Patent ID: 6267924
Filing Date: 2001-07-31
Classification: A61L,B08B,F24F,F28F

Abstract:
A method of reducing the pressure drop of a heat transfer system through UVC irradiation, the heat transfer system comprising a heat exchanger having a surface, wherein the heat transfer system has a pressure drop associated with an ""as new"" condition, and wherein during operation of the heat transfer system, organic matter accumulates upon the surface of the heat exchanger, the accumulated organic matter thereby impeding the flow of air through the heat transfer system and resulting in a pressure drop above that associated with the ""as new"" condition, the method comprising the steps of:energizing a germicidal tube to emit distributed UV radiation;directing the UV radiation at the heat exchanger to degrade and vaporize the accumulated organic matter on the surface of the heat exchanger;maintaining energization of the germicidal tube until the accumulated organic matter deposited on the surface of the heat exchanger is substantially eliminated; andoperating the heat transfer system, whereby organic matter subsequently accumulates on the surface of the heat exchanger, and energizing the germicidal tube intermittently to degrade and vaporize the subsequently accumulated organic matter;whereby the pressure drop of the heat transfer system is maintained substantially at the pressure drop associated with the ""as new"" condition.