Ultraviolet Light Technology Ultraviolet Light What Is

By admin on November 20th, 2007

Ultraviolet Light Technology

Ultraviolet Light What Is It ?
Light is the most common form of the
electromagnetic radiation (EMR) that the average
person is aware of. Light is only a very small band
within the electromagnetic spectrum. Cosmic rays, X-
rays, radio waves, television signals, and microwave
are other examples of EMR.
EMR is characterised by its wavelength and frequency.
Wavelength is defined as the length from the peak of
one wave to the peak of the next, or one oscillation
(measured in metres). Frequency is the number of
oscillations in one second (measured in Hertz).
Sunlight is the most common source of ultraviolet
radiation (UVR) but there are also many other sources.
UVR emitting artificial light sources can be produced
to generate any of the UVR wavelengths by using the
appropriate materials and energies.
Ultraviolet radiation is divided into three categories
UVA, UVB, and UVC. These categories are determined
by their respective wavelengths.
Ultraviolet A radiation is the closest to the
wavelengths of visible light .
Ultraviolet B radiation is a shorter, more energetic
wave.
Ultraviolet C radiation is the shortest of the three
ultraviolet bands and is used for sterilisation and
germicidal applications.
UV technology has been known since the 1800 s. In
the past it has been utilised in hospital, wastewater
treatment plants, and various industry applications.
HALTON has now developed new applications to
harness the power of Ultraviolet Technology in
commercial kitchens.

How Does the Technology Work?
Ultraviolet light reacts to small particulate and volatile
organic compounds (VOC) generated in the cooking
process in two ways, by exposing the effluent to light
and by the generation of ozone (UVC).
As is commonly known, the effluent generated by the
cooking process is a fatty substance. From a chemical
standpoint, a fatty substance contains double bonds,
which are more reactive than single bonds. By using
light and ozone in a certain manner, we are able to
attack these double bonds and consequently break
them. This results in a large molecule being broken
down into two smaller ones. Given enough reactive
sites, this process can continue until the large
molecule is broken down
into carbon dioxide and
water, which are
odourless and harmless.
Unlike the grease that
results in these small
molecules, CO2 and H2O
will not adhere to the
duct and will be carried
out by the exhaust air flow.