Abstract
UV lamps are being increasingly used in the treatment of swimming pool water, mainly due to their abilities to disinfect and effectively remove chloramines (combined chlorine). However, the application of UV lamps in a closed loop system, such as that in which swimming pool water is treated, creates conditions under which chlorinated water is then also irradiated with UV. Thus, the advanced oxidation process occurs, which affects the transformation of organic matter and its increased reactivity, and hence the higher usage of chlorine disinfectant. In addition, UV lamps require electrical power and the periodic replacement of filaments. In order to assess whether the application of a low-pressure UV lamp is justified, water quality tests and an analysis of the operating costs (including the energy consumption) of the water treatment system were carried out for two operation variants—those of the low-pressure UV lamp being turned on and off. The experiments were carried out on the real object of the AGH University of Science and Technology sports swimming pool for one year. The consumption of electricity and water treatment reagents was also measured. The following values of the selected parameters of the swimming pool water quality were observed (for without and with UV lamp, respectively): 0.68 and 0.52 mg/L combined chlorine; 3.12 and 3.02 mg/L dissolved organic carbon; 15.70 and 15.26 µg/L trihalomethanes; 7 and 6 cfu/mL mesophilic bacteria; and 6 and 20 cfu/mL psychrophilic bacteria. Generally, the statistically important differences in water quality parameters were not observed, thus the application of the low-pressure UV lamp in the swimming pool water treatment technology did not bring the expected improvement in water quality. However, the higher consumption of electric energy (by 29%) and chlorine disinfectant (by 15%), and the need to periodically replace the lamp filaments significantly increased the operating costs of the water treatment system (by 21%) and its ecological impact, thus this technology cannot be considered as profitable or ecological.
Highlights
Introduction iationsThe widespread understanding of the multiple benefits of swimming has resulted in the emergence of new swimming pools all over the world, as well as in the increase in the number of their users
UV radiation may change the physicochemical parameters of water
It can be noticed that switching on the UV lamp may have a slight effect on the decrease in the concentration of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and SUVA, through the partial mineralization of organic compounds, as well as the decrease in the aromatic compounds content [4,7]
Summary
The widespread understanding of the multiple benefits of swimming has resulted in the emergence of new swimming pools all over the world, as well as in the increase in the number of their users. Swimmers are having increased expectations regarding water quality and sanitary safety, which is the reason for which the legal requirements and industry standards in terms of the effectiveness of swimming pool water treatment are becoming more and more ambitious. It is necessary to search for solutions that do guarantee proper water quality and swimmers’ comfort, but are energy-efficient, climate-neutral, and with minimal environmental impact This is further necessary due to the fact that the manufacturers and suppliers of such devices often.
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