Ultraviolet water disinfection system

A solution for treating a fluid, such as water, is provided. An ultraviolet transparency of a fluid can be determined before or as the fluid enters a disinfection chamber. In the disinfection chamber, the fluid can be irradiated by ultraviolet radiation to harm microorganisms that may be present in the fluid. One or more attributes of the disinfection chamber, fluid flow, and/or ultraviolet radiation can be adjusted based on the transparency to provide more efficient irradiation and/or higher disinfection rates. In addition, various attributes of the disinfection chamber, such as the position of the inlet(s) and outlet(s), the shape of the disinfection chamber, and other attributes of the disinfection chamber can be utilized to create a turbulent flow of the fluid within the disinfection chamber to promote mixing and improve uniform ultraviolet exposure.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure relates generally to disinfection, and more particularly, to a solution for disinfecting a fluid, such as water, using deep ultraviolet light.

BACKGROUND ART

Water treatment using ultraviolet (UV) radiation offers many advantages over other forms of water treatment, such as chemical treatment. For example, treatment with UV radiation does not introduce additional chemical or biological contaminants into the water. Furthermore, ultraviolet radiation provides one of the most efficient approaches to water decontamination since there are no microorganisms known to be resistant to ultraviolet radiation, unlike other decontamination methods, such as chlorination. UV radiation is known to be highly effective against bacteria, viruses, algae, molds and yeasts. For example, hepatitis virus has been shown to survive for considerable periods of time in the presence of chlorine, but is readily eliminated by UV radiation treatment. The removal efficiency of UV radiation for most microbiological contaminants, such as bacteria and viruses, generally exceeds 99%. To this extent, UV radiation is highly efficient at eliminatingE-coli, Salmonella, Typhoid fever, Cholera, Tuberculosis, Influenza Virus, Polio Virus, and Hepatitis A Virus.

Intensity, radiation wavelength, and duration of radiation are important parameters in determining the disinfection rate of UV radiation treatment. These parameters can vary based on a particular target culture. The UV radiation does not allow microorganisms to develop an immune response, unlike the case with chemical treatment. The UV radiation affects biological agents by fusing and damaging the DNA of microorganisms, and preventing their replication. Also, if a sufficient amount of a protein is damaged in a cell of a microorganism, the cell enters apoptosis or programmed death.

Ultraviolet radiation disinfection using mercury based lamps is a well-established technology. In general, a system for treating water using ultraviolet radiation is relatively easy to install and maintain in a plumbing or septic system. Use of UV radiation in such systems does not affect the overall system. However, it is often desirable to combine an ultraviolet purification system with another form of filtration since the UV radiation cannot neutralize chlorine, heavy metals, and other chemical contaminants that may be present in the water. Various membrane filters for sediment filtration, granular activated carbon filtering, reverse osmosis, and/or the like, can be used as a filtering device to reduce the presence of chemicals and other inorganic contaminants.

Mercury lamp-based ultraviolet radiation disinfection has several shortcomings when compared to deep ultraviolet (DUV) light emitting device (LED)-based technology, particularly with respect to certain disinfection applications. For example, in rural and/or off-grid locations, it is desirable for an ultraviolet purification system to have one or more of various attributes such as: a long operating lifetime, containing no hazardous components, not readily susceptible to damage, requiring minimal operational skills, not requiring special disposal procedures, capable of operating on local intermittent electrical power, and/or the like. Use of a DUV LED-based solution can provide a solution that improves one or more of these attributes as compared to a mercury vapor lamp-based approach. For example, in comparison to mercury vapor lamps, DUV LEDs: have substantially longer operating lifetimes (e.g., by a factor of ten); do not include hazardous components (e.g., mercury), which require special disposal and maintenance; are more durable in transit and handling (e.g., no filaments or glass); have a faster startup time; have a lower operational voltage; are less sensitive to power supply intermittency; are more compact and portable; can be used in moving devices; can be powered by photovoltaic (PV) technology, which can be installed in rural locations having no continuous access to electricity and having scarce resources of clean water; and/or the like.

FIGS. 1A-1CandFIGS. 2A-2Billustrate previous applications where the UV disinfection systems are based on mercury lamps. One of the important issues associated with mercury lamps is that it is difficult to turn on and off such a device rapidly. As such, the intensity levels of mercury lamp are sub-optimal for devices that require rapid turn-on/turn-off times.FIG. 2Bfurther illustrates a mixing element for creating a turbulent flow in the device. The turbulent flow promotes mixing and improves radiation exposure of the fluid.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

When treating fluid partially transparent to UV radiation, it is often desirable to: provide a mechanism for increasing transparency of the fluid; monitor transparency of the fluid; monitor the filtering system; provide a mechanism for mixing and circulating the flow, and/or the like, in order to yield sufficiently high UV radiation levels to deliver necessary UV radiation dose for the disinfection of microorganisms. Embodiments of the present invention address one or more of these issues.

Aspects of the invention provide a solution for treating a fluid, such as water. The solution can determine an ultraviolet transparency of a fluid before or as the fluid enters a disinfection chamber. In the disinfection chamber, the fluid can be irradiated by ultraviolet radiation to harm microorganisms that may be present in the fluid. One or more attributes of the disinfection chamber, fluid flow, and/or ultraviolet radiation can be adjusted based on the transparency to provide more efficient irradiation and/or higher disinfection rates. In addition, various attributes of the disinfection chamber, such as a position of an inlet and outlet, a shape of the disinfection chamber, and/or other attributes of the disinfection chamber, can be utilized to create a turbulent flow of the fluid within the disinfection chamber to promote mixing and improve uniform UV exposure.

A first aspect of the invention provides a system comprising: a disinfection chamber for disinfecting a fluid, the disinfection chamber comprising: an inner cylindrical chamber; at least one inlet located at a first end of the disinfection chamber and at least one outlet located at a second end of the disinfection chamber, wherein the at least one inlet and the at least one outlet are positioned to provide a rotational force to the fluid within the inner cylindrical chamber; and a set of ultraviolet radiation sources configured to emit ultraviolet radiation directed within the inner cylindrical chamber; a filtering system located at the at least one inlet of the disinfection chamber configured to filter the fluid; a sensing component located between the filtering system and the at least one inlet configured to evaluate a transparency of the fluid; and a control component configured to control at least one of: the set of ultraviolet radiation sources or a flow rate of the fluid at the at least one inlet, based on the transparency of the fluid.

A second aspect of the invention provides a system comprising: a disinfection chamber for disinfecting a fluid, the disinfection chamber comprising: an inner chamber; at least one inlet located at a first end of the disinfection chamber and at least one outlet located at a second end of the disinfection chamber, wherein the at least one inlet and the at least one outlet are both located on a top side of the disinfection chamber, such that fluid flowing through the at least one inlet and the at least one outlet has a rotational force within the inner chamber; and a set of ultraviolet radiation sources configured to emit ultraviolet radiation directed within the inner cylindrical chamber; a sensing component located adjacent to the at least one inlet configured to obtain sensing data corresponding to a transparency of the fluid; and a control component configured to determine the transparency of the fluid using the sensing data and control the set of ultraviolet radiation sources based on the transparency of the fluid.

A third aspect of the invention provides a system comprising: a planar disinfection chamber for disinfecting a fluid, the disinfection chamber comprising: at least one inlet and at least one outlet; a set of ultraviolet radiation sources located on a first side of the disinfection chamber; a set of scattering elements located on a second side of the disinfection chamber opposite the first side, the set of scattering elements configured to reflect ultraviolet radiation; and a plurality of wall barriers located within the disinfection chamber and extending from the first side to the second side, the plurality of wall barriers configured to provide a flow path for the fluid through the disinfection chamber; a sensing component located along the flow path for the fluid, the sensing component configured to obtain sensing data corresponding to a transparency of the fluid; and a control component configured to control the set of ultraviolet radiation sources based on the transparency of the fluid.

Other aspects of the invention provide methods, systems, program products, and methods of using and generating each, which include and/or implement some or all of the actions described herein. The illustrative aspects of the invention are designed to solve one or more of the problems herein described and/or one or more other problems not discussed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As indicated above, aspects of the invention provide a solution for treating a fluid, such as water. The solution can determine an ultraviolet transparency of a fluid before or as the fluid enters a disinfection chamber. In the disinfection chamber, the fluid can be irradiated by ultraviolet radiation to harm microorganisms that may be present in the fluid. One or more attributes of the disinfection chamber, fluid flow, and/or ultraviolet radiation can be adjusted based on the transparency to provide more efficient irradiation and/or higher disinfection rates. In addition, various attributes of the disinfection chamber, such as a position of the inlet and outlet, a shape of the disinfection chamber, and/or other attributes of the disinfection chamber can be utilized to create a turbulent flow of the fluid within the disinfection chamber to promote mixing and improve uniform UV exposure. As used herein, unless otherwise noted, the term “set” means one or more (i.e., at least one) and the phrase “any solution” means any now known or later developed solution.

Aspects of the invention are designed to improve an efficiency with which ultraviolet radiation is absorbed by a fluid, such as water, by increasing the turbulent flow of the fluid within a disinfection chamber. The improved design can provide a higher disinfection rate while requiring less power by improving uniform UV exposure, making operation of the overall system more efficient. In a particular embodiment, the fluid is water and the system is configured to provide a reduction of microorganism (e.g., bacterial and/or viral) contamination in the water by at least a factor of two. In a more particular embodiment, the system provides approximately 99.9% decontamination of the water.

Turning to the drawings,FIG. 3shows an illustrative system10for treating a fluid2A according to an embodiment. In particular, the system10includes a filtering unit12and a disinfection chamber30. During operation of the system10, unfiltered fluid2A can enter the filtering unit12through an inlet of the filtering unit12and filtered fluid2B can exit the filtering unit12. As illustrated, the filtering unit12can be located along a fluid path4to the disinfection chamber30such that the filtered fluid2B enters into the disinfection chamber30through an outlet of the filtering unit12. In an embodiment, the inlet and outlet of the filtering unit12are permeable sides of the filtering unit12, as illustrated. Furthermore, disinfected fluid2C can exit the disinfection chamber30after being irradiated as described herein.

The fluid2A-2C can comprise any type of fluid, including a liquid or a gas. In an embodiment, the fluid2A-2C is water, which can be treated to make the water suitable for any desired human or animal interaction, e.g., potable. To this extent, as used herein, the terms “purification,” “decontamination,” “disinfection,” and their related terms mean treating the fluid2A-2C so that it includes a sufficiently low number of contaminants (e.g., chemical, sediment, and/or the like) and microorganisms (e.g., virus, bacteria, and/or the like) so that the fluid is safe for the desired interaction with a human or other animal. For example, the purification, decontamination, or disinfection of water means that the resulting water has a sufficiently low level of microorganisms and other contaminants so that a typical human or other animal can interact with (e.g., consume or otherwise use) the water without suffering adverse effects from microorganisms and/or contaminants present in the water. A target level of microorganisms and/or contaminants can be defined, for example, by a standards setting organization, such as a governmental organization.

The filtering unit12can comprise any combination of one or more of various types of filter materials and filtering solutions capable of removing one or more of various target contaminants (e.g., organic and/or inorganic compounds) that may be present in the fluid2A as it passes there through. For example, the filtering unit12can comprise a sediment filter, which can comprise a filter material having a lattice structure, or the like, which is configured to remove target contaminants of a minimum size that may be present within the fluid2A. Furthermore, the filtering unit12can comprise a filter material capable of removing one or more target contaminants by adsorption. For example, the filter material can comprise activated carbon, an ion exchange resin, or the like, and can be in the form of a ceramic, a block (e.g., carbon block), a granular fill, and/or the like. In this case, the filter material can remove various chemical contaminants, such as heavy metals, chlorine, and/or the like, which may be present in the fluid2A. Regardless, it is understood that the filtering unit12can incorporate any combination of one or more filtering solutions including, for example, reverse osmosis, membrane filtration (e.g., nanofiltration), ceramic filtration, sand filtration, ultrafiltration, microfiltration, ion-exchange resin, and/or the like.

In any event, prior to entering the disinfection chamber30, a sensing component14can evaluate a transparency level of the filtered fluid2B. In an embodiment, the system10is configured to adjust one or more attributes of radiation emitted in the disinfection chamber30based on a transparency of the filtered fluid2B to radiation of the target wavelength. To this extent, the sensing component14can be configured to acquire data corresponding to a transparency of the filtered fluid2B. In particular, the sensing component14can be configured such that at least a portion of the filtered fluid2B passes there through. Additionally, the sensing component14can include a set of radiation sources16, which generate radiation of one or more target wavelengths directed toward a set of radiation sensors18. In an embodiment, the set of radiation sources16includes at least one visible light emitting device and at least one ultraviolet light emitting device, while the set of radiation sensors18includes at least one visible light sensitive sensing device and at least one ultraviolet radiation sensitive sensing device. As illustrated, the sensing component14is located along the fluid path4for the fluid2B and can comprise a housing having two open ends through which the filtered fluid2B passes with a set of radiation sources16located on one side and a set of radiation sensors18located on the opposing side.

The set of radiation sensors18can provide transparency data corresponding to a transparency of the filtered fluid2B as a set of inputs for a control component20. Based on the set of inputs, the control component20can adjust one or more aspects of the operation of a set of ultraviolet sources42A,42B used to treat the filtered fluid2B. The control component20can also base operation of the set of ultraviolet sources42A,42B on the flow rate of the fluid2B entering the disinfection chamber30. For example, the control component20can adjust one or more attributes of the power provided to the set of ultraviolet sources42A,42B by a power component40. The power component40can be configured to independently or collectively adjust an amount of power provided to each ultraviolet source42A,42B. The power component40can be capable of delivering various energy levels of power to the ultraviolet sources42A,42B in a continuous and/or pulsed manner. In an embodiment, the control component20includes a computer system, which is configured to calculate an ultraviolet radiation absorption of the filtered fluid2B based on the transparency data received from the set of radiation sensors18. It is understood that an embodiment of the control component20can be configured to control the operation of one or more additional components, including the set of radiation sources16, the set of radiation sensors18, a mechanism (e.g., pump) for managing movement of the fluid2A-2C, and/or the like. Similarly, an embodiment of the control component20can receive input data from one or more additional sensing devices, such as a flow rate sensor, a sensor indicating that the disinfection chamber30is closed, sensors indicating a disinfection level of the filtered fluid2A and/or the disinfected fluid2C, and/or the like.

Although the fluid path4is shown as a linear flow path through the filtering unit12and the sensing component14, it is understood that this is only one example of the possible configurations of the filtering unit12and the sensing component14. For example,FIGS. 4A-4Cshow illustrative fluid path configurations for a filtering unit12and a sensing component14that can be used to determine a filter saturation according to an embodiment. Filter saturation indicates the efficiency of the filtering unit12by indicating the amount of contaminants that are contained by the filtering unit12. The filter saturation can be based on the transparency level of the filtered fluid2B. In an embodiment, as shown inFIG. 4A, a test fluid2A with a known level of contaminants within a container26can be filtered through the filtering unit12. A transparency level for the filtered fluid2B can be measured by the sensing component14and the filtered fluid2B can be stored in a container28. The transparency data for the filtered fluid2B can be provided as an input to the control component20and compared to the known level of contaminants of the test fluid2A. If the filtering unit12fails to filter a predetermined percentage of the known contaminants in the test fluid2A, the control component20can indicate that a filter saturation for the filtering unit12is reached. The control component20can include an alarm29(e.g., visual, auditory, and/or the like), which indicates that the filtering unit12should be replaced.

In another embodiment, as shown inFIG. 4B, when the fluid2A contains an unknown amount of contaminants, a first transparency level for the unfiltered fluid2A can be measured by a first sensing component14A. A second transparency level for the filtered fluid2B can be measured by a second sensing component14B. The first and second transparency levels can be provided as inputs to the control component20and compared with one another to determine the efficiency of the filtering unit12. If the filtering unit12fails to filter a predetermined percentage of contaminants within the unfiltered fluid2A, the control component20can include an alarm29, which indicates that the filtering unit12should be replaced.

In another embodiment, as shown inFIG. 4C, when the fluid2A contains an unknown amount of contaminants, the sensing component14can include a first input for unfiltered fluid2A and a second input for filtered fluid2B. The sensing component14can measure a first transparency level for the unfiltered fluid2A and a second transparency level for the filtered fluid2B. This transparency data can be provided as inputs to the control component20to determine the efficiency of the filtering unit12. If the filtering unit12fails to filter a required percentage of contaminants within the unfiltered fluid2A, the control component20can include an alarm29, which indicates that the filtering unit12should be replaced.

Returning toFIG. 3, in an embodiment, the ultraviolet sources42A,42B include a set of ultraviolet light emitting diodes (LEDs), each of which is configured to emit radiation having a peak wavelength within the ultraviolet range of wavelengths, i.e., between 400 nanometers (nm) and 100 nm. In a more particular embodiment, the ultraviolet radiation emitted by an ultraviolet LED comprises deep ultraviolet radiation having a peak wavelength below 300 nanometers (nm). In a still more particular embodiment, the ultraviolet radiation emitted by an ultraviolet LED has a peak wavelength in a range between approximately 250 nm and approximately 290 nm. In another embodiment, the ultraviolet radiation sources42A,42B include a plurality of ultraviolet LEDs having a plurality of distinct peak wavelengths within the deep ultraviolet range of wavelengths, which can improve germicidal efficiency for targeting a plurality of types of microorganisms that may be present in the filtered fluid2B. The ultraviolet radiation can be introduced into the disinfection chamber30using any solution. For example, the ultraviolet sources42A,42B can comprise ultraviolet LEDs placed along an interior surface of a wall forming the disinfection chamber30. Furthermore, waveguide structures, such as optical fiber, or the like, can be utilized to introduce ultraviolet radiation generated by an ultraviolet source located external of the disinfection chamber30.

As different pathogens have various absorption wavelengths (for example, MS2 Phage has an absorption maxima at 271 nm, andEscherichia coliat 267 nm), an embodiment of the system10can include ultraviolet sources42A,42B operating at various wavelengths. For example, the disinfection chamber30can contain ultraviolet sources42A,42B containing phosphor and emitting at least some radiation at 250 nm wavelength, with the phosphor converting a portion (e.g., at least five percent) of the emitted UV radiation into ultraviolet radiation having a 280 nm wavelength. In addition, a peak wavelength of an ultraviolet source42A,42B can be chosen to provide a maximum absorption for a target pathogen. For instance, ultraviolet sources42A,42B with several wavelength spectra comprising wavelength maxima at 250, 260, 265, 270 and 280 nm, with a full width at half maximum (FWHM) of ten nm or twenty nm can be included in the system10. More particular illustrative embodiments of configurations of the ultraviolet sources42A,42B include: at least two wavelength spectra having maxima at 265 nm and 250 nm with a FWHM of ten nm; at least two wavelength spectra having maxima at 250 nm and 270 nm with FWHM of ten nm; and at least two wavelength spectra having maxima at 260 nm and 280 nm and FWHM of twenty nm. During operation of the system10, the control component20can operate all of the ultraviolet sources42A,42B or selectively operate only a subset of the ultraviolet sources42A,42B based on a set of target contaminants and their corresponding absorption wavelengths.

In an embodiment, the control component20operates the ultraviolet sources42A,42B in a pulsed manner. For example, the control component20can cause the power component40to provide pulsed electrical power to the ultraviolet sources42A,42B. A frequency of pulsation and the ultraviolet radiation intensity can be configured to provide a target amount of sterilization. The pulsed operation criteria can be determined in advance, e.g., by testing the disinfection chamber30for various contaminants and fluid2B transparency levels and recording the frequency of pulsation, the intensity of pulsed ultraviolet light, and sterilization levels for each frequency/intensity value in a database stored in the control component20. The time dependent pulsation and intensity adjustment does not have to be periodic, but can be aperiodic, contain pulses of different wavelengths and different intensities etc. The employed pulses can be from different ultraviolet sources42A,42B, and can include, for example, a combination of DUV LED(s), DUV laser(s), and/or DUV lamp(s).

The system10can also include a first sensor22and a second sensor24located along the fluid path4for the fluid2A-2C at an inlet and an outlet of the disinfection chamber30, respectively. The first sensor22can be configured to detect the disinfection level of the filtered fluid2B, while the second sensor24can be configured to detect the disinfection level of the disinfected fluid2C. The first and second sensors22,24can provide this disinfection data as a set of inputs for the control component20. Based on this disinfection data, the transparency data from the sensing component14, and/or the flow rate of the filtered fluid2B entering the disinfection chamber, the control component20can adjust the power to the ultraviolet sources42A,42B.

Sensors22,24can comprise an ultraviolet fluorescence sensor, an ultraviolet absorbance sensor, and/or the like. The UV fluorescence sensor22,24can acquire data corresponding to a scattering of UV radiation within the disinfection chamber30. The control component20can process the data corresponding to the scattering of UV radiation to correlate it with a level of contamination in the filtered fluid2B, and make any adjustments to the operation of the ultraviolet sources42A,42B accordingly. Similarly, the control component20can process data acquired by the sensor22,24to maintain a target level of ultraviolet flux within the disinfection chamber30.

The disinfection chamber30can include one or more attributes and/or mechanisms to improve the efficiency of the ultraviolet irradiation by introducing turbulent flow to the filtered fluid2B to promote uniform UV exposure. To this extent, referring toFIGS. 5A-5C, illustrative disinfection chambers30A,30B,30C according to embodiments are shown. A disinfection chamber can be formed by multiple cylindrical chambers inserted into one another to promote UV radiation recirculation. In an embodiment, as shown inFIG. 5A, an outer chamber32can comprise UV reflective material that is at least 70% diffusive reflectance to UV light in the range of 230 nanometers (nm) to 360 nm at radiation angles normal to the surface, while the inner chamber34can comprise UV transparent material that is at least 40% transparent to the UV radiation in the range of 230 nm to 360 nm at radiation angles normal to the surface. The UV reflective material (e.g., mirror) of the outer chamber32can provide increased scattering of the ultraviolet radiation within the disinfection chamber30and a reduced loss of ultraviolet radiation from the disinfection chamber30. For example, the walls of the outer chamber32can comprise a reflective material, such as an aluminum-based material, such as alumina, which has a relatively high reflectivity coefficient for ultraviolet radiation. The UV reflective material can also include a membrane of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE), such as GORE® diffuse reflector product (DRP) material, or the like. A UV diffusive material can also be used, such as polytetrafluoroethylene (e.g., Teflon offered by DuPont Co.), that is capable of diffusive reflectance. The inner chamber34can be formed of any type of material that is UV transparent, such as fused silica, sapphire, and/or the like.

The outer chamber32and inner chamber34can be separated by a low index of refraction material. The low index of refraction layer of material between the outer chamber32and the inner chamber34can be formed of any type of material having a lower index of refraction than the filtered fluid2B, including: aerogel; a composite material comprising, for example, a layer of air and a thin layer of fused silica; and/or the like. Inclusion of the low refraction layer will cause the ultraviolet radiation to be totally internally reflected (TIR) at an interface between the filtered fluid2B and the low refraction layer for rays of ultraviolet radiation propagating at angles to the interface normal that are greater than TIR angles. The additional layer between the outer chamber32and the inner chamber34can be partially transparent and partially reflective and contain voids (e.g., micropores, or achieved via patterning) to control the refractive index of the middle layer. Although it is not shown, the outer chamber32and/or the inner chamber34can include a patterned roughness and/or grooves to promote light scattering and reflection of the UV radiation using any solution. The patterned roughness and/or grooves may be formed by means of hot embossing, pattern imprinting, lithography, and/or the like. InFIG. 5B, the disinfection chamber30B can include various UV sources. For example, the chamber30B is shown including UV LEDs36and UV lamps38.

In any of the disinfection chambers, a metallic material of the chamber walls can include a coating, such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), fluorinated ethylene-propylene (FEP), perfluoroalkoxy (PFA), various Teflons, and/or the like, to prevent corrosion. The coating can be applied by, for example, spray deposition or plasma deposition. The coating should be partially transparent and/or partially reflective and can have relatively low UV light absorbing characteristics. For example, the coating on the chamber walls should not absorb more than approximately 60% of the light radiated in the normal surface direction at wavelengths between 230 nanometers (nm) and 360 nm.

In another embodiment, the fluid can flow through partially transparent liners, such as liners39shown in the disinfection chamber30C inFIG. 5C. The fluid flows through the liners39and does not interact with walls of the disinfection chamber30C or with the UV sources42A,42B (FIG. 3), which prevents corrosion from occurring. The partially transparent coating can also act as an anti-fouling coating, to prevent biofilm growth within the chamber. The transparency of the liner39can be at least 30% to the normal incident of UV light. The liners39can comprise a high performance polymer such as Teflon, PTFE, FEP, and/or the like. In an embodiment, the liners39can include a composite multilayer material with layers including high performance polymers.

Referring now toFIGS. 6A-6C, an illustrative disinfection chamber30D according to an embodiment is shown. As best seen inFIG. 6C, the inner chamber52is a cylindrical pipe, while the outer chamber54is a rectangular shape. However, it is understood that the outer chamber54can comprise any shape around the inner chamber52. The outer chamber54can contain electronic and/or mechanical components for the system10(FIG. 3), such as the control component20, the power component40, ultraviolet sources42A,42B, and/or the like. The inner chamber52can comprise a UV reflective material (e.g., mirror). Further, it is understood that the inner chamber52can comprise any cylinder. That is, as used herein, the term “cylinder” means a volume shape having an axial direction enclosed by a surface and by two planes perpendicular to the axial direction, which are located at each end of the volume shape. The length of the cylinder is defined as a distance between these two perpendicular planes. The two planes perpendicular to such axial direction are identified as a first and second end46,50.

Although it is not shown, it is understood that a filtering unit12, sensors22,24, a sensing component14, and/or the like, can be present within the outer chamber54of the disinfection chamber30D. The inlet44is located at a first end46of the disinfection chamber30D and the outlet48is located at a second end50of the disinfection chamber30D. It is understood that the inlet44and outlet48do not have to be located directly on the surface of the perpendicular planes of the first end46and second end50, respectively. In an embodiment, the inlet44is located proximate to the first end46of the inner cylindrical chamber52, while the outlet48is located proximate to the second end50of the inner cylindrical chamber52. In a more specific embodiment, the inlet44and the outlet48are located on the surface of the cylinder52within at least ten percent of the entire chamber length to the first and second ends46,50, respectively. Furthermore, a distance between the inlet44and the outlet48should not exceed approximately one half of the length of the inner cylindrical chamber52. In an embodiment, the inlet44and the outlet48are positioned to provide a rotational force to the fluid within the disinfection chamber30D. Referring now toFIGS. 7A and 7B, the rotational motion of the fluid2within the inner chamber52is shown. The rotational motion promotes mixing of the fluid and increases UV exposure. Returning toFIGS. 6A-6C, the inner chamber52can include cylindrical coordinates r, z, θ, where r is the radial coordinate of the cylindrical pipe, z is the distance along the pipe axis, and θ is the angular position along the arc. The UV sources42can be positioned around the inner chamber52at angle θ being 0 degrees, 90 degree, 180 degrees, and 270 degrees, all along the z axis.

Referring now toFIGS. 8A and 8B, illustrative disinfection chambers30E,30F including a plurality of inlets and a plurality of outlets according to an embodiment are shown. An increase in the number of inlets to a disinfection chamber can increase the turbulence level of the fluid within the disinfection chamber30E,30F and promote mixing of the fluid to increase UV exposure. The disinfection chamber30E inFIG. 8Aincludes a first inlet44A and a second inlet44B. The first and second inlets44A,44B are positioned opposite one another and directed towards one another, so that the force of the fluid flowing in from the first inlet44A against the force of the fluid flowing in from the second inlet44B creates vorticity and mixing of the fluid within the chamber30E. In an embodiment, the largest component of the flow velocity of the first or second inlets44A,44B is directed towards the other of the first or second inlets44A,44B. The first and second inlets44A,44B can be generally directed towards the same area, so that the flows from the inlets44A,44B collide and interact with one another during operation of the disinfection chamber30E. In a more specific embodiment, the first inlet44A is directly opposite of a second inlet44B. However, it is understood that it is not necessary for the first inlet44A to be directly opposite from the second inlet44B and any relative arrangement can be utilized to cause interaction between the fluid flows.

In another embodiment, shown inFIG. 8B, the disinfection chamber30F can include a plurality of inlets44A-44D at any position along the disinfection chamber30F. It is understood that a disinfection chamber can include any number of inlets. Further, any number of the inlets may be inactivated by the control component20(FIG. 3) and/or the flow of the fluid from the inlet can be controlled by the control component20(via, e.g., a valve). The control component20can control the number of activated inlets and/or the flow of the fluid from each of the inlets based upon the type of fluid that is being disinfected within the disinfection chamber. For example, highly transparent fluids may require a few large cross sectional inlets to provide a low level of turbulence, while highly opaque fluids may require multiple small cross-sectional inlets to provide high levels of turbulence.

Referring now toFIG. 9A, an illustrative disinfection chamber30G including a plurality of inlets44according to an embodiment is shown. The plurality of inlets44can be located on an inflow assembly54. The plurality of inlets44on the inflow assembly54can deliver the fluid into the disinfection chamber30F in multiple streams. Turning toFIG. 9B, in another embodiment, the inflow assembly54can include multiple levels of inlets. For example, the inflow assembly54can include a first level of inlets56A-56C and a second level of inlets58A-58C. Although only two levels are shown, it is understood that the inflow assembly54can include more levels of inlets. The levels of inlets in inflow assembly54can rotate, so that the fluid flows through the areas of overlap60between the first level of inlets56A-56C and the second level of inlets58A-58C. The control component20can rotate the levels of inlets to control the size of the areas of overlap60and can change the flow of the fluid. Therefore, changing the size of the area of overlap60can modify the level of turbulence provided to the fluid in the disinfection chamber30F.

In an embodiment, a disinfection chamber can include one or more mechanisms within the disinfection chamber to alter the flow path of the fluid to increase the turbulence of the fluid. For example, inFIGS. 10A and 10B, an illustrative disinfection chamber30H including a plurality of moveable blades62according to an embodiment is shown. InFIG. 10A, the plurality of moveable blades62are positioned to be linear with the fluid flow path2. InFIG. 10B, the plurality of moveable blades62are positioned to be orthogonal to the fluid flow path2, which disrupts the fluid flow path2and increases the turbulence of the fluid. The increase in fluid turbulence promotes fluid mixing and increases UV exposure. The plurality of moveable blades62can be controlled by the control component20(FIG. 3). The control component20can adjust each moveable blade62independently and can adjust each of the plurality of moveable blades62to produce a desired turbulence in the fluid flow2based on the flow rate of the fluid, the type of fluid, the disinfection level of the fluid, the transparency of the fluid, and/or the like.

Further improvement of increasing UV exposure for fluids, such as semi-opaque fluids with an absorption coefficient in the range of approximately 0.0001-10 cm−1, can be achieved by including a gas phase in the fluid in the disinfection chamber. For example, the control component20can introduce a gas phase into the fluid, which introduces a transparent phase in the fluid and promotes the propagation of UV radiation throughout the semi-opaque fluid. The interface of the fluid and the gas also can increase light scattering. In an embodiment, a disinfection chamber30I as shown inFIG. 11can include a gas chamber64for providing a gas phase (e.g., bubbles66) to the fluid2. The gas chamber64can include an air feeder, pump, and/or the like, for introducing a gas phase to the fluid2. Although the gas chamber64is shown located on one side of the disinfection chamber30I, it is understood that the gas chamber64can be located on any side of the disinfection chamber30I. The gas chamber64, in general, can be positioned along the disinfection chamber30I to promote propagation of the bubbles66by the use of gravity. In another embodiment, the gas chamber64can be placed in a location including lower UV radiation. The control component20(FIG. 3) can control the amount of bubbles66introduced to the fluid via the gas chamber64based upon the transparency of the fluid (by using sensing component14inFIG. 3). The disinfection chamber30I can include a vent67for collecting and venting out the bubbles66from the chamber30I.

In an embodiment, the fluid can have a low ultraviolet transparency and be highly absorbent of UV radiation. As a result, a distribution of ultraviolet light throughout the fluid can be utilized to provide a more efficient disinfection.FIGS. 12A and 12Bshows an illustrative planar disinfection chamber30J including a plurality of wall barriers68used to create a complex flow path for the fluid according to an embodiment. Certain aspects of the system10(FIG. 3), such as the filtering unit12, the sensors22,24, and/or the like, are not shown inFIGS. 12A and 12Bfor clarity. The plurality of wall barriers68are configured to cause filtered fluid2B (FIG. 3) to flow in a serpentine path70through the disinfection chamber30J. A plurality of ultraviolet sources42are located along the serpentine path70, which emit ultraviolet radiation into the filtered fluid2B in various locations as the filtered fluid2B flows along the path70. UV detectors74are located along the path70to evaluate a transparency level of the fluid2B, which can be processed to determine the efficiency of the disinfection system as the fluid2B flows through the disinfection chamber30J. In order to determine whether the fluid is properly mixed, a conductivity tracer injector72can be located at each inlet44and a conductivity sensor73can be located at each outlet48. The conductivity tracer injector72injects a timed pulse of a conductivity tracer, such as a salt solution, and/or the like, into the fluid. The conductivity sensor73can measure a conductivity of the fluid as a function of time to determine the concentration of salt in the fluid. The concentration of salt can be used to determine how well the fluid is mixed throughout the corresponding chamber30J.

In an embodiment, the planar disinfection chamber30J can include a plurality of scattering elements to promote uniform distribution of the UV radiation. Referring now toFIG. 12B, a side view of the planar disinfection chamber30J is shown. The UV sources42are located on a first side of the disinfection chamber30J and a plurality of scattering elements76are located on a second side of the disinfection chamber30J, opposite of the UV sources42. The UV sources42can radiate UV radiation to the fluid within the disinfection chamber30J through windows (not shown) comprising a transparent material, such as sapphire, quartz, and/or the like.FIGS. 13A and 13Bshow perspective top and bottom views, respectively, of the disinfection chamber30J for treating a fluid according to an embodiment.

As described herein, a control component20can operate one or more components of a disinfection system10to disinfect a fluid.FIG. 14shows an illustrative disinfection system1410according to an embodiment. In this case, the system1410includes a monitoring and/or control component1420, which is implemented as a computer system1421including an analysis program1430, which makes the computer system1421operable to manage a set of disinfection components1442(e.g., a power component, ultraviolet (UV) source(s), sensor(s), valves, movable blades, etc.) by performing a process described herein. In particular, the analysis program1430can enable the computer system1421to operate the disinfection components1442and process data corresponding to one or more conditions of the chamber and/or a fluid present in the chamber.

In an embodiment, during an initial period of operation, the computer system1421can acquire data regarding one or more attributes of the fluid and generate analysis data1436for further processing. The analysis data1436can include information on the presence of one or more contaminants in the fluid, a transparency of the fluid, and/or the like. The computer system1421can use the analysis data1436to generate calibration data1434for controlling one or more aspects of the operation of the disinfection components1442by the computer system1421as discussed herein.

The computer system1421is shown including a processing component1422(e.g., one or more processors), a storage component1424(e.g., a storage hierarchy), an input/output (I/O) component1426(e.g., one or more I/O interfaces and/or devices), and a communications pathway1428. In general, the processing component1422executes program code, such as the analysis program1430, which is at least partially fixed in the storage component1424. While executing program code, the processing component1422can process data, which can result in reading and/or writing transformed data from/to the storage component1424and/or the I/O component1426for further processing. The pathway1428provides a communications link between each of the components in the computer system1421. The I/O component1426and/or the interface component1427can comprise one or more human I/O devices, which enable a human user1to interact with the computer system1421and/or one or more communications devices to enable a system user1to communicate with the computer system1421using any type of communications link. To this extent, during execution by the computer system1421, the analysis program1430can manage a set of interfaces (e.g., graphical user interface(s), application program interface, and/or the like) that enable human and/or system users1to interact with the analysis program1430. Furthermore, the analysis program1430can manage (e.g., store, retrieve, create, manipulate, organize, present, etc.) the data, such as calibration data1434and analysis data1436, using any solution.

In any event, the computer system1421can comprise one or more general purpose computing articles of manufacture (e.g., computing devices) capable of executing program code, such as the analysis program1430, installed thereon. As used herein, it is understood that “program code” means any collection of instructions, in any language, code or notation, that cause a computing device having an information processing capability to perform a particular function either directly or after any combination of the following: (a) conversion to another language, code or notation; (b) reproduction in a different material form; and/or (c) decompression. To this extent, the analysis program1430can be embodied as any combination of system software and/or application software.

Furthermore, the analysis program1430can be implemented using a set of modules1432. In this case, a module1432can enable the computer system1421to perform a set of tasks used by the analysis program1430, and can be separately developed and/or implemented apart from other portions of the analysis program1430. When the computer system1421comprises multiple computing devices, each computing device can have only a portion of the analysis program30fixed thereon (e.g., one or more modules1432). However, it is understood that the computer system1421and the analysis program1430are only representative of various possible equivalent monitoring and/or control systems1420that may perform a process described herein. To this extent, in other embodiments, the functionality provided by the computer system1421and the analysis program1430can be at least partially implemented by one or more computing devices that include any combination of general and/or specific purpose hardware with or without program code. In each embodiment, the hardware and program code, if included, can be created using standard engineering and programming techniques, respectively. In another embodiment, the monitoring and/or control system1420can be implemented without any computing device, e.g., using a closed loop circuit implementing a feedback control loop in which the outputs of one or more disinfection components1442(e.g., sensing devices) are used as inputs to control the operation of one or more other disinfection components1442(e.g., UV LEDs).

Regardless, when the computer system1421includes multiple computing devices, the computing devices can communicate over any type of communications link. Furthermore, while performing a process described herein, the computer system1421can communicate with one or more other computer systems, such as the user1, using any type of communications link. In either case, the communications link can comprise any combination of various types of wired and/or wireless links; comprise any combination of one or more types of networks; and/or utilize any combination of various types of transmission techniques and protocols.

While shown and described herein as a method and system for treating (e.g., disinfecting) a fluid, it is understood that aspects of the invention further provide various alternative embodiments. For example, in one embodiment, the invention provides a computer program fixed in at least one computer-readable medium, which when executed, enables a computer system to treat a fluid as described herein. To this extent, the computer-readable medium includes program code, such as the analysis program1430, which enables a computer system to implement some or all of a process described herein. It is understood that the term “computer-readable medium” comprises one or more of any type of tangible medium of expression, now known or later developed, from which a copy of the program code can be perceived, reproduced, or otherwise communicated by a computing device. For example, the computer-readable medium can comprise: one or more portable storage articles of manufacture; one or more memory/storage components of a computing device; paper; and/or the like.

In another embodiment, the invention provides a method of providing a copy of program code, such as the analysis program1430, which enables a computer system to implement some or all of a process described herein. In this case, a computer system can process a copy of the program code to generate and transmit, for reception at a second, distinct location, a set of data signals that has one or more of its characteristics set and/or changed in such a manner as to encode a copy of the program code in the set of data signals. Similarly, an embodiment of the invention provides a method of acquiring a copy of the program code, which includes a computer system receiving the set of data signals described herein, and translating the set of data signals into a copy of the computer program fixed in at least one computer-readable medium. In either case, the set of data signals can be transmitted/received using any type of communications link.

In still another embodiment, the invention provides a method of generating a system for treating a fluid. In this case, the generating can include configuring a control component1420, such as the computer system1421, to implement the method of treating a fluid as described herein. The configuring can include obtaining (e.g., creating, maintaining, purchasing, modifying, using, making available, etc.) one or more hardware components, with or without one or more software modules, and setting up the components and/or modules to implement a process described herein. To this extent, the configuring can include deploying one or more components to the computer system, which can comprise one or more of: (1) installing program code on a computing device; (2) adding one or more computing and/or I/O devices to the computer system; (3) incorporating and/or modifying the computer system to enable it to perform a process described herein; and/or the like.