Fluid treatment system including reactor screw array

Abstract

There is described a fluid treatment system reactor array 105. The reactors 155 are arranged in a manner whereby a flow of fluid may be passed through the array in a substantially helical direction. The fluid treatment system is capable of treating large volumes of fluid e.g., water while requiring a relatively small foot print. In essence, the present fluid treatment system concentrates a relatively large number of radiation sources in a relatively small amount of space resulting in the ability to treat large volumes of fluid e.g., water.

Description

technical field [0001] In one aspect the invention relates to fluid handling systems. In another aspect, the present invention relates to methods of treating fluids. Background technique [0002] Fluid handling devices and systems are known. For example, US Pat. Nos. 4,482,809, 4,872,980, 5,006,244 and Re 36,896 (all assigned to the assignee of the present invention) all describe gravity gravity fluid treatment using ultraviolet (UV) radiation to inactivate microorganisms present in the fluid system. [0003] The devices and systems described in the '809, '980 and '244 patents typically include a plurality of UV lamps, each mounted within a sleeve extending between two arms of the frame. The frame is immersed in the fluid to be treated, which is then irradiated as needed. The amount of radiation exposed to the fluid is determined by the proximity of the fluid to the lamp. The UV output of the lamps is monitored using one or more UV sensors, and the fluid level downstrea...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

[0006] Although the closed fluid handling device of the '335 patent (including the prior art devices cited in that patent) has been somewhat commercially successful, there is still room for improvement

[0007] In particular, there is insufficient space to use devices such as those described in the '809, '980, '244, and '896 patents in many installations that need to handle large volumes of fluid, such as water.

Also, devices such as those described in the '335 patent are limited by the volume of fluid they can adequately treat (eg, subject the fluid to a sufficient radiation dose for the desired treatment)

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