APPLICATION OF ULTRAVIOLET LED SYSTEMS IN THE GRAIN PROCESSING AND COMPOUND FEED INDUSTRIES

Abstract

The materials of the article outline the features of the use of ultraviolet LED systems in industry, and propose a solution for their use in the grain processing and compound feed industry. Ultraviolet light (UV) is a well-researched and widely used means of decontamination and disinfection of surfaces, air, water, and food. Usually, far ultraviolet radiation (or ultraviolet C, UVC) with a wavelength of 254 nm is used, which corresponds to the peak absorption of wave energy by the DNA of a living cell. There is a mathematical mechanism for calculating the parameters of radiation in relation to its effect on microorganisms: a curve describing the microbial death depending on the increase in the radiation dose received by the bacteria and formulae for the relationship between the three main parameters (dose, radiation flux and exposure duration). Ultraviolet lamps (tubes) are commonly used, on the basis of which a large number of emitters have been developed for different needs. There are also emitters for grain and feed disinfection in use, but only outside of industrial production lines. Ultraviolet irradiation is not used directly on manufacturing lines so far. However, it can be used to reduce the microbial burden of a feed or food product prior to packaging the finished product. For this purpose, ultraviolet light-emitting diodes (LEDs) available on the world market today can be used. However, their use faces difficulties: ultraviolet LEDs emit wavelengths longer than lamps (at about 275 nm or more), which requires an increase in the duration of irradiation, which is undesirable for industrial processing of products directly on the line. However, the small size of the UVC LEDs will allow them to be installed in grain processing and feed mills inside equipment (magnetic separators, gravity feeders, etc.) with appropriate protection against damage by moving material. In addition, suspended emitters of any configuration can be placed above belt conveyors that move material at a certain speed. This approach will require certain measures to control the efficiency of irradiation (requires microbiological studies) and to protect personnel from the harmful effects of ultraviolet rays (means of personal and collective protection, measurement of radiation intensity).