Abstract:
An UV reactor system that allows single or multiple flange-less reactors to be installed between the flanges of existing piping systems. Benefits include reduced installation space and lamp placement flexibility to improve UV treatment. Each reactor can be rotated, pre and post installation, to provide multiple positions for the radiation sources that are included in each reactor.

Description:
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to fluid treatment systems and specifically to UV fluid treatment systems. 
         [0002]    The present invention replaces standard UV system designs which have heretofore consisted of a chamber body with flanges at either end for connection to cooperating flanges of existing piping systems.  FIG. 4  depicts a perspective view of a prior art reactor  12  with flanges  11  having flange mounting holes  13 . Such a reactor is incorporated into an existing piping system  9  such as is depicted in the various figures wherein flange  11  is aligned with flange  6  and secured with bolts (not shown). 
         [0003]    The present invention can be generally analogized to a butterfly valve that is mounted in between flanges of a piping system, that has no flange of its own. Thus, the flanges are eliminated. Additionally, multiple reactors can be cascaded with their lamp axis rotated about a longitudinal reactor axis, with respect to each other. Reactor mounting holes are aligned with the flange mounting holes of the existing piping system. 
         [0004]    Such a configuration also has the advantage of allowing post-installation changes to be made without any additional hardware. Mounting bolts are removed, the reactors re-aligned, and then the mounting bolts are re-inserted. 
         [0005]    Additional advantages of the present invention include: reduced installation space required. E.g. a 30 inch reactor is approximately 30mm wide compared to 130mm; lower fabrication (Casting possible) costs; the ability to utilize the installation piping as part of an “effective reactor”—so to speak; improved UV water treatment due to the ability to vary lamp configurations. e.g. multiple reactors can be used with lamps being rotated with respect to each other to achieve greater flexibility. Other objects and advantages will be apparent to those of skill in the art. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1A  depicts a perspective view of a single reactor  1  retrofitted into piping system  9  in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0007]      FIG. 1B  depicts a perspective view of multiple reactors  1 ,  17  retrofitted into piping system  9  in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0008]      FIG. 1C  depicts a perspective view of single reactor  1   
           [0009]      FIG. 2A  depicts a side view of a single reactor  1  retrofitted into piping system  9  in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2B  depicts a side view of multiple reactors  1 ,  17  retrofitted into piping system  9  in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3A  depicts a sectional view of line A-A of  FIG. 3B   
           [0012]      FIG. 3B  depicts a side view of the reactor in one embodiment 
           [0013]      FIG. 3C  depicts a front view of the reactor in one embodiment 
           [0014]      FIG. 3D  depicts a sectional view of line B-B of  FIG. 3C   
           [0015]      FIG. 3E  depicts a sectional view of line C-C of  FIG. 3C   
           [0016]      FIG. 4  depicts a perspective view of a prior art reactor  12  with flanges  11  having flange mounting holes  13 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 5A  depicts a frontal view of reactor  1 A of an alternative embodiment of the invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 5B  depicts a side view of reactor  1 A of an alternative embodiment of the invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 5C  depicts a perspective view of reactor  1 A of an alternative embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS 
       [0020]    The table below lists the reference numerals employed in the figures, and identifies the element designated by each numeral.
     1  reactor  1       2  lamp  2  a.k.a “light source”, “radiation source”     3  port  3       4  ancillary device  4  a.k.a. UV sensor, or wiper.     5  pipe  5       6  pipe flange  6       7  pipe flange mounting holes  7       8  pipe flange mounting bolts  8       9  piping system  9  comprising pipe  5  having pipe flange  6 , pipe flange mounting holes  7 , and pipe flange mounting bolts  8 .     10  reactor mounting holes  10       11  flange (PRIOR ART)  11       12  reactor (PRIOR ART)  12       13  flange mounting holes (PRIOR ART)  13       14  inner reactor wall  14       15  lamp maintenance access port  15  of reactor  1       16  irradiation cavity  16       17  second reactor  17       1 A reactor  1 A in an alternative embodiment     2 A lamps  2 A in an alternative embodiment     10 A reactor mounting holes  10 A in an alternative embodiment     14 A inner reactor wall  14 A in an alternative embodiment     16 A irradiation cavity  16 A in an alternative embodiment     18 A lamp installation ports  18 A in an alternative embodiment   
 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0044]    In one embodiment of the present invention, reactor  1  has, reactor mounting holes  10  adapted to be align-able (i.e. coaxial) with mounting holes  7  of a piping flange, substantially tubular irradiation cavity  16  having a longitudinal axis that is parallel to reactor mounting holes  10  and radiation source  2  (a.k.a “light source”, “radiation source”. e.g. a mercury vapor UV lamp) that is removably disposed within irradiation cavity  16 ; whereby the reactor can be removably secured between the flanges  6  of existing piping system  9  (e.g.  FIG. 1A ). 
         [0045]    In one embodiment of the present invention, first and second reactors  1 ,  17  each have a plurality of mounting holes  10  adapted to be align-able with pipe flange mounting holes  7 , substantially tubular irradiation cavity  16  having a longitudinal axis that is parallel to the plurality of mounting holes  10 , and radiation source  2  that is removably disposed within irradiation cavity  16 ; whereby first and second reactors  1 ,  17  can be removably secured to each other, between flanges  6  of existing piping system  9 , so that the irradiation cavities of the first and second reactors have a substantially common longitudinal axis; whereby the first and second reactors can be selectively arranged, relative to each other, in a plurality of positions around the substantially common longitudinal axis. In other words, the reactors can be rotated with respect to each other. This achieves at least one advantage of allowing greater flexibility to arrange lamps in various positions to alter the fluid irradiation profile. 
         [0046]    In one embodiment, radiation source  2  is elongated (e.g. a mercury vapor UV lamp) and has a longitudinal axis that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of irradiation cavity  16 . 
         [0047]      FIG. 1A  depicts a perspective view of a single reactor  1  retrofitted into piping system  9  in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Pipe flange mounting bolts  8  are inserted through reactor mounting holes  10  and pipe flange mounting holes  7 . Reactor mounting holes  10  are coaxial with some of pipe flange mounting holes  7 . Thus, reactor  1  can be rotated with respect to piping system  9  in multiple angles according to the location of pipe flange mounting holes  7 . 
         [0048]      FIG. 1B  depicts a perspective view of multiple reactors  1 ,  17  retrofitted into piping system  9  in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. It is to be understood that multiple reactors can be placed adjacent to each other at various angles with respect to each other and held in place by pipe flange mounting bolts  8  in conjunction with pipe flanges  6 . 
         [0049]    Reactors  1 ,  17  can be made of the same types of materials commonly used in conventional UV water treatment reactors, or alternatively can be made of other materials having similar strength and structural characteristics, and can be manufactured by casting or machining. The various possible manufacturing options allow for greater cost advantages to be achieved. 
         [0050]    Fluid flows in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of irradiation cavity  16 . In one embodiment, irradiation cavity  16  is substantially tubular. It is to be understood that such a structure facilitates efficient fluid flow characteristics in accordance with known fluid dynamics, and that other shaped cavities (e.g. ovoid) may be used in keeping with the spirit of the invention. 
         [0051]    Radiation source  2  is removably disposed within irradiation cavity  16 . In one embodiment ( FIG. 3B ), lamp maintenance access port  15  is removable to allow replacement and/or maintenance of lamp  2 . 
         [0052]    It is to be understood that the present invention can be adapted to fit different sized piping systems. In one embodiment (e.g.  FIGS. 3A-3E ), inner reactor wall  14  has a 4 inch diameter and a single lamp  2 . However, other embodiments are possible. E.g. a 30 inch diameter and 10 lamps. 
         [0053]    Reactor mounting holes  10  preferably extend entirely through reactor  1  to allow pipe flange mounting bolts  8  to engage pipe flange mounting holes  7  on both sides of reactor  1 , or alternatively, a plurality of cascaded reactors. 
         [0054]    In one embodiment (e.g.  FIG. 1B ), mounting bolts  8  are of sufficient length so as to be inserted through the coaxial reactor mounting holes  10  and pipe flange mounting holes  7 .  FIG. 1B  depicts two reactors cascaded, but it is to be understood that more than two reactors can be cascaded. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that mounting bolts  8  would have to be sized accordingly. 
         [0055]    In one embodiment, first and second reactors  1 ,  17  are of the type depicted in  FIGS. 3A-3E . The irradiation cavities of the first and second reactors have a substantially common longitudinal axis that facilitates fluid (e.g. water) flow from piping system  9  through each of the reactors. 
         [0056]    It is to be understood that ports  3  can be utilized for various purposes. E.g. in conjunction with an ancillary device  4  such as a UV sensor or wiper. 
         [0057]    It is to be understood that various sizes of reactor  1  are possible. For example, in one embodiment ( FIGS. 5A-5C ), inner reactor wall  14 A has a diameter of either  30  or  32  inches. Twelve lamps  2 A are removably secured in lamp installation ports  18 A. Reactor  1 A is fabricated (i.e. not cast). Such an embodiment achieves significant space savings over conventional systems.