LED Fluid Purification System and Method

• US 20120138545A1
• Filed: 12/07/2010
• Published: 06/07/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/07/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Healthe, Inc.
• Original Assignee: BioLogical Illumination, LLC
• Inventors: Soler, Robert R., Maxik, Fredric S., Bartine, David E., Bastien, Valerie Ann, Schellack, James Lynn, Grove, Eliza Katar
• Granted Patent: US 8,420,022 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 210/748.16
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/30 by irradiation
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/325 Irradiation devices or lamp constructions
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/725 by catalytic oxidation
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/009 Apparatus with independent power supply, e.g. solar cells, windpower, fuel cells for electrolysis apparatus C02F2201/46165
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/3222 Units using UV-light emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/3228 Units having reflectors, e.g. coatings, baffles, plates, mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/326 Lamp control systems
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/328 Having flow diverters (baffles)
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/40 Liquid flow rate
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2301/024 Turbulent
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2305/10 Photocatalysts
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2307/06 Mounted on or being part of a faucet, shower handle or showerhead
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/0404 Constructional or functional features of the spout
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/046 Adding soap, disinfectant, or the like in the supply line or at the water outletpreventing contamination of drinking-water pipes E03C1/10
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/10 Devices for preventing contamination of drinking-water pipes, e.g. means for aerating self-closing flushing valves vacuum-breakers in general F16K, F16L
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 2201/40 Arrangement of water treatment devices in domestic plumbing installations
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 20/212 Solar-powered wastewater sewage treatment, e.g. spray evaporation

Abstract

Provided herein are systems and methods for the treatment and purification of fluids (e.g., water) using a light-emitting diode (LED) light source. In one embodiment, for example, there is provided a fluid flow conduit having an LED light source and a photo-catalytic material disposed therein. The LED light source emits ultraviolet light with a peak wavelength between about 265 nm and about 400 nm. In operation, the photo-catalytic material absorbs the ultraviolet light from the LED light source, and releases free radicals into the fluid. The free radicals then degrade organic substances (e.g., bacteria) in the fluid.

Claims

1. A fluid purification system, comprising:

a fluid flow conduit;

an LED light source emitting ultraviolet light within the fluid flow conduit, wherein the ultraviolet light has a peak wavelength between about 265 nm and about 400 nm;

a photo-catalytic material disposed within the fluid flow conduit, wherein the photo-catalytic material is positioned within an illumination area provided by the LED light source; and

a light reflector disposed within the fluid flow conduit and positioned within the illumination area provided by the LED light source to reflect the light emitted by the LED light source, wherein the light reflector is shaped and positioned to cause turbulent flow of fluid through the fluid flow conduit.

2. The fluid purification system of claim 1, wherein the photo-catalytic material is TiO₂ Anatase.

3. The fluid purification system of claim 1, wherein the photo-catalytic material is selected from the group consisting of:

GaP, ZrO₂, Si, CdS, TiO₂ Rutile, ZnO, Fe₂O₃, WO₃, and SnO₂.

4. The fluid purification system of claim 1, wherein the ultraviolet light has a peak wavelength between about 320 nm and about 395 nm.

5. The fluid purification system of claim 1, wherein the ultraviolet light has a peak wavelength of about 365 nm.

6. The fluid purification system of claim 1, wherein the light reflector is coated with the photo-catalytic material.

7. The fluid purification system of claim 1, further comprising:

a power source coupled to the LED light source.

8. The fluid purification system of claim 7, wherein the power source is a hydro-electric generator driven by fluid directed through the fluid flow conduit.

9. The fluid purification system of claim 1, further comprising:

a flow-disturbing element shaped and positioned within the fluid flow conduit to cause turbulent flow of fluid through the fluid flow conduit.

10. The fluid purification system of claim 1, wherein the LED light source is positioned within the flow of fluid through the fluid flow conduit.

11. The fluid purification system of claim 1, further comprising:

a contaminant sensor in the fluid flow conduit.

12. A fluid purification system, comprising:

a fluid flow conduit;

a photo-catalytic material disposed on an interior surface of the fluid flow conduit;

a power source;

lighting means for providing ultraviolet light, with a peak wavelength between about 265 nm and about 400 nm, to the photo-catalytic material, wherein the lighting means is disposed within the fluid flow conduit and is coupled to the power source; and

fluid input means for directing a flow of fluid into the fluid flow conduit.

13. The fluid purification system of claim 12, further comprising means for generating turbulent fluid flow.

14. A fluid purification system, comprising:

a fluid flow conduit;

an LED light source emitting ultraviolet light within the fluid flow conduit, wherein the ultraviolet light has a peak wavelength between about 265 nm and about 400 nm; and

a photo-catalytic material disposed within the fluid flow conduit, wherein the photo-catalytic material is positioned within an illumination area provided by the LED light source.

15. A method of treating water through a fluid flow conduit, comprising:

providing a photo-catalytic material within the fluid flow conduit;

providing an LED light source emitting ultraviolet light onto the photo-catalytic material within the fluid flow conduit, wherein the ultraviolet light has a peak wavelength between about 265 nm and about 400 nm; and

flowing water through the fluid flow conduit.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the photo-catalytic material is TiO₂ Anatase.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the photo-catalytic material is selected from the group consisting of:

GaP, ZrO₂, Si, CdS, TiO₂ Rutile, ZnO, Fe₂O₃, WO₃, and SnO₂.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the ultraviolet light has a peak wavelength between about 320 nm and about 395 nm.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the ultraviolet light has a peak wavelength of about 365 nm.

20. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

providing within the fluid flow conduit a light reflector to reflect the light emitted by the LED light source, wherein the light reflector is coated with the photo-catalytic material, and wherein the light reflector is shaped and positioned to cause turbulent flow of fluid through the fluid flow conduit.