A new continuous-flow solar water disinfection system inactivating cysts of Acanthamoeba castellanii, and bacteria

Solar water disinfection (SODIS) is an effective and inexpensive microbiological treatment technique, applicable to communities lacking access safely managed drinking services, however, the lower volume of treated per day (< 2.5 L batch) a limitation for conventional SODIS process. To overcome this limitation, continuous-flow solar system was developed tested inactivation Acanthamoeba castellanii cysts Escherichia coli, Salmonella Typhimurium, Enterococcus faecalis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The consisted heater composed cylindrical-parabolic concentrator UV irradiator formed by fresnel-type flat combined with concentrator. Deionized low or high turbidity 1 50 nephelometric unit (NTU) where previously contaminated 108 Cysts/L 105–106 CFU/mL each four bacterial species. Then pumped from heating tank flowing through irradiator, then returning tank, until reaching 45, 55, 60 70 °C. kept at desired temperature, 0.5 10 min. Trophozoites were not recovered (during 20 days incubation) when < NTU exposed °C In NTU, same result obtained after all bacteria achieved 55 min; in water, exposure prototype processes every 90s. has potential be applied as alternative large-scale public supply.