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WO2015031492A1 - Appareils de purification d'eau utilisant des filtres et un rayonnement ultraviolet - Google Patents

Appareils de purification d'eau utilisant des filtres et un rayonnement ultraviolet Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2015031492A1
WO2015031492A1 PCT/US2014/052944 US2014052944W WO2015031492A1 WO 2015031492 A1 WO2015031492 A1 WO 2015031492A1 US 2014052944 W US2014052944 W US 2014052944W WO 2015031492 A1 WO2015031492 A1 WO 2015031492A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
water
filter
water purification
purification apparatus
tube
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/US2014/052944
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Eric R. Jackson
Timothy J. Hebrink
John L. Roche
Bernard A. Gonzalez
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
3M Innovative Properties Co
Original Assignee
3M Innovative Properties Co
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by 3M Innovative Properties Co filed Critical 3M Innovative Properties Co
Publication of WO2015031492A1 publication Critical patent/WO2015031492A1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F1/00—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage
    • C02F1/30—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by irradiation
    • C02F1/32—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by irradiation with ultraviolet light
    • C02F1/325—Irradiation devices or lamp constructions
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F1/00—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage
    • C02F1/001—Processes for the treatment of water whereby the filtration technique is of importance
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F1/00—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage
    • C02F1/44—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by dialysis, osmosis or reverse osmosis
    • C02F1/444—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by dialysis, osmosis or reverse osmosis by ultrafiltration or microfiltration
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F2201/00—Apparatus for treatment of water, waste water or sewage
    • C02F2201/009—Apparatus with independent power supply, e.g. solar cells, windpower or fuel cells
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F2201/00—Apparatus for treatment of water, waste water or sewage
    • C02F2201/32—Details relating to UV-irradiation devices
    • C02F2201/322—Lamp arrangement
    • C02F2201/3222—Units using UV-light emitting diodes [LED]
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F2201/00—Apparatus for treatment of water, waste water or sewage
    • C02F2201/32—Details relating to UV-irradiation devices
    • C02F2201/322—Lamp arrangement
    • C02F2201/3227—Units with two or more lamps
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F2201/00—Apparatus for treatment of water, waste water or sewage
    • C02F2201/32—Details relating to UV-irradiation devices
    • C02F2201/322—Lamp arrangement
    • C02F2201/3228—Units having reflectors, e.g. coatings, baffles, plates, mirrors
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F2201/00—Apparatus for treatment of water, waste water or sewage
    • C02F2201/32—Details relating to UV-irradiation devices
    • C02F2201/326—Lamp control systems
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F2209/00—Controlling or monitoring parameters in water treatment
    • C02F2209/005—Processes using a programmable logic controller [PLC]
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F2209/00—Controlling or monitoring parameters in water treatment
    • C02F2209/03—Pressure
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
    • C02F2209/00—Controlling or monitoring parameters in water treatment
    • C02F2209/11—Turbidity
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02A—TECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02A20/00—Water conservation; Efficient water supply; Efficient water use
    • Y02A20/20—Controlling water pollution; Waste water treatment
    • Y02A20/208—Off-grid powered water treatment
    • Y02A20/212—Solar-powered wastewater sewage treatment, e.g. spray evaporation

Definitions

  • the disclosure describes water purification apparatuses and systems including water purifications apparatuses.
  • the disclosure describes water purification apparatuses.
  • the water purification apparatuses utilize filters to remove particulates (including bacteria, protozoa, microbial cysts, and the like) in the water, and utilize ultraviolet (UV) radiation to sterilize the filtered water.
  • the water purification apparatuses include at least one filter and a UV sterilization section fluidically connected to the at least one filter and downstream of the at least one filter.
  • the at least one filter may be configured to filter particulates from the water.
  • the filtering of the water may reduce its turbidity and remove at least some contaminants from the water.
  • the water flows through the UV sterilization section, where the water is sterilized by exposure to UV radiation.
  • the water may flow through a tube.
  • the tube may be made of a UV-transparent material.
  • the UV radiation may be provided by sunlight, and the water purification apparatus may include at least one UV reflecting material, which may include a surface with a parabolic curve in at least one axis. The at least one parabolic UV reflecting material may be positioned relative to the UV-transparent tube such that the UV reflecting material reflects UV radiation to within the volume of the UV-transparent tube.
  • the UV sterilization section may include at least one UV source, such as a light emitting diode (LED) configured to output UV radiation.
  • the UV source may be disposed adjacent to the UV-transparent tube, e.g., next to an outer surface of the tube.
  • the UV source may be disposed within the volume of the tube, e.g., attached to an inner surface of the tube, in which case, the tube may or may not be UV transparent.
  • the UV sterilization section may include both at least one UV reflecting material positioned relative to the UV-transparent tube such that the UV reflecting material reflects UV radiation from sunlight to within the volume of the UV-transparent tube and at least one UV source.
  • the UV source may act as a supplemental UV source, e.g., when there is insufficient sunlight to provide the needed UV radiation.
  • a water purification apparatus may be constructed that has a capacity to purify sufficient water daily for a small group of people, e.g., 5 people and about 5 gallons of water per day.
  • the water purification apparatus may be portable, and may include an expandable container into which the purified water flows for storage.
  • the water purification apparatus may be sized and configured to fit on top of a bucket, such as a 5 -gallon bucket.
  • a water purification apparatus may be constructed that has a capacity to purify sufficient water daily for a larger group of people, such as about 50 people and about 50 gallons of water per day.
  • the water purification apparatus may include a pump, at least one filter downstream of the pump, and a UV sterilization section that includes at least one UV reflecting material positioned to reflect UV radiation (e.g., from sunlight) to within the volume of a UV transparent tube through which the water flows.
  • the water purification apparatus may be sized to be semi-portable, in which the water purification apparatus may be on wheels and/or may be movable using mechanical assistance, such as a semi-trailer.
  • the disclosure describes a water purification apparatus that includes a water inlet, at least one filter downstream of the water inlet and fluidically coupled to the water inlet, and a tube downstream of the filter and fluidically coupled to the filter.
  • the water purification apparatus also may include at least one UV source positioned to irradiate an interior volume of the tube, a water outlet downstream of the tube and fluidically coupled to the tube, and an expandable container fluidically coupled to the water outlet, wherein the expandable container is configured to expand under pressure from water exiting the water outlet.
  • the disclosure describes a method including pumping water through an inlet using a pump, wherein the pump imparts sufficient energy to the water to cause the water to pass through at least one filter fluidically connected to the pump, a UV sterilization section fluidically connected to the at least one filter, and to an expandable container fluidically connected to the UV sterilization section.
  • the method also includes filtering the water using the at least one filter, wherein the at least one filter is configured to remove at least some particulates present in the water, and directing UV radiation into the water from at least one UV source of the UV sterilization section.
  • the disclosure describes a method including purifying water using any of the water purification apparatuses described herein.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective diagram illustrating a partial cutaway view of an example water purification apparatus that includes at least one filter, a UV sterilization section, and an expandable container for storing purified water.
  • FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional diagram of an example multilayer optical film.
  • FIG. 3 is a conceptual block diagram of an example electronics module of the water purification apparatus of FIG. 1.
  • FIGS. 4A-4C are perspective diagrams illustrating the example water purification apparatus of FIG. 1 during different stages of a purification process.
  • FIG. 5 is a perspective diagram illustrating another example water purification apparatus that includes at least one filter and a UV sterilization section including at least one UV reflecting surface positioned to reflect UV radiation to within a UV transparent tube through which water to be sterilized flows.
  • FIG. 6 is a conceptual block diagram of an example electronics module of the water purification apparatus of FIG. 5.
  • FIG. 7 is a perspective diagram illustrating another view of the example water purification apparatus shown in FIG. 5.
  • FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional conceptual diagram illustrating another view of the example water purification apparatus shown in FIG. 5.
  • FIG. 9 is a partial cutaway perspective diagram illustrating another view of the example water purification apparatus shown in FIG. 5.
  • FIG. 10 is a perspective diagram illustrating a system including a plurality of water purification apparatuses.
  • FIG. 1 1 is a perspective diagram illustrating another example water purification apparatus that includes at least one filter and a UV sterilization section including at least one UV reflecting surface positioned to reflect UV radiation to within a UV transparent tube through which water to be sterilized flows and at least one UV source.
  • a and/or B includes, (A and B) and (A or B);
  • interpolymerized refers to monomers that are polymerized together to form a macromolecular compound
  • copolymer refers to a polymeric material comprising at least two different
  • interpolymerized monomers i.e., the monomers do not have the same chemical structure
  • the monomers includes, for example, terpolymers (three different monomers) or tetrapolymers (four different monomers);
  • polymer refers to a polymeric material comprising interpolymerized monomers of the same monomer (a homopolymer) or of different monomers (a copolymer);
  • light refers to electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength or wavelengths in a range from 200 nm to 2500 nm;
  • melt-processible refers to a polymeric material that flows upon melting, heating, and/or application of pressure in normal process equipment such as extruders;
  • optical layer refers to a layer of material having a thickness of about one quarter of a wavelength or wavelengths of light to be reflected.
  • the purification apparatuses include at least one filter and a UV sterilization section fluidically connected to the at least one filter and downstream of the at least one filter.
  • the at least one filter may be configured to filter particulates from the water. The filtering of the water may reduce its turbidity and remove at least some contaminants from the water.
  • the UV sterilization section may include at least one UV source, such as a light emitting diode (LED) configured to output UV radiation.
  • LED light emitting diode
  • the UV sterilization section may include both at least one UV reflecting material positioned relative to the UV-transparent tube such that the UV reflecting material reflects UV radiation from sunlight to within the volume of the UV-transparent tube and at least one UV source.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective diagram illustrating a partial cutaway view of an example water purification apparatus 10 that includes at least one filter 26, a UV sterilization section, and an expandable container 28 for storing purified water. Other views of water purification apparatus 10 are shown in FIGS. 4A-4C.
  • FIGS. 4A-4C are perspective diagrams illustrating an example water purification apparatus during different stages of a purification process. Similar structures of water purification apparatus 10 are labeled with similar reference numerals in FIGS. 1 and 4A-4C.
  • Water purification apparatus 10 includes a housing 12 that defines a perimeter surface 14 and a top surface 16. Although perimeter surface 14 is shown as defining a cylindrical shape, in other examples, perimeter surface 14 may define another shape, such as a rectangular shape or the like. Similarly, although top surface 16 is shown as defining a substantially planar surface (with a spiral depression approximately corresponding to the shape of tube 18), in other examples, top surface 16 may define another surface shape. Housing 12 also defines a bottom surface, which is not shown in FIGS. 1 and 4A-4C. Bottom surface is shaped to rest on a top edge of bucket 30. In some examples, bucket 30 may be a 5-gallon bucket. In some examples, water purification apparatus 10 may not include bucket 30, and may be provided separately from a bucket 30.
  • Water purification apparatus 10 includes an inlet 32, which extends out of housing 12.
  • inlet 32 is a tube that extends out of housing 12 and into the interior volume of bucket 30.
  • Inlet 32 is fluidically connected to an inlet of pump 34.
  • Pump 34 may be substantially fully (e.g., fully or nearly fully) disposed within housing 12, or a portion of pump 34 may be external to housing 12, as shown in FIG. 1. Pump 34 may be adapted to pump water through inlet 32 to other portions of water purification apparatus 10.
  • pump 34 may be manually powered (e.g., a hand-powered pump), battery powered, electrically powered, solar powered, and/or gasoline powered.
  • pump 34 may be electrically connected to a power source contained in electronic module 38 (e.g., power source 64 illustrated in FIG. 3) and/or electrically connected to photovoltaic cells 22.
  • the power source may be user- replaceable or non-user-replaceable.
  • the power source may be rechargeable.
  • the power source may be disposable (non-rechargeable).
  • the power source may be, for example, a lithium ion or lithium polymer battery.
  • Photovoltaic cells 22 may be disposed on an outer surface of housing 12, such as perimeter surface 14.
  • water purification apparatus 10 may include a plurality of photovoltaic cells 22, as shown in FIGS. 4A-4C.
  • photovoltaic cells 22 may be electrically connected to the power source in electronic module 38, and may be used to charge and recharge the power source.
  • photovoltaic cells 22 may be electrically connected to pump 34 and directly power pump 34.
  • pump 34 may be primarily powered by photovoltaic cells 22, and may be powered by the power source in electronic module 38 when there is insufficient power provided by photovoltaic cells 22. Thus, pump 34 may be selectively powered by photovoltaic cells 22 and the power source in electronic module 38. In other examples, as mentioned above, photovoltaic cells 22 may be used to charge the power source, and the power source may be used to power pump 34.
  • An outlet of pump 34 may be fluidically connected to an inlet of at least one filter 26, e.g., via a tube.
  • the at least one filter 26 thus may be downstream of pump 34 in some examples, although in other examples, the various components of water purification apparatus may be fluidically connected in different orders.
  • the at least one filter 26 may be disposed at least partially within housing 12. In some examples, at least one filter 26 may be substantially fully (e.g., fully or nearly fully) disposed within housing 12.
  • the at least one filter 26 may be adapted to and configured to remove at least some particles from the water to be purified.
  • the at least one filter 26 may include a size exclusion filter, which includes pores or other structured configured to allow molecules and particles less than a defined size pass while not allowing particles larger than the defined size pass through the filter.
  • the at least one filter 26 may include an activated carbon filter, which uses chemical adsorption to remove particles from the water.
  • the at least one filter 26 may include a plurality of filters, which may be configured so water flows through the plurality of filters 26 in series configuration or in parallel configuration.
  • the at least one filter 26 may include a plurality of size exclusion filters disposed in series, in which the more upstream filters are adapted to and configured to remove particles having larger relative sizes and the more downstream filters are adapted to and configured to remove particles having smaller relative sizes.
  • the at least one filter 26 may be adapted to and configured to remove particles (e.g., including bacteria, protozoa, microbial cysts, and the like) having a characteristic dimension of greater than about 0.2 micrometers.
  • the at least one filter 26 may be provided in a user- accessible location and user-replaceable format.
  • the at least one filter 26 may be housed in a cartridge that is accessible from an exterior of housing 12, as shown in FIG. 1. This may allow a use of water purification apparatus 10 to replace the at least one filter 26 when the at least one filter 26 has no useful life remaining.
  • the at least one filter 26 may include a sensor that detects the remaining useful life of the at least one filter 26.
  • the approximate useful life may be predetermined based on a volumetric capacity water that the at least one filter 26 is able to filter before exhausting its useful life.
  • the at least one filter 26 may include (e.g., within a cartridge in which the at least one filter 26 is disposed) a flow sensor and an external indicator of when the at least one filter 26 should be replaced.
  • water purification apparatus 10 may include sensors (e.g., pressure sensor 70 illustrated in IFG. 3) configured to determine a pressure drop across the at least one filter 26, and a controller in electronic module 38 may be configured to output the indication that the at least one filter 38 should be replaced for display at display device 24.
  • water purification apparatus 10 may include a sensor (e.g., turbidity sensor 68 illustrated in FIG. 3) disposed at the exit of the last of the at least one filter 26 that is configured to measure turbidity of water exiting the at least one filter 26.
  • Turbidity is a measure of the cloudiness or haziness of the water caused by suspended particles in the water.
  • turbidity provides an indication of the effectiveness of the at least one filter 26 in filtering particulates from the water flowing through the at least one filter 26. Turbidity may be measured by shining a light through the water and measuring the light attenuation caused by the water.
  • the sterilization section may include at least one UV source 36 and/or at least one UV reflective material 20.
  • the sterilization section includes both at least one UV source 36 and at least one UV reflective material 20.
  • the sterilization section may include at least one UV source 36 or at least one UV reflective material 20, but not both.
  • tube 18 may be disposed adjacent to at least one UV source 36.
  • the at least one UV source 36 is disposed within the volume of housing 12 and is located downstream of the at least one filter 26.
  • the at least one UV source 36 may include, for example, at least one light emitting diode (LED) configured to output UV radiation.
  • UV radiation may refer to radiation having a wavelength less than about 400 nanometers (nm).
  • Example wavelength ranges for UV light utilized herein include between about 200 nm and about 350 nm, or between about 200 nm and about 300 nm, or between about 250 nm and about 300 nm, or between about 250 nm and about 275 nm.
  • the at least one UV source 36 may be disposed adjacent to an external surface of tube 18.
  • tube 18 may be formed of a UV- transparent material, such as a UV-transparent polymer, glass, or plastic.
  • the UV source 36 may emit UV radiation and direct the UV radiation to within the volume of tube 18 to expose water flowing through tube 18 to UV radiation.
  • the at least one UV source 36 and/or tube 18 and/or housing 12 may include shielding that substantially prevents (e.g., prevents or nearly prevents) UV radiation from exiting housing 12, thus substantially confining (e.g., confining or nearly confining) UV radiation produced by UV source 36 to within the volume of housing 12.
  • the at least one UV source 36 may be disposed within the volume of tube 18.
  • tube 18 may not be transparent (e.g., to at least UV radiation) at the portion of tube at which the at least one UV source 36 is disposed.
  • the at least one UV source 36 may be positioned at a different location within water purification apparatus 10.
  • the at least one UV source 36 may be disposed within tube 18 at locations where tube 18 is external to housing 12 (e.g., adjacent to top surface 16 of housing 12).
  • the at least one UV source 36 may include a plurality of UV sources 36 disposed along a length of at least a portion of tube 18.
  • tube 18 exits housing 12 after passing at least one UV source 36.
  • Top surface 16 of housing 12 defines a spiral depression, in which a tube 18 is disposed.
  • tube 18 is formed of a transparent material, such as a transparent polymer, glass, or plastic.
  • tube 18 may be opaque to at least some wavelengths of light, such as visible wavelengths.
  • top surface 16 may define a spiral depression in which tube 18 is disposed, in other examples, top surface 16 may define a different shaped depression in which tube 18 is disposed. In other examples, top surface 16 may not define a depression, and tube 18 may be disposed on a flat surface of top surface 16 or at another location of housing 12.
  • water purification apparatus 10 also may include at least one UV reflective material 20 disposed within the spiral depression.
  • the at least one UV reflective material 20 may be positioned below tube 18, between an outer surface of tube 18 and top surface 16 of housing 12.
  • the at least one UV reflective material 20 may be attached (e.g., adhered) to top surface 16 within the spiral depression.
  • the at least one UV reflective material 20 may be positioned along at least a portion of the length of the spiral depression.
  • the at least one UV reflective material 20 may be positioned upon substantially the entire length (e.g., the entire length or nearly the entire length) of the spiral depression.
  • the at least one UV reflective material 20 may include a material that is adapted to reflect at least a portion of light (e.g., sunlight) having wavelengths within the UV spectrum.
  • the at least one UV reflective material 20 may be adapted to reflect at least a portion of light having a wavelength between about 200 nanometers (nm) and about 350 nm, or between about 200 nm and about 300 nm, or between about 250 nm and about 300 nm, or between about 250 nm and about 275 nm.
  • the at least one UV reflective material 20 may be adapted to transmit and/or absorb at least some of the light having wavelengths outside of the UV spectrum (e.g., light having a wavelength greater than about 400 nm, or greater than about 350 nm, or greater than about 300 nm, or greater than about 275 nm).
  • the at least one UV reflective material 20 may reflect at least some incident light with a wavelength in the UV spectrum and transmit and/or absorb at least some incident light with a wavelength outside of the UV spectrum, the at least one UV reflective material 20 may reduce an amount of heat transferred to and absorbed by the water flowing through tube 18. This may reduce heating and/or vaporization of the water, which may simplify operation of water purification apparatus 10.
  • Multilayer optical film 50 includes an optical stack 52 and may include optional additional layers (not shown), such as, for example, optional protective boundary layers and/or optional skin layers.
  • Optical stack 50 includes first optical layers 54a, 54b, . . . , 54n (collectively, "first optical layers 54") interleaved with and in intimate contact with second optical layers 56a, 56b, . . . , 56n (collectively, "second optical layers 56").
  • Second optical layers 56 are disposed in a repeating sequence with first optical layers 54, forming layer pairs that include a respective one of first optical layers 54 and a respective one of second optical layers 56.
  • first optical layers 54 and second optical layers 56 may be disposed in alternating layer pairs (e.g., ABABAB . . . ) as shown in FIG. 2.
  • the layer pairs may be arranged with one or more intermediate layers between at least some of the adjacent layer pairs (e.g., ABCABC . . . ) or in a non-alternating fashion (e.g., ABABABCAB . . . , ABABACABDAB . . . , ABABBAABAB . . . , etc.).
  • first optical layers 54 may include a first fluoropolymeric material and second optical layers 56 may include a second fluoropolymeric material.
  • the first fluoropolymeric material may be different than the second fluoropolymeric material.
  • the fluoropolymeric materials may include melt-processible fluoropolymers derived from interpolymerized units of fully or partially fluorinated monomers and may be semi-crystalline or amorphous.
  • the fluoropolymeric materials may include at least one of the following monomers: tetrafluoroethylene (TFE), hexafluoropropylene (HFP), chlorotrifluoroethylene (CTFE), fluoroalkyl vinyl ethers, fluoroalkoxy vinyl ethers, fluorinated styrenes, fluorinated siloxanes, hexafluoropropylene oxide (HFPO), or combinations thereof.
  • TFE tetrafluoroethylene
  • HFP hexafluoropropylene
  • CTFE chlorotrifluoroethylene
  • fluoroalkyl vinyl ethers fluoroalkoxy vinyl ethers
  • fluorinated styrenes fluorinated siloxanes
  • HFPO hexafluoropropylene oxide
  • fluoropolymeric materials include: homopolymers of TFE (e.g., PTFEs); copolymers of ethylene and TFE (e.g., ETFEs); copolymers of TFE, HFP, and VDF (e.g., THVs); homopolymers of VDF (e.g., PVDFs); copolymers of VDF (e.g., coVDFs); homopolymers of VF (e.g., PVFs); copolymers of HFP and TFE (e.g., FEPs); copolymers of TFE and propylene (e.g., TFEPs); copolymers of TFE and perfluorovinyl ether (e.g., PFAs); copolymers of TFE,
  • (perfluorovinyl) ether, and (perfluoromethyl vinyl) ether e.g., MFAs
  • copolymers of HFP, TFE, and ethylene e.g., HTEs
  • homopolymers of chlorotrifluoroethylene e.g., PCTFE
  • copolymers of ethylene and CTFE e.g., ECTFEs
  • homopolymers of HFPO e.g., PHFPO
  • homopolymers of 4- fluoro-(2-trifluoromethyl)styrene copolymers of TFE and norbornene
  • copolymers of HFP and VDF or combinations thereof.
  • the representative melt-processible copolymers including
  • interpolymerized monomers of tetrafluoroethylene described above include additional monomers, which may be fluorinated or non-fluorinated.
  • additional monomers which may be fluorinated or non-fluorinated.
  • examples include, ring opening compounds such as 3- or 4-membered rings that undergo ring opening under the conditions of polymerization such as, e.g., epoxides, olefinic monomers such as, e.g., propylene, ethylene, vinylidene fluoride, vinyl fluoride, and norbornene; and perfluoro(vinyl ethers)s of the formula
  • R f is a perfluoroalkyl having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, such as 1 to 3 carbon atoms, and a is an integer from 0 to 3.
  • perfluoro(vinyl ether)s having this formula include:
  • CF 2 CFOCF 3
  • CF 2 CFOCF 2 CF 2 CF 2 OCF 3
  • CF 2 CFOCF 2 CF 2 CF 3
  • melt-processible fluoropolymers may include at least three, or even at least four, different monomers.
  • melt-processible copolymers of tetrafluoroethylene and other monomer(s) discussed above include those commercially available as: copolymers of
  • du Pont de Nemours and Co. Wilmington, DE; copolymers of ethylene and tetrafluoroethylene sold under the trade designation "DYNEON ET 621 OA” and “DYNEON ET 6235" by Dyneon LLC, "TEFZEL ETFE” by E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Co., and "FLUON ETFE” by Asahi Glass Co., Ltd.; copolymers of ethylene and
  • Some example layer pairs including fluoropolymeric materials in both the first optical layers 54 and second optical layers 56 that can be used in optical stack 52 include: homopolymers of vinylidene fluoride and (copolymers of tetrafluoroethylene, hexafluoropropylene, and vinylidene fluoride) layer pairs; (copolymers of ethylene and chlorotrifluoroethylene) and
  • first optical layers 54 may include a fluoropolymeric material and second optical layers 56 may include a non-fluorinated polymeric material selected from the group consisting of poly(methyl methacrylate); copolymers of poly(methyl methacrylate);
  • polypropylene copolymers of propylene
  • polystyrenes including, e.g., syndiotactic polystyrene, isotactic polystyrene, and atactic polystyrene, or combinations thereof
  • copolymers of styrene such as, e.g., copolymers of acrylonitrile, styrene, and acrylate (e.g., ASA); polyvinylidene chloride; polycarbonates; thermoplastic polyurethanes; copolymers of ethylene, such as, e.g., copolymers of ethylene and vinyl acetate (e.g., EVAs); cyclic olefin copolymers; and
  • non-fluorinated polymeric materials include those such as: poly(methyl methacrylate) sold under the trade designations "CP71 " and “CP80” by Ineos Acrylics, Inc., Wilmington, Del.; copolymers of poly(methyl methacrylate) sold under the trade designation "PERSPEX CP63” by Ineos Acrylics, Inc. made from 75 weight percent methyl methacrylate and 25 weight percent ethyl acrylate, and a copolymer made from methyl methacrylate and n-butyl methacrylate; polypropylene including atactic polypropylene and isotactic polypropylene;
  • UV-reflective materials formed from fluoropolymeric multilayer optical films can be found in U.S. Patent Publication No. 201 1/0255155 Al, entitled,
  • optical stack 52 can be designed to reflect or transmit a desired bandwidth of light. It will be understood from the foregoing discussion that the choice of a second optical layer is dependent not only on the intended application of the multilayer optical film, but also on the choice made for the first optical layer, as well as the processing conditions.
  • the light or some portion of the light will be transmitted through an optical layer (e.g., one of first optical layers 54 and/or one of second optical layers 56), absorbed by an optical layer (e.g., one of first optical layers 54 and/or one of second optical layers 56), or reflected off the interface between the optical layers (e.g., an interface between one of first optical layers 54 and one of second optical layers 56).
  • first optical layers 54 and second optical layers 56 have respective refractive indices that are different, n ! and n 2 , respectively.
  • Light may be reflected at the interface of adjacent optical layers, for example, at the interface between first optical layer 54a and second optical layer 56a; and/or at the interface between second optical layer 56a and first optical layer 54b.
  • Light that is not reflected at the interface of adjacent optical layers typically passes through successive layers and is either absorbed in a subsequent optical layer, reflected at a subsequent interface, or is transmitted through the optical stack 52 altogether.
  • the optical layers of a given layer pair are selected such as to be substantially transparent to those light wavelengths at which reflectivity is desired.
  • an optical layer stack with many optical layers is capable of generating a high degree of reflectivity.
  • the reflectivity of the interface of adjacent optical layers may be proportional to the square of the difference in index of refraction on the first optical layer and the second optical layer at the reflecting wavelength.
  • ) may be at least 0.1. Higher refractive index differences between the first optical layer and the second optical layer are desirable, because more optical power (e.g., reflectivity) can be created, thus enabling more reflective bandwidth.
  • the absolute difference between the layer pair may be less than 0.20, less than 0.15, less than 0.10, less than 0.05, or even less than 0.03, depending on the layer pair selected.
  • poly(methyl methacrylate) and DYNEON HTE 1705 have an absolute refractive index difference of 0.12.
  • optical stack 52 can be designed to transmit or reflect the desired wavelengths.
  • the thickness of each layer e.g., of first optical layers 54 and second optical layers 56
  • the optical layers 54 and 56 may have an average individual layer optical thickness of about one quarter of the wavelength of interest, and a layer pair optical thickness of about one half of the wavelength of interest.
  • Optical thickness is defined as the product of the actual (physical) thickness of the layer times the layer's refractive index.
  • the optical layers can each be a quarter-wavelength thick or the optical layers (e.g., first and second optical layers 54 and 56) can have different optical thicknesses, as long as the sum of the optical thicknesses for the layer pair is half of a wavelength (or a multiple thereof).
  • the average individual layer optical thickness could be about 100 nm, and the average layer pair optical thickness would be about 200 nm.
  • the average individual layer optical thickness could be about 200 nm, and the average layer pair optical thickness would be about 400 nm.
  • the average individual layer optical thickness could be about 65 nm, and the average layer pair optical thickness would be about 130 nm.
  • first optical layers 54 may have the same physical and/or optical thicknesses and all of second optical layers 56 may have the same physical and/or optical thicknesses.
  • the physical and/or optical thicknesses of the first optical layers 54 may be the same or different than the physical and/or optical thicknesses of the second optical layers 56.
  • optical stack 52 can include optical layers (e.g., first and second optical layers 54 and 56) with different optical thicknesses to increase the reflective wavelength range.
  • An optical stack 52 having more than two layer pairs can include optical layers with different optical thicknesses to provide reflectivity over a range of wavelengths.
  • optical stack 54 can include layer pairs that are individually tuned to achieve optimal reflection of normally incident light having particular wavelengths or may include a gradient of layer pair thicknesses to reflect light over a larger bandwidth.
  • the normal reflectivity for a particular layer pair is primarily dependent on the optical thickness of the individual layers.
  • the intensity of light reflected from the optical layer stack is a function of its number of layer pairs and the differences in refractive indices of optical layers in each layer pair.
  • the ratio +n 2 d 2 ) (which may be referred to as the "f-ratio”) correlates with reflectivity of a given layer pair at a specified wavelength.
  • n 2 are the respective refractive indexes at the specified wavelength of the first and second optical layers in a layer pair
  • di and d 2 are the respective optical thicknesses of the first and second optical layers in the layer pair.
  • ⁇ /2 nidi+n 2 d 2 can be used to tune the optical layers to reflect light of wavelength ⁇ at a normal angle of incidence.
  • the optical thickness of the layer pair depends on the distance traveled through the component optical layers (which is larger than the thickness of the layers) and the indices of refraction for at least two of the three optical axes of the optical layer.
  • optical stack 52 may also provide more optical power. For example, if the refractive index between the layer pairs is small, optical stack 52 may not achieve the desired reflectivity, however by increasing the number of layer pairs, sufficient reflectivity may be achieved.
  • optical stack 52 comprises at least 2 first optical layers 54 and at least 2 second optical layers 56, at least 5 first optical layers 54 and at least 5 second optical layers 56, at least 50 first optical layers 54 and at least 50 second optical layers 56, at least 200 first optical layers 160 and at least 200 second optical layers 162, at least 500 first optical layers 54 and at least 500 second optical layers 56, or even at least 1000 first optical layers 54 and at least 1000 second optical layers 56.
  • Birefringence (e.g., caused by stretching) of optical layers 54 and 56 is another effective method for increasing the difference in refractive index of the optical layers 54 and 56 in a layer pair.
  • Optical stacks 52 that include layer pairs that are oriented in two mutually perpendicular in- plane axes are capable of reflecting an extraordinarily high percentage of incident light depending on, e.g., the number of optical layers, f-ratio, and the indices of refraction, and are highly efficient reflectors.
  • optical stack 54 may be designed to reflect or transmit at least a specific bandwidth (i.e., wavelength range) of interest.
  • UV light is used to sterilize the water flowing within UV-transparent tube 18
  • optical stack 52 may be designed to reflect UV light or a portion of the light in the UV spectrum (e.g., between about 250 nm and about 300 nm, such as between about 250 nm and about 275 nm).
  • reflects is meant that at least 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 85, 90, 92, or 95 percent of the wavelengths of interest are reflected at a 90 degree angle of incidence.
  • optical stack 52 is designed to transmit at least a portion of the light outside of the desired wavelength range for reflection (e.g., light with a wavelength above about 300 nm).
  • at least a portion is meant to comprise not only the entire range of wavelengths, but also a portion of the wavelengths, such as a bandwidth of at least 2 nm, 10 nm, 25 nm, 50 nm, or 100 nm.
  • transmits is meant that at least 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 85, 90, 92, or 95 percent of the wavelengths of interest are transmitted at a 90 degree angle of incidence.
  • Optical stack 52 can be fabricated by techniques such as e.g., co-extruding, laminating, coating, vapor deposition, atomic layer deposition, or combinations thereof.
  • co-extrusion the polymeric materials are co-extruded into a web.
  • co-extrusion it is preferred that the two polymeric materials have similar rheological properties (e.g., melt viscosities) to prevent layer instability or nonuniformity.
  • lamination sheets of polymeric materials are layered together and then laminated using either heat, pressure, and/or an adhesive.
  • coating a solution of one polymeric material is applied to another polymeric material.
  • vapor deposition one polymeric material is vapor deposited onto another polymeric material.
  • functional additives may be added to the first optical layer, the second optical layer, and/or the optional additional layers to improve processing.
  • functional additives include processing additives, which may e.g., enhance flow and/or reduce melt fracture.
  • processing additives which may e.g., enhance flow and/or reduce melt fracture.
  • At least one UV reflective material 20 may include an aluminum vapor coated fluoropolymer film or glass. Aluminum may be an effective reflector of UV radiation.
  • At least one UV reflective material 20 may define a parabolic curve in at least one plane, e.g., the plane orthogonal to a long axis of at least one UV reflective material 20.
  • the parabolic curve may facilitate focusing of the reflected UV radiation within the volume of tube 18, e.g., the dimensions of the parabolic curve may be selected such that the focus of the parabola (in the plane orthogonal to the long axis of the at least one UV reflective material 20) lies within the volume of tube 18.
  • Expandable container 28 is a receptacle for purified water exiting the sterilization section. Because expandable container 28 is expandable, when container 28 is empty of water or only partially full of water, expandable container 28 occupies less space (volume). As expandable container 28 fills with purified water, expandable container 28 expands to hold the water and occupies more volume.
  • FIG. 3 is a conceptual block diagram that illustrates various components of electronics module 38 and logical and/or electrical connections to other components of water purification apparatus 10.
  • Electronics module 38 includes control unit 62, power source 64, and storage device 72.
  • control unit 62 is logically and/or electrically connected to a number of other devices in water purification apparatus 10, including display device 24, pump 34, UV source 36, UV sensor 66, turbidity sensor 68, and pressure sensor 70.
  • water purification apparatus 10 may not include all of these devices/components, and may instead include a subset of these devices/components.
  • power source 64 may include a battery, which may be a rechargeable or non-rechargeable battery. In some examples, power source 64 may be user-accessible and/or user-replaceable.
  • the battery may include a lithium ion or lithium polymer battery.
  • Control unit 62 is configured to implement functionality and/or process instructions for execution.
  • control unit 62 may be capable of processing instructions stored by storage device 72.
  • Examples of control unit 62 may include, any one or more of a microprocessor, a controller, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or equivalent discrete or integrated logic circuitry.
  • DSP digital signal processor
  • ASIC application specific integrated circuit
  • FPGA field-programmable gate array
  • Storage device 72 may be configured to store information during operation.
  • Storage device 72 includes a computer-readable storage medium or computer-readable storage device.
  • storage device 72 includes a temporary memory, meaning that a primary purpose of storage device 72 is not long-term storage.
  • Storage device 72 includes a volatile memory, meaning that storage device 72 does not maintain stored contents when power is not provided to storage device 72. Examples of volatile memories include random access memories (RAM), dynamic random access memories (DRAM), static random access memories (SRAM), and other forms of volatile memories known in the art.
  • RAM random access memories
  • DRAM dynamic random access memories
  • SRAM static random access memories
  • storage devices 72 are used to store program instructions for execution by control unit 62.
  • Control unit 62 is logically and/or electrically connected to display device 24, pump 34, UV source 36, UV sensor 66, turbidity sensor 68, and pressure sensor 70.
  • Control unit 62 may be configured to control operation of display 24, pump 34, UV source 36, UV sensor 66, turbidity sensor 68, and pressure sensor 70 during operation of water purification apparatus 10.
  • control unit 62 may receive an indication of user input (e.g., from a power button) instructing water purification apparatus 10 to turn on and begin purifying water. Responsive to the indication, control unit 62 may initiate pump 34 to pump water and initiate UV source 36 to output UV radiation.
  • control unit 62 may control turbidity sensor 68 to begin measuring turbidity of water downstream of at least one filter 26 (e.g., of water exiting at least one filter 26 through tube 18).
  • control unit 62 may be configured to control operation of pump 34 based at least in part on a signal received from turbidity sensor 68.
  • control unit 62 also may be logically and/or electrically connected to at least one UV source 36 and a UV sensor 66.
  • Control unit 62 may be configured to receive signals from UV sensor 66 indicative of a total UV dose provided to water flowing through tube 18. Responsive the signals received from UV sensor 66, control unit 62 may control operation of water purification sensor 10. For example, control unit 62 may control operation of pump 34, e.g., to reduce a flow rate of water (and thus increase a residence time of water adjacent to UV source 36) to increase a dose of UV radiation to the water.
  • control unit 62 may control operation of at least one UV source 36 to increase and/or decrease output of UV radiation by the at least on UV source 36 based at least in part on the signals received from UV sensor 66.
  • control unit 62 may be logically and/or electrically connected to pressure sensor 70.
  • Pressure sensor 70 may be configured to determine a pressure drop across the at least one filter 26, which may be indicative of a status of the at least one filter 26. For example, a relatively low pressure drop across the at least one filter 226 may indicate that the at least one filter 26 is relatively new, and is not filled with particulates. Conversely, a higher pressure drop across the at least one filter 26 indicates a greater resistance to flow across the at least one filter 26 (e.g., due to particulates trapped in the at least one filter 26), which may imply that the at least one filter 26 is nearing the end of its useful life.
  • control unit 62 may be configured to output, for display at display device 24, an indication of status of the at least one filter 26, such as an indication that the at least one filter 26 should be replaced.
  • FIGS. 4A-4C are conceptual diagrams illustrating expandable container 28 at different levels of fill with water.
  • expandable container 28 is disposed within the volume of bucket 30 and external to housing 12. When expandable container 28 is empty or nearly empty of water, expandable container 28 is collapsed and occupied little space.
  • expandable container 28 is partially filled with water, expandable container 28 is partially expanded (e.g., corresponding to the amount of water is container 28) and occupies a greater volume than when empty.
  • FIG. 4C when expandable container 28 is more filled with water, expandable container 28 is further expanded (e.g., corresponding to the amount of water is container 28) and occupies a greater volume than when empty and partially filled.
  • FIGS. 4A-4C also illustrate inlet 32 and outlet 42.
  • Inlet 32 extends into bucket 30, which may be at least partially filled with water to be purified.
  • Outlet 42 extends from housing 42 into expandable container 28.
  • container 30 is substantially full (e.g., full or nearly full) of water
  • expandable container 28 may be substantially empty of water, as shown in FIG. 4A.
  • pump 34 FIG. 1
  • FIGS. 1-4C have illustrated an example water purification apparatus 10 that is configured to be portable and purify sufficient water for a small group of people (e.g., about 5 people).
  • a water purification apparatus according to this disclosure may be sized to purify sufficient water for a larger group of people (e.g., about 50 people).
  • FIGS. 5 and 7-9 are conceptual diagrams illustrating various views of an example water purification apparatus 80 that may be configured to and adapted to purify water for a larger group of people (e.g., about 50 people).
  • water purification apparatus 80 may be relatively less portable than water purification apparatus 10, water purification apparatus 80 may be movable, e.g., using mechanical assistance, such as a trailer and vehicle.
  • FIG. 5 is a perspective diagram illustrating another example water purification 80 apparatus that includes at least one filter and a UV sterilization section including at least one UV reflecting surface positioned to reflect UV radiation to within a UV transparent tube through which water to be sterilized flows.
  • FIG. 7 is a perspective diagram illustrating another view of the example water purification apparatus shown in FIG. 5.
  • FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional conceptual diagram illustrating another view of the example water purification apparatus shown in FIG. 5.
  • FIG. 9 is a partial cutaway perspective diagram illustrating another view of the example water purification apparatus shown in FIG. 5.
  • Water purification apparatus 80 includes an inlet 82 adapted to receive water to be purified form a water source, such as a lake, river, well, reservoir, storage container, or the like.
  • inlet 82 includes two pipes that extend from housing 84.
  • inlet 82 may include one or more rigid pipe, one or more flexible pipe, one or more flexible tubes, or the like.
  • Housing 84 may be attached to and supported by a frame 86.
  • Frame 86 may extend substantially the length of water purification apparatus 80.
  • Frame 86 supports the various components of water purification apparatus 80, and may be attached to wheels 88, which may facilitate moving water purification apparatus 80.
  • Frame 86 also supports and is attached to at least one filter 90, tube 92, at least one UV reflective material 94, and at least one photovoltaic cell 96.
  • Housing 84 may at least partially enclose or contain various components of water purification apparatus 80, including, for example, a pump, a power source, a control unit, and at least one sensor.
  • FIG. 6 is a conceptual block diagram that illustrates various electrical and electronic components that may be disposed within housing 84 and/or at other locations of water purification apparatus 80.
  • An electronics module 100 includes control unit 102, power source 104, and storage device 106.
  • control unit 102 is logically and/or electrically connected to a number of other devices in water purification apparatus 80, including turbidity sensor 108, UV sensor 1 10, UV source 1 12, pressure sensor 1 14, pump 1 16, and display device 1 18.
  • water purification apparatus 80 may not include all of these devices/ components, and may instead include a subset of these devices/components.
  • power source 104 may include a battery, which may be a rechargeable or non-rechargeable battery. In some examples, power source 104 may be user-accessible and/or user-replaceable.
  • the battery may include a lead acid battery, such as a lead acid car battery, a lithium ion battery, or a lithium polymer battery.
  • water purification apparatus 80 may not include a power source 104, and may instead include an electrical cord that extends from housing 84 and may be plugged into an electrical outlet.
  • Control unit 102 is configured to implement functionality and/or process instructions for execution.
  • control unit 102 may be capable of processing instructions stored by storage device 106.
  • Examples of control unit 102 may include, any one or more of a
  • microprocessor a controller, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or equivalent discrete or integrated logic circuitry.
  • DSP digital signal processor
  • ASIC application specific integrated circuit
  • FPGA field-programmable gate array
  • Storage device 106 may be configured to store information during operation.
  • Storage device 106 includes a computer-readable storage medium or computer- readable storage device.
  • storage device 106 includes a temporary memory, meaning that a primary purpose of storage device 106 is not long-term storage.
  • Storage device 106 includes a volatile memory, meaning that storage device 106 does not maintain stored contents when power is not provided to storage device 106. Examples of volatile memories include random access memories (RAM), dynamic random access memories (DRAM), static random access memories (SRAM), and other forms of volatile memories known in the art.
  • RAM random access memories
  • DRAM dynamic random access memories
  • SRAM static random access memories
  • storage devices 106 are used to store program instructions for execution by control unit 102.
  • Control unit 102 is logically and/or electrically connected to turbidity sensor 108, UV sensor 1 10, UV source 1 12, pressure sensor 1 14, pump 1 16, and display device 1 18. Control unit 102 may be configured to control operation of turbidity sensor 108, UV sensor 1 10, UV source
  • control unit 102 may receive an indication of user input (e.g., from a power button) instructing water purification apparatus 80 to turn on and begin purifying water. Responsive to the indication, control unit 102 may initiate pump 1 16 to pump water and initiate UV source 1 12 to output UV radiation. Additionally, in some examples, control unit 102 may control turbidity sensor 108 to begin measuring turbidity of water downstream of at least one filter 90 (FIGS. 5 and 7-9; e.g., of water exiting at least one filter 90 through tube 92). In some examples, control unit 102 may be configured to control operation of pump 1 16 based at least in part on a signal received from turbidity sensor 108.
  • control unit 102 also may be logically and/or electrically connected to a
  • Control unit 102 may be configured to receive signals from UV sensor 1 10 indicative of a total UV dose provided to water flowing through tube 92. Responsive the signals received from UV sensor 1 10, control unit 102 may control operation of water purification apparatus 80. For example, control unit 102 may control operation of pump 1 16, e.g., to reduce a flow rate of water (and thus increase a residence time of water adjacent to at least one UV reflective material 94; FIGS. 5 and 7-9) to increase a dose of UV radiation to the water. As another example, control unit 102 may control operation of an optional at one optional UV source 1 12 to increase and/or decrease output of UV radiation by the optional at least one UV source 1 12 based at least in part on the signals received from UV sensor 110.
  • control unit 102 may be logically and/or electrically connected to pressure sensor 1 14.
  • Pressure sensor 1 14 may be configured to determine a pressure drop across the at least one filter 90, which may be indicative of a status of the at least one filter 90. For example, a relatively low pressure drop across the at least one filter 90 may indicate that the at least one filter 90 is relatively new, and is not filled with particulates. Conversely, a higher pressure drop across the at least one filter 90 indicates a greater resistance to flow across the at least one filter 90 (e.g., due to particulates trapped in the at least one filter 90), which may imply that the at least one filter 90 is nearing the end of its useful life.
  • control unit 102 may be configured to output, for display at display device 1 18, an indication of status of the at least one filter 90, such as an indication that the at least one filter 90 should be replaced.
  • pump 1 16 may be disposed within housing 84 and fluidically coupled to inlet 82.
  • an inlet of pump 1 16 may be fluidically connected to inlet 82 downstream of inlet 82.
  • Pump 1 16 may be adapted to pump water through inlet 82 to other portions of water purification apparatus 80.
  • pump 116 may be manually powered (e.g., a hand-powered pump), battery powered, electrically powered, solar powered, and/or gasoline powered.
  • pump 1 16 may be electrically connected to a power source 104 (FIG. 6) and/or electrically connected to at least one photovoltaic cell 96.
  • At least one photovoltaic cell 96 may be disposed on a plate or support material and attached to frame 86.
  • the at least one photovoltaic cell 96 may be attached to a support that is moveably attached to frame 86.
  • the at least one photovoltaic cell 96 may be moveable independently of frame 86.
  • the support plate to which the at least one photovoltaic cell 96 is attached may be connected to a motor that operates under control of control unit 102 to rotate during the course of a day.
  • the support plate to which the at least one photovoltaic cell 96 is attached may be manually rotatable, e.g., by a user of water purification apparatus 80. Rotation of the at least one photovoltaic cell 96 throughout the day may result in sunlight being more directly incident (e.g., normal to a surface of the at least one photovoltaic cell 96) throughout the day, which may improve an amount of sunlight absorbed by the at least one photovoltaic cell 96. Rotation of the at least one photovoltaic cell 96 is illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 7.
  • the at least one photovoltaic cell 96 may not be moveably attached to frame 86, and may be non-moveably attached to frame 86 and/or another structure of water purification apparatus 80, such as housing 84.
  • water purification apparatus 80 may include a plurality of photovoltaic cells 96, as shown in FIGS. 5, 7, and 8.
  • the at least one photovoltaic cell 96 may be electrically connected to power source 104 (FIG. 6), and may be used to charge and recharge power source 104.
  • the at least one photovoltaic cell 96 may be electrically connected to pump 1 16 and directly power pump 116.
  • pump 1 16 may be primarily powered by at least one photovoltaic cell 96, and may be powered by power source 104 when there is insufficient power provided by the at least one photovoltaic cell 96. Thus, pump 1 16 may be selectively powered by the at least one photovoltaic cell 96 and power source 104, and power source 104 may operate as a backup power source. In other examples, as mentioned above, the at least one photovoltaic cell 96 may be used to charge power source 104, and power source 104may be used to power pump 1 16.
  • An outlet of pump 1 16 may be fluidically connected to an inlet of at least one filter 90, e.g., via a tube.
  • the at least one filter 90 thus may be downstream of pump 1 16 in some examples, although in other examples, the various components of water purification apparatus 80 may be fluidically connected in different orders.
  • the at least one filter 90 may be adapted to and configured to remove at least some particles from the water to be purified.
  • the at least one filter 90 may include a size exclusion filter, which includes pores or other structured configured to allow molecules and particles less than a defined size pass while not allowing particles larger than the defined size pass through the filter.
  • the at least one filter 90 may include an activated carbon filter, which uses chemical adsorption to remove particles from the water.
  • the at least one filter 90 may include a plurality of filters, which may be configured so water flows through the plurality of filters 90 in series configuration or in parallel configuration.
  • the at least one filter 90 may include a plurality of size exclusion filters disposed in series (shown in FIG. 9), in which the more upstream filters are adapted to and configured to remove particles having larger relative sizes and the more downstream filters are adapted to and configured to remove particles having smaller relative sizes.
  • the at least one filter 26 may be adapted to and configured to remove particles (e.g., including bacteria, protozoa, microbial cysts, and the like) having a characteristic dimension of greater than about 0.2 micrometers.
  • the at least one filter 90 may be provided in a user- accessible location.
  • the at least one filter 90 may be user-serviceable, e.g., may be cleanable and/or replaceable by the user. This may allow a user of water purification apparatus 10 to replace the at least one filter 90 when the at least one filter 90 has no useful life remaining, e.g., as indicated by pressure sensor 1 14 (FIG. 6) or a flow sensor.
  • Tube 92 Upon exiting the at least one filter 90, water flows through tube 92.
  • Tube 92 extends along a sterilization section of water purification apparatus 80.
  • Tube 92 may be formed of a material that is at least partially transparent to UV radiation, such as a UV transparent polymer, glass, or plastic.
  • the sterilization section may include at least one UV reflective material 94 and, optionally, at least one UV source 1 12 (FIG. 6).
  • At least one UV reflective material 94 may be similar to or substantially the same (e.g., the same or nearly the same) as at least one UV reflective material 20 described with reference to FIGS. 1-4C.
  • the at least one UV reflective material 94 may include a material that is adapted to reflect at least a portion of light (e.g., sunlight) having wavelengths within the UV spectrum.
  • the at least one UV reflective material 20 may be adapted to reflect at least a portion of light having a wavelength between about 200 nm and about 350 nm, or between about 200 nm and about 300 nm, or between about 250 nm and about 300 nm, or between about 250 nm and about 275 nm.
  • the at least one UV reflective material 20 may be adapted to transmit and/or absorb at least some of the light having wavelengths outside of the UV spectrum (e.g., light having a wavelength greater than about 400 nm, or greater than about 350 nm, or greater than about 300 nm, or greater than about 275 nm).
  • the at least one UV reflective material 94 may include a multilayer optical film 50, shown in FIG. 2.
  • At least one UV reflective material 94 may define a parabolic curve in at least one plane, e.g., the plane orthogonal to a long axis of at least one UV reflective material 94.
  • the parabolic curve may facilitate focusing of the reflected UV radiation within the volume of tube 92, e.g., the dimensions of the parabolic curve may be selected such that the focus of the parabola (in the plane orthogonal to the long axis of the at least one UV reflective material 94) lies within the volume of tube 92.
  • the at least one UV reflective material 94 may be positioned along at least a portion of the length of tube 92.
  • the at least one UV reflective material 94 may be positioned along substantially the entire length (e.g., the entire length or nearly the entire length) of the tube 92.
  • the at least one UV reflective material 94 includes a plurality of UV reflective materials, and, together, the plurality of UV reflective materials extend along substantially the entire horizontal length of tube 92.
  • the at least one UV reflective material 94 may be attached (e.g., adhered or laminated) to an underlying substrate, which may provide mechanical support for the at least one UV reflective material 94.
  • the substrate may comprise a glass or other substantially transparent and relatively rigid material.
  • the at least one UV reflective material 94 may be movably attached to frame 86.
  • the at least one UV reflective material 94 may be rotatably attached to frame 86, such that the at least one UV reflective material 94 may be rotated about at least one axis.
  • the at least one UV reflective material 94 may be connected to a motor that operates under control of control unit 102 to rotate during the course of a day.
  • the at least one UV reflective material 94 may be manually rotatable, e.g., by a user of water purification apparatus 80.
  • Rotation of the at least one UV reflective material 94 throughout the day may result in sunlight being more directly incident on the at least one UV reflective material 94 throughout the day, which may result in more UV radiation being reflected by the at least one UV reflective material 94 into the volume of tube 92.
  • Rotation of the at least one UV reflective material 94 is illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 7.
  • the at least one UV reflective material 94 may not be moveably attached to frame 86 and may instead be non-moveably attached to frame 86.
  • water purification apparatus 80 includes at least one UV source 1 12
  • the at least one UV source 1 12 may be disposed adjacent to an external surface of tube 92 or within a volume of tube 92, similar to at least one UV source 36 described with reference to FIGS.
  • UV source 1 12 may emit UV radiation and direct the UV radiation to within the volume of tube 92 to expose water flowing through tube 92 to UV radiation.
  • the at least one UV source 1 12 and/or tube 92 may include shielding that substantially prevents (e.g., prevents or nearly prevents) a user of water purification apparatus 80 from being exposed to UV radiation.
  • water purification apparatus 80 may include reservoir 122 for storing at least some purified water. Reservoir 122 may be fluidically connected to tube 92 downstream of the sterilization section. In some examples, as shown in FIG. 8, reservoir 122 may be enclosed within or defined by housing 84. In other examples, reservoir 122 may be positioned at a different location of water purification apparatus 80, such as attached to frame 86 at a different location of water purification apparatus 80. Outlet 98 is fluidically connected to reservoir 122, e.g., via a selectively openable valve. In other examples, water purification apparatus 80 may not include a reservoir.
  • FIGS. 5 and 7-9 illustrate an example of a single water purification apparatus 80, in some examples, a group of people (e.g., a village or other collective) may require more water than can be purified by a single water purification apparatus 80. In some examples, the water purification apparatus 80 may be used in parallel with other, similar water purification apparatuses.
  • FIG. 10 is a perspective diagram illustrating a system 130 including a plurality of water purification apparatuses 132A-132F (collectively, "water purification apparatuses 132").
  • each of water purification apparatuses 132 may be the same as or substantially similar to (e.g., similar to or nearly similar to) water purification apparatus 80 illustrated in FIGS. 5-9.
  • each of water purification apparatuses 132 may include at least one filter for filtering water and at least one UV reflective material for sterilizing water.
  • water purification apparatuses may be fluidically connected in a parallel flow configuration, such that a single inlet extends from the water source (e.g., lake, river, well, reservoir, storage container, or the like) to the respective inlet for each of water purification apparatuses 132 (e.g., inlet 82; FIGS. 5 and 7-9).
  • respective outlets e.g., outlets 98;
  • FIGS. 5 and 7-9) of water purification apparatuses 132 may be fluidically connected in parallel to a single, common outlet.
  • the common outlet may be fluidically connected to a storage container for the purified water exiting water purification apparatuses 132.
  • each of water purification apparatuses 132 may operate substantially independently and may not be fluidically connected to others of water purification apparatuses
  • water purification apparatuses 132 may be controlled by a single control unit (e.g., a control unit 102 of one of water purification apparatuses 132).
  • the amount of water that can be purified in a given amount of time may be easily scaled (e.g., increased or decreased) by adding or removing water purification apparatuses 132 from system 130.
  • FIGS. 5-10 illustrate examples of water purification apparatuses 82 and 132 that utilize sunlight as a UV source
  • sufficient sunlight may not be available in locations to provide enough UV radiation to sterilize water.
  • a water purification apparatus sized to provide clean water for a larger group of people may utilize at least one UV source to provide UV radiation.
  • FIG. 1 1 is a perspective diagram illustrating an example water purification apparatus 140 that includes at least one filter 150 and a UV sterilization section including at least one UV reflecting material 154 positioned to reflect UV radiation to within a UV transparent tube 152 through which water to be sterilized flows and UV sources 158A-158D (collectively "UV sources 158").
  • water purification apparatus 140 may be similar to or substantially the same as (e.g., the same or nearly the same) as water purification apparatus 80 illustrated in FIGS. 5-9, aside from the differences described herein.
  • water purification apparatus 140 may include an inlet 142, a housing 144, a frame 146, at least one filter 150, and a pipe 152, all of which may be the similar to or substantially the same as (e.g., the same or nearly the same) inlet 82, housing 82, frame 86, at least one filter 90, and pipe 92 described with reference to FIGS. 5-9. Additionally, although not shown in FIG.
  • water purification apparatus 140 may include some or all of an electronic module 100 (including a power source 104, a control unit 102, and a storage device 106), a turbidity sensor 108, a UV sensor 1 10, a pressure sensor 1 14, a pump 1 16, a display device 1 18, and a reservoir 122 as illustrated and described with respect to FIGS. 6 and 8.
  • water purification apparatus 140 includes a plurality of UV sources 158.
  • Water purification apparatus 140 also may include a plurality of top UV reflective materials 156A-156D (collectively, "top UV reflective materials 156") disposed adjacent to the plurality of UV sources 158.
  • top UV reflective materials 156 disposed adjacent to the plurality of UV sources 158.
  • water purification apparatus 140 includes four UV sources 158 and four top UV reflective materials 156.
  • water purification apparatus 140 may include more or fewer than 4 UV sources 158 and more or fewer than four top UV reflective materials 156.
  • water purification apparatus 140 may include at least one UV sources 158 and at least one top UV reflective materials 156. Further, in the example shown in FIG.
  • water purification apparatus 140 includes a respective one of top UV reflective materials 156 disposed adjacent to a respective one of UV sources 158, such that water purification apparatus 140 includes the same number of top UV reflective materials 156 and UV sources 158. In other examples, water purification apparatus 140 may include different numbers of top UV reflective materials 156 and UV sources 158.
  • Each of UV sources 158 may include, for example, at least one light emitting diode (LED) configured to output UV radiation.
  • UV radiation may refer to radiation having a wavelength less than about 400 nanometers (nm).
  • Example wavelength ranges for UV radiation (light) utilized herein include between about 200 nm and about 350 nm, or between about 200 nm and about 300 nm, or or between about 250 nm and about 300 nm, or between about 250 nm and about 275 nm.
  • UV sources 158 may extend in a direction generally parallel to a length of tube 152.
  • UV sources 158 may extend along substantially an entire horizontal length (e.g., the entire horizontal length or nearly the entire horizontal length) of tube 152.
  • the plurality of LEDs may be spaced within UV sources 158 along substantially the entire length of UV sources 158.
  • top UV reflective materials 156 may extend generally parallel to the length of tube 152 (and, thus, the length of UV sources 158). In some examples, top UV reflective materials 156 may extend along substantially an entire horizontal length (e.g., the entire horizontal length or nearly the entire horizontal length) of tube 152. Top UV reflective materials 156 define a curve in a plane orthogonal to the long axis of top UV reflective materials 156. In some examples, the curve may be a parabolic curve. Top UV reflective materials 156 may reflect UV light emitted in an upward direction by UV sources 158 downward toward tube 152 and/or bottom UV reflector 154.
  • top UV reflective materials 156 may include a material that is adapted to reflect at least a portion of light (e.g., sunlight) having wavelengths within the UV spectrum.
  • top UV reflective materials 156 may be adapted to reflect at least a portion of light having a wavelength between about 200 nanometers (nm) and about 350 nm, or between about 200 nm and about 300 nm, or between about 250 nm and about 300 nm, or between about 250 nm and about 275 nm.
  • top UV reflective materials 156 may be adapted to transmit and/or absorb at least some of the light having wavelengths outside of the UV spectrum (e.g., light having a wavelength greater than about 400 nm, or greater than about 350 nm, or greater than about 300 nm, or greater than about 275 nm).
  • An example material that may be formed to reflect at least a portion of incident light having a certain wavelength or certain wavelengths and absorb and/or transmit at least a portion of incident light having different wavelength may be a multilayer optical film, such as multilayer optical film 50 illustrated in FIG. 2.
  • bottom UV reflective material 154 may be formed of a material that is adapted to reflect at least a portion of light (e.g., sunlight) having wavelengths within the UV spectrum and is adapted to transmit and/or absorb at least some of the light having wavelengths outside of the UV spectrum, such as multilayer optical film 50.
  • Bottom UV reflective material 154 may extend generally parallel to the length of tube 152 (and, thus, the length of UV sources 158). In some examples, bottom UV reflective material 154 may extend along substantially an entire horizontal length (e.g., the entire horizontal length or nearly the entire horizontal length) of tube 152.
  • Bottom UV reflective material 154 may define a curve in a plane orthogonal to the long axis of bottom UV reflective material 154.
  • the curve may be a parabolic curve.
  • Bottom UV reflective material 154 may reflect UV light emitted in a generally downward direction by UV sources 158 and light reflected by top UV reflective materials 156 upward toward tube 152.
  • a focal line of bottom UV reflective material 154 may lie within the volume defined by tube 152.
  • top UV reflective materials 156 and bottom UV reflective material 154 may be attached (e.g., adhered or laminated) to a respective underlying substrates, which may provide mechanical support for the top UV reflective materials 156 and bottom UV reflective material 154.
  • the respective substrates may comprise a glass or other substantially transparent and relatively rigid material.
  • top UV reflective materials 156 and bottom UV reflective material 154 may reflect at least some incident light with a wavelength in the UV spectrum and transmit and/or absorb at least some incident light with a wavelength outside of the UV spectrum
  • top UV reflective materials 156 and bottom UV reflective material 154 may reduce an amount of heat transferred to and absorbed by the water flowing through tube 152. This may reduce heating and/or vaporization of the water, which may simplify operation of water purification apparatus 140.
  • Water purification apparatus 140 also includes a plurality of photovoltaic cells 160 disposed at and attached to components of water purification apparatus 140.
  • photovoltaic cells 160 are attached to frame 146 and top UV reflective materials 156.
  • photovoltaic cells 160 may be electrically connected to the power source in an electronic module (e.g., power source 104 of electronics module 100 shown in FIG. 6), and may be used to charge and recharge the power source.
  • photovoltaic cells 160 may be electrically connected to the pump of water purification apparatus 140 and UV sources 158 and directly power pump the pump and UV sources 158.
  • the pump and UV power sources 158 may be primarily powered by photovoltaic cells 160, and may be powered by the power source in the electronic module when there is insufficient power provided by photovoltaic cells 160. Thus, the pump and UV power sources 158 may be selectively powered by photovoltaic cells 160 and the power source in the electronics module. In other examples, as mentioned above, photovoltaic cells 160 may be used to charge the power source, and the power source may be used to power the pump and UV power sources 158. Hence, although water purification apparatus 140 does not directly utilize the sun as a UV source (as does water purification apparatus 80), water purification apparatus 140 utilizes the sun's energy to provide power for operation of water purification apparatus 140.
  • water purification apparatus 140 may be adapted to be able to be connected in parallel flow configuration with at least one other water purification apparatus 140. This allows easy scaling of the amount of water purified in a given time period.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Toxicology (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Hydrology & Water Resources (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Physical Water Treatments (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un appareil de purification d'eau qui peut comprendre au moins un filtre et une section de stérilisation aux UV. Dans certains exemples, la section de stérilisation aux UV peut comprendre au moins une source d'UV positionnée pour émettre un rayonnement vers un volume intérieur du tube, et l'eau purifiée peut s'écouler vers un contenant expansible conçu pour se déployer sous la pression de l'eau sortant par l'évacuation d'eau. L'invention concerne également des techniques permettant de purifier de l'eau à l'aide de l'appareil de purification d'eau.
PCT/US2014/052944 2013-08-29 2014-08-27 Appareils de purification d'eau utilisant des filtres et un rayonnement ultraviolet Ceased WO2015031492A1 (fr)

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WO2017050656A1 (fr) * 2015-09-21 2017-03-30 Eta Plus Electronic Gmbh Dispositif pour appliquer un rayonnement uv à un milieu en circulation
US10180248B2 (en) 2015-09-02 2019-01-15 ProPhotonix Limited LED lamp with sensing capabilities
KR20200017145A (ko) * 2018-08-08 2020-02-18 서울바이오시스 주식회사 유체 처리 장치
US11905188B2 (en) 2016-01-28 2024-02-20 Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics Corporation Article and method for making same
US11939240B2 (en) 2018-08-08 2024-03-26 Seoul Viosys Co., Ltd. Sterilizing device

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WO2001012559A1 (fr) * 1999-08-13 2001-02-22 The Coca-Cola Company Systeme et procede de traitement local d'eau
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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1995013853A1 (fr) * 1993-11-16 1995-05-26 Whitehall Water Filtration Systems Dispositif de traitement d'eau
US20040182761A1 (en) * 1999-06-21 2004-09-23 Access Business Group International Llc F/K/A Amway Corporation Point-of-use water treatment system
WO2001012559A1 (fr) * 1999-08-13 2001-02-22 The Coca-Cola Company Systeme et procede de traitement local d'eau
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US20120241644A1 (en) * 2009-10-27 2012-09-27 Jonathan Ben-David Water purification apparatus comprising an uv source

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US10180248B2 (en) 2015-09-02 2019-01-15 ProPhotonix Limited LED lamp with sensing capabilities
WO2017050656A1 (fr) * 2015-09-21 2017-03-30 Eta Plus Electronic Gmbh Dispositif pour appliquer un rayonnement uv à un milieu en circulation
US11905188B2 (en) 2016-01-28 2024-02-20 Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics Corporation Article and method for making same
KR20200017145A (ko) * 2018-08-08 2020-02-18 서울바이오시스 주식회사 유체 처리 장치
US11939240B2 (en) 2018-08-08 2024-03-26 Seoul Viosys Co., Ltd. Sterilizing device
KR102660075B1 (ko) * 2018-08-08 2024-05-27 서울바이오시스 주식회사 유체 처리 장치

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