This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Reprints and Permissions Copyright Information Books from ASM Press MicrobeWorld Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Edebo, L. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Edebo, L. Agricola Articles by Edebo, L.

 Previous Article  |  Next Article 

Appl Environ Microbiol. 1969 January; 17(1): 48-53
Copyright © 1969 American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Production of Photons in the Bactericidal Effect of Transient Electric Arcs in Aqueous Systems

^a Institute of Medical Microbiology and Institute of Physical Chemistry, University of Uppsala, Uppsala, Sweden

ABSTRACT

The radiation in the visible and ultraviolet regions from submerged, transient electrical arcs was measured with a K₃Fe(C₂O₄)₃ chemical actinometer and was compared to the bactericidal effect obtained with the same electrical arrangements. Photon production and bactericidal effect were obtained at lower voltages with a smaller electrode separation than with a wider one. At higher voltages, both increased with wider electrode separations. The voltages at maximal photon production efficiency coincided with those of maximal bactericidal efficiency. However, the same photon radiation produced by different electrical arrangements did not always yield the same bactericidal effect in the small discharge vessel usually employed. In a larger discharge vessel, the bactericidal effect was closely correlated with the photon production. The efficiency of photon production by transient arcs was smaller than that of germicidal mercury lamps, particularly with respect to wavelengths of great bactericidal activity. The mechanisms of inactivation and their use for practical disinfection purposes are discussed.

¹ Present address: Institute of Medical Microbiology, University of Lund, Lund, Sweden.