In-line Fluid Treatment by UV Radiation

• US 20100314551A1
• Filed: 06/10/2010
• Published: 12/16/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Crystal IS, Inc. (Asahi Kasei Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Crystal IS, Inc. (Asahi Kasei Corporation)
• Inventors: Schujman, Sandra B., Berger, Steven, Schowalter, Leo J., Bettles, Timothy J.
• Application Number:
  US12/813,293
• Publication Number:
  US 20100314551A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 250/432R
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/32 with ultraviolet light
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/3222 Units using UV-light emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/326 Lamp control systems
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/005 Processes using a programmable logic controller [PLC]
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2303/04 Disinfection

Abstract

A UV source is regulated according to one or more purification parameters to produce a desired germicidal effect in a liquid while minimizing wasted power.

Claims

1. A method of germicidally treating a flowing fluid, the method comprising the steps of:

obtaining at least one purification parameter associated with flow of the fluid; and

based on the at least one obtained parameter, exposing the flowing fluid to UV radiation at a target fluence sufficient to achieve a desired germicidal effect in the fluid.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the exposing step comprises:

determining, based on the at least one obtained parameter, an intensity of UV radiation sufficient to achieve the target fluence; and

regulating a UV radiation source in response to the determined intensity.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the target fluence is minimally sufficient to achieve the desired germicidal effect.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the exposing step is accomplished using at least one LED radiating into the flowing fluid.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the exposing step comprises adjusting a power level of the at least one LED.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the exposing step (i) is accomplished using a plurality of LEDs radiating into the flowing fluid, and (ii) comprises activating a sufficient number of the LEDs.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one parameter is selected from the group consisting of a fluid flow rate, the target fluence, an exposure time, and at least one dimension of a chamber through which the fluid flows.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the obtaining step comprises receiving the at least one parameter via a user interface.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the obtaining step comprises sensing a fluid flow rate by a sensor.

10. A system for germicidally treating a flowing fluid, the system comprising:

a source of UV radiation directed into the flow;

a computation unit for determining, based on at least one flow parameter, a configuration of the UV source to achieve a desired germicidal effect in the fluid; and

a mechanism for controlling the UV source in response to the determined configuration.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein determining a configuration of the UV source comprises computing a UV intensity sufficient to achieve a desired germicidal effect in the fluid.

12. The system of claim 10, further comprising a mechanism for obtaining the at least one flow parameter.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the mechanism for obtaining the at least one parameter is a user interface.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the user interface is a touch pad.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein (i) the at least one parameter comprises a flow rate, and (ii) the mechanism for obtaining the flow rate comprises a flow sensor.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the flow sensor is a time-of-flight sensor.

17. The system of claim 15, the flow sensor comprises a pressure sensor.

18. The system of claim 10, wherein the UV source comprises at least one UV LED oriented to radiate into the flowing fluid.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the controlling mechanism adjusts a power level of the at least one UV LED.

20. The system of claim 18, wherein the at least one UV LED is positioned on an interior wall of a chamber through which the fluid flows.

21. The system of claim 18, wherein the at least one UV LED is positioned within flow path of the fluid.

22. The system of claim 18, wherein the at least one UV LED is sealed by a UV-transparent material.

23. The system of claim 10, wherein (i) the source of UV radiation comprises a plurality of LEDs, (ii) the configuration comprises a group of LEDs to be activated, and (iii) the controlling mechanism activates the LEDs in the group.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein (i) the configuration further comprises a power level of each LED in the group, and (ii) the controlling mechanism adjusts power supplied to each LED in the group.

25. The system of claim 10 further comprising:

a sensor for sensing flow of a fluid; and

a switching mechanism, responsive to the sensor, for activating the UV source only when fluid flow is sensed.