Patent Publication Number: US-2022218866-A1

Title: A Sanitizing Apparatus for Sanitizing a Fluid and a Sanitizing Method Thereof

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims the benefit of Singapore Application No. 10201904566W filed 22 May 2019, which is incorporated by reference herein. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a sanitizing apparatus for sanitizing a fluid and a method thereof. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The air quality of outdoor environment varies and depends on factors such as emissions from industries and traffic exhaust. However, in indoors, the air can be two to five times more polluted than the outdoor air. As the humidity indoor can be relatively higher than outdoor, the air particles with moisture increase the breeding and becomes a transmitting ground for harmful biological matter, such as viruses, bacteria, mould, and yeasts. 
     It is known that ultraviolet (“UV”) light sterilizes DNA so that the harmful biological matter exposed to UV light either dies or ceases reproduction. This property of a standard UV light has been utilized to sterilize air in a confined space. Commercially available UV source usually comes in the form of UV mercury lamps. However, a major drawback is that such a UV light source is harsh on the environment and harmful to human being. Air filters tend to be bulky due to the size of mercury lamps and are not suitable for portable use. 
     It has also been known that chemical-based UV sanitizer are used for air disinfection. However, such sanitizer, e.g. chemical aerosols or perfumes, do more harm than good. There are other types of air cleansing devices but each have one or more disadvantages. HEPA filters and cyclonic separation machines have been used to remove particles, but not for disinfection sanitization as filters can only remove particles not the bacteria. Other types of UV sanitizer have inefficient use of UV source. Light emitting devices (LED) are a recent invention which provide the ideal non-mercury-based UV light source. However, UV LED are still not an economically viable technology and are limited by low exposure reach. For example, the UV LED have limited active region of disinfection around the UV source. Due to the lack of UV exposure and residence time, it does not effectively kill microbes. 
     UV C light for air disinfection is not widely used as it is ineffective due to insufficient UV exposure. This is because microbes must be exposed to UV C for a certain period of time to render it inactive. 
     Hence, a solution is required to solve the abovementioned problem while achieving the objective of sanitizing air or liquid. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to various embodiments, a sanitizing apparatus for sanitizing a fluid is provided. The sanitizing apparatus includes a chamber having an inlet for receiving the fluid thereinto and an outlet for discharging the fluid therefrom, a divider adapted to divide the chamber into an upstream portion in fluid communication with the inlet and a downstream portion in fluid communication with the outlet, a sanitizing light source disposed in the upstream portion and adapted to emit a sanitizing light to sanitize the fluid therein, such that the divider is adapted to obstruct the fluid flow from the inlet to increase the density of the fluid in the upstream portion wherein the fluid is sanitized before being discharged from the chamber via the outlet. 
     According to various embodiments, the divider may be adapted to retain the fluid from the inlet in the upstream portion to be sanitized and release the fluid into the downstream portion to be discharged from the chamber via the outlet. 
     According to various embodiments, the divider may include at least one opening adapted to toggle between a closed configuration to prevent the fluid from passing through and an opened configuration to allow the fluid to pass therethrough. 
     According to various embodiments, the divider may include at least one opening and may be flexible, such that the divider may be adapted to flex between an original position and a flexed position, such that in the original position, the at least one opening may be closed to prevent the fluid therethrough and in the flexed position, the at least one opening may be opened to allow the fluid therethrough. 
     According to various embodiments, the divider may be adapted to be flexed by the fluid in the upstream chamber from the original position to the flexed position, such that in the flexed position, the at least one opening may be opened for the fluid to be released from the upstream chamber. 
     According to various embodiments, may further include an actuator adapted to actuate the divider between the original position and the flexed position, such that in the flexed position, the at least one opening may be opened for the fluid to be released from the upstream chamber. 
     According to various embodiments, the divider may include a plurality of micropores adapted to allow the fluid therethrough. 
     According to various embodiments, the divider may include a fibre optic mesh comprising the plurality of micropores and adapted to transmit and emit the sanitizing light onto the fluid therethrough. 
     According to various embodiments, the sanitizing apparatus may further include a restrictor adapted to restrict the fluid flow from the inlet therethrough. 
     According to various embodiments, the restrictor may include a fibre optic mesh including a plurality of micro openings and adapted to transmit and emit the sanitizing light onto the fluid therethrough. 
     According to various embodiments, the divider may include a rough surface facing the inlet, such that the rough surface may be adapted to reduce the fluid flow rate along the divider. 
     According to various embodiments, the sanitizing apparatus may further include an inlet pump adapted to pump fluid into the chamber via the inlet. 
     According to various embodiments, the sanitizing apparatus may further include an outlet pump adapted to draw fluid out of the chamber via the outlet. 
     According to various embodiments, a sanitizing method for sanitizing a fluid is provided. The method includes receiving the fluid into an upstream portion of a divider of a chamber via an inlet, obstructing the fluid flow from the inlet by the divider to increase the density of the fluid in the upstream portion, sanitizing the fluid in the upstream portion before discharging the fluid from the chamber via the outlet. 
     According to various embodiments, the method may further include retaining the fluid from the inlet in the upstream portion to be sanitized and releasing the fluid into a downstream portion of the divider to be discharged from the chamber via the outlet. 
     According to various embodiments, the method may further include toggling at least one opening between a closed configuration to prevent the fluid from passing through and an opened configuration to allow the fluid to pass therethrough. 
     According to various embodiments, the method may include flexing the divider between an original position and a flexed position, such that in the original position, at least one opening of the divider may be closed to prevent the fluid therethrough and in the flexed position, the at least one opening may be opened to allow the fluid therethrough. 
     According to various embodiments, the divider may be adapted to be flexed by the fluid in the upstream chamber from the original position to the flexed position, such that in the flexed position, the at least one opening may be opened for the fluid to be released from the upstream chamber. 
     According to various embodiments, the method may further include actuating the divider between the original position and the flexed position, such that in the flexed position, the at least one opening may be opened for the fluid to be released from the upstream chamber. 
     According to various embodiments, the method may further include pumping the fluid into chamber via the inlet. 
     According to various embodiments, the method may further include drawing the fluid out of the chamber via the outlet. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a sanitizing apparatus for sanitizing a fluid. 
         FIG. 2  shows a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of the sanitizing apparatus. 
         FIG. 3A  and  FIG. 3B  show schematic diagrams of an exemplary embodiment of the sanitizing apparatus. 
         FIG. 4A - FIG. 4D  show schematic diagrams of different stages of an exemplary embodiment of the sanitizing apparatus. 
         FIG. 5  shows a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of the sanitizing apparatus. 
         FIG. 6A - FIG. 6C  show schematic diagrams of different stages of an exemplary embodiment of the sanitizing apparatus. 
         FIG. 7  shows a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of the sanitizing apparatus. 
         FIG. 8  shows a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of the sanitizing apparatus. 
         FIG. 9A  and  FIG. 9B  show top and elevation views of an exemplary embodiment of the divider as shown in one of the embodiments in  FIG. 4 - FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 10  shows a schematic diagram of deflectors used in the sanitizing apparatus. 
         FIG. 11  shows an exemplary sanitizing method for sanitizing a fluid. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following examples, reference will be made to the figures, in which identical features are designated with like numerals. 
       FIG. 1  shows a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a sanitizing apparatus  100  for sanitizing a fluid. Sanitizing apparatus  100  includes a chamber  110  having an inlet  112  for receiving the fluid thereinto and an outlet  114  for discharging the fluid therefrom, a divider  120  adapted to divide the chamber  110  into an upstream portion  110 U in fluid communication with the inlet  112  and a downstream portion  110 D in fluid communication with the outlet  114 , a sanitizing light source  130  disposed in the upstream portion  110 U and adapted to emit a sanitizing light to sanitize the fluid therein, such that the divider  120  is adapted to obstruct the fluid flow from the inlet  112  to increase the density of the fluid in the upstream portion  110 U wherein the fluid is sanitized before being discharged from the chamber  110  via the outlet  114 . 
     Chamber  110  may be tubular and extends from a proximal end  110 A to a distal end  110 B opposite the proximal end  110 A. Inlet  112  may be disposed at the proximal end  110 A and the outlet  114  may be disposed at the distal end  110 B. Divider  120  may be disposed between the inlet  112  and the outlet  114  and extend across the chamber  110 . Divider  120  may be disposed at the outlet  114  such that upon flowing through the divider  120 , the fluid may be discharged from the chamber  110  via the outlet  114 . Fluid may include gas and/or liquid. The interior surface of the chamber  110  may be reflective to reflect the sanitizing light from the sanitizing light source  130  onto the fluid so that exposure of the fluid to the sanitizing light is maximised. 
     The fluid may be directed into the chamber  110  via the inlet  112  and flow from the inlet  112  towards the divider  120 . Fluid may be pumped into the chamber  110  such that the fluid is being pressured into the chamber. As the fluid flow is obstructed by the divider  120 , the fluid may be compressed within the upstream portion  110 U of the chamber  110 . Hence, the fluid pressure within the upstream portion  110 U may be higher than the downstream portion  110 D of the chamber  110 . As the fluid is being agglomerated and compressed, the density of the fluid increases. At the same time, the fluid is being sanitized by the sanitizing light emitted from the sanitizing light source  130 . By obstructing the fluid flow and increasing the density of the fluid in the upstream portion  110 U, the exposure time of the fluid to the sanitizing light is increased and the amount of fluid being sanitized per unit is increased. 
     To enable the sanitizing light source  130  to be effective, localised compacting of the biological matter loaded fluid molecules is beneficial. This provides improved residence exposure time for effective fluid sanitization. Sanitizing apparatus  100  utilizes the sanitizing light source  130  to disinfect the fluid that is being locally concentrated and compacted in the upstream portion  110 U of the chamber  110 . Fluid molecule in the upstream portion  110 U may also be randomised and agglomerated. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the compaction may be achieved by using the divider  120  in the chamber  110 . With a simple configuration, the sanitizing apparatus  100  may be small and portable such that it is suitable for a table-top air sanitizer. Sanitizing apparatus  100  may be used indoors, in confined space and also as a portable sanitizer. 
       FIG. 2  shows a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of the sanitizing apparatus  200 . Sanitizing apparatus  200  has similar features as the sanitizing apparatus  100  in  FIG. 1 . The same features have the same last two digits and letter (if any) in their reference numbers. Divider  220  may include a pair of panels  220 P spaced apart from each other and extending laterally across the chamber  210  such that the pair of panels  220 P forms a through hole  220 H therebetween. Pair of panels  220 P may be spaced from the internal wall of the chamber  210  to allow fluid flow between the chamber  210  wall and the pair of panels  220 P. Through hole  220 H may be small enough to allow a relatively small amount of fluid through to achieve the compression effect. Fluid from the inlet  212  may flow towards the divider  220 , which is adapted to obstruct the fluid flow to the outlet  214 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , a portion of the fluid may be accumulated and compressed in the upstream portion  210 U of the chamber  210 , while another portion may flow through the through hole  220 H into the downstream portion  210 D of the chamber  210 . Divider  220  may include a rough surface facing the inlet  222 , such that the rough surface may be adapted to reduce the fluid flow rate along the divider  220 . As the fluid density increases in the upstream portion  210 U, the fluid is being sanitized by the sanitizing light. Pair of panels  220 P may be arranged in a V-shaped configuration where the apex of the V-shape is facing the inlet  212 . Divider  220  may include a frustoconical cone with its tip facing the inlet  212 . 
       FIG. 3A  and  FIG. 3B  show schematic diagrams of an exemplary embodiment of the sanitizing apparatus  300 . Sanitizing apparatus  300  has similar features as the sanitizing apparatus  100  in  FIG. 1 . The same features have the same last two digits and letter (if any) in their reference numbers. Divider  320  may be adapted to retain the fluid from the inlet  312  in the upstream portion  310 U to be sanitized as shown in  FIG. 3A  and release the fluid into the downstream portion  310 D to be discharged from the chamber  310  via the outlet  314  as shown in  FIG. 3B . Referring to  FIG. 3A , the divider  320  may include at least one opening  320 E adapted to toggle between a closed configuration (as shown in  FIG. 3A ) to prevent the fluid from passing through and an opened configuration (as shown in  FIG. 3B ) to allow the fluid to pass therethrough. Divider  320  may include a biasing cap  320 C adapted to cover the opening  320 E. Biasing cap  320 C may be biased against the opening  320 E such that the opening  320 E is covered and sealed by the biasing cap  320 C to prevent fluid through the opening  320 E, i.e. closed configuration. Biasing cap  320 C may be biased by a biasing member  320 B, e.g. a spring, against the opening  320 E. As the fluid is being compacted in the upstream portion  310 U of the chamber  310 , the fluid may be sanitized by the sanitizing light. Referring to  FIG. 3B , as the fluid may exert a pressure onto the divider  320 , when the pressure is sufficient to overcome the biasing force exerted by the biasing member  320 B, the biasing cap  320 C may uncover the opening  320 E, i.e. opened configuration, and release the fluid through the opening  320 E from the upstream portion  310 U to the downstream portion  310 D of the chamber  310 . When the pressure is reduced after the fluid is released and is less than the biasing force, the biasing cap  320 C may be pushed back to the closed configuration by the biasing member  320 B to close the opening  320 E. 
       FIG. 4A - FIG. 4D  show schematic diagrams of different stages of an exemplary embodiment of the sanitizing apparatus  400 . Sanitizing apparatus  400  has similar features as the sanitizing apparatus  100  in  FIG. 1 . The same features have the same last two digits and letter (if any) in their reference numbers. Referring to  FIG. 4A , the divider  420  may include at least one opening  420 E and is flexible, such that the divider  420  may be adapted to flex between an original position (as shown in  FIG. 4A  and a flexed position (as shown in  FIG. 4B ), such that in the original position, the at least one opening  420 E is closed to prevent the fluid therethrough and in the flexed position, the at least one opening  420 E is opened to allow the fluid therethrough. As shown in  FIG. 4A , the divider  420  may include a plurality of openings  420 E. Referring to  FIG. 4A , the divider  420  may be adapted to obstruct the flow of the fluid in the upstream portion  410 U of the chamber  410 . As the fluid is being pumped into the upstream portion  410 U of the chamber  410 , it is retained and agglomerated therein. Gradually, the fluid density and fluid pressure in the upstream portion  410 U increases. At the same time, the fluid in the upstream portion  410 U is being sanitized by the sanitizing light emitted from the sanitizing light source  430 . Divider  420  may be flexed by the fluid in the upstream chamber  410  from the original position towards the flexed position as shown in  FIG. 4B , such that in the flexed position, the plurality of openings  420 E are opened sufficiently for the fluid to pass through. Hence, the fluid may be released from the upstream portion  410 U of chamber  410 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4C , the pressure will continue to increase until the divider  420  is in the flexed position where the plurality of openings  420 E are opened to allow the fluid to escape therethrough into the downstream portion  410 D of the chamber  410 . Divider  420  may be elastic such that when the fluid pressure in the upstream portion  410 U of the chamber  410  decreases, the divider  420  may retract from the flexed position as shown in  FIG. 4C  to the original position as shown in  FIG. 4D . In the original position, the plurality of openings  420 E may be closed, and the fluid is trapped and obstructed in the upstream portion  410 U of the chamber  410 . As shown in  FIG. 4D , the fluid may continue to be directed into the chamber  410  and be accumulated until the fluid pressure within the upstream portion  410 U reaches a level where the divider  420  is being pushed to the flexed position where the fluid escapes again. Divider  420  may continue to flex from the original position to the flexed position and back as the fluid is being directed into the chamber  410 . In this way, it is possible to retain the fluid in the upstream portion  410 U of the chamber  410  sufficiently long enough for the fluid to be completely sanitized. The flexibility and/or elasticity of the divider  420  may be chosen based on the fluid pressure required and/or the time required for the sanitization. Divider  420  may include a diaphragm, e.g. an elastic diaphragm, a permeable/semi-permeable membrane. 
       FIG. 5  shows a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of the sanitizing apparatus  500 . Sanitizing apparatus  500  has similar features as the sanitizing apparatus  100  in  FIG. 1 . The same features have the same last two digits and letter (if any) in their reference numbers. Sanitizing apparatus  500  may include an inlet pump  540 A adapted to pump fluid into the chamber  510  via the inlet  512 . While it is possible to connect the sanitizing apparatus  500  to a pressurized fluid source, the sanitizing apparatus  500  having the inlet pump  540 A may allow it to be portable. Sanitizing apparatus  500  may include an outlet pump  540 B adapted to draw fluid out of the chamber  510  via the outlet  514 . Instead of increasing the fluid pressure in the upstream portion  510 U of the chamber  510  via the inlet  512 , it is possible to draw the fluid out from the downstream portion  510 D of the chamber  510  to create a vacuum so that the divider  520  may be flexed from the original position to the flexed position as shown in  FIG. 4 . Sanitizing apparatus  500  may include an inlet valve (not shown in  FIG. 5 ) to control the fluid flow into the chamber  510  and/or an outlet valve (not shown in  FIG. 5 ) to control the fluid flow out of the chamber  510 . Inlet valve and outlet valve may be check valves. Both inlet valve and outlet valve may be controlled to control the pressure within the upstream portion  510 U and downstream portion  510 D of the chamber  510  respectively. 
       FIG. 6A - FIG. 6C  show schematic diagrams of different stages of an exemplary embodiment of the sanitizing apparatus  600 . Sanitizing apparatus  600  has similar features as the sanitizing apparatus  100  in  FIG. 1 . The same features have the same last two digits and letter (if any) in their reference numbers. As shown in  FIG. 6A , the sanitizing apparatus  600  may include an actuator  650  adapted to actuate the divider  620  between the original position (as shown in  FIG. 6B ) and the flexed position (as shown in  FIG. 6C ), such that in the flexed position, the at least one opening  620 E is opened for the fluid to flow therethrough and be released from the upstream portion  610 U to the downstream portion  610 D of the chamber  610 . Actuator  650  may be attached to the divider  620  at its centre such that the divider  620  may be actuated from its centre. Actuator  650  may be attached to the divider  620  at the side facing the downstream portion  610 D of the chamber  610 . Referring to  FIG. 6A , the sanitizing apparatus  600  may include a controller  652  configured to control the actuator  650 . Divider  620  may have a plurality of openings  620 E. Actuator  650  may include a piezoelectric actuator, a motorised actuator, a pneumatic actuator, etc. Actuator  650  may be connected to the chamber wall and retracted to flex the divider  620 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 6B , as the fluid is directed into the upstream portion  610 U of the chamber  610  via the inlet  612 , the fluid is being accumulated and compressed therein. Actuator  650  may be actuated to flex the divider  620  from the original position to the flexed position as shown in  FIG. 6C . In the original position, the plurality of openings  620 E may be closed, and the divider  620  may retain the compressed fluid in the upstream portion  610 U of the chamber  610 . When the fluid is in the upstream portion  610 U, the fluid may be sanitized by the sanitizing light from the sanitizing light source  630 . When in the flexed position, the plurality of openings  620 E may be opened, and the fluid may pass therethrough. Hence, the fluid may be released from the upstream portion  610 U to the downstream portion  610 D of the chamber  610 . Once the fluid is released from the upstream portion  610 U, the actuator  650  may be actuated to return the divider  620  from the flexed position to the original position such that the plurality of openings  620 E in the divider  620  may be closed. When the fluid is released from the upstream portion  610 U, the fluid pressure in the upstream portion  610 U may be reduced. Divider  620  may be elastic such that, when the fluid pressure is reduced, the divider  620  may retract from the flexed position to the original position without being actuated by the actuator  650 . Divider  620  may continue to be flexed from the original position to the flexed position and back during the sanitization of the fluid through the chamber  610 . 
       FIG. 7  shows a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of the sanitizing apparatus  700 . Sanitizing apparatus  700  has similar features as the sanitizing apparatus  100  in  FIG. 1 . The same features have the same last two digits and letter (if any) in their reference numbers. As shown in  FIG. 7 , the divider  720  may include a plurality of micropores adapted to allow the fluid therethrough. Plurality of micropores are adapted to restrict the fluid flow therethrough. As the fluid is being directed into the upstream portion  710 U of the chamber  710 , the fluid may be obstructed or restricted by the divider  720 . Due to the micropores, the flowrate of the fluid across the divider  720  from the upstream portion  710 U to the downstream portion  710 D of the chamber  710  may be substantially reduced. As the fluid is being restricted by the divider  720 , the fluid may be compressed in the upstream portion  710 U and density of the fluid is increased. Fluid may then be sanitized by the sanitizing light from the sanitizing light source  730 . In this way, the duration of exposure by the sanitizing light and the amount of fluid being sanitized are increased. Divider  720  may include a fibre optic mesh having the plurality of micropores and adapted to transmit and emit the sanitizing light onto the fluid therethrough. As the fluid is being obstructed by the divider  720 , besides the sanitizing light from the sanitizing light source  730 , the fluid may be sanitized by the sanitizing light from the divider  720 . Further, as the fluid flows through the divider  720  from the upstream portion  710 U to the downstream portion  710 D, the fluid may be sanitized by the sanitizing light from the divider  720 . In this way, the duration of exposure of the fluid by the sanitizing light is increased substantially compared to conventional fluid sanitizer. 
       FIG. 8  shows a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of the sanitizing apparatus  800 . Sanitizing apparatus  800  has similar features as the sanitizing apparatus  100  in  FIG. 1 . The same features have the same last two digits and letter (if any) in their reference numbers. In addition to the divider  820 , the sanitizing apparatus  800  may include a restrictor  860  adapted to restrict the fluid flow from the inlet  812  therethrough. Restrictor  860  may extend across the chamber  810  to divide the upstream portion  810 U of the chamber  810  into two sections. Restrictor  860  may be disposed between the divider  820  and the inlet  812 , i.e. upstream of the divider  820 , and adapted to reduce the flowrate of the fluid therethrough. In this way, the density of the fluid before the restrictor  860  may be increased. As shown in  FIG. 8 , the restrictor  860  may be disposed downstream of the sanitizing light source  830  so that the fluid restricted by the restrictor  860  may be sanitized by the sanitizing light. After the fluid flows through the restrictor  860 , the fluid may be obstructed by the divider  820  as mentioned in any one of the above embodiments. Sanitizing apparatus  800  may include sanitizing light source  830  (not shown in  FIG. 8 ) between the restrictor  860  and the divider  820  to increase the exposure duration of the fluid to the sanitizing light. Restrictor  860  may include a fibre optic mesh having a plurality of micropores and adapted to transmit and emit the sanitizing light onto the fluid therethrough. As the fluid is being restricted by the restrictor  860 , besides the sanitizing light from the sanitizing light source  830 , the fluid may be sanitized by the sanitizing light from the restrictor  860 . Further, as the fluid flows through the restrictor  860 , the fluid may be sanitized by the sanitizing light from the restrictor  860 . 
       FIG. 9A  and  FIG. 9B  show top and elevation views of an exemplary embodiment of the divider  420  as shown in one of the embodiments in  FIG. 4 - FIG. 6 . As shown in  FIG. 9A , the divider  420  may include a plurality of openings  420 E. Plurality of openings  420 E may be arranged in a concentric arrangement. In  FIG. 9A , the divider  420  may be in the original position where the plurality of openings  420 E are in the closed position. In  FIG. 9B , the divider  420  may be in the flexed position where the plurality of openings  420 E are in the opened position. Plurality of openings  420 E may be formed by cutting a plurality of slits in the divider  420 . In the closed position, the slits may be closed or narrow enough to prevent fluid from going therethrough. As the divider  420  may be elastic, the slits are expanded into gaps when the divider  420  is stretched or flexed outwardly. When expanded sufficiently, the fluid may be able to flow through the gaps. When the divider  420  is retracted, the gaps may contract back to slits hence preventing the fluid from flowing therethrough. Actuator  650  (not shown in  FIG. 9 ) may be connected to the divider  420  at its centre portion so that the divider  420  may be actuated from its centre to allow the plurality of openings  420 E to open evenly throughout the divider  420  when it is flexed or expanded. While it is shown that the divider  420  may be circular, the divider  420  may be in other shapes, e.g. square, hexagonal, etc. Consequently, the arrangement of the plurality of openings  420 E may be arranged according to the shape of the divider  420 . Divider  420  may be made from a material with micro or nano-sized pores that actively restricts fluid flow, thus allowing a pressure build up and fluid compression before the fluid have enough energy to penetrate the material. Divider  420  may include permeable, semi-permeable, or porous membrane. Divider  420  may be rigid or flexible. 
       FIG. 10  shows a schematic diagram of a plurality of deflectors  170  adapted to be used in the sanitizing apparatus  100  or any one of the above embodiments of the sanitizing apparatus. Sanitizing apparatus  100  may include a plurality of deflectors  170  adapted to deflect the fluid flow direction in the chamber  110 . A plurality of deflectors  170  may be transparent to allow sanitizing light to pass through to increase the exposure of the fluid to the sanitizing light. Plurality of deflectors  170  may be reflective to reflect the sanitizing light from the sanitizing light source  130  to the fluid. As shown in  FIG. 10 , the plurality of deflectors  170  may be adapted to channel the fluid to flow in a longer flow path to increase the duration of exposure of the fluid to the sanitizing light. Deflector may be adapted to create turbulence flow in the chamber  110  so as to increase the exposure of the fluid to the sanitizing light. Plurality of deflectors  170  may have a rough surface to increase adhesion of the fluid to the surface to reduce the flow rate of the fluid along them. The rough surface may create a multilayer local compaction of air. When sanitizing air, the air pressure and obstruction in the chamber  110  may cause air molecule adsorption on the surface of the deflector to create multilayer local compaction of the air on the surface. 
     Sanitizing light source  130  may include UV LED adapted to emit UV light. UV LED light source may include UVC light source for emitting UVC light. Sanitizing light source  130  may include a UV LED having a power of more than 20 mW at a wavelength range of 265 nm to 300 nm. 
       FIG. 11  shows an exemplary sanitizing method  1100  for sanitizing a fluid. Method  1100  includes receiving the fluid into an upstream portion  110 U of a divider  120  of a chamber  110  via an inlet  112  in step  1110 , obstructing the fluid flow from the inlet  112  by the divider  120  to increase the density of the fluid in the upstream portion  110 U in step  1120 , and sanitizing the fluid in the upstream portion  110 U before discharging the fluid from the chamber  110  via the outlet  114  in step  1130 . 
     A skilled person would appreciate that the features described in one example may not be restricted to that example and may be combined with any one of the other examples. 
     The present invention relates to a sanitizing apparatus for sanitizing a fluid and a sanitizing method thereof generally as herein described, with reference to and/or illustrated in the accompanying drawings.