Method, System and Apparatus for Treatment of Fluids

• US 20170217791A1
• Filed: 03/04/2015
• Published: 08/03/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Typhon Treatment Systems Limited
• Original Assignee: Typhon Treatment Systems Limited
• Inventors: McNulty, Peter D.
• Granted Patent: US 10,604,423 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/325 Irradiation devices or lamp constructions
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/722 Oxidation by peroxides
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/76 with halogens or compounds of halogens C02F1/4674 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/78 with ozone C02F1/4672 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/003 Coaxial constructions, e.g. a cartridge located coaxially within another
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/3222 Units using UV-light emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/3227 Units with two or more lamps
• 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 2209/02 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/11 Turbidity
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2301/024 Turbulent
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2301/026 Spiral, helicoidal, radial
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2303/04 Disinfection

Abstract

This invention is directed to a method, system and apparatus for the treatment fluids. An apparatus for the treatment of a fluid comprises a fluid chamber and at least one ultraviolet light unit arranged at a periphery of the fluid chamber. The at least one ultraviolet light unit comprises at least one ultraviolet light emitting diode and an ultraviolet light directing element. The ultraviolet light directing element is configured to collimate at least a portion of the light emitted from the at least one ultraviolet light emitting diode in use such that the ultraviolet light rays emitted from each ultraviolet light unit are parallel in a first plane. Also described is a method for the cooling a light emitting diode in a fluid treatment system.

Claims

1. As apparatus for the treatment of a fluid comprising;

a fluid chamber comprising a central axis; and

at least one ultraviolet, light unit;

wherein the at least one ultraviolet light trail comprises at least one ultraviolet light emitting diode and at least one ultraviolet light directing element;

wherein the at least one ultraviolet light directing element is configured to collimate at least a portion of the light rays emitted from the at least one ultraviolet light emitting diode in use such that the collimated light rays are parallel in a first plans coincident with or parallel to the central axis.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the at least one ultraviolet light directing element is configured to converge or scatter at least a portion of the light rays emitted from the at least one ultraviolet light unit in use such that the scattered or converged light rays are not parallel in a second plane perpendicular to the first plane.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the at least one ultraviolet light directing element is configured to converge the light rays in die second plane.

4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein the at least one ultraviolet light directing element is configured to converge the light rays to focus at or near the central axis.

5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the at least one ultraviolet light directing element is configured to scatter the light rays in the second plane.

12. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the fluid chamber is transparent.

13. An apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein the at least one ultraviolet light unit is arranged on or outside of the exterior of the fluid chamber.

14. An apparatus as claimed m claim 13 further comprising a cover arranged on the exterior of the fluid chamber, wherein fee at least one ultraviolet tight unit is supported by the cover.

15. An apparatus as claimed in claim 14 wherein the cover is formed from a material which blocks ultraviolet light and comprises at least one aperture arranged to allow ultraviolet light emitted by the ultraviolet light unit into the fluid chamber in use.

16. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the light directing element is a reflector.

17. An apparatus as claimed is claim 16 wherein each of the at least one light emitting diodes is located at a focal point of the reflector.

18. An apparatus as claimed is claim 16 wherein the central axis of the fluid chamber is located at or near a focal point of the reflector.

19. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the central axis comprises a longitudinal axis of the fluid chamber.

20. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the central axis of the fluid chamber is offset from a longitudinal axis of the fluid chamber by an angle of up to 45 degrees.

21. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fluid chamber is a pipe.

23. An apparatus as claimed in claim 20 further comprising at least one element for inducing in use rotational or vortical motion to the fluid to be treated.

24. An apparatus as claimed in claim 20 further comprising a cooling apparatus for controlling the temperature of the at least one ultraviolet light emitting diode.

25. An apparatus as claimed in claim 24 wherein the cooling apparatus is configured to controllably transfer in use beat from the at least one ultraviolet light emitting diode to the fluid being treated.

26. An apparatus as claimed is claim 24 wherein die cooling apparatus comprises a coolant circuit containing a coolant and wherein:

a first part of the coolant circuit is arranged in contact with the at least one ultraviolet light emitting diode for transfer of heat between the ultraviolet light emitting diode and the coolant in use; and

a second part of the coolant circuit comprises a heat exchanger for transfer of heat between the coolant and the laid being treated in use.

27. An apparatus as claimed in claim 26 further comprising a control element configured to change a light output of the apparatus in response to a change in the temperature of the coolant in use.

28. An apparatus as claimed in claim 26 further comprising a control element configured to change a light output of the apparatus in response to a change in the transmissivity of the fluid to be treated in use.

29. An apparatus as claimed in claim 26 comprising at least two ultraviolet light units, wherein the control element is configured to increase and/or decrease the number of ultraviolet light units emitting light in response to m increase and/or decrease k the temperature of the coolant.

48. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further including means for cooling the at least one light emitting diode said means being configured to controllably transfer heat from the light emitting diode to the fluid being treated.

49. An apparatus as claimed in claim 48 wherein the means for cooling the at least one light emitting diode comprises a coolant circuit;

and

wherein a first part of die coolant circuit is arranged in contact with the at least one light emitting diode for transfer of heat between a coolant of the coolant circuit and the at least one light emitting diode in use; and

wherein a second part of the coolant circuit comprises a heat exchanger for transfer of heat between the coolant of the coolant circuit and the fluid being treated.

50. An apparatus as claimed in claim 49 wherein the means for cooling the at least one light emitting diode further comprises a control element configured to change a light output of the at least one light emitting diode in response to a change in the temperature of die coolant or the transmissivity of the fluid to be treated.

51. A method for the cooling of the at least one light emitting diode in the fluid treatment apparatus of claim 1, comprising the steps of:

indirectly transferring heat front the at least one light emitting diode to the fluid being treated is the system.

52. The method of claim 51 wherein the indirect heat transfer is carried out by means of a coolant circuit.

53. The method of claim 52 further comprising the step of controlling a light output of the at least one light emitting diode in response to a change in the temperature of fee coolant or the transmissivity of the fluid to be treated is use.

6. An apparatus for the treatment of a fluid comprising;

a fluid chamber comprising a central axis; and

a plurality of ultraviolet light units;

wherein each of the plurality of ultraviolet light units comprises at least one ultraviolet light emitting diode and at least one ultraviolet light directing element;

wherein the at least one ultraviolet light directing element is configured to collimate at least a portion of the light rays emitted from the at least one ultraviolet light emitting diode in use such that the collimated light rays are parallel in a first plane coincident with or parallel to the central axis.

7. An apparatus as claimed m claim 6 wherein the plurality of ultraviolet light units are arranged at a circumference or periphery of the fluid chamber.

8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein the plurality of ultraviolet light units are arranged radially around the circumference or periphery of the fluid chamber.

9. An apparatus as claimed m claim 6 wherein the plurality ultraviolet light units are spaced from the circumference or periphery of the fluid chamber.

10. An apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein the plurality of ultraviolet light units are arranged in one or more rings or ring portions around the circumference or periphery of the fluid chamber.

11. An apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein the plurality of ultraviolet light units are arranged in adjacent rings rotationally offset from each other by an amount required to assure a desired exposure pattern to UV light of the fluid to be treated in use.

22. An apparatus for the treatment of a fluid comprising;

a fluid chamfer; and

at least one ultraviolet light unit;

wherein fee at least one ultraviolet light unit comprises at least one ultraviolet light emitting diode and at feast one ultraviolet light directing element; and

wherein the at least one ultraviolet light directing element is configured to collimate at least a portion of the light rays emitted from the at least one ultraviolet light emitting diode IN use such that the ultraviolet light rap emitted from each ultraviolet light unit are parallel oily in a first direction.

30. An apparatus for the treatment of a fluid comprising;

an array of ultraviolet light emitting diodes oriented radially around the outside surface of a transparent pipe within which the fluid to be treated is contained;

wherein each ultraviolet light emitting diode is mounted at a focal point of a reflector; and

wherein the reflector collimates reflected light in the direction of a longitudinal axis of the pipe and concentrates reflected rays through a cross section of the pipe in use.

31. An apparatus for the treatment of a fluid comprising;

an array of ultraviolet light emitting diodes oriented radially around the outside surface of a transparent pipe within which fee fluid to be treated is contained;

wherein each ultraviolet light emitting diode is mounted at a focal point of a reflector; and

wherein the reflector collimates reflected light in the direction of a longitudinal axis of the pipe and scatters reflected rays through a cross section of fee pipe in use.

32. An apparatus for the treatment of a fluid comprising;

an array of ultraviolet light emitting diodes oriented radially around fee outside surface of a transparent pipe within which the fluid to be treated is contained;

wherein ultraviolet light from each light emitting diode is passed through a lens; and

wherein the lens collimates light in the direction of the longitudinal axis, and concentrates light in a cross section of the pipe in use.

33. An apparatus for the treatment of a fluid comprising;

an array of ultraviolet light emitting diodes oriented radially around the outside surface of a transparent pipe within which the fluid to be treated is contained; and

a cooling system for cooling the array of ultraviolet light emitting diodes;

wherein fee cooling system is configured to circulate a cooling liquid such that heat is exchanged i) between the ultraviolet light emitting diodes and the cooling lipoid and ii) between the cooling liquid and the fluid to fee treated.

34. An apparatus as claimed in claim 33 wherein the cooling liquid is a glycol mixture.

35. An apparatus for the treatment of a fluid comprising;

an array of ultraviolet light emitting diodes oriented radially around the outside surface of a transparent pipe within which the fluid to be treated is contained; and

a cooling system for cooling the array of ultraviolet light emitting diodes;

wherein the cooling system comprises one or more temperature sensors for monitoring the temperature of the cooling liquid; and

wherein the cooling system is configured to turn ultraviolet light emitting diodes on in response to an Increase in temperature of fee cooling liquid and to turn ultraviolet light emitting diodes off in response to a decrease in temperature of the cooling liquid.

36. An apparatus for the treatment of a fluid comprising;

an array of ultraviolet light emitting diodes oriented radially around fee outside surface of a transparent pipe within which fee fluid to be treated is contained;

one or more ultraviolet transmittance sensors; and

treatment monitoring software configured to turn ultraviolet light emitting diodes off in response to an increase in transmissivity of the fluid to be treated and to turn ultraviolet light emitting diodes on in response to a decrease in transmissivity of the fluid to be treated.

37. An apparatus for the treatment of a fluid comprising;

an array of ultraviolet light emitting diodes provided radially or peripherally about a transparent pipe within which the fluid to be treated is conveyed or contained;

wherein each ultraviolet light emitting diode(s) is provided at a focal point of a reflector; and

wherein the reflector collimates at least a portion of reflected light rays in fee direction of a longitudinal axis of the pipe and concentrates at least a portion of reflected light rays through a cross section of the pipe in use.

38. An apparatus for the treatment of a fluid comprising;

an array of ultraviolet light emitting diodes provided radially or peripherally about a transparent pipe within which the fluid to be treated is conveyed or contained;

wherein each ultraviolet light emitting diode(s) is mounted at a focal point of a reflector; and

wherein the reflector collimates at least a portion of reflected light rays in the direction of a longitudinal axis of the pipe and scatters at least a portion of reflected light rays in a cross section of the pipe in use.

39. An apparatus for the treatment of a fluid comprising;

an array of ultraviolet light emitting diodes provided radially or peripherally about a transparent pipe within which the fluid to be treated is conveyed or contained;

wherein ultraviolet light rays from each light emitting diode are passed through a lens; and

wherein the lens collimates light in the direction of a longitudinal axis of the pipe, and concentrates light in a cross section of the pipe in use.

40. An apparatus for the treatment of a fluid comprising;

an array of ultraviolet light emitting diodes provided radially or peripherally about a transparent pipe within which the fluid to be treated is conveyed or contained; and

a cooling system for cooling at least one array of ultraviolet light emitting diodes, wherein;

the cooling system is configured to circulate a cooling liquid such that heat is exchanged i) between the at least one ultraviolet light emitting diode and the coolant and ii) between the coolant and the fluid to be treated.

41. An apparatus as claimed in claim 40 wherein the coolant is a glycol mixture.

42. As apparatus for the treatment of a fluid comprising;

an array of ultraviolet light emitting diodes provided radially or peripherally about a transparent pipe within which the fluid to be treated is conveyed or contained;

a cooling system for cooling of at least on the array of ultraviolet light emitting diodes, wherein;

the cooling system comprises one or more temperature sensors for monitoring the temperature of the coolant; and

wherein fee cooling system is configured to turn ultraviolet light emitting diodes on in response to an increase in temperature of the coolant and to turn off ultraviolet light emitting diodes in response to a decrease in temperature of the coolant.

43. An apparatus for the treatment of a fluid comprising;

an array of ultraviolet light emitting diodes provided radially or peripherally about a transparent pipe within which the fluid to be treated is conveyed or contained;

one or more ultraviolet transmittance sensors; and

a treatment monitoring device and/or software configured to turn off ultraviolet light emitting diodes in response to an increase in transmissivity of the fluid to be treated and to turn on ultraviolet light emitting diodes in response to a decrease in transmissivity of the fluid to be treated.

44. (canceled)

45. (canceled)

46. A method for the treatment of a fluid comprising the steps of:

introducing the fluid into a fluid chamber comprising a central axis;

directing light emitted from at least one ultraviolet light emitting diode into the fluid;

wherein at least a portion of the ultraviolet light emitted from die at least one ultraviolet light emitting diode is collimated such that the ultraviolet light rays emitted from each ultraviolet light unit are parallel in a first plane coincident with or parallel to the central axis.

47. A method as claimed in claim 46 wherein the at least one ultraviolet light directing element converges or scatters at least a portion of the light rays emitted from the at least one ultraviolet light unit in use such that the scattered or converged light rays are not parallel in a second plane perpendicular to the first plane.