Shawn Forsythe
RIP
Role of UV Oxidation
Molecules are composed of atoms joined together by chemical bonds. The strength of the chemical bonds in a molecule can be described by a bond dissociation energy, which is the minimum energy required to break a particular bond. When a molecule is exposed to UV radiation, it gains energy. If the energy absorbed exceeds the bond dis-sociation energy, the chemical bonds will be broken and the molecule subsequently decomposed. The decomposition of a substance depends on the total energy delivered to that substance and is a function of the following:
* The type, structure and concentration of the molecule
* The conditions and composition of the water (oxidizers, catalysts)
* The geometry and configuration of the UV lamp and reaction chamber
* The UV dosage, where:
UV of a particular wavelength, that of 254 nanometers, is useful in Hydrogen Peroxide oxidation bleaching. UV254 is effective in breaking bonds between carbon, nitrogen, and hydrogen atoms. As a result, UV254 can also destroy living microorganisms by disrupting their DNA. The destruction of various organisms is UV dosage-dependent. UV254 also exhibits good penetration in air and water making it useful in disinfecting. But for our discussion here, the focus is on Hydrogen Peroxide. UV254 is exceptional at breaking the bonds of Hydrogen Peroxide in two manners that facilitate oxidation, and thus bleaching of certain staining materials. First, it releases the free radical oxygen, but also releases OH (hydroxyl) radicals from both the water and the Hydrogen Peroxide molecule. Both are oxidative of organic materials.
UV254 is NOT the wavelength of typical blacklights as used in urine salt fluorescence. These long wave (UV385) units do very little in providing the requisite energy to break the bonds of hydrogen peroxide in a manner that would rival UV254 (short wave UV).
As the manner in which Short wave UV is useful in disinfection, it is also unhealthful to humans via direct exposure. Care should be taken to shield sensitive tissue, such as eyes, and unprotected skin.
The real advantage for a carpet cleaner is the use of short wave UV to hasten the activity of hydrogen peroxide based oxidizer products for stain removal. In many cases, simple chemical activation of hydrogen peroxided can take several hours to generate satisfactory results. The discomfort of asking a customer for payment, based on the faith of the carpet cleaner's promise the stain will lighten overnight. This is especially problematic when the stain is unknown, and the reaction to oxidation is also unknown. By the use of UV, at a minimum, partial results will be evident in minutes, telling the cleaner that further oxidation will have intended consequences. UV is used in addition to chemical destabilization, such as ammonium hydroxide, making the oxidation many times quicker than chemical activation alone.
Carpet cleaners options in using short wave UV are rather limited. While there are various devices about that can be purchased to emit SW UV, they are not tailored for safe application, nor are they equipped for unattended, focused use. Until a variety of these devices have been brought to market, the CTI/pros choice DCI light is the only light made just for stain removal. This is due to the configuration, and geometry of the reaction chamber & lamp. The light is also shielded temperate wattage, thus protecting the user.
Molecules are composed of atoms joined together by chemical bonds. The strength of the chemical bonds in a molecule can be described by a bond dissociation energy, which is the minimum energy required to break a particular bond. When a molecule is exposed to UV radiation, it gains energy. If the energy absorbed exceeds the bond dis-sociation energy, the chemical bonds will be broken and the molecule subsequently decomposed. The decomposition of a substance depends on the total energy delivered to that substance and is a function of the following:
* The type, structure and concentration of the molecule
* The conditions and composition of the water (oxidizers, catalysts)
* The geometry and configuration of the UV lamp and reaction chamber
* The UV dosage, where:
UV of a particular wavelength, that of 254 nanometers, is useful in Hydrogen Peroxide oxidation bleaching. UV254 is effective in breaking bonds between carbon, nitrogen, and hydrogen atoms. As a result, UV254 can also destroy living microorganisms by disrupting their DNA. The destruction of various organisms is UV dosage-dependent. UV254 also exhibits good penetration in air and water making it useful in disinfecting. But for our discussion here, the focus is on Hydrogen Peroxide. UV254 is exceptional at breaking the bonds of Hydrogen Peroxide in two manners that facilitate oxidation, and thus bleaching of certain staining materials. First, it releases the free radical oxygen, but also releases OH (hydroxyl) radicals from both the water and the Hydrogen Peroxide molecule. Both are oxidative of organic materials.
UV254 is NOT the wavelength of typical blacklights as used in urine salt fluorescence. These long wave (UV385) units do very little in providing the requisite energy to break the bonds of hydrogen peroxide in a manner that would rival UV254 (short wave UV).
As the manner in which Short wave UV is useful in disinfection, it is also unhealthful to humans via direct exposure. Care should be taken to shield sensitive tissue, such as eyes, and unprotected skin.
The real advantage for a carpet cleaner is the use of short wave UV to hasten the activity of hydrogen peroxide based oxidizer products for stain removal. In many cases, simple chemical activation of hydrogen peroxided can take several hours to generate satisfactory results. The discomfort of asking a customer for payment, based on the faith of the carpet cleaner's promise the stain will lighten overnight. This is especially problematic when the stain is unknown, and the reaction to oxidation is also unknown. By the use of UV, at a minimum, partial results will be evident in minutes, telling the cleaner that further oxidation will have intended consequences. UV is used in addition to chemical destabilization, such as ammonium hydroxide, making the oxidation many times quicker than chemical activation alone.
Carpet cleaners options in using short wave UV are rather limited. While there are various devices about that can be purchased to emit SW UV, they are not tailored for safe application, nor are they equipped for unattended, focused use. Until a variety of these devices have been brought to market, the CTI/pros choice DCI light is the only light made just for stain removal. This is due to the configuration, and geometry of the reaction chamber & lamp. The light is also shielded temperate wattage, thus protecting the user.
