Compact LED-UV and ozone advanced oxidation device for household chloramine removal
A compact, household-scale water treatment device that combines UV light from LEDs with in-device ozone generation to remove chloramine via Advanced Oxidation Process. Computational Fluid Dynamics optimizes turbulent mixing and dosage delivery, with 3D-printed prototypes enabling rapid design iteration for safe, untrained consumer use.
Overview
This solution addresses the challenge of removing chloramine from household drinking water using a compact, safe, and affordable device designed for use by untrained consumers. The technology combines UV light generated by LEDs with ozone produced within the same unit to create an Advanced Oxidation Process (AOP) capable of breaking down chloramine and other contaminants. By integrating LED-based UV generation and on-device ozone production, the design avoids the complexity, cost, and safety concerns of traditional AOP systems. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) is used to engineer optimal water flow patterns that ensure thorough turbulent mixing and consistent delivery of the required UV and ozone dosage. Prototypes are produced through 3D printing for rapid iteration and laboratory validation, enabling a path toward a robust consumer-ready product.
Technical specifications
Core technology:
- Advanced Oxidation Process combining UV light and ozone for chloramine degradation
- LEDs used as the UV light source, offering long life, low power consumption, and compact form factor
- Ozone generated within the same device to eliminate the need for external supply or handling
- CFD-driven design to optimize turbulent mixing and ensure uniform exposure to UV and ozone
- 3D-printed prototypes built from solid design software for fast iteration and laboratory testing
- Novel UV water disinfection architecture that avoids the lamp fouling problem seen in many commercial systems
Key features and benefits:
- Compact footprint suitable for household or point-of-use installation
- Designed for safe operation by non-technical consumers
- Inexpensive components and manufacturing approach
- Effective against chloramine and demonstrated on a broader range of organic and inorganic contaminants
- Adaptable platform that can be tuned for different flow rates and water qualities
Technology readiness level
The underlying UV disinfection technology has been developed and extensively tested, and an AOP-adapted version has been validated in laboratory studies for removal of twelve pharmaceutical compounds from a wastewater stream. The proposed work advances the technology toward a compact, consumer-ready device by using CFD to optimize hydraulics and 3D printing to produce functional prototypes for laboratory evaluation. The current stage represents late-stage applied research with a clear path toward bench-scale prototype validation and subsequent engineering refinement for domestic deployment.
About University of California, Davis
UC Davis is a comprehensive public research university in Northern California, combining a land-grant heritage with an integrated academic health system and a veterinary teaching hospital. Industry engages through co-located clinical and translational facilities in Sacramento, a campus-adjacent research park, pilot-scale food and bioprocessing facilities, and a statewide extension network for field-to-market deployment. Proximity to the Bay Area and California's Central Valley enables rapid collaboration with startups and established enterprises, while corporate relations staff streamline access to faculty, talent, and core labs. Research is supported by competitive federal funding from agencies such as NIH, NSF, USDA, and DOE. A dedicated technology transfer office and venture support programs provide IP management, licensing, and startup formation pathways for industry partnerships.
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