UV Kitchen Exhaust: Self-Cleaning Technology

UV light technology provides disinfection solutions to a variety of air, surface, and water treatment applications with high-intensity UV lamps proven to break down organic compounds. UVC germicidal lamps are used in a multitude of environments where eliminating harmful microorganisms is critical, such as hospitals, schools, and many public areas including restaurants. UV lamps help to eliminate germs in the air and on surfaces, providing proven restaurant disinfection solutions in dining areas as well as in the kitchen with food irradiation and UV kitchen exhaust systems.

UV lamps in kitchen exhaust systems provide many benefits by preventing bacteria and grease buildup in kitchen exhaust hoods. This self-cleaning technology provides a cleaner, healthier and safer commercial kitchen by eliminating odors and mitigating the risk of grease fires.

UV lamps with emissions in the UVC wavelength have long been used in HVAC systems to eliminate bacteria and mold growth in ductwork. This UVC technology provides the same benefits and also prevents grease buildup in Commercial Kitchen Ventilation (CKV) systems.

How UV Kitchen Exhaust Systems Work

Kitchen exhaust systems provide the primary function of extracting grease through mechanical filters and inertial means. Kitchen hood exhausts successfully remove grease particles. The smaller grease particulates and vapor that remain are then exposed to the UVC light to break down the molecules. This process effectively prevents grease buildup, thus reducing maintenance, cleaning and mitigating fire hazard.

Photolysis and Ozonolysis

UVC lamps in UV kitchen exhaust systems break down grease particles in commercial kitchen exhaust systems through two distinct processes: photolysis and ozonolysis. Photolysis is the chemical reaction that occurs when a chemical compound is broken down by photons. Photolysis breaks down the molecular bond and grease particles and ozonolysis oxidizes the grease molecules.

Installing UV Lamps in Kitchen Exhaust Systems

UVC germicidal lamps can be installed in the interior of the hood exhaust plenum, in stainless steel fixtures against the top or back of the ductwork. UV lamps should be installed in kitchen exhaust systems with a separation of at least 10 cm to provide ample spacing for effective photolysis to occur.

Breakdown of Grease Buildup

The UV radiation reacts with the air pulled through the kitchen hood exhaust during the photolysis process, also called photodissociation, where the photons break down the oxygen molecules into oxygen atoms. The oxygen atoms combine with any remaining oxygen molecules to form ozone molecules, which react with the organic compounds in the grease.

This chemical reaction called ozonolysis, alters the grease organic compounds in the exhaust air to form easier-to-clean byproducts, specifically carbon dioxide and water vapor. Ozonolysis is proven to significantly reduce the buildup of grease deposits in both the grease exhaust duct and the hood exhaust system.

Benefits of UV Lamps in Kitchen Hood Exhaust Systems

Reducing grease buildup reduces the maintenance and cleaning required in a kitchen hood exhaust and also decreases the likelihood of grease fires occurring in the kitchen exhaust system. Ozone is known to eliminate foul odors in the air, thus ozonolysis helps to eliminate the odor that comes with built-up grease, which can occur quickly in busy commercial kitchens.

UV disinfection lamps in UV kitchen exhaust systems help restaurant owners to achieve many benefits including:

· Significantly reduce built-up grease in kitchen exhausts

· Eliminate foul orders from stale, built-up grease

· Mitigate the risk of fires in kitchen exhaust systems

· Save money on cleaning and maintenance expenses

· Supports sustainable heat recovery

While UVC technology is safe and chemical-free, direct exposure to skin and eyes should be avoided. Safety measures that turn off the UV lights when the kitchen exhaust is turned off protect kitchen personnel.

It is important to use reputable UVC germicidal lamps and hood exhaust systems to ensure the proper breakdown of molecules as well as ensure the safety of kitchen and restaurant workers. UVC systems should be installed in kitchen hood exhausts with several interlocks, ensuring that the UV lights will turn off when the exhaust system is off or when a filter is removed to protect against human exposure.

UVC Lamps for Restaurants and UV Kitchen Exhaust Systems

LightSources is recognized worldwide as a leading manufacturer of high-tech UVC germicidal lamps. We support OEMs of all sizes with a wide selection of UVC germicidal lamps in various shapes and sizes as well as with custom-engineered solutions to meet your specifications.

Our lighting engineers possess deep technical knowledge of UV radiation and continually develop first-to-market, proprietary technology through extensive research and development. We offer UV lamp prototype solutions and custom phosphor blends to produce the optimum wavelength for specific germicidal needs. Our UVC germicidal lamps can be found in a multitude of applications including UVC robots, hospital air and surface disinfection, restaurant and UV kitchen exhaust systems, and many other air, water or surface disinfection applications.

The Various Uses for UV Light

The uses for UV light include a broad range of applications in commercial, industrial, and healthcare settings. Ultraviolet (UV) light is separated into three basic categories of UVA, UVB, and UVC based on the nanometer or wavelength of UV emissions. UVC light is the shortest wavelength emitted by the sun and is mostly absorbed by the ozone layer.

· UVA light is between 315 to 400 nm

· UVB light is between 280 to 315 nm

· UVC light is between 100 to 280 nm

UV technology allows for lighting engineers to replicate UVC radiation which provides highly effective disinfection properties. UV lamps provide germicidal effectiveness in many applications along with a host of other purposes and uses in a wide range of industries worldwide. Some of the most common uses of UV light include:

Illumination – of course the original purpose of lamps is to illuminate, with UV lamps offering energy efficient, bright light in many industries such as manufacturing, clean room production, quality inspection and many other applications which require a well-lit environment.

Lighted signs – lighted signs are required for many purposes like illuminating emergency exits in public places and for marketing and brand awareness purposes. LightSources and our valued partner Voltarc provide fluorescent and neon lighting solutions with decades of experience in custom designed solutions.

Backlighting – UV lamps provide backlighting to the avionics and aerospace industry, providing reliable lighting in airplane cabins and cockpits. LightSources and our valued partners offer experienced backlighting solutions with high-quality UV lamps designed for backlighting found in many demanding industries including the NASA space shuttle.

UV curing – used in many manufacturing applications, UV lamps for curing of inks, coatings and finishes provides a strengthened outer coating. Adhesives, varnishes and lacquers cured with UV lamps are more durable and last in demanding environments such as industrial, automotive, and aerospace applications.

Tanning – UV lamps are the core technology in tanning salons, offering clientele a way to enjoy a sun-kissed look from man-made technology. LightSources offers many benefits to the tanning industry with the introduction of proprietary technology designed strictly to improve tanning performance and safety.

Phototherapy – UV lamps provide many medical benefits for a host of conditions such as skin diseases including acne, jaundice, psoriasis, eczema and other conditions like seasonal depression.

Germicidal – UVC germicidal lamps are designed to replicate UVC radiation which is proven to have immense sterilization and disinfection properties. Today, germicidal UVC light applications are the first choice for many industries worldwide that require water, air or surface sterilization.

Germicidal UVC Lamps and Applications

Air – UVC germicidal lamps are used in air sterilization systems including upper room ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) systems and can also be placed in HVAC systems to sterilize the air as it runs through HVAC systems while also preventing mold and mildew on cooling coils. UV air sterilization systems can be used just about anywhere and are especially helpful in public places like hospitals, schools, libraries, airports, and anywhere people congregate with limited ventilation. UV air sterilization is important and hospitals to improve the health of people with respiratory illness like asthma and prevent the spread of hospital acquired infections.

Water – UV lamps also provide a safe, efficient way to treat water without the need to use harmful chemicals that create pollution in rivers, oceans and other bodies of water. UV lamps are cost-effectively used for water purification in water reclamation, waste water, drinking water, industrial and commercial process water, pool and spa, aquaculture and life sciences applications.

Surface – UV surface sterilization is highly effective as a valuable tool in many industries and environments. Hospitals use UV sterilization to disinfect surgical equipment in patient rooms. Surface sterilization is important in restaurants and commercial kitchens as well as public places such as airports, bus stations and public transportation systems. UV lamps significantly improve a sterile environment in hospitals and help to prevent the spread of disease.

Food Industry – UV germicidal lamps provide many benefits to the food and restaurant industries, with food irradiation a highly effective and safe method of food treatment approved by the FDA. Food irradiation prevents early spoiling of various foods, prolonged shelf-life, preserves nutritional value and helps to eliminate foodborne illnesses like E. coli and salmonella. UVC lamps can prevent viruses from accumulating on food preparation surfaces and in dining areas and restaurants. UV germicidal lamps provide a host of benefits to the restaurant food industry and can be used in water, air and surface applications.

UV Lamp Suppliers for the Many Uses of UV Light

LightSources and our valued partner LightTech are premier light bulb suppliers in the industry. We produce UV lamps for virtually any application, with proprietary, first to market UV technology designed to prolong lamp life and extend lamp effectiveness.

All of our UV germicidal low pressure, medium pressure and high pressure ultra-violet lamps are designed to be energy-efficient as well as long-lasting. Please contact us to find out how UV light can provide a solution for your application. We offer high-quality standard lamps and components as well as specialize in customizing the best solutions to meet our partner’s unique needs.