Why Quartz Sleeve Cleaning Matters in UV Systems

The most important maintenance point in UV units is keeping clean the quartz sleeve that protects the UV lamp. Substances dissolved in water (lime, iron, manganese, organic compounds, etc.) gradually form a layer of fouling on the surface of the quartz sleeve. If it is not cleaned, less and less of the light produced by the UV lamp reaches the water.

The role of the UV sensor

A fouled quartz sleeve reduces the UV intensity in the reactor. The UV sensor detects this drop and, when the intensity falls to a critical value, raises an alarm to warn the operator.

Units with mechanical wipers

For polluted water that requires frequent quartz sleeve cleaning, UV units with mechanical wipers should be preferred. A fully automatic wiper is recommended; leaving the cleaning frequency and speed to the operator is inefficient.

Chemical cleaning

The most effective way to clean the quartz sleeve is chemical cleaning: dilute acid is circulated through the UV reactor to remove the fouling from the sleeve surface. Chemical cleaning should be applied to the unit at least once a year.

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