BIOT 404 |
| Treatment of fluid with short wavelength ultraviolet light (UVC) has been shown to be an effective method for inactivating infectious agents such as bacteria and viruses. Treatment efficacy is a function of device design and is strongly influenced by parameters such as mixing, fluid depth and the optical properties of the fluid. UVC treatment has been exploited in a number of industries, such as water treatment and food processing, to reduce the risk of potential pathogen transmission. However, application of UVC to the biotechnology industry has been minimal, with the exception of air and water treatment applications. Broader application of UVC technology in the biotechnology industry will likely require devices that produce a consistent, narrow residence time distribution to ensure homogeneous exposure of potential pathogens and therefore consistent pathogen inactivation. We examine 3 different UVC devices for their performance characteristics with respect to fluency distribution, which is a function of residence time distribution, using fluorescent microspheres capable of photobleaching on UVC exposure. The fluency distribution for each device was calculated using the post-treatment changes in the fluorescence distribution of the beads, correlated with a standard curve generated using a collimated UV beam device. Device performance and design differences will be discussed. |
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Poster Session
5:30 PM-7:30 PM, Wednesday, August 22, 2007 BCEC -- Exhibit Hall - B2, Poster
Division of Biochemical Technology |