The Megatron ultraviolet water disinfection system from Atlantic Ultraviolet Corp. is made to treat wastewater without heat or chemicals. Available in four size models (M50, M90, M150, M250), the system’s germicidal lamps produce short-wave radiation that is lethal to bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms.
Water quality recommendations for wastewater application are 30 mg/l of biological oxygen demand (BOD) and 30 mg/l total suspended solids (TSS) or less, says Greg Boehme, applications engineer. “We can treat worse water quality, but these are standards for the sizing that we have put in place for the system with a minimum 65 percent UV transmission through a 1-centimeter cell.”
With flow rates ranging from 70 to 335 gpm (multiple units can be plumbed for higher flow rates), wastewater enters the stainless steel disinfection chamber and passes between the quartz sleeves and chamber walls where suspended microscopic organisms are exposed to intense germicidal ultraviolet radiation.
Front panel indicator lights and a translucent sight port provide lamp operation feedback. The digital ultraviolet monitor also displays germicidal ultraviolet energy intensity within the disinfection chamber. All electronics are accessible through either of the system’s access doors.
“A critical component is the monitoring system,” Boehme says. “The system comes with an LED indicator, which notifies you that the lamps are operating properly. Ultraviolet lamps can be in operation for quite a bit longer than the rated life of the lamp, but not producing the appropriate wavelength to kill the bacteria,” he says. “We offer monitoring devices as a standard item.”
Manual and automatic wiping mechanisms are designed to clean the quartz-sleeved lamps without having to disassemble or shut down the system. Once programmed, the optional automatic wiper permits unattended cleaning.
“There’s a handle for the manual wiper, or you can program it to operate up to seven times a day with the automatic wiper feature,” Boehme says. The lamps and sleeves also are made to be replaced on site.
An ultraviolet sensor probe mounts to the disinfection chamber, while ports on the inlet/outlet enable inline sample gathering and monitoring.
Each Megatron system is self-contained, although multiple units can be interconnected to comply with nearly any flow requirement.
Maintenance generally consists of yearly replacement of lamps, Boehme says. “The sleeves within the system don’t necessarily need to be changed if the cleaning is kept up. Gasket fittings and O-rings typically can be in place for two to five years.”
Models range in size from the four-lamp, 70-gpm clear wastewater M50 to the 19-lamp, 335-gpm M250. Unit dimensions range from 100 to 102 inches long, 16 to 21 inches wide and 14 to 26 inches high. For more information: 631/273-0500; www.ultraviolet.com.
