Abstract:
Embodiments of the present disclosure combine a suitable photocatalyst with a non-conducting matrix such as plastic, glass or rubber for the purpose of the production of activated electrons, needed in the creation of hydrogen peroxide, in the presence of light of a suitable frequency or frequencies and water. A suitable photocatalyst such as anatase titanium dioxide is combined with a plastic such as polypropylene as one would a pigment. The impregnated plastic can be immersed in water whereupon activated electrons and holes (electron absences in the valence band of the plastic substrate acting as a semiconductor) are produced on the surface of the photocatalyst upon irradiation. Activated electrons are an excellent oxidizer, disinfectant, purifier and go on to kill bacteria, algae, etc. in the water, as well as to reduce water hardness including mineral deposits. Unused hydrogen peroxide breaks down into hydrogen ion and free oxygen in a short time.

Description:
This is a continuation-in-part application of application Ser. No. 12/814,238, filed Jun. 11, 2010.   
    
    
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0001]    Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to substantially cleaning impure water. Particularly, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to disinfecting apparatus. More particularly, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to disinfectant systems for the efficient disinfection of contaminated water. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Contaminants within fluid sources (e.g., both gas and liquid state) and surfaces are prevalent and can cause great amounts of harm to those animals or plants in contact with the contaminants. Various types of disinfectants and filtering devices have been used in the past to try to rid the contaminants from the fluid sources and surfaces. 
         [0003]    However, these disinfectants and filtering devices generally do not work properly, by not ridding the fluid source/surfaces of the contaminants and adding further pollutants to the fluid source/surfaces. Decontamination using disinfectants and filtering devices can be very time consuming, requiring constant attention, or simply too costly for small production facilities or reservoir structures, such as livestock water tanks, pools or toilets. 
         [0004]    There have been methods suggested for the use of titanium dioxide in the anatase form for use in ceramics for producing self disinfecting surfaces. The main drawback is the high working temperatures for ceramic substrates. These would require acidic water to work properly, as well. There have also been reported plastics with antibodies engineered into their matrix to produce antibacterial surfaces, but the process is expensive and selective for certain microorganisms. 
         [0005]    Because of the inherent problems with the related art, there is a need for a new and improved disinfectant system for the efficient disinfection of contaminated surfaces and fluids. It would be desirable to find a water purification system where no fossil fuel is needed for sustained operations; disinfection and softening of questionable drinking water is provided; the system is gravity fed requiring no pumps; there are no residual carcinogenic, otherwise toxic or ecologically harmful by products; precise monitoring can be possible, giving the ability to adjust for the amount of hardness in the feed water; and the water has a pleasant taste. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    Embodiments of the present disclosure combine a suitable photocatalyst with a non-conducting matrix such as plastic, glass or rubber for the purpose of the production of activated electrons, needed in the creation of hydrogen peroxide, in the presence of light of a suitable frequency or frequencies and water. A suitable photocatalyst such as anatase titanium dioxide is combined at low temperature with a plastic such as polypropylene, as one would a pigment. The impregnated plastic can be immersed in water, and activated electrons and holes (electron absences in the valence band of the plastic substrate acting as a semiconductor) are produced on the surface of the photocatalyst upon irradiation. Activated electrons (including the produced hydrogen peroxide) are an excellent oxidizer, disinfectant, purifier, and go on to kill bacteria, algae, etc. in the water, as well as to reduce water hardness caused by mineral deposits such as iron. Unused hydrogen peroxide breaks down into hydrogen ion and free oxygen in a short time. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    The above and other objects, features and other advantages according to several embodiments of the present disclosure will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  is an upper perspective view of an embodiment of the present disclosure within a reservoir structure comprised of a livestock water tank; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is an upper perspective view of an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is an upper perspective view of an embodiment of the present disclosure with the float exploded outwards; 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a top view of an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a side sectional view taken along lines  5 - 5  of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is a side cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the present disclosure within a fluid source; 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  is an illustrative cross-sectional view of the carrier showing the photocatalyst evenly distributed throughout the substrate material in an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  is an illustrative cross-sectional view of the carrier showing the treatment surface continually exposed to an outside of the carrier as the carrier degrades during use in an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0016]      FIG. 9  is an upper perspective view of the structure comprised of a livestock water tank functions in an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0017]      FIG. 10  is a side view of the carrier within a water bottle in an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0018]      FIG. 11  is a top sectional view of an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0019]      FIG. 12  is a top view of the carrier within urinal in an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0020]      FIG. 13  is an upper perspective view of an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0021]      FIG. 14  is an upper perspective view of an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0022]      FIG. 15  is an upper perspective view of embodiments of the present disclosure positioned over an oil spill on the ground surface; 
           [0023]      FIG. 16  is an upper perspective view of embodiments of the present disclosure; 
           [0024]      FIG. 17  is a front profile view of an embodiment of the present disclosure for a purification system for unclean water; 
           [0025]      FIG. 18  is a front profile view of an embodiment for an injector system in the present disclosure; and 
           [0026]      FIG. 19  is a front profile view of a citric acid dispenser in an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
       
    
    
       [0027]    While the improved photocatalyst for oxidation reduction chemistry is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit an improved photocatalyst for oxidation reduction chemistry to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the improved photocatalyst for oxidation reduction chemistry is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0028]    Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
         [0029]    The following discussion is presented to enable a person skilled in the art to make and use the present disclosure. Various modifications to the illustrated embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the present teachings. Thus, the present teachings are not intended to be limited to embodiments shown, but are to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein. The following detailed description is to be read with reference to the figures, in which like elements in different figures have like reference numerals. The figures, which are not necessarily to scale, depict selected embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Skilled artisans will recognize the examples provided herein have many useful alternatives and fall within the scope of the present teachings. 
         [0030]    Embodiments of the present disclosure disclose a system for the efficient disinfection of contaminated surfaces and fluids. Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to a disinfecting apparatus, which includes a light source for producing ultraviolet light, a fluid source containing organic contaminants and a carrier comprising a substrate material and a photocatalyst. 
         [0031]    The photocatalyst is evenly distributed throughout the substrate material so a treatment surface of the carrier is continually exposed to the fluid source and the ultraviolet light as the substrate material degrades. For the purposes of this disclosure, “evenly distributed throughout”, in regards to the photocatalyst being evenly distributed throughout the substrate material, is defined to mean that the photocatalyst is found in approximately equal distribution in the substrate material including on the surface and internally. The substrate material comprises an electrically non conductive material. The treatment surface is positioned at least partially within the fluid source and wherein the ultraviolet light is focused upon the treatment surface for oxidizing the organic contaminants within the fluid source. The carrier may be used for various purposes such as for disinfecting drinking water, ground surfaces, and table surfaces. The carrier may also be supported in various frames or support structures. 
         [0032]    For the purposes of this disclosure, “organic contaminants”, in regards to the fluid source containing organic contaminants, is defined as a material having a carbon-basis including chemicals such as solvents, pesticides, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB&#39;s) and organic plant matter such as bacteria, algae, oils, etc. 
         [0033]    The inventor was performing experiments on an inexpensive production method for the production of activated electrons necessary for the creation of hydrogen peroxide when it became apparent hydrogen peroxide would be a good disinfection method for producing potable water. Embodiments of the present disclosure involve the use of very inexpensive ingredients to produce a high benefit to cost ratio. It involves relatively low temperature production methods allowing titanium dioxide to remain in the anatase form throughout the production process. It also allows for an extended working lifetime since the photocatalyst can be distributed throughout the substrate material. As the treatment surface is sloughed off, new catalyst is exposed. 
         [0034]    Embodiments of the disclosure comprise a float attached to the center of either a square or circular flat plastic backing and impregnated grid assembly, or a flat plastic impregnated matrix without backing. These units are central to support accessories such as acidifiers, tanks, filters, plumbing and sensors with controller(s). 
         [0035]    Turning now to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views,  FIGS. 1 through 16  illustrate a disinfectant system  10 , which comprises a light source  14  for producing ultraviolet light, a fluid source  15  having organic contaminants  16  within and a carrier  20  comprising a substrate material  21  and a photocatalyst  22 . The photocatalyst  22  is evenly distributed throughout the substrate material  21  so a treatment surface  24  of the carrier  20  is continually exposed to the fluid source  15  and the ultraviolet light as the substrate material  21  degrades. The substrate material  21  is comprised of an electrically non conductive material. The treatment surface  24  is positioned at least partially within the fluid source  15  and wherein the ultraviolet light is focused upon the treatment surface  24  for oxidizing the organic contaminants  16  within the fluid source  15 . The carrier  20  may be used for various purposes, such as for disinfecting drinking water, ground surfaces  12 , table surfaces and other contaminated objects. The carrier  20  may also be supported in various frames  30  or support structures. 
         [0036]    The fluid source  15  may refer to various types of fluids, such as a fluid source in a liquid state (e.g. water, etc.), a fluid source in a gaseous state (e.g. air), or a combination. For example, the liquid state may come into use when the carrier  20  is used within a reservoir structure  50   a,    50   b,    50   c,  such as a livestock tank as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 12 . 
         [0037]    The light source  14  may also refer to various types of lights, such as a light source comprising the sun, a light source comprising ultraviolet light bulbs, or other ambient light sources. It is appreciated a partially obstructed light source  14  may also be used with the carrier  20 . The ultraviolet light produces highly reactive forms of oxygen (oxygen free radicals and hydrogen peroxides) in the oxygenated fluid source  15  contributing to the destruction process of the microorganisms or organic contaminants  16  into oxidized particles  17 . 
         [0038]    The carrier  20  is used to oxidize the organic contaminants  16  within the fluid source  15  through a photocatalytic reaction between the carrier  20 , ultraviolet light and the fluid source  15 , wherein the fluid source  15  includes hydrogen elements and oxygen elements. The carrier  20  induces a chemical reaction to form activated electrons which are necessary in the creation of low amounts of hydrogen peroxide to break down the contaminants  16  into oxidized particles  17  and thus effectively disinfect the fluid source  15  with the hydrogen peroxide. The carrier  20  may take the form of various shapes and configurations to fit within various size frames  30 , other reservoir structures  50   a,    50   b,    50   c,  or be placed upon the ground surface  12  or various other objects as desired, whatever location has the need to disinfect or decontaminate. The carrier  20  is also substantially inert in that the carrier  20  does not move during the chemical reaction, except the slight degrading of the substrate material  21 . The carrier  20  itself can comprise a buoyant structure to float so the carrier  20  may be placed within various fluid sources  15  and efficiently oxidize contaminants  16  near the surface of the fluid source  15 . 
         [0039]    In one embodiment, the carrier  20  comprises a substrate material  21  and a photocatalyst  22  material incorporated within. The treatment surface  24  includes the portion of the carrier which has the photocatalyst  22  mixed with the substrate material  21 . The treatment surface  24  and photocatalyst  22  can be distributed evenly throughout the entire substrate material  21  and thus entire carrier  20  as illustrated in  FIG. 7 . However, in alternate embodiments, the treatment surface  24  may be instead along the perimeter walls of openings extending through the carrier  20  (in the mesh shape), upon a top surface, a bottom surface, or portions thereof. The treatment surface  24  may simply be a small portion of the substrate material  21  or carrier  20 , of which contacts the fluid source  15  and receives the ultraviolet light from the light source  14 . The substrate material  21  may also comprise a permeable and absorbent structure so the contaminants  16  can travel within the carrier  20  to be oxidized within. It is appreciated various combinations of the above described, as well as other combinations, may also be used to combine the photocatalyst  22  with the substrate material  21 . 
         [0040]    The substrate material  21  can comprise an electrically non conductive material, such as a plastic, which includes rubber, polystyrene, polymers, nylon, polyethylene, acrylic or other various types of plastic or non conductive materials and combinations of the various materials (e.g. substrate material  21  comprising rubber and polyethylene). The substrate material  21  may also be absorbable to digest the contaminants  16  for the chemical reaction to take place. The use of a non conductive material, such as plastic, is important to provide an economic, variable product which is easy to manufacture in various sizes, shapes and forms. The use of a substrate material  21  comprising plastic also provides a low melting temperature which helps to induce the chemical reaction and thus provide for a more efficient self disinfecting treatment surface  24 . 
         [0041]    The substrate material  21  is pigmented with the photocatalyst  22  composed of titanium dioxide and has properties to induce a chemical reaction when exposed to ultraviolet light rays from the light source  14 . The photocatalyst  22  can be titanium dioxide in the anatase crystalline form rather than its rutile form. After the pigmentation melt process the substrate material  21 , including the photocatalyst  22 , can be extruded in various forms whose surfaces  24  are photocatalytic in the oxidation of oxygenated water (e.g. fluid source  15 ) to hydrogen peroxide. 
         [0042]    The photocatalyst  22  can be an absorbing substance to be able to absorb the ultraviolet light. When receiving the ultraviolet light, the photocatalyst  22  is able to oxidize the organic contaminants  16  to essentially self-disinfect the fluid source  15  or other type of surface or object. The treatment surface  24  extends throughout the substrate material  21  and thus is continually exposed as the substrate material  21  degrades away from the chemical reaction of the oxygen from the fluid source  15  and the ultraviolet light from the light source  14  to form activated electrons that are necessary to form hydrogen peroxide to break down the contaminants  16  into oxidized particles  17  as illustrated in  FIG. 8 . 
         [0043]    In one embodiment, the carrier  20  is formed into a mesh structure. The mesh structure allows the fluid source  15  to pass through while disinfecting the fluid source  15  by oxidizing the contaminants  16  therein. The mesh carrier  20  may be placed in various locations. One embodiment shows the mesh carrier  20  within the frame  30  for being positioned within a livestock tank as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 7 ; another embodiment shows the carrier  20  positioned in a plastic drinking container to disinfect the water therein as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 ,  10  and  11 ; another embodiment shows the mesh carrier  20  positioned within a urinal over the drainage area to disinfect the urinal as illustrated in  FIG. 12 , and another embodiment shows the mesh carrier  20  positioned upon a ground surface  12  to oxidize and digest an oil spill area as illustrated in  FIGS. 14 through 16 . Various other organic contaminant sources may be disinfected with the mesh carrier  20 , the mesh carrier  20  may be adapted to various shapes and sizes. 
         [0044]    When positioned around the float  40  of the frame  30 , in one embodiment of the present disclosure, which will subsequently be described, the carrier  20  may include one or more openings  26  extending therethrough. The carrier  20  may also be secured to the frame  30  or other structure through the use of fasteners  27 , such as but not limited to bolts. 
         [0045]    In another embodiment of the carrier  20 , the carrier  20  is formed into a cutting board configuration as illustrated in  FIG. 13 . Since the carrier  20 , and substrate material  21  can be made of plastic, the carrier  20  is often molded into its final solid shape. In the case of the cutting board configuration, the carrier  20  is molded into a rectangular or other shaped cutting board. The photocatalyst  22  coating upon the substrate material  21  of the carrier  20  is thus able to disinfect the cutting board surface (i.e. treatment surface  24 ) to keep the cutting board surface sterile or near sterile and provide a healthier atmosphere in which to serve and prepare food. 
         [0046]    In an alternative embodiment to the cutting board configuration, the photocatalyst  22  may be blended with the substrate material  21  prior to molding, allowing for a cutting board surface that continuously disinfects regardless of continued and prolonged use of the board including treatment surface  24  degradation. 
         [0047]    In one embodiment of the present invention, the frame  30  is used to support the carrier  20 . The frame  30  comprises a rectangular or square shaped structure; however it is appreciated other shapes may be contemplated. The frame  30  is configured to be positioned within a reservoir structure  50   a  comprising a livestock tank commonly used to hold water for livestock to drink. The carrier  20  in the frame  30  serves to disinfect the water within the reservoir structure  50   a  thus providing a clean contaminant free water for the livestock. 
         [0048]    In an embodiment, the frame  30  includes a lower wall  31  including a plurality of inlets  32  spaced around an inner perimeter and lower receiving opening  33  generally extending through a central portion of the lower wall  31 . Sidewalls  39  vertically extend from the outer perimeter of the lower wall  31  and an upper wall  35  is attached to the upper end of the sidewalls  39 , thus vertically offsetting the upper wall  35  with respect to the lower wall  31 . The upper wall  35  includes a plurality of outlets  36  to substantially align with the inlets  32  of the lower wall  31  and an upper receiver opening  37  also can be near a center of the upper wall  35  similar to the lower receiver opening  33 . 
         [0049]    The carrier  20  can be affixed to the upper surface of the lower wall  31  and thus within a cavity  38  defined between the upper wall  35  and the lower wall  31 . The cavity  38  can be substantially larger in height than the carrier  20  to allow room for the oxidized particles  17  to escape through the outlets  36  of the upper wall  35 . The carrier  20  may be affixed to the lower wall  31  in various manners, such as through the use of the fasteners  27  (e.g. bolts, etc.) or other securing mechanisms. 
         [0050]    The treatment surface  24  of the carrier  20  can be positioned directly over the inlets  32  so the contaminants  16  can easily engage the treatment surface  24  and thus be oxidized by the photocatalytic reaction. A plurality of inlets  32  may extend through the lower wall  31  so the fluid source  15  having the contaminants  16  may engage the carrier  20  in a plurality of different locations. Once the contaminants  16  are oxidized by the photocatalytic reaction, the oxidized particles  17  can escape the cavity  38  through the outlets  36  of the upper wall  35 . 
         [0051]    The frame  30  and at least the upper wall  35  also comprise a transparent configuration to allow the ultraviolet light from the light source  14  to pass through and be focused upon the treatment surface  24  of the carrier  20 . The upper wall  35  also serves another purpose, besides providing support for the frame  30 , which is to protect the carrier  20  by preventing the livestock or foreign particles from engaging or contacting the carrier  20 . The upper wall  35  and thus sidewalls  39  extend over and surround the entire carrier  20  besides the portion of the carrier  20  is accessible through the inlets  32  and outlets  36 . However, the inlets  32  and outlets  36  are substantially small, wherein only contaminants  16  within the fluid source  15  need to pass through the inlets  32  and oxidized particles  17  need to pass through the outlets  36 . 
         [0052]    A float  40  is connected to the frame  30  to provide buoyancy for the frame  30  so the frame  30  can stay afloat within the fluid source  15  of the reservoir structure  50   a.  In one embodiment, the float  40  provides just enough buoyancy so the carrier  20  is submerged within the fluid source  15  yet the upper wall  35  is positioned above the surface of the fluid source  15 . The float  40  may comprise various types of foam or other floatable structures. The float  40  is tightly positioned within the lower receiver opening  33  and extends upwards to engage the lower surface of the upper wall  35 . 
         [0053]    In another embodiment, the float  40  comprises a heating source, which is primarily used to heat the fluid source  15  within the reservoir structure  50   a  during cold periods to prevent the fluid source  15  from freezing. Thus, the float  40  serves dual purposes; to keep the frame  30  afloat and heating the fluid source  15  to prevent freezing. In this embodiment, the upper receiver opening  37  is used, wherein the cord  41  from the heater configuration of the float  40  extends through the upper receiver opening  37  and the cord  31  includes a plug  42  which is electrically connected to an electrical socket to operate the heater comprised float  40 . 
         [0054]    As discussed previously, the reservoir structure  50   a  can be used to hold the fluid source  15  for livestock, wherein the fluid source  15  is water. However, the reservoir structure may take the form of various other embodiments, such as a plastic water bottle  50   b,  wherein the frame  30  may be omitted and the carrier  20  is simply wrapped around the inside perimeter of the bottle casing. Another embodiment shows the reservoir structure  50   c  comprises a toilet or urinal configuration and the carrier  20  simply positioned over the drain opening to disinfect fluid sources that come into contact with the carrier  20  within the urinal or toilet. Various other embodiments as discussed (e.g. cutting board, carrier  20  to clean up spills on a ground surface  12  such as an oil spill, etc.) may be used with the carrier  20 . It is appreciated that the carrier  20  may be used for further embodiments, all of which require disinfection of a fluid source. 
         [0055]    In use, the frame  30  including the carrier  20  is positioned within the fluid source  15  of the reservoir structure  50   a  so the lower wall  31  faces downward. The float  40  allows the carrier  20  and lower wall  31  to sink within the water either partially or wholly while keeping the upper wall  35  above the water surface so the oxidized particles  17  can more easily escape. 
         [0056]    As the fluid source  15  including the organic contaminants  16  contacts the treatment surface  24 , the oxygen from the fluid source  15  and the ultraviolet light from the light source  14  induce a chemical reaction with the photocatalyst  22  to form activated electrons which are necessary to form an antibacterial material (e.g. hydrogen peroxide). The antibacterial material generated from the photocatalytic reaction thus oxidizes the fluid source  15  including the contaminants  16  to disinfect the fluid source  15 . The carrier  20  continues to operate as long as the carrier  20  is positioned at least partially within the fluid source  15  containing oxygen. As the chemical reaction takes place, the substrate material  21  slowly degrades. However, since the photocatalyst  22  is distributed evenly throughout the substrate material  21  the carrier  20  continually exposes a treatment surface  24  including the photocatalyst  22  and the substrate material  21  to the fluid source  15  and the light source  14 . 
         [0057]    Example Embodiment of Improved Photocatalyst for Oxidation Reduction Chemistry as applied to a water purification system (See  FIGS. 17-19 ): 
         [0058]    Step 1) Reservoir Tank  4  begins filling with fluid source  15  including organic contaminants  16 . 
         [0059]    Step 2) The fluid proceeds out at a point near the Reservoir Tank&#39;s  4  bottom and flows past a check valve  6 . 
         [0060]    Step 3) Past the check valve  6  the fluid source  15  encounters an injector  7  where acid from an acidic reservoir  80  enters the stream along with air from a vent  81 . The fluid then encounters a first pH probe which, with the help of a controller  18 , meters the flow of acid via a pinch valve  5 , which is under the control of the controller  18 . 
         [0061]    Step 4) The fluid source  15  then enters a treatment tank  3  and begins to support the float  40 , positioning the frame  30  including the carrier  20  approximately  1  inch below the fluid surface. Light  10  entering at the top of the treatment tank  3  through the upper wall  35  irradiates the upper surface of the carrier  20  containing a treatment surface  24  including a photocatalyst  22  and the substrate material  21  where hydrogen ion and free oxygen unite to produce hydrogen peroxide. The hydrogen peroxide then begins to kill microorganisms; any unused hydrogen peroxide is returned to its constituent parts, water and free oxygen. 
         [0062]    Step 5) Flow then continues on demand from the treatment tank  3  through the outlet opening  2  and outlet  19  user, through a filter to the user. 
         [0063]    Note: When citric acid is used, excess citric acid in trace amounts is delivered to the user giving the final product a slight sour taste. Similar to rainwater, which if used as the stock water obviates the need for acidification. Some filtration will be necessary with the use of citric acid. 
         [0064]    To further support this example embodiment, in  FIG. 17 ,  13  represents electrical signal lines. In  FIG. 18 ,  8  represents pipes from reservoir tank and  9  represents pipes to treatment tank. In  FIG. 19 ,  90  represents a tube. 
         [0065]    Example Embodiment of Improved Photocatalyst for Oxidation Reduction Chemistry as applied to a water purification system: 
         [0066]    Step 1) User fills clear container containing an embodiment of the present disclosure with questionable water. 
         [0067]    Step 2) User exposes the container to sunlight. 
         [0068]    Step 3) User allows container to receive sunlight until the water gets cloudy. 
         [0069]    Step 4) User filters now disinfected water. The water is now ready to drink. 
       Method of Preparing a TiO 2  Photocatalyst 
       [0070]    Two methods of preparing a titanium dioxide photocatalyst are disclosed. In one method, a saturated solution of catecholate ligand is prepared in a NaOH solution between a pH 8 and 12, at a temperature of between 60 to 100 degrees Celsius. Once the solution is at the appropriate temperature and acidic level, titanium isopropanol or titanium isobutanol may be added while agitating the solution. Then, the solution is allowed to precipitate, followed by decanting supemate. Acid solution is added to the remaining wet precipitate until achieving a pH of 3. The remaining wet precipitate is then filtered under suction. The filtered precipitate (filtrate) is washed with a pH 3 HCl solution. Finally, the filtrate is dried in an oven at ˜100 degrees Celsius for about between 3 to 12 hours. 
         [0071]    In an alternative method, a saturated solution of catecholated ligand with a pH between 8 and 12 is brought to a temperature of ˜100 degrees Celsius. Titanium dioxide anatase nanoparticles are slowly added to the solution with agitation. The solution is then allowed to precipitate, followed by decanting supernate. Acid solution is added to the remaining wet precipitate until achieving a pH of 3. Then the remaining wet precipitate is filtered under suction. The filtered precipitate (filtrate) is washed with pH 3 HCl acid solution. The filtrate is then dried in an oven at ˜100 degrees Celsius for about between 3 to 12 hours. 
         [0000]    Method of Producing a Dye Sensitized TiO 2  Photocatalyst Surface over a Porcelain Substrate 
         [0072]    Methods of producing a dye sensitized titanium dioxide photocatalyst surface over a porcelain substrate are disclosed. In one method, anatase titanium dioxide photocatalyst impregnated low temperature glaze is applied to the porcelain substrate. In the alternative to applying a titanium dioxide photocatalyst impregnated low temperature glaze, a high titanium dioxide coating solution may be applied instead. The porcelain substrate is then fired in a kiln to cure the clay and glaze. Optionally, after firing, etching solution may be applied to the cured titanium dioxide photocatalyst impregnated low temperature glaze. The glaze is then washed in an acid bath. The glazed porcelain substrate is then heated to about 100 degrees Celsius in a saturated pH 10 Sodium Hydroxide Solution of Azo Dye for about 24 hours. The pH of the solution may range between pH 8-12 and, in this example, is a pH of 10. Finally, the glazed porcelain substrate is rinsed with distilled water. 
       Dye Sensitized TiO 2  Photocatalyst 
       [0073]    The titanium dioxide photocatalyst independently is capable of absorbing light only in the Ultraviolet frequencies around 200 nm. The inability of TiO 2  photocatalyst to absorb other spectrums of light negatively impacts the total energy absorbed by the photocatalyst and the net result of the photocatalytic reaction. This creates a large inefficiency in titanium dioxide photocatalyst based reactions. However, through experimentation it has been ascertained that by bonding titanium dioxide photocatalyst with Azo Dye, the dye associates itself with the photocatalyst&#39;s ability to absorb light. The result is a dye sensitized TiO 2  photocatalyst capable of absorbing a broader spectrum of light, including: Ultraviolet (˜200nm) and Broad Visible (up to 500 nm). The two combined resulting energy level excitations result in a 30% increase in light absorption over TiO 2  photocatalyst alone. 
         [0074]    In one embodiment, the carrier  20  is comprised of a substrate material  21  and a dye sensitized photocatalyst  22  material distributed evenly throughout. The treatment surface  24  includes the portion of the carrier which has the dye sensitized photocatalyst  22  distributed throughout the substrate material  21 . The treatment surface  24  and dye sensitized photocatalyst  22  can be distributed evenly throughout the entire substrate material  21  and thus entire carrier  20  as illustrated in  FIG. 7 . However, in alternate embodiments, the treatment surface  23  may be instead along the perimeter walls of openings extending through the carrier  20  (in the mesh shape), upon a top surface, a bottom surface, or portions thereof. The treatment surface  24  may simply be a small portion of the substrate material  21  or carrier  20 , of which contacts the fluid source  15  and receives the ultraviolet and broad visible light from the light source  14 . The substrate material  21  may also comprise a permeable and absorbent structure so the contaminants  16  can travel within the carrier  20  to be oxidized within. It is appreciated various combinations of the above described, as well as other combinations, may also be used to combine the dye sensitized photocatalyst  22  with the substrate material  21 . 
         [0075]    The substrate material  21  is pigmented with the dye sensitized photocatalyst  22  which can be comprised of Azo dye and titanium dioxide, and has properties to induce a chemical reaction when exposed to ultraviolet and broad visible light rays from the light source  14 . The dye sensitized photocatalyst  22  further can comprise dye sensitized titanium dioxide in the anatase crystalline form rather than its rutile form. After the pigmentation melt process, the substrate material  21  impregnated with dye sensitized photocatalyst  22  can be extruded in various forms whose surfaces  24  are photocatalytic in the oxidation of oxygenated water (e.g. fluid source  15 ) to hydrogen peroxide. 
         [0076]    The dye sensitized photocatalyst  22  comprises an absorbing substance to be able to absorb the ultraviolet and broad visible light. When receiving the ultraviolet and broad visible light the dye sensitized photocatalyst  22  is able to oxidize the organic contaminants  16  to essentially self-disinfect the fluid source  15  or other type of surface or object. The treatment surface  24  extends throughout the carrier  20  and thus is continually exposed as substrate material  21  degrades away from the chemical reaction of the oxygen from the fluid source  15  and the ultraviolet and broad visible light from the light source  14  to form activated electrons allowing for the creation of hydrogen peroxide to break down the contaminants  16  into oxidized particles  17  as illustrated in  FIG. 8 . As the fluid source  15  including the organic contaminants  16  contacts the treatment surface  24 , the oxygen from the fluid source  15  and the ultraviolet and broad visible light from the light source  14  induce a chemical reaction with the dye sensitized photocatalyst  22  to form an antibacterial material (e.g. hydrogen peroxide). The antibacterial material generated from the photocatalytic reaction thus oxidizes the fluid source  15  including the contaminants  16  to disinfect the fluid source  15 . 
         [0077]    The carrier  20  continues to operate as long as the carrier  20  is positioned at least partially within the fluid source  15  containing oxygen. As the chemical reaction takes place, the substrate material  21  slowly degrades. However, since the dye sensitized photocatalyst  22  is positioned evenly throughout the substrate material  21  the carrier  20  continually exposes a treatment surface  24  including the photocatalyst  22  and the substrate material  21  to the fluid source  15  and the light source  14 . 
         [0078]    The dye sensitized TiO 2  photocatalyst embodiment of this disclosure is also amenable to the various embodiments mentioned previously and all their various modifications that are obvious to one skilled in the art. 
         [0079]    The preceding description has been presented only to illustrate and describe various examples or illustrations of the embodiments. It is not intended to be exhaustive or limit to any precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. Although specific examples have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that any arrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose could be substituted for the specific examples shown. This application is intended to cover adaptations or variations of the present subject matter. Thus, particular embodiments of the subject matter have been described. Other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.