Apparatus for irradiating material

摘要

An apparatus ( 1 ) for irradiating material comprises a single UV, pulsed brigth white light or IR lamp ( 2 ) with a centrally disposed receptacle ( 3 ) for containing material to be irradiated. The lamp can be an elongate hollow tube ( 2 ) of annular construction. Internal formations may be present within the lamp to control the position of the arc. For example, the lamp may have a plurality of longitudinal segments arranged such that a discharge arc is formed within each segment or internal formations may be provided to direct the position of the arc within the lamp. A pump ( 36 ) may be included for moving material through the receptacle which is preferably the hollow area within the annulus of the elongate hollow tube. Material can be treated batchwise or in a continuous process. This apparatus is suitable for the sterilisation of biological and/or non-biological materials. A further use is in carrying out photolysis on chemical substances in photochemical reactions.