Abstract:
There is described a fluid treatment system which may which may be used with radiation sources that do not require a protective sleeve—e.g., excimer radiation sources. An advantage of the present fluid system treatment is that the radiation sources may be removed from the fluid treatment zone without necessarily having to shut down the fluid treatment system, remove the fluid, break the seals which retain fluid tightness, replace/service radiation source and than reverse the steps. Instead, the present fluid treatment system allows for service/replacement of the radiation sources in the fluid treatment zone during operation of the fluid treatment system.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    In one of its aspects, the present invention relates to an ultraviolet radiation lamp. In another of its aspects, the present invention relates to a radiation source module comprising the ultraviolet radiation lamp. In another of its aspects, the present invention relates to a fluid treatment system comprising the ultraviolet lamp 
       DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
       [0002]    Fluid treatment systems are known generally in the art. 
         [0003]    For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,482,809, 4,872,980, 5,006,244, 5,418,370, 5,539,210 and Re:36,896 (all in the name of Maarschalkerweerd and all assigned to the assignee of the present invention) all describe gravity fed fluid treatment systems which employ ultraviolet (UV) radiation. 
         [0004]    Other examples of fluid treatment systems are described in one or more of the following United States patents: 
         [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,471,063, 
         [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,504,355, 
         [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,538,210, 
         [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,342,188, 
         [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,500,346, 
         [0010]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,507,028, 
         [0011]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,646,269, 
         [0012]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,674,084, 
         [0013]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,803,586, and 
         [0014]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,863,078. 
         [0015]    Generally, such prior fluid treatment systems employ an ultraviolet radiation lamp to emit radiation of a particular wavelength or range of wavelengths (usually between 185 and 400 nm) to effect bacterial kill or other treatment of the fluid being treated. Many conventional ultraviolet radiation lamps are known as “low pressure” mercury lamps. 
         [0016]    In recent years, the art in low pressure mercury lamps has evolved with the development of the so-called Low Pressure, High Output (LPHO) and amalgam UV radiation lamps. These lamps have found widespread use in UV radiation water treatment systems, particularly those used for treatment of municipal drinking water and wastewater. As used herein, the term “low pressure” UV radiation lamp is intended to encompass conventional UV radiation lamps, LPHO UV radiation lamps and amalgam UV radiation lamps. 
         [0017]    Low pressure UV radiation lamps and medium pressure UV radiation lamps are the current standard used for UV radiation treatment of municipal drinking water and wastewater. 
         [0018]    In known fluid treatment systems, it is conventional to dispose the radiation source in a manner such that the longitudinal axis of the radiation source is oriented transverse (preferably orthogonal) to the direction of fluid flow through the fluid treatment system. This can be done whether the fluid treatment system comprises a so-called open fluid treatment zone (e.g., such as is described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,482,809, 4,872,980 and 5,006,244) or a so-called closed fluid treatment zone (e.g., such as is described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,418,370, 5,539,210, Re36,896 and 6,500,346). 
         [0019]    Typically, the radiation source is disposed in a manner whereby it is supported by opposed walls or other structural elements of the fluid treatment zone. 
         [0020]    From time to time, it becomes necessary to service and or replace the radiation sources. When the fluid treatment zone utilizes low pressure UV radiation lamps and/or medium pressure UV radiation lamps, these lamps are typically used in combination with a quartz protective sleeve. Thus, it is possible to service and/or replace these lamps by retaining the quartz sleeve in place and simply removing the lamp from within the quartz sleeve. This allows for servicing and/or replacement of lamps to be done without necessarily shutting down the fluid treatment zone and/or compromising water-tight seals to effect serving/replacement of the lamp. 
         [0021]    In recent years, there has been development in the area of so-called excimer radiation lamps. These lamps have the potential to be used in a variety of applications. One such application is UV radiation treatment of water—e.g., municipal drinking water and waste water. 
         [0022]    Unlike low pressure UV radiation lamps and medium UV pressure lamps, excimer radiation lamps do not necessarily require a quartz or other protective sleeve. Accordingly, excimer radiation lamps may be used such that they are directly immersed in the fluid being treated. 
         [0023]    A challenge to the use of such excimer radiation lamps or other lamps that do not utilize a protective sleeve is servicing/replacement of the lamps while not necessarily having to shut down the fluid treatment system. 
         [0024]    Accordingly, there remains a need in the art for fluid treatment system in which a radiation source (preferably one without a protective sleeve) may be serviced and/or replaced without necessarily having to shutdown the fluid treatment system. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0025]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel fluid treatment system. 
         [0026]    Accordingly, in one of its aspects, the present invention provides a fluid treatment comprising: 
         [0027]    an inlet; 
         [0028]    an outlet; 
         [0029]    a fluid treatment zone disposed between the inlet and the outlet; 
         [0030]    at least one radiation source assembly disposed in the fluid treatment zone; 
         [0031]    an extraction element moveable with respect to the at least one radiation source assembly between: (i) a first position in which the radiation source assembly is configured to be in contact with fluid in the fluid treatment zone, and (ii) a second position in which the extraction element substantially isolates the at least one radiation source assembly from fluid in the fluid treatment zone. 
         [0032]    In another of its aspects, the present invention provides a fluid treatment system comprising: 
         [0033]    an inlet; 
         [0034]    an outlet; 
         [0035]    a fluid treatment zone disposed between the inlet and the outlet; 
         [0036]    at least one radiation source assembly disposed in the fluid treatment zone; 
         [0037]    an extraction element moveable with respect to the at least one radiation source assembly between: (i) a first position in which the radiation source assembly is configured to be in contact with fluid in the fluid treatment zone, and (ii) a second position in which the extraction element substantially displaces the at least one radiation source assembly from fluid in the fluid treatment zone. 
         [0038]    In yet another of its aspects, the present invention provides a fluid treatment system comprising: 
         [0039]    an inlet; 
         [0040]    an outlet; 
         [0041]    a fluid treatment zone disposed between the inlet and the outlet; 
         [0042]    at least one radiation source assembly disposed in the fluid treatment zone, the at least one radiation source assembly being moveable between: (i) a first position in which a distal portion of the radiation source assembly is secured to a first wall of the fluid treatment zone, and (ii) a second position in which the distal portion of the radiation source assembly is secured to a second wall of the fluid treatment zone substantially opposed to the first wall. 
         [0043]    In yet another of its aspects, the present invention provides a fluid treatment system comprising: 
         [0044]    an inlet; 
         [0045]    an outlet; 
         [0046]    a fluid treatment zone disposed between the inlet and the outlet; 
         [0047]    at least one elongate excimer radiation lamp assembly disposed in the fluid treatment zone, the excimer radiation lamp comprising an annular cross-section to define an elongate passageway aligned with a longitudinal axis of the lamp assembly; and 
         [0048]    a guide element disposed in the elongate passageway. 
         [0049]    In yet another of its aspects, the present invention provides a fluid treatment system comprising: 
         [0050]    a fluid treatment zone; 
         [0051]    at least one elongate excimer radiation lamp assembly disposed in the fluid treatment zone, the excimer radiation lamp assembly comprising: an elongate member having an annular cross-section to define an elongate passageway aligned with a longitudinal axis of the lamp assembly secured to the mounting element and an electrode element in electrical connection with at least a portion of the elongate passageway; and 
         [0052]    at least one grounding element disposed exteriorly of the elongate member wherein the at least one grounding element performs at least one further function. 
         [0053]    In yet another of its aspects, the present invention provides an excimer radiation lamp assembly comprising: 
         [0054]    a mounting element for mounting the lamp assembly in a fluid treatment system; 
         [0055]    an elongate member having an annular cross-section to define an elongate passageway aligned with a longitudinal axis of the lamp assembly secured to the mounting element; 
         [0056]    an electrode element in electrical connection with at least a portion of the elongate passageway; and 
         [0057]    at least one grounding element disposed exteriorly of the elongate member connected to the mounting element and being electrically insulated with respect to the electrode element. 
         [0058]    In yet another of its aspects, the present invention provides a fluid treatment system comprising: 
         [0059]    a fluid treatment zone; 
         [0060]    a first ultraviolet radiation lamp assembly that emits radiation primarily at a first peak wavelength; and 
         [0061]    a second ultraviolet radiation lamp assembly that emits radiation primarily at a second peak wavelength that is different than the first peak wavelength. 
         [0062]    Thus, the present inventors have developed a fluid treatment system which may be used advantageously with radiation sources that do not require a protective sleeve—e.g., excimer radiation sources. While the present fluid treatment system can be used with such radiation sources, it is not necessarily restricted thereto. 
         [0063]    Thus, an advantage of the present fluid system treatment is that the radiation sources may be removed from the fluid treatment zone without necessarily having to shut down the fluid treatment system, remove the fluid, break the seals which retain fluid tightness, replace/service radiation source and than reverse the steps. Instead, the present fluid treatment system allows for service/replacement of the radiation sources in the fluid treatment zone during operation of the fluid treatment system. 
         [0064]    As used herein, the term “radiation source assembly” is intended to encompass any apparatus or device configured to emit radiation or any component of such an apparatus or device. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0065]    Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like parts, and in which: 
           [0066]      FIGS. 1-6  illustrate a first embodiment of the present fluid treatment system; 
           [0067]      FIGS. 7-10  illustrate a second embodiment of the present fluid treatment system; 
           [0068]      FIGS. 11-28  illustrate a third embodiment of the present fluid treatment system; and 
           [0069]      FIGS. 29-33  illustrate a fourth embodiment of the present fluid treatment system. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0070]    With reference to  FIGS. 1-6 , there is illustrated a fluid treatment system  100 . For clarity, the walls of the fluid treatment system zone and other components of the fluid treatment are not shown. 
         [0071]    Fluid treatment system  100  comprises a first flanged cover element  105  opposed with respect to a second flanged cover element  110 . Mounted between first flanged cover element  105  and second flanged cover element  110  is an excimer radiation lamp  115 . Further, a pair of ground rods  120  serve to interconnect flanged cover element  105  and flanged cover element  110 . 
         [0072]    A pair of O-rings (not shown) or other seal members are disposed between the opposed ends of excimer radiation lamp  115  and first flanged cover element  105  and second flanged cover element  110 . 
         [0073]    The end of excimer radiation lamp  115  disposed in first flanged cover element  105  is configured to be reversibly engaged with a lamp extraction member  125 . The precise nature of this reversible engagement is not particularly restricted and is within the purview of a person skilled in the art. For example, it is possible to configure the end of excimer lamp  115  to receive lamp extraction member  125  in a so-called “twist and lock” mechanism. 
         [0074]    When it is desired to remove excimer radiation lamp  115  from fluid treatment system  100 , lamp extraction member  125  is engaged to the end of excimer radiation lamp  115  disposed in flanged cover element  105 . Next, lamp extraction member  125  is pushed in the direction of arrow A—see  FIGS. 2 and 5 . 
         [0075]    Lamp extraction member  125  is pushed until excimer radiation lamp  115  is fully extended from flanged cover element  110 —see  FIGS. 3 and 6 . 
         [0076]    At this point, excimer radiation lamp  115  may be disengaged from lamp extraction member  125  and the foregoing steps can be reversed to install a new excimer radiation lamp in fluid treatment system  100 . 
         [0077]    In an alternate approach, the new excimer radiation lamp can itself function as the extraction member. 
         [0078]    As will be appreciated by those of skill in the art, removal of excimer radiation lamp  115  from fluid treatment system  100  can be done without shutting down the fluid treatment system. When excimer radiation lamp  115  is fully extended with respect to flanged plate  110 , lamp extraction member  125  simply functions as a “blank” until a new lamp installed in the fluid treatment system  100 . 
         [0079]    With reference to  FIGS. 7-10 , there is illustrated a fluid treatment system  200 . As set out above with reference to fluid treatment system  100 , the fluid treatment zone in fluid treatment system  200  has not been included in  FIGS. 7-10  to facilitate ease of description. 
         [0080]    Thus, fluid treatment system  200  comprises a first flanged cover element  205  and second flanged cover element  210 . Disposed between and supported by flanged cover element  205  and flanged cover element  210  is an excimer radiation lamp  215 . Also disposed between an interconnecting flanged cover element  205  and flanged cover element  210  are four ground rods  220 . 
         [0081]    First cover element  205  is configured to reversibly engage the end of excimer radiation lamp  215 . The precise design of the reversible engagement is not particularly restricted and, as discussed above, it is within the purview of a person skilled in the art. A preferred such mechanism is a so-called “twist and lock” mechanism as discussed above. 
         [0082]    When it is desired to service and/or replace excimer radiation lamp  215 , the end of excimer radiation lamp  215  is disengaged from flanged cover element  205 . Next, excimer radiation lamp  215  is withdrawn away from flanged cover element  205  in the direction of arrow B—see  FIG. 8 . 
         [0083]    As shown in  FIG. 8 , excimer radiation lamp  215  comprises a cap element  217 . The portion of cap element  217  facing flanged cover element  205  may include the appropriate reversible engaging elements referred to above. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that excimer radiation lamp  215  may be cantilevered (or generally unsupported) with respect to its distal end portion—i.e., the distal end portion of the lamp need not necessarily be supported by the wall of the fluid treatment system. Further, the portion of cap element  217  facing flanged cover element  210  also includes a reversible engagement element so that when excimer radiation lamp  215  is fully extended from flanged cover element  210 , it is possible to engage cap element  217  with respect to flanged cover element  210 . This permits disengagement of excimer radiation lamp  215  from cap element  217  in a manner whereby cap element  217  serves to seal the opening in flanged cover element  210  until excimer radiation lamp  215  is serviced and/or replaced. 
         [0084]    Reinsertion of excimer radiation lamp  215  can be accomplished by reversing the above steps. 
         [0085]    With reference to  FIG. 10 , there is shown a cleaning system  219  which is configured to remove fouling materials from the exterior of excimer radiation lamp  215 . Cleaning system  219  is connected to drive element  219   a . Drive element  219   a  is configured to glide on one of ground rods  220 . Drive element  219   a  may be of the type described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,342,188 [Pearcey et al.]. 
         [0086]    With reference to  FIGS. 11-28 , there is illustrated a fluid treatment system  300 . Fluid treatment system  300  comprises a closed cross-section such that fluid passing therethrough is constrained on all sides. 
         [0087]    Disposed in fluid system  300  are a series of radiation source assemblies  302 . Each radiation source assembly  302  comprises a first flanged cover element  305  and a second flanged cover element  310 . Disposed between and supported by flanged cover element  305  and flanged cover element  310  is a radiation lamp  315 . Also disposed between an interconnecting flanged cover element  305  and flanged cover element  310  are four ground rods  320 . 
         [0088]    When it is desired to service and/or replace a radiation lamp  315 , a slide tube  325  is reversibly engaged to a collar member  330  disposed in flanged cover element  310 . Next, slide tube  325  is pushed in the direction of arrow C—see  FIGS. 12 and 15 . 
         [0089]    When collar  330  reaches the interior or flanged cover element  305  collar  330  is reversible engaged with flanged cover element  305 —see  FIG. 13 . The nature of the reversible engagement of collar  330  with flanged cover element  305  can be as discussed above with respect to fluid treatment systems  100  and  200 . 
         [0090]    Once slide tube  325  is fully inserted in the fluid treatment zone and collar  330  is engaged with the interior of flanged cover element  305 , the combination of slide tube  325  and collar  330  serve to fully isolate radiation lamp  315  from the flow of fluid—see  FIGS. 13 and 16 . 
         [0091]    At this point, radiation lamp  315  can be withdrawn from within slide tube  325 /collar  330  and serviced and/or replaced as necessary. 
         [0092]    Collar  330  can than be disengaged from the interior of flanged cover element  305  and the combination of slide tube  325 /collar  330  can be withdrawn by reversing the steps described above. 
         [0093]      FIGS. 17-21  illustrate an enlarged view of some of the components shown in  FIGS. 11-16 . 
         [0094]      FIGS. 22-24  illustrate an enlargement of flanged cover element  310  and various components therein ( FIGS. 22 and 23 ). 
         [0095]      FIGS. 25-28  illustrate an enlarged view of flanged cover element  305  showing various components therein and showing engagement of collar  330  thereto. 
         [0096]    With reference to  FIGS. 29-33 , there is illustrated a further embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0097]    In  FIG. 29 , a radiation source assembly  402  is shown. 
         [0098]    Radiation source assembly  402  comprises a first flanged cover element  405  and a second flanged cover element  410 . Disposed between and supported by flanged cover element  405  and flanged cover element  410  is a radiation source  415 . Also disposed between and interconnecting flanged cover element  405  and flanged cover element  410  are a series of ground rods  420 . 
         [0099]    Attached to the portion of flanged cover element  410  is a cover element  450 . Disposed within cover element  450  is a ballast (not shown) for controlling the power of radiation source  415 .  FIGS. 30-32  illustrate radiation source assembly  402  without cover element  450  and the ballast disposed therein. 
         [0100]    In  FIG. 33 , there is illustrated a fluid treatment system  400  comprising four radiation source assemblies  402  as described above with reference to  FIGS. 29-32 . 
         [0101]    All publications, patents and patent applications referred to herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference in its entirety. For greater certainty, copending U.S. provisional patent applications 60/752,024 (Gowlings Ref: T8469433US) and 60/752,025 (Gowlings Ref. T8469435US), both filed on Dec. 21, 2005 in the names of the present inventors, are each incorporated herein by reference.