Patent ID: 6500267
Filing Date: 2002-12-31
Classification: A61L,C07K,F24F,Y02P

Abstract:
A method of reducing energy consumption in a heat transfer system through UVC irradiation, the heat transfer system comprising a heat exchanger having a surface, wherein the heat transfer system has an energy consumption level associated with an â€œas newâ€  condition, and wherein during the operation of the heat transfer system, organic matter accumulates upon the surface of the heat exchanger, the accumulated organic matter thereby degrading the performance of the heat transfer system and resulting in an energy consumption level elevated above that associated with the â€œas newâ€  condition, the method comprising the steps of:positioning and orienting a germicidal tube so that a minimum UV irradiance level on any point on the entire surface is sufficient to vaporize and remove organic matter on the surface when the germicidal tube is energized; energizing the germicidal tube to emit sufficient distributed UV radiation to vaporize and remove organic matter on the surface; maintaining energization of the germicidal tube until the accumulated organic matter deposited on the surface is substantially vaporized and removed; and operating the heat transfer system, energizing the germicidal tube to emit sufficient UV radiation to substantially vaporize and remove organic matter that accumulates during operation of the heat transfer system; wherein the wavelength of the UV radiation is 253.7 nm and the minimum photon energy striking the surface is 716 mW/cm2 at the closest point of placement to the germicidal tube and not less than 430 mW/cm2 at the farthest point from the germicidal tube; whereby energy consumption of the heat transfer system is maintained substantially at the energy consumption level associated with the â€œas newâ€  condition.