring issues raised by our clients, including the disinfection of tanks, IBC containers, and drums, as well as the disinfection of cans, various objects, and individual parts/rooms. This range includes 7 products, 4 for surface disinfection and 3 for air disinfection:
Surface decontamination equipment:
UV air treatment system:
Custom UV Cleaning Solution by ERIES
In addition to our standard range, we also offer other UV-C systems, sometimes exclusive.
And this is what sets us apart from our competitors: our expertise in finding tailor-made solutions according to the specific needs of our customers. No matter the complexity of your project, our engineering department will always be ready to study it and find solutions to all your disinfection challenges. And we even say that the more complicated the project, the more enthusiastically we tackle it!
For example, to meet the complexities of disinfection in certain cases, we had to expand our range of UV lamps. Whether it’s in terms of power, size, or even the shape of the lamp.
Our ingenuity knows no bounds.
To learn more about our range of UV lamps, refer on our UVC lamps page.
