Device for treating a medium with UV radiation

Abstract

Device for treating a medium with UV radiation, comprising a treatment chamber (1), a chamber-forming structure (2) and a UV-LED radiation source (3), wherein the medium can be accommodated in the treatment chamber (1) and wherein UV radiation can be provided by the UV-LED radiation source (3), characterized in that the chamber-forming structure (2) has a stiffening base structure (4) with at least one opening (5) and a UV-radiation-permeable film (6), the arrangement of which is determined by the base structure (4), and in that the chamber-forming structure (2) separates the treatment chamber (1) from the UV-LED radiation source (3) in a medium-tight manner and in that the UV radiation can be introduced into the treatment chamber (1) through the at least one opening (5) and the UV-radiation-permeable film of the chamber-forming structure (2).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for treating a medium with UV radiation, in particular for treating drinking water at a point of use.

[0002] Devices are known in the art that enable the treatment of drinking water as part of so-called end-point disinfection. In these devices, a UV radiation source is typically positioned at the water intake point. The drinking water to be treated flows around this source, thereby irradiating the water. During this flow, any germs present in the drinking water are inactivated by the UV radiation destroying their DNA bonds.

[0003] Common devices typically use a UV lamp, a so-called fluorescent lamp with a quartz glass casing, as their UV radiation source; this lamp also contains mercury. In this case, the mercury serves to emit the UV radiation.

[0004] The disadvantage of such devices is twofold: firstly, mercury is harmful to health when released, and secondly, it can enter the drinking water unnoticed if the quartz glass casing is damaged. Thirdly, the use of quartz glass itself is a disadvantage, as it is relatively expensive to produce and does not allow for sufficiently flexible adaptation to different geometries of the intake point.

[0005] Furthermore, a device for disinfecting water is known from US 2013 / 0 146 783 A1, which provides for the arrangement of several UV-emitting LEDs in a water pipe.

[0006] While such a device avoids the disadvantages of a mercury-filled UV radiation source and the use of quartz glass, the UV LEDs are directly exposed to the water being treated, which will eventually lead to damage to the LEDs and ultimately to device failure. Furthermore, the device described here does not allow for further geometric adaptability to different configurations of drinking water outlets.

[0007] A solution is known from US 7,270,748 B1 which avoids direct contact between the UV LEDs and the medium. However, a disadvantage of this solution is that a section of the medium-carrying conductor must be made of a special resin, and the UV LEDs must be embedded in hemispherical molded bodies.

[0008] Another approach is revealed in WO 2012 / 040 757 A1. Here, UV LEDs are housed in a flexible, mat-like body that can be placed around a container and adapts to the container's shape in certain areas. A disadvantage of this approach is the requirement for the UV radiation to penetrate the container wall, meaning that only certain containers are suitable and that some efficiency losses remain.

[0009] Furthermore, WO 2014 / 171 886 A1 describes a solution in which UV LEDs are held in an adaptable support structure, the support structure being detachably arranged in a medium-carrying conduit. Here, too, the direct contact of the LEDs with the medium is a disadvantage.

[0010] The object of the present invention is therefore to provide, overcoming disadvantages of the prior art, a device for treating a medium with UV radiation which can be manufactured cost-effectively and which also allows for flexible geometric adaptation to different application requirements.

[0011] The problem is solved by a device having the features listed in claim 1. Preferred embodiments are set forth in the dependent claims.

[0012] In the context of a device according to the invention for treating a medium with UV radiation, the term "medium" refers in particular to liquid media such as water or gaseous media such as air, without the invention being limited exclusively to such media.

[0013] An inventive device for treating a medium with UV radiation comprises a treatment chamber, a space-forming structure and a UV LED radiation source.

[0014] In this context, the treatment space is the area in which the medium to be treated is contained during treatment by the device. The treatment space can be defined either by a container or vessel into which the medium is introduced, or by the structure of the device itself, in which case the medium is contained within this structure. The medium can either flow through the treatment space or remain stationary within it.

[0015] According to the invention, the space-forming structure is formed by a stiffening and simultaneously flexibly adaptable basic structure and a UV-permeable film; hereinafter also referred to in abbreviated terms as basic structure and film.

[0016] The basic structure has at least one penetration, in particular a side wall. Within the device, the space-forming structure constitutes a component that comes into direct contact with the medium being treated during the treatment process.

[0017] The space-forming structure can be placed within the treatment chamber, which is particularly relevant when the treatment chamber is located in a container or vessel as described above. Alternatively, as explained above, the space-forming structure can enclose or surround the treatment chamber, allowing the medium to be introduced into the interior of the structure and thus into the treatment chamber. A particular advantage of a space-forming structure that encloses the treatment chamber is the ability to provide a flow-through solution with compact dimensions. This design is especially advantageous for end-point disinfection of drinking water, where the drinking water is treated with UV radiation shortly before being drawn, for example, from a tap.

[0018] Within the space-forming structure, the basic structure, according to the invention, serves to define the spatial arrangement of the film. In other words, the shape of the space-forming structure is primarily determined by the basic structure, which serves as a framework or base for the film. The film is preferably in direct contact with the basic structure, although a rigid connection between the film and the basic structure is not necessarily required. The basic structure can, for example, be designed as a wire or plastic grid, the shape and geometry of which can be adapted to the specific application and the shape of the installation location.For example, the geometry of the space-defining structure can be adapted to the pipe design in the area of ​​a tap, thus enabling particularly easy integration of the device into a corresponding drinking water outlet. Furthermore, a deformable design of the basic structure allows the device to be integrated, for example, into a water hose, where the device is advantageously able to follow any deformations of the hose.

[0019] Regardless of the design of the space-forming structure, the film is always designed to be medium-tight, meaning that the medium being treated cannot penetrate the film.

[0020] According to the invention, the UV radiation required for treating the medium can be provided by means of the UV LED radiation source. The UV LED radiation source can be formed by a single UV LED or by an arrangement or array of several UV LEDs, the technological advantage of the UV LED radiation source compared to conventional UV radiation sources being its low energy consumption, particularly short start-up times, and comparatively long service life.

[0021] The device according to the invention is further characterized in that the space-forming structure separates the treatment chamber from the UV LED radiation source. The UV LED radiation source is always arranged within the device on the side of the film facing away from the medium, thus preventing direct contact between the UV LED radiation source and the medium being treated. As a particular advantage of the device according to the invention, this eliminates the need for the otherwise conventional sealing of the UV radiation source from the medium being treated, thereby reducing setup effort and costs compared to conventional devices. The separation of the treatment chamber from the UV radiation source by the space-forming structure is achieved primarily by the film.

[0022] Furthermore, the device according to the invention is characterized in that the UV radiation for treating the medium can be introduced into the treatment chamber through the space-forming structure. For this purpose, the UV LED radiation source is arranged within the device such that the UV radiation can pass through the film and, in the area of ​​the at least one penetration through the base structure, into the treatment chamber. In an arrangement of several UV LEDs in an array according to the invention, several penetrations in the base structure are preferably provided, so that each UV LED is arranged in the area of ​​a penetration, thus enabling a particularly large irradiation area to be formed.

[0023] The arrangement of the UV LED radiation source within the respective area of ​​the device can, for example, be such that the UV LED radiation source is in direct contact with the base structure and / or the film, or that a defined distance is maintained between the UV LED radiation source and the space-defining structure. In this context, it is also possible, for example, to design the film as a double-layered film composite and to laminate the UV LED radiation source into the film composite.

[0024] Due to its design, the device according to the invention for treating a medium has the particular technological advantage that its shape can be adapted to a wide variety of applications and locations. For example, the device enables medium treatment with a negative irradiation geometry by being placed in a suitable container holding the medium, thus introducing UV radiation into the treatment chamber from within the container. Alternatively, the device according to the invention enables treatment of the medium with a positive irradiation geometry by enclosing the treatment chamber within the chamber-forming structure, thus allowing the medium to be exposed to UV radiation from the outside during treatment.The latter variant of the device also offers the particular advantage that a flow-through solution can be provided in which the medium to be treated flows through the space-forming structure, which is particularly advantageous in a so-called point of use treatment, i.e., treatment of the medium in the area of ​​a sampling point.

[0025] A further advantage of the device according to the invention is that, by using the UV LED radiation source, it is possible to avoid UV radiation sources containing hazardous substances, in particular the mercury-filled fluorescent lamps that are otherwise commonly used, and thus prevent the risk of unintentionally introducing hazardous substances into the medium. This is particularly advantageous in drinking water or food applications.

[0026] On the other hand, the energy required to operate the UV LED radiation source is comparatively low compared to conventional devices.

[0027] At the same time, the UV-permeable film provides a particularly simple and cost-effective way to seal the UV LED radiation source against the medium being treated, thus eliminating the need for the otherwise usual quartz glass casing and keeping the supply costs for the device low.

[0028] In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the UV-transmitting film is made of PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene). It has been found that a PTFE film exhibits exceptionally high UV transmission. At the same time, PTFE is highly resistant to acids, bases, and other aggressive media. Furthermore, PTFE has an extremely low surface tension, effectively preventing any residues from the treated medium from adhering to the film. This offers particular advantages with regard to the treatment of drinking water, as PTFE is considered physiologically harmless.

[0029] Another advantage of the PTFE material is its relatively high heat resistance, which prevents damage to the film from heat generation, especially in the case of direct contact between the film and the UV LED radiation source or individual components thereof.

[0030] Furthermore, the PTFE film ensures a high level of operational reliability, especially when directly connected to the base structure, by preventing any components that might detach from the base structure due to damage from shifting position or emerging from the space-forming structure.

[0031] Furthermore, a preferred variant of the device according to the invention provides that the UV-permeable film is connected to the base structure on its outer side by shrinking.

[0032] Shrinking offers the advantage of a particularly easy-to-provide, strong bond between the film and the base structure, without the need for additional joining techniques such as gluing. This further optimizes the production costs for the device according to the invention.

[0033] Furthermore, the shrinking process enables a particularly good seal between the UV LED radiation source and the medium being treated.

[0034] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the UV LED radiation source is capable of emitting UV radiation of different wavelengths. To generate such emission of different wavelengths of UV radiation, the UV LED radiation source comprises several UV LEDs with different wavelengths. Depending on the application, these can also be arranged in different spatial positions within the device according to the invention.

[0035] The technological advantage of selectively emitting different wavelengths of UV radiation lies particularly in the fact that this allows the device's operation to be adapted to different applications and the specific resonance frequencies of the DNA of microbes expected in the respective medium. Inactivation can be reliably achieved, especially with UV radiation at its resonance frequencies.

[0036] Furthermore, a significant advantage of the variant listed here is that, particularly when using multiple wavelength-selective UV LEDs, the disadvantage of the narrowband nature of UV LEDs is overcome, while simultaneously utilizing the so-called peak emission characteristic of the UV LEDs.

[0037] The device according to the invention for treating a medium with UV radiation is described in exemplary embodiments based on: Fig. 1a Device as a flow-through solution with internal foil Fig. 1b Device as a flow-through solution with shrunk-on film Fig. 2 Device as a dipping solution with external foil Fig. 3. Device as a flow-through solution in the bent state explained in more detail.

[0038] The exemplary implementations relate to systems for the disinfection of water and exhibit, according to the Fig. 1a to 3 a space-forming structure 2 and a UV LED radiation source 3 to provide the UV radiation required for the treatment.

[0039] The space-forming structure 2 is formed in this case by a stabilizing base structure 4 with a plurality of penetrations 5 and by a UV-permeable film 6. Both the base structure 4 and the film 6 are elastically designed in this case, wherein the base structure 4 consists in particular of an elastic plastic material and the film 6 of a PTFE material, and wherein the base structure 4 provides a definition of the spatial arrangement and the shape of the film 6.

[0040] Furthermore, in all embodiments shown here, the UV LED radiation source 3 has a plurality of UV LEDs 3.1 in a uniformly spaced, linear, and opposing arrangement, which are supplied with electrical current for their operation via distribution units 3.2. For the sake of clarity, the following has been omitted from the translation: Fig. Sections 1a to 3 do not include a representation of the electrical connections necessary for the operation of the device.

[0041] The arrangement of the UV-LEDs 3.1 is carried out in the penetrations 5 of the basic structure 4 according to the illustrated embodiments, wherein each UV-LED 3.1 is assigned to a penetration 5.

[0042] As in the Fig. As shown in Figures 1a to 3, the embodiments are further characterized in that the UV LED radiation source 3 is separated from the medium to be treated by means of the film 6, and that the required UV radiation can be introduced into the medium to be treated through the openings 5. The treatment of the respective medium takes place in a treatment chamber 1 in which the medium can be received.

[0043] The Fig. 1a, Fig. 1b and Fig. Figure 3 shows embodiments of the device according to the invention, in which the treatment chamber 1 is arranged within the device and in which the medium to be treated flows through the treatment chamber 1 during irradiation with UV radiation. Such embodiments are particularly suitable for the treatment of drinking water in a drinking water system, the device preferably being arranged in the area of ​​the drinking water intake.

[0044] Specifically, it shows Fig. Figure 1a shows an embodiment of the device in which the film 6 is arranged on the inside of the space-forming structure 2 and is connected to the base structure 4, for example by gluing or welding. Furthermore, in the embodiment shown here, the device has a housing 7 which encloses the space-forming structure 2 and the UV LED radiation source 3, thus providing a seal between the space-forming structure 2 and the UV LED radiation source 3.

[0045] In contrast, it shows Fig. Figure 1b shows an embodiment of the device in which the film 6 is connected to the base structure 4 by shrinking it onto its outer surface. Shrinking the film 6 onto the base structure 4 offers the particular advantage that, firstly, additional bonding agents such as adhesives are unnecessary, and secondly, a particularly good seal between the UV LED radiation source 3 and the medium being treated is provided. This is also true in the embodiment according to Figure 1b. Fig. 1b The device has a housing 7 which encloses the space-forming structure 2 and the UV LED radiation source 3, thus sealing these components from the outside. The in the Fig. 1a and Fig. The housing 7 shown in 1b is preferably made of a flexible material such as rubber or elastomer.

[0046] Fig. Figure 2 shows an embodiment of the device in which it is designed as an immersion solution for insertion into a container 8. The container 8 serves to hold the medium to be treated, with the treatment chamber 1 in the embodiment shown here being formed by the space between the space-defining structure 2 and the inner walls of the container 8. In this case as well, the film 6 provides a seal between the UV LED radiation source 3 and the medium to be treated, and the UV radiation emitted by the UV LED radiation source 3 can be introduced into the medium to be treated through the penetrations 5 and the film 6.

[0047] In Fig. Figure 3 also shows an embodiment of the device according to the invention for providing a flow-through solution, wherein in this case the device explicitly does not have an external housing and wherein the device is shown in a curved state.

[0048] Rather, the device is bounded externally by the sections of the basic structure 4 and the distributor units 3.2. To provide elastic deformability of the device, the distributor units 3.2 are also made of a flexible, yielding material.

[0049] The in Fig. The variant of the device shown in Figure 3 is particularly suitable for use in a hose (not shown), wherein, due to the elastic design of the space-forming structure 2 and the distribution units 3.2, the device is able to absorb deformations of the hose without causing damage within the device. Reference symbols used 1 treatment room 2 space-forming structure 3 UV LED radiation source 3.1 UV LEDs 3.2 Distribution units 4 Basic structure 5 Enforcement Slide 6 7 cases 8 containers

Claims

[1] Device for treating a medium with UV radiation, comprising a treatment chamber (1), a space-forming structure (2) and a UV LED radiation source (3), wherein the medium can be received in the treatment chamber (1) and wherein UV radiation can be provided by the UV LED radiation source (3), characterized by , that the space-forming structure (2) has a stiffening base structure (4) with at least one penetration (5) and a UV-radiation-permeable film (6), the arrangement of which is determined by the base structure (4), and that the space-forming structure (2) separates the treatment room (1) from the UV-LED radiation source (3) in a medium-tight manner, and that the UV radiation can be introduced into the treatment room (1) through the at least one penetration (5) and the UV-radiation-permeable film of the space-forming structure (2). [2] Device according to claim 1, characterized by, that the UV-permeable film (6) is made of PTFE material. [3] Device according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized by , that the UV-permeable film (6) is connected to the base structure (4) on its outside by shrinking. [4] Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that UV radiation of different wavelengths can be emitted by the UV LED radiation source (3).

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