Decontamination of water by photolytic oxidation/reduction utilizing near blackbody radiation

• US 20020033369A1
• Filed: 03/12/2001
• Published: 03/21/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/16/1999
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: New Star Lasers Incorporated
• Original Assignee: New Star Lasers Incorporated
• Inventors: Bender, Jim
• Application Number:
  US09/805,568
• Publication Number:
  US 20020033369A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 210/748
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/30 by irradiation
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/32 with ultraviolet light
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/722 Oxidation by peroxides
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/78 with ozone C02F1/4672 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2101/34 containing oxygen
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2103/06 Contaminated groundwater or leachate
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/631 using photolysis and investigating photolysed fragments

Abstract

A reactor system for decontamination of water by photolytic oxidation utilizing near blackbody radiation, the system comprising (1) a reaction chamber defining an internal space with an inlet and an outlet; and (2) a plurality of broadband radiators for generating radiant energy with wavelengths between about 150 nm and about 3 μm, the broadband radiators disposed within the reaction chamber such that a sufficient dosage of broadband radiation deeply penetrates the water matrix and irradiates the contaminants and/or the oxidant within the internal space of the reaction chamber thereby causing photolytic oxidation of the contaminants. In a preferred embodiment, residual hydroxyl radicals in the form of hydrogen peroxide or similar oxidants are formed in the contaminated water, thereby decreasing the need for use of adjunct chemical or other oxidants. In a preferred embodiment, the plurality of flashlamps have a minimum spacing between about 12 inches and about 24 inches. A preferred embodiment of the invention delivers ultraviolet radiation having a continuum of wavelengths between about 260 nm and about 265 nm to the water, the radiation having a depth of penetration into the water matrix greater than between about 40 times, and about 50 times that of a mercury vapor lamp which exhibits atomic line or other non-continuum radiation at primarily 254 nm.

Claims

1. A system for photolytic decontamination of water utilizing near blackbody radiation comprising:

a reaction chamber defining an internal space with an inlet and an outlet; and

a broadband radiator which generates radiant energy, at least a portion of which is delivered in a pulsed mode, over a continuum of wavelengths between about 150 nm and about 3 μ

m, the broadband radiator disposed within the reaction chamber such that a sufficient dosage of broadband radiation penetrates a sufficient distance into the contaminated water within the internal space.

2. The system of claim 1 in which hydroxyl radicals in the form of hydrogen peroxide or similar oxidants are formed in the contaminated water, thereby decreasing the need for use of adjunct chemical or other oxidants.

3. The system of claim 1 in which the near blackbody radiation comprises ultraviolet radiation over a continuum of wavelengths between about 260 nm and about 265 nm.

4. The system of claim 1 adapted for use in conditions under which flow rates through the system vary significantly.

5. A system for photolytic decontamination of water utilizing near blackbody radiation, the system comprising:

a reaction chamber adapted for decontamination of water under varying flow conditions; and

a broadband radiator which generates radiant energy, at least a portion of which is delivered in a pulsed mode, over a continuum of wavelengths between about 150 nm and about 3 μ

m, the broadband radiator disposed within the reaction chamber such that a sufficient dosage of broadband radiation penetrates a sufficient distance into the contaminated water within the reaction chamber.

6. A reactor for photolytic decontamination of groundwater utilizing near blackbody radiation, the reactor comprising:

a reaction chamber defining an internal space with an inlet and an outlet; and

a plurality of flashlamp type broadband radiators which generate pulsed radiant energy at a rate of between about 1 and about 500 pulses per second with wavelengths between about 150 nm and about 3 μ

m at between about 1 KW and about 15 MW peak power which provides a dosage rate of broadband radiation between about 1 joule/cm² and about 5000 joules/cm², the broadband radiator disposed within the reaction chamber to penetrate irradiate the contaminated water within the internal space of the reaction chamber, the plurality of flashlamps having a minimum spacing between about 12 inches and about 24 inches.

7. A method for photolytic decontamination of water utilizing near blackbody radiation, the method utilizing a reactor comprising a reaction chamber with an internal space, an inlet and an outlet and at least one flashlamp type broadband radiator which generates pulsed radiant energy at a rate of between about 1 and about 500 pulses per second with wavelengths between about 150 nm and about 3 μ

m at between about 1 KW and about 15 MW peak power, the method comprising the following steps;

oxidizing components within the contaminated water by providing a sufficient dosage of broadband radiation between about 1 joule/cm² and about 5000 joules/cm²; and

forming hydroxyl radials in the form of hydrogen peroxide or other similar oxidants in the contaminated water.

8. A method for sterilization of water utilizing near blackbody radiation, the method comprising the steps of pulsing at least one flashlamp type broadband radiator at a rate of between about 1 and about 500 pulses per second at between about 1 KW and about 15 MW peak power, and delivering ultraviolet radiation having a continuum of wavelengths between about 260 nm and about 265 nm to the water.

9. A system for sterilization of water utilizing near blackbody radiation, the system comprising at least one flashlamp type broadband radiator pulsed at a rate of between about 1 and about 500 pulses per second at between about 1 KW and about 15 MW peak power to deliver ultraviolet radiation having a continuum of wavelengths between about 260 nm and about 265 nm to the water and a penetration depth of between about 40 times and about 50 times greater than that of a mercury vapor lamp.