Patent ID: 8296071

Claim:
A method for reducing pathogens in a fluid, said method comprising the steps of: providing the fluid held in an at least partially transparent container, wherein the fluid comprises particles; determining the volume of the fluid; mixing the fluid held in the at least partially transparent container; calculating a net radiant energy for reducing said pathogens in the fluid using the volume determined for the fluid and the mixing rate of the fluid wherein the net radiant energy is substantially linearly related to the volume and substantially inversely linearly related to said mixing rate; and providing electromagnetic radiation having said net radiant energy to the fluid, thereby generating a photoreactive layer positioned adjacent to an illuminated surface of the fluid wherein said electromagnetic radiation interacts with said particles and wherein said electromagnetic radiation has an intensity sufficient to initiate chemical or physical changes in the fluid; and wherein mixing the fluid in said container transports the particles through the photoreactive layer, thereby reducing pathogens in the fluid.