CN1130373A - Treatment of fluids - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatus for treating a fluid comprising a tube (27) defining a fluid flow passage (28) and a chamber (33) surrounding the fluid flow passage. An ultraviolet radiation source (40) is provided for transmitting ultraviolet radiation into the interior of the chamber (33). The ultraviolet radiation source (40) is disposed within the interior of the chamber, and means (50) are provided for conducting a gas through the chamber whereby the gas can be exposed to ultraviolet radiation within the chamber. The tube (27) may be transparent to ultraviolet radiation so that fluid flowing therealong is also exposed to ultraviolet radiation.

Description

fluid handling

technical field

The present invention relates to the treatment of fluids, and more particularly to an apparatus and a method for the treatment of fluids.

Treatment of the fluid may be in any suitable manner, such as decontamination, disinfection, oxidation and/or ozonization to remove unwanted contaminants.

The present invention is suitable for processing various forms of fluids, such as: various gases, including gases containing liquid and/or solid substances; various liquids, including liquids containing gases, solid and/or liquid substances, such as various muds and sewage. In fact, this treatment can be used for any flowable material or mixture of materials. Background of the invention

While the present invention may have a variety of uses, one specific use is for the sterilization of contaminated liquids, such as water.

It is known to use ultraviolet radiation with a wavelength of 254 nm and 185 nm to sterilize or treat contaminated liquids, especially water. Both wavelengths can be generated simultaneously with the same radiation source.

Radiation at a wavelength of 185 nanometers is known to produce oxidative effects, including the formation of ozone from gases containing oxygen. When the ozonized gas is fed into the liquid, the ozone destroys or at least degrades various organic substances through oxidation.

Radiation at a wavelength of 254 nanometers is known as a germicidal wavelength that destroys organisms contained in liquids.

There have been various proposals to exploit the effects of ultraviolet radiation at these two wavelengths. These proposals are exemplarily disclosed in US Patent Nos. 4,189,363 (Beitzel), 4,273,660 (Beitzel), 4,179,616 (Coviello), 4,141,830 (Last) and 4,230,571 (Dadd).

Typically, prior art proposals include an ultraviolet light source surrounded by a cavity. An outer chamber surrounds the inner chamber and is separated from it by a wall permeable to ultraviolet radiation so that radiation from the ultraviolet light source can pass through the inner chamber. cavity to reach the external cavity. Air or other oxygen-containing gas is passed through the cavity to convert the oxygen to ozone by radiation. The ozone-enriched gas is then fed into a stream of water passing through the outer chamber where the stream is irradiated by radiation emitted from the inner chamber. This stream of water is subjected to both ozone and an ultraviolet light source as it travels through the outer cavity.

The structures proposed in the prior art in which the inner cavity surrounds the UV light source and the outer cavity surrounds the inner cavity have disadvantages. In this configuration, the UV light source is not in close proximity to the outer cavity through which the contaminated liquid passes. Thus, the effect of ultraviolet radiation acting on the liquid in the outer cavity will be weakened.

In order to keep the UV light source close enough to the outer chamber so as not to render the UV radiation in the second chamber ineffective attenuation, the radial dimension of the inner chamber must be limited. However, this limitation has disadvantages because it reduces the opportunity for air or other oxygen-containing gases to be irradiated by ultraviolet light to produce ozone. This will cause the gas to not convert a sufficient amount of oxygen to ozone when exposed to ultraviolet radiation in the cavity due to insufficient exposure time. disclosure of invention

The present invention seeks to provide a novel and useful apparatus and method for handling fluids.

The present invention also provides an apparatus and method for treating a fluid in which the exposure of ultraviolet radiation to a gas exposed to the ultraviolet radiation is enhanced.

Several embodiments of the present invention also attempt to overcome or at least reduce or at least alleviate to some extent the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for treating a fluid, comprising: means for forming a fluid flow path; means for transporting the fluid along the fluid flow path; means for forming a chamber surrounding the fluid flow path; a source of ultraviolet radiation transmitted into the interior of the chamber, the source of ultraviolet radiation being disposed within the chamber; and means for conveying gas through the chamber.

In one configuration, the fluid to be treated may be fluid passing along the fluid flow path.

In another configuration, the fluid to be treated may be fluid passing through the chamber.

Preferably, the means forming the fluid flow path allow ultraviolet radiation to enter the path. Such a device may be a tube that is permeable to ultraviolet radiation.

The ultraviolet radiation source may generate ultraviolet radiation for germicidal use or ultraviolet radiation for dissociation of oxygen. Preferably, however, the source of ultraviolet radiation produces ultraviolet radiation which dissociates oxygen and acts as a bactericidal agent. Preferably, the source of ultraviolet radiation produces radiation at a wavelength of 185 nanometers and a wavelength of 254 nanometers.

The gas delivered through the chamber may be a gas containing molecular oxygen, which is exposed to ultraviolet radiation to generate ozone and atomic oxygen.

The apparatus may further comprise means for delivering the gas into the flowing fluid after it has been irradiated with ultraviolet light. Preferably, the device is capable of introducing gas into the flowing fluid flowing through the fluid flow path. In one configuration, the gas introduced into the fluid flows with the fluid through the fluid flow passage where it is exposed to ultraviolet light.

In addition to providing germicidal action, the 254 nm wavelength also has the effect of dissociating ozone to produce atomic oxygen, which in turn produces oxygen. Therefore, the fluid that is irradiated by ultraviolet rays in the path through which the fluid flows can be treated in two ways, that is, it is irradiated by ultraviolet rays and sterilized by contacting with ozone and oxygen atoms. Additionally, the dissociation of ozone in the fluid into atomic oxygen produces oxygen, which is very beneficial in many applications.

While the oxygen-containing gas may be in any suitable form, including air, oxygen is suitably used to provide sufficient molecular oxygen to generate large quantities of ozone and oxygen atoms for use in the treatment process.

Preferably, the gas fed into the chamber is maintained at a certain pressure within the chamber. This may facilitate increasing the concentration of oxygen in the chamber, thereby facilitating increasing the amount of ozone and atomic oxygen generated in the chamber.

The chamber may be airtight to allow pressurization of gas fed into the chamber.

Preferably, an inlet control device, such as a valve or regulator, is provided to regulate the gas delivered to the chamber. Preferably an outlet control device, such as a valve or regulator, is provided for regulating the gas exiting the chamber and being delivered into the fluid flow path.

The source of ultraviolet radiation may be an ultraviolet lamp. Preferably the UV light source comprises a plurality of UV lamps arranged in the chamber. Preferably the UV lamps are located in close proximity to the fluid flow path.

Preferably, the arrangement of the plurality of UV lamps creates a close coupling effect that increases the combined output of the lamps.

The inner surface of the chamber may have a UV reflective surface to reflect back inwardly the UV radiation that strikes the inner wall surface.

The means for introducing the gas into the fluid flow path after it has been exposed to ultraviolet light may take any suitable form, such as a nozzle or other form of gas sparger, bubbler or gas shear reactor.

Gas flow through the chamber is configured to cool the UV lamps. Fluid passing through the flow passages may also provide cooling. This cooling effect is enhanced by the reflection of heat from the reflective surface towards the flow path, as it limits the heat transfer to the outside of the chamber.

The means forming the fluid flow path is preferably permeable to ultraviolet radiation and may comprise a quartz tube.

There may be multiple fluid flow paths around which the chamber surrounds. In this case, the fluid flow paths are preferably connected in series to maximize the exposure of the passing fluid to UV radiation. The fluid flow passages are preferably arranged in parallel within the chamber, the passages being connected together for fluid flow therethrough.

The means forming the chamber may include a housing having a side wall and a pair of oppositely disposed end walls supporting one or all of the fluid flow paths and the ultraviolet light source therebetween. Preferably the side wall has a cylindrical shape.

The housing is preferably elongate and vertically oriented, the gas passes downwardly through the chamber, the fluid to be treated passes upwardly through at least one fluid flow path in the chamber, and the gas is sent at the lower end of the chamber after receiving ultraviolet radiation in the chamber into the at least one fluid flow path.

In one application of the apparatus according to the invention, a fluid may be recirculated through the fluid flow path while the gas to be treated passes through the chamber. In this manner, the fluid passing through the fluid flow path can act as a coolant.

In another application of the device according to the invention, the gas can be recirculated through the chamber while the fluid to be treated passes through the flow path. In this way, the gas can be used as a coolant.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there may be provided apparatus for treating fluids comprising: means for forming a fluid flow path and allowing ultraviolet radiation to enter the path; forming a chamber surrounding the fluid flow path; for emitting ultraviolet radiation into the fluid An ultraviolet radiation source inside the flow path and the chamber, the ultraviolet radiation source can simultaneously generate ultraviolet radiation for dissociating oxygen and for sterilization, the ultraviolet radiation source is arranged inside the chamber; for transmitting gas containing molecular oxygen through the chamber for use A device that is irradiated with ultraviolet light to generate ozone and atomic oxygen in a gas; a device that receives ultraviolet radiation in a fluid flow path by sending the gas after it has been irradiated with ultraviolet light into a fluid flow path that flows through the path with a liquid.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of treating a fluid comprising the steps of: passing a gas containing molecular oxygen through a chamber in which a source of ultraviolet radiation is installed; passing the fluid through a chamber surrounded by the chamber and allowing the ultraviolet radiation to pass through the passing fluid flow path; and introducing the gas into the fluid flowing in the path after being irradiated with ultraviolet rays in the chamber.

A gas may be introduced into the fluid with the fluid flowing through the passageway where it is exposed to ultraviolet radiation.

The radiation source may generate ultraviolet radiation for dissociating oxygen, and the gas fed into the chamber may be a gas containing molecular oxygen. The radiation source can also generate ultraviolet radiation for germicidal purposes.

The gas fed into the chamber is preferably maintained at a certain pressure during the residence time of the chamber.

Preferably the gas passes downwardly through the chamber and the fluid to be treated passes upwardly through at least one fluid flow path inside the chamber, the gas being fed into said at least one fluid flow path at the lower end of the chamber after being irradiated with ultraviolet rays in the chamber path.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for treating a fluid comprising the steps of passing a gas containing molecular oxygen through an ultraviolet radiation source equipped to generate ultraviolet radiation for dissociating oxygen and for sterilization a chamber, whereby the gas is subjected to ultraviolet radiation to generate ozone and atomic oxygen in the gas; a fluid is passed through a fluid flow path surrounded by the chamber and permeable to ultraviolet radiation; and the gas is subjected to ultraviolet radiation in the chamber It is fed into a fluid flow channel so that the gas flows through the channel along with the liquid where it is exposed to ultraviolet light. Brief description of the drawings

The present invention will be better understood with reference to the following description of several specific embodiments of the present invention shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a water treatment system equipped with an apparatus according to a first embodiment;

Figure 2 is a partially cutaway perspective view of the apparatus according to the first embodiment;

Fig. 3 is the front sectional view of equipment;

Fig. 4 is a partial perspective view of the device, partially cut away;

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the device;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a device according to a second embodiment, with parts of the device cut away;

Figure 7 is a front sectional view of an apparatus according to a second embodiment;

Figure 8 is a partial perspective view, partly in section, of an apparatus according to a second embodiment;

Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of an apparatus according to a second embodiment;

Fig. 10 is a schematic partial sectional view showing an apparatus according to a third embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a schematic partial sectional view showing an apparatus according to a fourth embodiment; and

Fig. 12 is a schematic partial sectional view showing an apparatus according to a fifth embodiment. Best Embodiment of the Invention

Referring to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings, there is shown a contaminated water treatment system. The treatment system uses ozone, atomic oxygen and ultraviolet light to disinfect water, oxidizing organic pollutants and destroying microbial contamination. This system also oxygenates the water.

The treatment system 10 comprises a plant 11 according to the first embodiment, to which water is sent by a delivery line 13 to be treated and from which it is sent by means of a return line 17 after treatment. A water delivery pump 15 is contained in the water delivery pipeline 13 . A filter unit (not shown) may be installed in the water delivery line 13 for removing larger solid pollutants from the water prior to treatment in the plant 11.

Apparatus 11 includes a housing 21 having cylindrical side walls 22 and a pair of end walls 23 . The housing 21 is oriented such that the longitudinal center axis of the cylindrical side wall 22 is substantially vertical. The end wall 23 is removably mounted on the end of the side wall 22 in any suitable manner. This embodiment includes a mounting flange 25 disposed on the cylindrical side wall, and the end wall 23 is detachably fixed with bolts on the flange.

A tube 27 made of quartz (or other materials that allow ultraviolet radiation to pass through) is placed in the center of the housing 21 and is supported between the two end walls 23. The tube 27 forms a flow channel 28 through which the , the water to be treated is sent from the inlet 31 on the lower end wall 23 to the outlet 32 on the upper end wall 23 . The water supply line 13 communicates with the inlet 31 , while the return line 17 communicates with the outlet 32 . Coupling means (not shown) are provided to detachably connect the inlet 31 and outlet 32 to the feed and return lines 13 and 17, respectively.

An annular chamber 33 is formed inside the housing 21 between the tube 27 and the cylindrical side wall 22 . Chamber 33 is airtight and tube 27 and housing 21 are dimensioned such that the cross-sectional area of annular chamber 33 is significantly greater than the cross-sectional area of passage 28 formed in tube 27 .

The inner surface 35 of the cylindrical side wall 22 is lined with a material that is highly reflective to ultraviolet radiation. The highly reflective surface forms one boundary of the annular chamber 33 .

An ultraviolet radiation source 40 is provided to emit ultraviolet radiation into the annular chamber 33 and the flow passage 28 inside the tube 27 . The ultraviolet radiation source 40 is placed in the annular chamber 33 , and since the tube 27 is permeable to ultraviolet radiation, the radiation from the ultraviolet radiation source can penetrate the tube 27 and enter the passage 28 .

The ultraviolet radiation source 40 comprises a plurality of ultraviolet lamps 41, in this embodiment three such lamps. Each ultraviolet lamp 41 is of a type capable of producing both 185 and 254 nanometer wavelength ultraviolet radiation.

The ultraviolet lamps 41 are each elongated and fixed between both end walls 23 of the housing 21 . The UV lamps 41 are spaced circumferentially around the tube 27 and abut the tube 27, as best seen in FIG. 5 of the accompanying drawings. The lead connector 43 is arranged on the end wall 23 of the housing, and is used to provide power to each ultraviolet lamp. The power supply is provided through a power supply circuit equipped with a cable 45 and a control and monitoring platform 47 . This table 47 is equipped with a switch for supplying power to each ultraviolet lamp 41 individually, and an alarm device for giving a warning in case any one ultraviolet lamp 41 fails in operation.

A device 50 is provided for delivering an oxygen-containing gas to the upper end of the annular chamber 33 . In this embodiment the gas is oxygen, but it could be air or any other gas containing molecular oxygen. The advantage of using oxygen is that it provides an abundance of molecular oxygen for the generation of ozone and atomic oxygen, as will be described later. The gas delivery device 50 includes a gas delivery pipeline 51, one end of which is connected to an orifice 53 formed on the top end wall 23 of the housing 21, and the other end is connected to an oxygen source 55, which is a gas source in this form. bottle. A flow meter 57 is connected to the transfer line 51 so that the gas flow can be monitored. An inlet valve 59 is also installed in delivery line 51 to regulate the flow of gas delivered to the chamber.

A device 60 is provided for removing gas from the lower end of the chamber 33 and directing it into the water flowing into the fluid flow path 27 . Apparatus 60 comprises a gas flow line 61, one end of which utilizes an outlet hole (not shown) communicated with the annular chamber on the lower end wall 23 to communicate with the annular chamber 33, and the other end is connected to an outlet port suitable for injecting gas into the annular chamber. A spray device (not shown) in the water flowing into the pipe 27 is turned on. The injection means can be of any form such as a spout, a bubbler or simply just one or a few orifices into the inlet 31 . An outlet control valve 65 is provided for regulating the flow of gas leaving the annular chamber and being fed into the inlet 31 .

Although not shown in the drawings, a means may be provided for subjecting the water to a magnetic field before, during and/or after injecting the gas into the water. This magnetic field has several effects including removing magnetic particles from the water.

The magnetic field can be generated by a number of magnets arranged circumferentially around the flowing fluid, in fact there can be two magnetic fields spaced apart along the direction of fluid flow. The relationship between the two magnetic fields can be such that there is a resonant interaction between them. Optimum placement of the magnets is such that the polarity of the magnetic field produces the best performance.

The magnets may also be arranged to act on the gas before and/or during its injection into the water.

In operation of the processing system 10, gas is delivered to the annular chamber 33 from the gas source 55 at a certain pressure. Gas enters the annular chamber 33 and flows down through the chamber towards the outlet. As the gas moves downward, it is exposed to ultraviolet rays generated by ultraviolet lamps 41 . Radiation with a wavelength of 185 nanometers can dissociate molecular oxygen in the gas to generate ozone and molecular oxygen. Radiation with a wavelength of 254 nanometers kills any microorganisms that may be present and sterilizes the gas. Because the gas is maintained at a certain pressure in the chamber 33, the concentration of molecular oxygen in the chamber is increased, providing the opportunity to generate high concentrations of ozone and atomic oxygen. The relatively large volume of the annular chamber ensures sufficient contact time between the oxygen and the UV radiation to produce the required quantities of ozone and atomic oxygen.

Gas flows under pressure from the annular chamber 33 through the outlet along the gas line 61 and is injected at the inlet 31 into the water sent along the water line 13 to the pipe 27 . The gas is mixed with the water and sent through the channel 27 together with the water, where the gas is again irradiated with the water together with the ultraviolet rays, and the radiation with a wavelength of 254 nanometers has a bactericidal effect on the water. This radiation also dissociates ozone in the water to break it down into atomic oxygen which leads to the production of oxygen. Oxygen in water can also be dissociated by radiation with a wavelength of 185 nanometers. In this way, in the liquid flowing along the passage 28, there is a constant mutual conversion between ozone and molecular oxygen, and molecular oxygen can be dissociated into atomic oxygen, and the ozone and atomic oxygen present in water have the ability to oxidize pollutants in water. Function, so that it can purify water, and the presence of oxygen also increases the amount of dissolved oxygen in water, which is a particularly advantageous feature in many cases.

The structure of the device 11 provides for a good treatment of the water. Since the UV lamp 41 is arranged inside the chamber 33, there is good contact between the gas passing through the chamber and the UV radiation generated by the UV lamp. Also, because the UV lamps 41 are placed in close proximity to the tube 27, there is good contact between the water passing through the flow path 28 and the UV radiation produced by each UV lamp. In addition, because the ultraviolet radiation source 40 includes a plurality of spaced-apart ultraviolet lamps 41 inside the annular chamber 33 , both the annular chamber 33 and the flow passage 28 have a good dispersion of ultraviolet radiation.

The placement of the UV lamp 41 within the flow path 27 is also advantageous because it cools the UV lamp, thereby ensuring that excessive heat is not generated in the apparatus. The reflective surface on the inner surface 35 of the housing 21 not only increases the intensity of the ultraviolet radiation inside the housing, particularly directed towards the tube 27, but also reduces the heat dissipation through the housing so that the outside of the housing does not become overheated.

Since water only contacts the quartz tube 27 when it is irradiated by ultraviolet rays in the shell 21, there is almost no possibility of precipitation forming on the inner wall of the tube and weakening the radiation effect. In any event, if a deposit does form on the pipe, it is quite possible that it will be removed rapidly by the action of the ozone present in the water.

In the apparatus according to the first embodiment, the water passes through the housing 21 only once to receive ultraviolet radiation, but if the water passes through the housing 21 multiple times, the effect of the ultraviolet radiation on the water can be increased. The apparatus according to the second embodiment provides such a configuration.

Referring now to Figures 6 to 9, the device according to the second embodiment is similar to the device according to the first embodiment, except that a plurality of pipes 27 are provided inside the housing 21, and each pipe 27 is respectively fixed between the two end walls 23 of the housing. between them, and connect them in series to allow fluid to flow between them. Pipes 70 installed on the outside of the two end walls 23 of the housing realize the connection and ensure that the fluid flows from one pipe 27 to the other pipe 27 .

In this embodiment, there are three tubes 27 so that water enters the device 11 from one end of the housing and exits the device from the other end of the housing after passing through the housing several times to receive UV radiation.

As in the case of the first embodiment, the UV radiation source 40 also has a plurality of UV lamps 41 . However, in this embodiment four such lamps 41 are arranged around three flow paths 28 . As can be seen most clearly in Figure 9, one lamp 41 is located in the middle of the three flow passages, while the other lamps are each located radially outward between adjacent two passages. This arrangement ensures good distribution of the ultraviolet light generated by the ultraviolet lamp 41 in the chamber 33 and the passage 28 in the tube 27 .

The apparatus according to the first and second embodiments can be operated such that water or other fluids flow through the flow path 28 in the tube 27 in a direction opposite to the desired direction, and after receiving ultraviolet radiation in the path 28, inject A gas containing ozone and molecular oxygen while the liquid is being treated. The mixture of liquid and injected gas then flows out of the device rather than being exposed to UV light again.

It may be the case that water or other fluids do not need to be treated with UV light, but only oxygen and/or ozone needs to be injected into water or some other fluid, which can be done in a similar way to the first and second The apparatus of the embodiments is realized with the modification that each tube 27 is impermeable to ultraviolet radiation, for example the tubes 27 may be made of a suitable grade of stainless steel.

If the liquid or fluid to be treated does not inject ozone and atomic oxygen, but only wants to make the liquid to be treated or fluid to be irradiated with ultraviolet rays, the respective equipment of the first and second embodiments may not inject gas Into the chamber 33, liquid or other fluid flowing through the passage 28 is exposed to ultraviolet radiation directed into the or each tube 27 in this configuration.

The device according to the second embodiment is more suitable for applications such as that the device can be operated with only the central UV lamp 41 operating if so desired. This reduces the possibility of overheating inside the chamber.

There may be instances where it is desirable to enhance the transmission of ultraviolet radiation from radiation source 40 to tube 27. This can be accomplished by introducing an inert gas into the chamber which does not pass through but is simply trapped therein. Since the gas is inert, it does not react to the UV radiation, but only increases the transmission of the UV radiation to the or each tube 27 .

There may be cases where it is only desired to expose certain fluids to ultraviolet light, which can be achieved by the apparatus of the third embodiment shown in FIG. 10 .

The apparatus according to the third embodiment is in many respects similar to the apparatus according to the first and second embodiments, and thus like reference numerals are used to designate like parts.

In this embodiment, a recirculation device 80 is connected to the chamber 33 so that a gas can be recirculated through the chamber to cool the ultraviolet lamp 41 disposed therein. The ultraviolet radiation produced by the ultraviolet lamp 41 is used to treat the fluid flowing through the tube 28 . However, this gas is not fed into the fluid, it is simply recirculated.

The recirculation device 80 includes a recirculation pipeline 81 connected between the upper and lower ends of the chamber 33 . A heat exchanger 83 is incorporated into the circulation line 81 . A recirculation pump may also be provided in the recirculation line 81, although thermal convection is sufficient for circulation.

In the third embodiment, the fluid to be treated flows through the fluid flow passage 28 formed in the tube 27 , while a fluid for cooling the ultraviolet lamp 41 flows through the chamber 33 . However, an arrangement is also possible in which a gaseous fluid to be treated passes through chamber 33 and a cooling fluid passes through fluid flow path 28 . The apparatus according to the fourth embodiment, shown in Fig. 11, adopts this configuration. In this embodiment, the tube 27 forming the fluid flow path 28 leads into a recirculation line 87 into which a heat exchanger 89 is connected. In this configuration, the gaseous fluid to be treated is irradiated with ultraviolet radiation produced by the ultraviolet lamps as it passes through the chamber 33, a cooling fluid passing through the tubes 27 takes away the heat generated by the lamps 41, as the tubes 27 only transmits cooling fluid, which is not necessarily permeable to ultraviolet radiation.

The device according to the fourth embodiment is particularly suitable for use as an ozone generator.

There may be instances where it is desirable to increase the exposure of the gaseous fluid to be treated by ultraviolet radiation, in which case high concentrations of ozone are required. The device according to the fifth embodiment, Fig. 12, is provided for this purpose. In this embodiment, the gaseous fluid to be treated passes through chamber 33 and passage 27 so as to be exposed to ultraviolet radiation produced by the lamps.

The inlet 31 of the pipe 27 forming the passage station 28 is closed at 91 so as to receive only the gas introduced into this inlet by the gas flow line 61 . The gas thus passes downwardly through chamber 33 and is exposed to ultraviolet light, from which it flows via line 61 into inlet 31 to flow upwardly through passage 28 where it is again exposed to ultraviolet light. The double exposure to UV light enhances the treatment effect of the gas and, in the case of oxygen, maximizes the production of ozone.

Apparatus according to the third, fourth and fifth embodiments have been described and illustrated with a tube 27 providing a unidirectional passage arrangement. It can be considered that these embodiments can also be configured with multiple paths, which are somewhat similar to the second embodiment.

Where a multiple passage arrangement is employed, one may be arranged so that the fluid flowing through each passage is subjected to a magnetic field in the region where the fluid flows from one passage to the other.

As is apparent from the foregoing, the apparatus according to each embodiment provides a simple yet effective system for treating contaminated and other fluids. The device may be used to sterilize fluids, or simply provide a decontamination process for fluids from unwanted and/or harmful contaminants. The device can also be used to oxygenate the fluid, the oxygenation feature being advantageous because it can be used to provide water with a high concentration of dissolved oxygen for subsequent use, such as delivery to a body of water in an anoxic state. Water with a high dissolved oxygen content can be used to increase the oxygen content of depleted water.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to several specific implementation examples, it should be understood that it is not limited to these examples and that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims (41)

1. equipment that is used for treat fluid, it comprises: the device that constitutes fluid flow passages; Transmit the fluidic device along fluid flow passages; Constitute around the device of the chamber of fluid flow passages; Be used to launch the ultraviolet radiation source that ultraviolet radiation enters chamber interior, ultraviolet radiation source is arranged on chamber interior; And be used to transmit the device of gas by chamber.

2. according to the described equipment of claim 1, wherein, it is the fluid that passes through along fluid flow passages that pending fluid is arranged.

3. according to the described equipment of claim 1, wherein, it is fluid by chamber that pending fluid is arranged.

4. according to the described equipment of claim 1,2 or 3, wherein, the device that constitutes fluid flow passages allows the ultraviolet radiation inlet passage.

5. according to the described equipment of claim 4, wherein, the device that constitutes fluid flow passages comprises a pipe that allows ultraviolet radiation to see through.

6. according to any one described equipment in the claim 1 to 5, wherein, ultraviolet radiation source can produce and be used for germ-resistant ultraviolet radiation.

7. according to any one described equipment in the claim 1 to 5, wherein, ultraviolet radiation source produces the ultraviolet radiation of the oxygen that is used to dissociate.

8. according to any one described equipment in aforementioned every claim, wherein, ultraviolet radiation source can produce and be used for dissociating oxygen and germ-resistant ultraviolet radiation.

9. according to the described equipment of claim 8, wherein, ultraviolet radiation source can produce the radiation of 185 millimicrons of wavelength and 254 millimicrons of wavelength.

10. according to claim 7,8 or 9 described equipment, wherein, the gas that is transmitted through chamber is a kind of gas that contains molecular oxygen, can produce ozone and atomic oxygen when gas is subjected to uviolizing.

11., also comprise being used for after gas is subjected to uviolizing it is sent into the intravital device of flow according to the described equipment of claim 10.

12. according to the described equipment of claim 11, wherein, described device is sent into gas in the streaming fluid of the fluid flow passages of flowing through.

13. according to the described equipment of claim 12, wherein, send into fluidic gas, in path, be subjected to ultraviolet irradiation with the fluid fluid flow passages of flowing through.

14., also be included in gas and be subjected to after the uviolizing it being sent into the device of fluid flow passages to move along path according to any one described equipment in the claim 1 to 10.

15. according to any one described equipment in aforementioned every claim, wherein, the gas of sending into chamber keeps certain pressure in chamber.

16. according to the described equipment of claim 15, wherein, chamber is a gastight.

17. according to any one described equipment in aforementioned every claim, wherein, dispose an access control device, be used for regulating the gas of sending into chamber.

18. according to any one described equipment in aforementioned every claim, wherein, dispose an exit port control device, be used to regulate the gas that leaves chamber and be admitted to fluid flow passages.

19. according to any one described equipment in aforementioned every claim, wherein, ultraviolet radiation source is a UV-lamp.

20. according to the described equipment of claim 19, wherein, ultraviolet radiation source comprises a plurality of UV-lamp.

21. according to claim 19 or 20 described equipment, wherein, one or all lamps are arranged near the fluid flow passages place.

22. according to claim 20 or 21 described equipment, wherein, the mutual position relation of a plurality of UV-lamp can produce the close coupling effect.

23. according to any one described equipment in aforementioned every claim, wherein, the internal surface of chamber has a ultraviolet reflection surface, with inside reflected illumination to ultraviolet radiation above it.

24., wherein, a plurality of fluid flow passages that centered on by chamber are arranged according to any one described equipment in aforementioned every claim.

25. according to the described equipment of claim 24, wherein, fluid flow passages is placed in-line.

26. according to claim 24 or 25 described equipment, wherein, with the parallel mode configuration, each path links together so that fluid therefrom flows through fluid flow passages in the chamber the inside.

27. according to any one described equipment in aforementioned every claim, wherein, the device that constitutes chamber comprises a housing, and it has a sidewall and a pair of end wall that is provided with in opposite directions, is supporting one or all fluid flow passages and ultraviolet light source between two end walls that are provided with in opposite directions.

28. according to the described equipment of claim 27, wherein, shell is microscler and is vertically oriented that gas passes through chamber downwards, and pending fluid is arranged upwards by at least one fluid flow passages in the chamber; After the uviolizing of gas in being subjected to chamber, be admitted in described at least one fluid flow passages at the chamber lower end.

29. according to any one described equipment in aforementioned every claim, wherein, with the flow area of the vertical chamber of air flow line greater than with the flow area of vertical or every fluid flow passages of fluid flow direction.

30. according to any one described equipment of aforementioned every claim, wherein, gas is by the chamber recirculation.

31. according to any one described equipment in the claim 1 to 29, by the fluid recirculation of fluid flow passages.

32. an equipment that is used for treat fluid comprises: constitute fluid flow passages and allow the device of ultraviolet radiation inlet passage; Constitute around the device of the chamber of fluid flow passages; Be used to launch the ultraviolet radiation source that ultraviolet radiation enters fluid flow passages and chamber interior, it can produce the oxygen and be used for germ-resistant ultraviolet radiation of being used to dissociate simultaneously, and ultraviolet radiation source is arranged on chamber interior; Be used for transmitting a kind of gas that contains molecular oxygen produces ozone and atomic oxygen at gas so that make it be subjected to uviolizing by chamber device; After gas is subjected to uviolizing, it is sent in the fluid flow passages device that flows through path with liquid and accept uviolizing at path.

33. one kind is used to handle certain fluidic method, may further comprise the steps: make the gas that contains molecular oxygen by the chamber of ultraviolet radiation source is housed; Make fluid flow passages that fluid passes through to be centered on by chamber and that allow ultraviolet radiation to see through; Gas is subjected to after the uviolizing it being sent in the fluid of the path of flowing through in chamber.

34. one kind according to the described method of claim 33, wherein, gas is admitted in the fluid with the fluid path of flowing through, and accepts uviolizing in path.

35. one kind according to the described method of claim 34, wherein, ultraviolet source produces the ultraviolet radiation of the oxygen that is used to dissociate, and the gas of sending into chamber is a kind of gas that contains molecular oxygen.

36. one kind according to any one described method in the claim 33 to 35, wherein, ultraviolet source produces and is used for germ-resistant ultraviolet radiation.

37. one kind according to any one described method in the claim 33 to 36, wherein, the gas of sending into chamber keeps certain pressure in chamber the time.

38. one kind according to claim 36 or 37 described methods, wherein, gas passes through chamber downwards, and pending fluid is arranged upwards by at least one fluid flow passages in the chamber, after the uviolizing of gas in being subjected to chamber, be admitted to described at least one fluid flow passages at the chamber lower end.

39. a method that is used for treat fluid may further comprise the steps: make a kind of gas that contains molecular oxygen by can dissociate oxygen and the chamber of ultraviolet source of the ultraviolet radiation of germicidal action is arranged of generation is housed; Gas is subjected to producing ozone and atomic oxygen after the uviolizing in gas; Make fluid flow passages that fluid passes through to be centered on by chamber and that allow ultraviolet radiation to see through; When gas is subjected to uviolizing in chamber after, it is sent into fluid flow passages, thereby gas is accepted ultraviolet irradiation with the liquid path of flowing through among path.

40. one kind basically as at this with reference to the described equipment of each accompanying drawing.

41. one kind basically as method described herein.

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