Total internal reflection-driven uniform light field engineering for UV-LED water disinfection: A 12-fold performance enhancement in cylindrical reactors

Abstract

Ultraviolet (UV) disinfection technology has become increasingly recognized for its effectiveness in pathogen inactivation. Recent advancements have introduced ultraviolet light emitting diodes (UV-LEDs) as a preferable option to traditional UV sources, offering notable advantages. This study focuses on the optimization of a UV water disinfection reactor by utilizing computational simulation to improve disinfection efficiency. Through the integration of total internal reflection (TIR) lenses with UV-LED light sources, the proposed reactor design achieves a more uniform light distribution, with relative standard deviation (RSD) values below 0.3. By this method, the result demonstrates more than a 12-fold improvement in radiation dose (R dose) delivering over conventional reactor designs. The investigation on the light field uniformity reveals that the light distribution within the reactor chamber varies depending on the structural differences. This outcome facilitates the optimization of reactor design. Simulations with contaminated water further validate the enhanced performance of the optimized reactor in applications, emphasizing the potential of UV-LED technology in advancing water disinfection processes. The comprehensive findings of this study offer valuable insights and guidance for the refinement of UV water disinfection reactor establishment.