UV-LED chloramine removal technology for home dialysis water purification
Chemical-free, waste-free UV-LED module that removes chloramine below 0.1 mg/L in tap water while simultaneously degrading trace pollutants and bacteria. Designed to protect home dialysis devices using sustainable non-mercury LEDs emitting targeted UV wavelengths.
Overview
This technology offers a chemical-free and waste-free approach to removing chloramine from tap water using ultraviolet light emitted by sustainable, non-mercury LEDs. Designed specifically to protect home dialysis devices, the system reduces chloramine concentrations below 0.1 mg/L while simultaneously degrading trace chemical pollutants and bacteria. By eliminating the need for chemical additives or waste-generating treatment steps, the technology provides a safer, more sustainable water purification solution for patients receiving dialysis at home.
Technical specifications
- UV photolysis principle: LEDs emitting UV light between 250 and 350 nm excite chloramine molecules, generating reactive radical species that degrade chloramine into benign end-products.
- Chemical-free operation: No chemical additives are required, and no waste stream is produced during treatment.
- Continuous flow performance: Chloramine is removed to non-detectable levels after 30 seconds of UV irradiation at flow rates between 2 and 6 gallons per minute.
- Batch mode validation: Complete chloramine removal to below detectable levels has been demonstrated at ambient temperature.
- No harmful byproducts: Testing has confirmed that the photolysis process does not generate harmful disinfection byproducts.
- Sustainable light source: Non-mercury LED technology replaces traditional mercury-containing UV lamps, reducing environmental impact.
- Multi-target treatment: Simultaneously addresses chloramine, trace chemical pollutants, and bacteria in a single treatment step.
Technology readiness level
The technology has been validated in both batch mode and continuous flow mode for chloramine removal in drinking water, with prior studies also confirming efficient chloramine photolysis using LEDs. Future development will focus on evaluating LEDs across different UV emission wavelengths to optimize the light source, designing a household-size UV reactor tailored for chloramine removal, and determining the optimal UV intensity and reaction time to meet dialysis device flow rate requirements. The estimated development timeline is one to two years, with the research team seeking partnership support for LED UV unit development, laboratory supplies, and key personnel funding.
About University of California, Riverside
UC Riverside is a comprehensive public research university within the UC system, recognized for translational work and talent development at scale. An on‑campus research and technology park, shared core facilities, and prototype spaces let companies co‑locate and validate new solutions alongside faculty. Partnerships with a medical enterprise and regional hospitals support clinical collaboration, while field sites and an extension network translate research to producers and communities across the region. Faculty secure competitive federal funding from NSF, NIH, DOE, and USDA, complemented by state and industry support. A dedicated technology transfer office streamlines IP, licensing, and startup formation, with incubator programming and flexible lab space for corporate collaborators.
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