Patent ID: 12239154

For greater clarity, identical or similar elements are identified with identical reference signs across all the figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT

With reference toFIGS.1and2, there follows a description of a device for decontaminating a turbid liquid1according to the invention.

The device for decontaminating a turbid liquid1according to the invention comprises a casing10of generally cylindrical elongate shape having an axis, a longitudinal axis X. The casing10surrounds a sheath5, as well as a source of ultraviolet rays6extending longitudinally along the longitudinal axis X and coaxially with both the casing10and the sheath5. The casing10comprises, at each of its ends, means of access and connection61,62to the source of ultraviolet rays6. For example, the source of ultraviolet rays6is a mercury lamp known per se, or else light-emitting diodes. Of course, other systems emitting ultraviolet rays can be used in the device for decontaminating a turbid liquid1according to the invention.

The sheath5has a generally cylindrical shape having a longitudinal axis X, in particular the general shape of a cylinder of revolution. It comprises an external wall2and an internal wall3extending opposite and at a distance from each other and coaxial with one another. The two external2and internal3walls delimit, between them, a circulation space4of annular shape in which the liquid that is to be decontaminated is intended to circulate. On the other hand, the internal wall3delimits a central space7, which is radially internal and in which the source of ultraviolet rays6is positioned. Thus, the central space7is coaxial with and surrounded by the annular circulation space4for the liquid that is to be decontaminated.

At each of the ends along the longitudinal axis X of the sheath5, the annular circulation space4for the liquid that is to be decontaminated is fluidically connected respectively to an inlet41for the liquid that is to be decontaminated and to an outlet42for the liquid that is at that point decontaminated. Here, the inlet41and outlet42are oriented radially and centrifugally.

The internal wall3is made of a material that allows the ultraviolet rays emitted by the source of ultraviolet rays6to pass through, so that said ultraviolet rays can diffuse into the annular circulation space4during operation of the device for decontaminating a turbid liquid1according to the invention. For example, the material used is quartz.

With reference toFIG.3, there follows a more detailed description of a first embodiment of the external wall2for a device for decontaminating a turbid liquid1according to the invention. The external wall2is made of an inoxidizable material for example, such as 316L food-grade stainless steel. The external wall2comprises a cylindrical surface27which extends opposite the annular circulation space4of the liquid that is to be decontaminated, on one hand, and, on the other hand, opposite and at a distance from the internal wall3. The cylindrical surface27has a bumpy profile along a generatrix of said cylindrical surface27. The profile along a generatrix of the cylindrical surface27comprises an alternating succession of concave shapes21and convex shapes22. It should be noted that the concavity and convexity of the shapes is established in relation to the annular circulation space4. Illustrated inFIG.2, the profile along a generatrix of the cylindrical surface27comprises concave shapes21which are circular arcs and convex shapes22which are points protruding into the annular circulation space4, each one of the projecting points being obtained by the junction of two circular arcs forming the adjacent concave shapes21. Thus, the cylindrical surface27has a hooped shape. In a variant embodiment, the circular arcs are replaced by elliptical arcs.

In a second embodiment of the external wall200of the device for decontaminating a turbid liquid1according to the invention, illustrated inFIGS.4to6, the external wall200comprises, as previously, a cylindrical surface270which extends facing the annular circulation space4for the liquid that is to be decontaminated, on one hand, and, on the other hand, opposite and at a distance from the internal wall3. Here too, the cylindrical surface270has a bumpy profile along a generatrix of said cylindrical surface270. Once again, the profile along a generatrix of the cylindrical surface270comprises an alternating succession of concave shapes221and convex shapes222. Illustrated inFIGS.4and5, the profile along a generatrix of the cylindrical surface270comprises a succession of waves comprising troughs forming the concave shapes221and peaks forming the convex shapes222. Alternatively along the profile, a trough221and a peak222are connected by a long slope223and a short slope224. As a variant embodiment, the succession of waves forms a sinusoid along the profile along a generatrix of the cylindrical surface270.

In a further embodiment, the profile along a generatrix of the cylindrical surface27,270comprises a succession of alternately concave21and convex circular arcs.

The shape of the profile along a generatrix of the cylindrical surface27,270is chosen depending on the turbid liquid which will be decontaminated by the device for decontaminating a turbid liquid1according to the invention. The turbidity and viscosity parameters of the liquid that is to be decontaminated allow a person skilled in the art to choose the shape of the suitable profile so as to optimize the decontamination of the turbid liquid without requiring high displacement speeds to obtain the necessary turbulent flow in the annular space4of the device for decontaminating a turbid liquid1according to the invention.

Of course, it is possible to make numerous modifications to the invention without departing from the scope thereof.