Semiconductors

The quality standards required for water used in the production of pharmaceuticals and micro-electronic components have never been stricter.

Berson's UV systems are used for many applications which utilise purified water, ultrapure water and water for injection. These include disinfection of intake, make-up and in-loop water, chlorine destruction, ozone destruction, TOC reduction and waste water treatment.

UV is a key process tool that can ensure purified water loops operate at the highest levels of microbiological integrity. installation is easy, requiring little disruption to the plant; maintenance is simple and can be carried out by on-site personnel; as a non-chemical method of treatment, there is no possibility of a detrimental effect on product stability and products are also free from unwanted residues, colours and odours.

TOC reduction

Traces of TOC (total oxidizable carbon) in ultrapure water can cause problems for pharmaceutical and electronic component manufacturers. The USP sets a maximum level of 500 ppb, but within the micro-electronic industry the requirements are even more stringent, with concentrations as low as 1ppb sometimes required.

There are two types of UV lamp for TOC breakdown: monochromatic, low pressure UV lamps and polychromatic medium pressure lamps. Low pressure lamps emit UV at specific the wavelengths of 185 nm and 254 nm, while medium pressure lamps have a polychromatic UV output over a broad range of the spectrum, from 190 - 400 nm.

The type of TOC reduction system depends on the UV lamps used: either low pressure or medium pressure. Berson UV has patented a combination of low and medium pressure TOC lamps in one irradiation chamber, called TOChybrid^® UV systems, which are more efficient at TOC reduction than using just one type of lamp.