Introduction

Taiwan Semiconductor Lighting Company (TSLC) Corporation has successfully integrated the CrayoLED™ H-series (CLH-N3S) UV-C LED into TSLC's new, patented product, made for in-line UV-C sterilization for aquarium water filtration systems. This compact, turnkey, and easy-to-install UV-C LED sterilizer is specifically designed for effective algae control in aquariums, hydroponics, and various commercial aquaculture applications. Prioritizing user convenience and environmental quality for aquatic life, this innovation represents a significant step towards broader industrial applications in larger fisheries, farms, and fisheries.

Market Overview

The UV disinfection market in aquaculture and agriculture is expected to grow at a CAGR of over 12%, reaching USD 138.53 billion by 2030 according to a market report from Coherent Market Insights, driven by the adoption of sustainable technologies for aquaculture and fish farming. As the world population grows and continued epidemics, many in the industry are looking towards UV disinfection to increase food capacity, enhance biosecurity and resiliency in our food supply and production, reduce long-term water management expenses and looking for the reduction and possible alternatives to the use of harmful chemicals and antibiotics.

Importance of Algae Control

Algae control in aquariums is crucial for maintaining a healthy aquatic environment. Excessive algae growth can deplete oxygen levels, produce toxins, and create unsightly conditions. Effective algae management reduces the need for frequent cleaning and maintenance, ensuring the well-being of fish and other aquatic life while promoting a balanced and aesthetically pleasing habitat. The required UV-C dosage to effectively kill and manage algae growth varies based on water conditions, flow rates, type of algae, and level of algae infestation. Dosages typically range from 10 to 50 millijoules per square centimeter (mJ/cm²), depending on the severity of the algae problem.

There are multiple methods for algae control and maintenance - physical, chemical, biological and UV-C sterilization. Below describes some methods:

• Physical methods: manual removal, water changes and environmental control of lighting and nutrients in the water
• Chemical methods: algaecides and phosphate removers
• Biological methods: algae eating fish and invertebrates and live plants

Benefits and Innovations

• Extended Lifespan and Reduced Maintenance: UV-C LEDs offer longer product lifetimes and reduced maintenance compared to traditional mercury lamps, which are not designed for frequent on/off cycles and typically have operational lifetimes of 500 to 2,000 hours. Additionally, mercury lamps can degrade into harmful microplastics over time.
• Advanced Design Features: TSLC's patented UV-C in-line sterilizer design includes instant on/off functionality, six selectable modes to optimize UV dosage for algae management, and CrayoNano's UV-C LEDs at a peak wavelength of 275nm, which does not generate ozone. The compact design achievable with UV-C LEDs sets a new standard for these applications which are normally combined with bulky and fragile, toxic mercury lamps.
• Environmental Benefits: The use of UV-C LED technology reduces the need for harmful chemicals and antibiotics in aquaculture, promoting a more sustainable and environmentally friendly approach to water treatment.

Experiment design and conditions

In comparative tests, TSLC UV-C LED Sterilizer demonstrated superior performance over traditional 11W mercury lamps. TSLC ran an inhouse experiment and demonstration of their UV-C LED Sterilizer equipped with CrayoNano's CrayoLED H-series UV-C LED (CLH-N3S).

Two 40-liter tanks were equipped with identical off the shelf, commercially available pump and water filtration setups, then one tank was equipped with an in-line UV lamp sterilizer, and another was equipped with TSLC's in-line UV-C LED sterilizer. The tanks were filled with tap water and then inoculated with an algae concentration of 2 milligrams per liter (mg/L). The tanks and UV sterilizer systems were run continuous under normal operation conditions until there were no visible algae remaining in the tank. 

TSLC's UV-C LED inline sterilizer cleared the algae infestation in 24 hours of continuous operation compared to the 48 hours needed for 11W mercury lamp. These results show the UV-C LED inline sterilizer is two times more effective and saves 50% energy usage compared to the mercury lamp, captured by the video below. This performance is attributed to the high-intensity dosage created by the CrayoLEDs performance when integrated into TSLC's patented chamber. 

Industry Impact and Future Applications with Advanced UV-C LED Solution

TSLC UV-C LED Sterilizer system leverages CrayoLED's power performance and reliable UV-C LED technology to ensure effective algae control, reducing the frequency of cleaning, the need for chemical treatments, such as chlorine or hydrogen peroxide, and improving maintenance for aquatic environments.

UV-C LEDs offer users longer product lifetimes and energy savings, eliminating the environmental drawbacks associated with mercury-based products.  Traditional mercury lamps are not designed for frequent on/off cycles, resulting in short lifetimes of 500 to 2,000 operational hours. Additionally, some systems and housings with mercury lamps can degrade into harmful microplastics. TSLC's patented UV-C LED sterilizer prioritizes users' convenience with a product lifetime of over 10,000 hours and reduce tank cleaning maintenance requirements and frequency, instant on/off functionality, six modes to choose the ideal UV dosage for algae management for better overall tank environment quality, energy efficient and a third the size of typical lamps used in UV aquarium water filtration systems.

Conclusion

The successful integration of CrayoLED into TSLC UV-C LED Sterilizer represents a significant advancement in algae control technology for aquaculture. By leveraging the superior performance, efficiency, and sustainability of UV-C LED technology, CrayoNano and TSLC are paving the way for broader industrial applications in larger fisheries and farms. This innovation not only addresses current market needs but also sets a new standard for future developments in the field.

"We tested many UV-C LEDs during the development of our UV-C LED sterilizer. Algae have a fast growth cycle and are a nuisance for many customers. It requires significant UV-C dosage for effective disinfection and control. We integrated CrayoLEDs due to their superior power performance. When combined with our patented design, our UV-C sterilizer achieves an ideal balance of high-intensity and efficient germicidal dosing, ensuring targeted and effective algae sterilization," said Mark Chen, General Manager of TSLC. "The aquarium filter market according to Wiseguy market report reached US $2.71 Billion in 2023, with UV sterilizer contributing to consistent growth at a CAGR ~7.25%. It is a niche market which UV-C LEDs are a perfect technological solution."

TSLC's UV-C LED sterilizer system leverages CrayoLED's power performance and reliable UV-C LED technology to ensure effective algae control, reducing the frequency of cleaning and maintenance for aquatic environments. The system's compact design and ease of installation make it an attractive option for both commercial and consumer applications. The acceptance in consumer and commercial applications signifies an important milestone, paving the way for broader industrial applications in larger fisheries and farms. This commercial expansion is expected to develop rapidly over the next few years, opening new business opportunities and markets.

Sources:

1. Coherent Market Insights. (n.d.). Aquaculture water treatment systems market and recirculating aquaculture systems market. Retrieved from https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/market-insight/aquaculture-water-treatment-systems-market-and-recirculating-aquaculture-systems-market-3123
2. Malayeri, A. H., Mohseni, M., Cairns, B., Bolton, J. R., & Wright, H. (2016). Fluence required to achieve incremental log inactivation of bacteria, protozoa, viruses and algae. International Ultraviolet Association. Retrieved from https://iuva.org/resources/Resource%20Documents/Malayeri-Fluence%20Required%20to%20Achieve%20Incremental%20Log%20Inactivation%20of%20Bacteria,%20Protozoa,%20Viruses%20and%20Algae.pdf
3. National Water Research Institute, & American Water Works Association. (n.d.). UV Disinfection Guidelines for Drinking Water and Water Reuse. Retrieved from https://www.nwri-usa.org/_files/ugd/632dc3_c8ab78b05021452c8a520c3b6dba48ca.pdf?index=true
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