UV water disinfection reactor, and apparatus for disinfecting water by means of UV radiation

Abstract

The present invention relates to a UV water disinfection reactor (1) for arrangement in a water container (101) and an apparatus (100) formed therefrom. The UV water disinfection reactor (1) has a reactor housing that is impermeable to UV radiation and is formed by a pump housing (2) with a reactor inlet (1a) and by a radiator housing (13) with a reactor outlet (1b). A pump (3) is arranged in the pump housing (2), and a UV emitter (10) is arranged in the radiator housing (13). A pump holder (5) is sealingly arranged in the pump housing (2) and has a holding portion (50) to which the pump (3) is attached with its pump outlet (31). The holding portion (50) connects the pump outlet (31) to a passage opening (51) which extends through the pump holder (5) from the holding portion (50) with a tapering cross-section. A radiator holder (6) is connected to the pump holder (5) and the radiator housing (13) and has a connection socket (63) for the UV emitter (10) and at least one passage opening (61) which is connected to the passage opening (51) of the pump holder (5). The pump (3) and the UV radiator (10) are designed to operate with a protective extra-low voltage.

Description

[0001] UV water disinfection reactor and device for water disinfection using UV radiation

[0002] The invention relates to a UV water disinfection reactor and a device formed thereby for water disinfection or for the disinfection of water by treatment with ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

[0003] The use of ultraviolet radiation to disinfect or sterilize water is known from the prior art. Water is largely transparent to UV radiation in the wavelength range of 100 to 300 nm (UVC radiation), which inactivates viruses, bacteria, yeasts, and fungi by absorbing the UV radiation from the microorganisms' DNA. Low-pressure mercury vapor lamps emitting UV radiation at a wavelength of 254 nm are often used in UV disinfection devices. The UV lamps are typically suspended in a water tank. Alternatively, a UV lamp can be arranged in a bypass line connected to a water tank, through which the water from the tank is circulated.

[0004] EP 2 829 519 B1 describes a UV water disinfection reactor that can be submerged in a water tank. It has an elongated reactor chamber with an inlet and an outlet at the ends. A UVC UV lamp and a pump are arranged in the reactor chamber, which pumps the water to be disinfected in a linear manner through the reactor chamber. A control unit located outside the water tank is connected to the UV lamp and the pump via a waterproof cable. The reactor chamber consists of a quartz glass housing permeable to UVC radiation, so that not only is the water pumped through the reactor chamber disinfected, but the UVC radiation also exits the reactor chamber to disinfect the interior of the water tank.

[0005] However, this poses an increased risk of UV exposure for people, for example, with open water containers or with water containers made of a plastic that does not fully absorb UV radiation. Plastic water containers also carry the risk of accelerated aging due to UV exposure. And since common UV radiation sources usually also emit radiation in the visible and longer-wave UV range, which penetrates water significantly deeper than that of UVC radiation, this promotes rather than suppresses biofilm formation, e.g., by algae, in the water container.

[0006] DE 20 1007 000 031 U1 describes a similar UV water disinfection reactor, but with a steel reactor chamber with a reflective interior surface to protect against accidental UV exposure. For this purpose, the inlet and outlet at the ends of the reactor chamber are equipped with a light trap made of several V-shaped sheets.

[0007] However, these light traps can adversely affect the flow into and out of the reactor chamber, e.g., making it less uniform, narrowing it, and / or accelerating it. Furthermore, the resulting pressure loss must be compensated by increasing the pump capacity to achieve a predetermined flow rate through the reactor chamber.

[0008] Based on this prior art, it is the object of the present invention to provide an improved UV water disinfection reactor.

[0009] This object is achieved by a UV water disinfection reactor having the features of claim 1.

[0010] Further developments of the device are set out in the subclaims.

[0011] The further object of providing a correspondingly improved device for water disinfection is achieved by the device having the features of independent claim 15.

[0012] According to a first embodiment of the UV water disinfection reactor according to the invention, which is designed for placement in a water tank, it comprises an elongated reactor housing impermeable to UV radiation, having a reactor inlet and a reactor outlet. A pump and a UV lamp emitting UV radiation in a UVC wavelength range are arranged in the reactor housing. The reactor housing is formed along its longitudinal axis by a pump housing and a lamp housing. The pump housing, in which the pump is arranged, comprises the reactor inlet, and the lamp housing, in which the UV lamp is arranged, comprises the reactor outlet. To connect the pump housing and the lamp housing and to provide the flow path from the pump to the UV lamp, the UV water disinfection reactor comprises a pump holder and a lamp holder.The pump holder is sealingly arranged in the pump housing and has a holding section to which the pump is attached with its pump outlet. The holding section connects the pump outlet to a passage opening that extends through the pump holder from the holding section with a tapered cross-section. The lamp holder, which is connected to the pump holder and the lamp housing, has a connection base for the UV lamp and at least one passage opening that is connected to the passage opening of the pump holder. The pump and the UV lamp are designed for operation with protective extra-low voltage, so that, in conjunction with the grounding of conductive components that are not live during operation, there is no risk of life-threatening electric shock, at least for healthy adults.

[0013] "Operation with protective extra-low voltage" means that the supply voltage of the pump and the UV lamp does not exceed 50 V AC (protection class III according to DIN EN 61140 (VDE 0140-1)). Operation with protective extra-low voltage is made possible by the defined design of the flow path from the pump to the UV lamp. This is ensured by the connection of the lamp holder and pump holder, which connects the lamp housing to the pump housing and thus provides the reactor housing. The UV water disinfection reactor is thus composed of a pump unit, which comprises the pump housing, the pump, and the pump holder, and an emitter unit, which comprises the emitter housing, the UV lamp, and the emitter holder.

[0014] In this case, the terms "reactor inlet" on the pump housing and "reactor outlet" on the lamp housing refer to a preferred flow direction of the pump from the pump housing into the lamp housing, so that the pump is located upstream of the UV lamp. In principle, however, it is also possible to use a pump with the opposite flow direction, from the lamp housing into the pump housing, with the pump located downstream of the UV lamp. The water is then sucked in through the system opening on the lamp housing, designated "reactor outlet," and discharged through the system opening on the pump housing, designated "reactor inlet." It is also possible to use a pump with a changeable direction of rotation, so that the flow direction through the reactor housing can be reversed.When reference is made to flow direction or flow path in this description, this refers to the preferred flow direction from the pump housing into the radiator housing, unless otherwise stated. Corresponding changes resulting from the reverse flow direction will be obvious to those skilled in the art.

[0015] According to a further embodiment of the UV water disinfection reactor according to the invention, the reactor inlet, which is connected to a pump inlet of the pump, is formed by several circumferentially distributed inlet slots in the pump housing. These inlet slots are formed on the pump housing next to a pump holder section in which the pump holder is sealingly received. The pump housing is closed at the front by a cover cap, which has at least one connection device for the electrical and communicative connection of the pump and the UV lamp. The at least one connection device is connected to at least one connecting line, which electrically and communicatively connects the pump and the UV lamp to at least one control unit.

[0016] For this purpose, two connection devices can be provided as a feedthrough for two connecting cables, one for the pump and one for the UV lamp.

[0017] According to a further embodiment of the UV water disinfection reactor according to the invention, the pump holder, in addition to the holding section, has a cable duct for the electrical and communication connection of the UV lamp. For this purpose, a connecting cable extends sealingly through the cable duct to prevent flow separation through the cable duct. Furthermore, the connection base surrounds a receiving bore that extends through the lamp holder. This receiving bore is closed on the side facing the pump holder by a connecting device, which is connected to the connecting cable for the electrical and communication connection of the UV lamp. The sealing arrangement of the connecting device with the connecting cable in the receiving bore serves to seal the UV lamp and prevent flow separation.

[0018] According to yet another embodiment of the UV water disinfection reactor according to the invention, the lamp holder has a flange section for connection to the pump holder and a nozzle section for connection to the lamp housing. The nozzle section, through which the at least one passage opening extends, is offset from the flange section, with the connection base being formed offset from the nozzle section. The at least one passage opening thus opens into a space formed between the lamp housing and the UV lamp, so that a water flow to be disinfected is guided in a defined manner into the lamp housing for passage along the UV lamp.

[0019] Furthermore, according to a further embodiment of the UV water disinfection reactor according to the invention, the UV lamp can be arranged in a one-sidedly closed immersion tube made of a material permeable to UVC radiation, e.g., quartz glass. An open end of the immersion tube is received in the receiving bore of the connection base. The immersion tube is attached to the lamp holder by a fastening element that engages with the connection base. The immersion tube separates the UV lamp from the space formed between the lamp housing and the UV lamp, thus preventing direct contact of the UV lamp with water. This prevents contamination of the lamp surface by water constituents and prevents short circuits at the electrical connection of the UV lamp.

[0020] According to a further embodiment of the UV water disinfection reactor according to the invention, the reactor outlet is formed at the front by a plurality of outlet openings at an outlet end of the lamp housing facing away from the lamp holder. The outlet openings are designed, in terms of their size and arrangement, to regulate a flow exiting through the reactor outlet. For example, the outlet openings can be formed in a cover insert arranged at the front of the outlet end of the lamp housing with a corresponding holder. The arrangement of the outlet openings can, for example, standardize, broaden, and / or slow down the exiting flow.

[0021] Furthermore, according to a further embodiment, the UV water disinfection reactor according to the invention can have a throttle disc at the reactor outlet, the opening angle of which is designed to regulate a flow exiting through the reactor outlet. In this context, "opening angle" refers to the angle between a plane defining the throttle disc in an open position and the plane of the throttle disc in a closed position, in which the throttle disc closes the reactor housing.

[0022] According to a further embodiment of the UV water disinfection reactor according to the invention, the throttle disc is rotatable about an axis orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the reactor housing and adjustable in its opening angle. This allows the volume flow or the residence time in the water disinfection reactor to be adjusted.

[0023] The throttle plate can be manually operated for adjustment, or the UV water disinfection reactor can be equipped with an actuator for adjusting the throttle plate. The rotation axis can, for example, run centrally through the throttle plate, corresponding to a diameter, or, like a check valve, tangentially at the edge of the throttle plate or, if necessary, between them, essentially following a secant.

[0024] Similar to the cover insert with the outlet openings, an annular bracket can also be used to attach the throttle plate to the front end of the reactor housing. It is possible to arrange a cover insert with outlet openings or a throttle plate, or both, at the reactor outlet to regulate the outgoing flow. However, a UV water disinfection reactor according to the invention can also operate without these flow regulators at the reactor outlet.

[0025] And according to yet another embodiment of the UV water disinfection reactor according to the invention, the throttle plate has a plurality of outlet openings, which are designed in terms of their size and arrangement to provide a minimum outlet flow through the reactor outlet when the throttle plate is in the closed position. This embodiment combines the functions of the outlet openings in a cover insert with the functions of the throttle plate.

[0026] Furthermore, according to a further embodiment, the UV water disinfection reactor according to the invention can additionally have at least one flow guide element in the lamp housing and / or the lamp holder to increase the turbulence and / or the residence time in the lamp housing. With respect to the preferred flow direction from the pump housing into the lamp housing, the at least one flow guide element is arranged downstream of the pump. For example, a flow guide element can be formed in the passage opening of the lamp holder in order to modify the flow upon entry into the lamp housing. Alternatively or additionally, a flow guide element can be arranged in the lamp housing around the UV lamp in order to influence the flow there. The flow guide element can, for example, be baffles on the inside of the lamp housing and / or on the outside of the immersion tube.A reduction in irradiance is avoided by appropriate material selection and / or arrangement of the flow guide element in the radiator housing. In the reverse flow direction, at least one flow guide element is located upstream of the pump, whereby the system opening referred to as the "reactor outlet" can be designed to modify the flow upon entry into the radiator housing.

[0027] According to a further embodiment of the UV water disinfection reactor according to the invention, it has a particle filter upstream of the pump and the UV lamp. This prevents particles from entering the pump and the irradiation chamber. The particle filter thus ensures that the pump function and the irradiation efficiency are not impaired by particles. Furthermore, filtering out particles improves the quality of the water treated with the UV water disinfection reactor.

[0028] According to yet another embodiment of the UV water disinfection reactor according to the invention, the lamp housing is made of a reflective material or has a reflector coating on its interior. This redirects the UVC radiation that has penetrated the irradiation chamber back into the irradiation chamber to have a disinfecting effect. With a reflector coating (coating made of reflective material), the lamp housing can be made of a material that is at least partially transparent to UVC radiation. Suitable reflective materials are primarily metal materials such as stainless steel, stainless steel, and possibly also pigmented plastic materials.

[0029] Thus, a UV water disinfection reactor according to the invention, which in one embodiment is designed for drinking water disinfection, can comprise drinking water-compatible materials, and another UV water disinfection reactor according to the invention, which in an alternative embodiment is designed for process water disinfection in the semiconductor industry, can be metal-free. Furthermore, further embodiments of the UV water disinfection reactor according to the invention relate to the immersion tube having a splinter protection coating or splinter protection cover made of a material transparent to UVC radiation, and / or a mechanical wiping device designed to clean an outer side of the immersion tube being integrated into the lamp housing.While a splinter guard serves to improve user safety by preventing glass splinters from escaping from the UV water disinfection reactor in the event of a dip tube breakage, a wiping device ensures that the disinfection efficiency is not reduced by film formation on the dip tube surface.

[0030] Finally, according to a further embodiment of the UV water disinfection reactor according to the invention, the UV lamp, which has a minimum dose of 250 J / m 2 provides an amalgam lamp, a low-pressure mercury vapor lamp, or a lamp module with several LEDs.

[0031] To further improve efficiency, the control unit of the UV water disinfection reactor according to the invention can, according to a further embodiment, have a timer designed to remind the user to replace the UV lamp after a predetermined operating time has elapsed. The term "timer" is understood here to mean a control module that can be designed as an expiration timer on which a predetermined operating time is set, which counts down as the UV lamp is operated, so that the reminder is issued when the expiration timer reaches 0 (or another predetermined residual value). Alternatively, the timer can be a control module in which the predetermined operating time is stored and which counts upwards starting from 0 as the UV lamp is operated, so that the reminder is issued when the stored operating time is reached.

[0032] Alternatively or additionally, according to a further embodiment, the control unit of the UV water disinfection reactor according to the invention can be communicatively connected to at least one sensor for detecting an operating parameter. In particular, the control unit can be designed to adapt operation of the pump and / or the UV lamp depending on the detected operating parameter. For this purpose, the sensor is selected from a group comprising at least one fill level sensor for detecting a fill level in the water tank, a UV sensor for detecting a UV radiation output of the UV lamp, and a temperature sensor for detecting the water temperature. The fill level sensor is designed to be arranged in the water tank separately from the reactor housing, while the UV sensor is arranged in the lamp housing, and the temperature sensor is present in or on the reactor housing.

[0033] According to a first embodiment, a device according to the invention for water disinfection with UV radiation comprises a water tank and at least one UV water disinfection reactor arranged therein. The UV water disinfection reactor has an elongated reactor housing impermeable to UV radiation, having a reactor inlet and a reactor outlet. Within the reactor housing, the UV water disinfection reactor has a pump and a UV lamp that emits UV radiation in a UVC wavelength range. A control unit of the UV water disinfection reactor, connected to the pump and the UV lamp, is arranged outside the water tank. According to the invention, the UV water disinfection reactor of the device is a UV water disinfection reactor according to at least one of the previously described embodiments.

[0034] Further embodiments, as well as some of the advantages associated with these and other embodiments, will become clearer and more easily understood from the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying figures. Items or parts thereof that are substantially the same or similar may be provided with the same reference numerals. The figures are merely a schematic representation of one embodiment of the invention.

[0035] Showing:

[0036] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a UV water disinfection reactor according to the invention,

[0037] Fig. 2 is a further perspective view of the UV water disinfection reactor from Fig. 1 without the lamp housing,

[0038] Fig. 3 is a schematic representation of a device according to the invention for water disinfection with the UV water disinfection reactor from Fig. 1,

[0039] Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the UV water disinfection reactor from Fig. 1, Fig. 5 is a perspective exploded view of the irradiation unit of the UV water disinfection reactor from Fig. 1, Fig. 6 is a perspective detailed view of the lamp holder,

[0040] Fig. 7 is a perspective exploded view of the pump unit of the UV water disinfection reactor of Fig. 1,

[0041] Fig. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of another embodiment of the UV water disinfection reactor of Fig. 1,

[0042] Fig. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view of another embodiment of the UV water disinfection reactor of Fig. 1,

[0043] Fig. 10 of another embodiment of the UV water disinfection reactor from Fig. 1.

[0044] Fig. 11 shows a longitudinal sectional view of an embodiment of the UV water disinfection reactor with a throttle disc; 1

[0045] Fig. 12 shows a longitudinal sectional view of an embodiment of the UV water disinfection reactor with a throttle disc 14 pivotable about a rotation axis D.

[0046] The invention relates to a UV water disinfection reactor 1 and a device for water disinfection 100, which has a water tank 101 and a UV water disinfection reactor 1 arranged therein.

[0047] The UV water disinfection reactor 1 (see, for example, Fig. 1 or 2) has, along its longitudinal axis L, a pump housing 2 with a reactor inlet 1a and a radiator housing 13 with a reactor outlet 1b, which is connected to the pump housing 2. A pump 3 is arranged in the pump housing 2, which may be made of a steel material, for example (see, for example, Fig. 4 or 7), to pump water through the radiator housing 13, in which a UV radiator 10 is coaxially arranged in an immersion tube 11 made of UV-C-permeable quartz glass.

[0048] To protect against UV exposure, it is suggested to use a lamp housing 13 made of a material impermeable to UV radiation, e.g., also steel. Any lamp that emits UVC radiation with a minimum dose of 250 J / m² can be used as the UV lamp 10. 2 Examples include amalgam lamps, low-pressure mercury vapor lamps, and LED lamp modules.

[0049] The flow path through the UV water disinfection reactor 1 runs in the preferred flow direction of the pump 3 from the reactor inlet 1a to the pump 3 in the pump housing 2, then through the lamp housing 13 along the dip tube 11 with the UV lamp 10 to the reactor outlet 1b. For optimized flow guidance, both the lamp housing 13 and the pump housing 2 are cylindrical, with the diameter of the lamp housing 13 being smaller than the diameter of the pump housing 2. To couple the pump housing 2 and the lamp housing 13 and to design the flow path from the pump 3 into the lamp housing 13, the UV water disinfection reactor 1 has a pump holder 5 and a lamp holder 6. These are indicated, for example, in Fig. 4 or 7.

[0050] Fig. 7 shows the pump holder 5 in an exploded view with the pump housing 2 and the pump 3, which are collectively referred to here as the pump unit. Similarly, a lamp unit depicted in Fig. 5 comprises the lamp holder 6, the UV lamp 10, the immersion tube 11, and the lamp housing 13. The lamp holder 6 is also shown enlarged in Fig. 6. The connection between the pump holder 5 and the lamp holder 6 for coupling the pump housing 2 and the lamp housing 13 can be seen in the sectional view of Fig. 4.

[0051] The pump holder 5 is cylindrically shaped for sealing arrangement in the pump housing 2 and further comprises a holding section 50 designed for connection to a pump outlet 31 of the pump 3. For this purpose, the pump holder 5 can preferably be made of a thermoplastic material that advantageously combines properties such as resilience, high dielectric strength, and low dielectric loss factor with good chemical resistance, such as copolymeric polyoxymethylene.

[0052] In the present case, the holding section 50, like the pump outlet 31, is shaped like a hollow cylinder and extends eccentrically parallel to the longitudinal axis L. The pump outlet 31 is received in the holding section 50 and, in the example shown, is secured with a hose clamp 4. Alternative fastening measures are equally conceivable. If the pump holder 5 is sealingly received in the pump mounting section 21 at one end of the pump housing 2, the pump inlet 30 is located in the region of the pump housing 2 with the reactor inlet 1a.

[0053] As Fig. 4 shows, the pump holder 5 is axially fixed in the pump housing 2, for example by means of screws (not shown) that are inserted in the radial direction. In this position, the pump holder 5 is set back slightly from the edge of the pump housing 2, so that a flange section 60 of the emitter holder 5, when arranged on the pump holder 5, is flush with the pump housing 2. The emitter holder 6, which can also be made of a steel material, for example, is connected to the pump holder 5 via its flange section 60. For this purpose, countersunk screws (not shown) screwed in in an axially parallel direction, e.g. cylindrical hexagon socket screws, can be used, which engage with self-tapping thread inserts (not shown) that are inserted into the plastic pump holder 5.

[0054] A connecting piece 62 for fastening the lamp housing 13 and a connection socket 63 for the UV lamp 10 are formed coaxially and radially offset from the flange section 60 of the lamp holder 6. The lamp housing 13 is fastened to the connecting piece 62 by receiving the connecting piece 62 in the connecting end 130 of the lamp housing 13 and connecting it with radially inserted screws (not shown). Thus, the pump housing 2 and the lamp housing 13 are connected via the pump holder 5 and the lamp holder 6.

[0055] Upstream of the pump 3, the flow path runs from the reactor inlet 1a to the pump inlet 30. The reactor inlet 1a is formed by several circumferentially distributed, wave-shaped inlet slots 20, of which only one is shown in Fig. 6 for the sake of clarity. Downstream of the pump 3, the flow path runs from the hollow cylindrical holding section 50, in which the pump outlet 31 is accommodated, through a passage opening 51 extending through the pump holder 5. The passage opening 51, which is coaxial with the longitudinal axis L, is frustoconical and tapers from the holding section 50 towards the emitter holder 6, wherein the diameter of the eccentric pump outlet 31 is smaller than the diameter of the passage opening 51 on the holding section 50. The passage opening 51 in the pump holder 5 is connected to passage openings 61 formed in the emitter holder 6 to continue the flow path.In the present example, four through-openings 61 extend around the connection base 63 through the nozzle section 62, so that they open into the radiator housing 13 around the immersion tube 11, as can be seen, for example, in Fig. 2, in which the radiator housing 13 is shown only in dashed lines. There, the reactor outlet 1b at the outlet end 131 of the radiator housing 13 is also clearly visible. This outlet is provided at the front by a plurality of outlet openings 140 in a cover insert 14, which is fastened to the radiator housing 13 by an annular holder 15. The outlet openings 140 are designed, in terms of their size and arrangement, to regulate the flow exiting the radiator housing 13, in particular to standardize, broaden and / or slow it down. Since the closed end 11 1 of the immersion tube 11 closed on one side ends in the radiator housing 13 before its outlet end 131 and is spaced from the cover insert 14, as shown in Fig.4 shows, the round or elongated shaped outlet openings 140, as can be seen in Fig. 2, are distributed radially and rotationally symmetrically from a central round opening, with the size of the outlet openings increasing with increasing distance from the central opening.

[0056] Fig. 11 shows a UV water disinfection reactor 1 having a throttle plate 14' for regulating the flow exiting the reactor outlet 1b. The throttle plate 14' is also attached to the front of the lamp housing 13 by means of an annular holder 15, in the manner of a backflow flap. This means that the axis of rotation D, about which the throttle plate 14' can be pivoted to adjust the opening angle, runs tangentially to the edge of the throttle plate 14'. To prevent the throttle plate 14' from being in the closed position during pump operation, a lock can be provided for a manually adjustable throttle plate 14', for example, which does not permit any opening angle below a minimum opening angle for a minimum outlet flow.If the UV water disinfection reactor 1 has an actuator for adjusting the throttle disc 14', it is possible to control the actuator, and thus the opening angle of the throttle disc 14', depending on the pump operation.

[0057] The throttle disc 14', as shown in Fig. 12, is pivotable about a rotational axis D, which runs centrally through the throttle disc 14' corresponding to a disc diameter. For this purpose, the throttle disc 14' is mounted accordingly in the annular holder 15, which also serves for attachment to the reactor housing 13 indicated by dashed lines. The throttle disc 14' additionally has a plurality of outlet openings 140, which here correspond in size and arrangement to those of the cover insert 14 from Fig. 2 and can thus provide a corresponding standardization, distribution, and / or slowing of the exiting flow. The opening angle of the throttle disc 14' can be used to adjust the volume flow or residence time, with the outlet openings 140 providing a minimum exit flow when the throttle disc 14' is in the closed position.

[0058] Not shown are simpler variants of the UV water disinfection reactor 1 with a fixed throttle disc with a fixed opening angle and without any flow regulators at the reactor outlet.

[0059] The open end 110 of the immersion tube 11 is received in the connection base 63 of the lamp holder 6, wherein the connection base 63 surrounds a receiving bore 64, as shown in Figs. 4 and 6. The immersion tube 11 is fastened to the lamp holder 6 by a fastening element 12 that engages with the connection base 63. In the present example, the connection base 63 has an external thread for engagement with a screw nut 12 as the fastening element 12. The receiving bore 64 extends through the lamp holder 6 and, as shown in Fig. 4, is closed on the side facing the pump holder 5 by a connection device 16'. This provides the watertight passage of a connection line 17' (shown in dashed lines) into the immersion tube 11 for the electrical and communication connection of the UV lamp 10 by means of a connection plug 9.

[0060] In the other direction, the connecting line 17' extends from the connecting device 16' on the radiator holder 6 through the passage opening 51 and through a line feedthrough 52 in the pump holder 5. The connecting line 17' extends in a sealed manner through the line feedthrough 52, which is formed next to the holding section 50, into the reactor inlet area of ​​the pump housing 2. There it extends to a further sealed connecting device 16' on the cover cap 22, which is welded to the pump housing 2 and closes it at the front, as can be seen in Fig. 4. A further sealed connecting device 16 on the cover cap 22 is provided for a further connecting line 17, not shown in Fig. 4, for the electrical and communication connection of the pump 3. This extends only in the reactor inlet area of ​​the pump housing 2. Cable glands, for example, can be used as connection devices 16, 16'.

[0061] The waterproof connecting cables 17, 17' provide the electrical supply and control of the pump 3 and the UV lamp 10 through the connection to a control unit 18, which, as shown in Fig. 3, is arranged outside the water tank 101 of the device 100. The control unit 18 comprises an electronic ballast 18' for the UV lamp 10 and can, of course, have additional control devices and modules for operating the UV lamp 10 and the pump 3. These can particularly advantageously be designed for operation with protective extra-low voltage; i.e., instead of a 230 V supply voltage, the UV lamp 10, the pump 3, and here also the ballast 18' are operated with an alternating voltage of no more than 50 V, for example 24 V. This is particularly relevant if the water tank 101 in which the UV water disinfection reactor 1 is operated is made of an electrically non-conductive material such as plastic.A suitable electronic ballast 18', which is supplied with less than 50 V, for example with 24 V instead of 230 V, has galvanic separation, i.e. insulation, between the primary and secondary sides. It is proposed that a matching 24 V power supply (not shown) is advantageously also designed for operation with safety extra-low voltage (SELV) or protective extra-low voltage with electrically safe isolation (PELV) or, if necessary, functional extra-low voltage without electrically safe isolation (FELV). Furthermore, the conductive components which are not live during operation, such as the pump housing 2, are also earthed, so that in the event of fault currents, the voltage can be switched off by a residual current device against earth. For this purpose, the UV water disinfection reactor 1 has, as shown in Fig.4, a grounding bolt 23 connected to earth potential via an outer conductor (not shown) is provided on the inside of the cover cap 22. As an alternative to such a stud bolt, a blind thread or a spring contact strip, etc., can be provided for grounding inside the pump housing 2 or the cover flap 22. This provides improved protection against electric shock in the event of a defect in the electrical connections or cables.

[0062] Furthermore, the control unit 18 can have a timer that reminds the user to replace the UV lamp 10 after a predetermined operating time has elapsed.

[0063] Furthermore, the control unit 18 can be communicatively connected to one or more sensors for detecting operating parameters in order to control the pump 3 and / or the UV lamp 10 depending on the detected operating parameter. The device 100 in Fig. 3 is operated with a fill level sensor 19, which is mounted in the water tank 101 and is connected to the control unit 18 via a wireless or wired communication line 19'. Thus, for example, depending on the fill level of the water W in the water tank 101, the power during operation of the UV water disinfection reactor 1 can be increased or decreased. An optical sensor, for example, which is mounted on the ceiling of the water tank 101, can be used as the fill level sensor 19. Alternatively, fill level sensors for continuously measuring the fill level can also be used. These sensors are installed on the tank wall and measure the fill level mechanically, e.g.by a float, or by capacitive or conductivity measurement. Other known level measurement methods with appropriately arranged level sensors can also be used. Furthermore, a minimum filling volume or minimum level can be specified for the water tank 101 to prevent the pump 3 of the UV water disinfection reactor 1 from running dry if the minimum level is undershot. For this purpose, it is sufficient to use a simple level limit switch as the level sensor. Furthermore, it is possible to use multiple level limit switches at different levels or to combine a level sensor with a level limit switch for continuous level measurement.

[0064] Further sensors that can be used to operate the UV water disinfection reactor 1 can be, for example, a UV sensor 190 for detecting the UV radiation output of the UV lamp 10 and a temperature sensor 191 for detecting the water temperature.

[0065] As shown in Fig. 9, a UV sensor 190 can be arranged in the lamp housing 13, which can have a corresponding opening for this purpose. A wired communication line to the control unit 18 could then be routed externally on the UV water disinfection reactor 1 as an alternative to a line routed inside the UV water disinfection reactor 1.

[0066] Alternatively, it is also possible to place a UV sensor inside the lamp housing without an opening.

[0067] The temperature sensor 191 in Fig. 9 is arranged in the passage opening 51 of the pump holder 5, so that a wired communication line with the connecting line 17' of the UV lamp 10 can be laid through the line feedthrough 52. As an alternative to the wired communication line, the UV sensor 190 and the temperature sensor 191 can also communicate wirelessly with the control unit 18. Of course, the UV sensor 190 and the temperature sensor 191 can also be placed at other suitable locations in the disinfection reactor 1. By measuring the UV radiation output, the pump output can be adjusted accordingly so that the water volume irradiated during the residence time in the radiation housing 13 receives the radiation dose required for disinfection.By measuring the water temperature, the operation of the UV lamp 10 can be adapted to the water temperature and the emitted UVC irradiation power can be optimized by adjusting the current intensity.

[0068] Further possible embodiments of the UV water disinfection reactor 1 are shown in Figs. 8 to 10, wherein the individual modifications - such as the sensors described above - do not necessarily have to be used in the combination shown, but can also be implemented individually or in other combinations with one another in a UV water disinfection reactor 1.

[0069] In Fig. 8, the UV water disinfection reactor 1 is equipped with a helically wound baffle as a flow guide element 132 on the inside of the lamp housing 13 in order to increase the turbulence and the residence time in the lamp housing 13 for improved mixing and extended irradiation. Alternatively or additionally, even if no example is shown, it is also possible for the tapered passage opening 51 and the passage openings 61 to be modified with additional flow guide elements to increase the turbulence in the lamp housing 13. Further alternative or additional flow guide elements can be formed on the outside of the immersion tube 11 or loosely arranged in the annular volume between the inside of the lamp housing 13 and the outside of the immersion tube 11. Furthermore, Fig.8 shows a particle filter 40, which is simply schematically shown here on the outside of the reactor inlet 1a. For example, a filter fleece can be used as the particle filter 40. This filter fleece is applied around the wave-shaped inlet slots 20 forming the reactor inlet 1a to pre-filter the water and prevent contamination in the UV water disinfection reactor 1.

[0070] It is also possible to install a particle filter elsewhere upstream of the pump, e.g. inside the pump housing 2 at the reactor inlet 1a or at the pump inlet. Fig. 9 also shows a splinter protection coating 112 made of a material that is transparent to UVC radiation around the immersion tube 11, which serves as a break-proof device to prevent glass splinters in the water. A reflector coating 133 on the inside of the lamp housing 13 ensures reflection of the UV radiation and prevents the UV radiation from escaping through the lamp housing 13, in particular if this is not made of a reflective material, but of a material that can be at least partially transparent to UV radiation depending on the wall thickness. This is the case, for example, with some plastics. If the lamp housing 13 is made of a material such as metal, e.g.Made of stainless steel, a reflective surface is created by appropriately processing the interior of the lamp housing 13. However, pigmented plastics are also available that can reflect UV radiation with appropriate surface treatment. Depending on the application of the UV water disinfection reactor 1, the component materials can be varied: For drinking water disinfection, the UV water disinfection reactor 1 features drinking water-compatible materials; for process water disinfection in the semiconductor industry, the UV water disinfection reactor 1 is designed without metal.

[0071] In the UV water disinfection reactor 1 shown in Fig. 10, a mechanical wiping device 113 is integrated into the lamp housing 13 to clean the outside of the immersion tube 11 without having to remove the UV water disinfection reactor 11 from the water tank 101 and disassemble it. In the example shown, the wiping device 113 is formed by a helical wiper blade attached to a support that can move back and forth within the lamp housing 13. This can be achieved by changing the flow direction of a pump 3, whose direction of rotation can be changed. For removing any deposits that may have formed on the immersion tube 11, alternative mechanical wipers with one or more wipers are also conceivable, which differ from the helical wiper blade shown. LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0072] 1 UV water disinfection reactor

[0073] 1 a, b reactor inlet, outlet

[0074] 2 pump housings

[0075] 3 Pump

[0076] 4 hose clamps

[0077] 5 pump holders

[0078] 6 spotlight holders

[0079] 7 Seal

[0080] 8 O-ring

[0081] 9 connection plugs

[0082] 10 UV radiation source

[0083] 11 Immersion tube

[0084] 12 Fastener / Nut

[0085] 13 spotlight housings

[0086] 14, 14' cover insert, throttle disc

[0087] 15 Bracket

[0088] 16, 16' connection device

[0089] 17, 17' connecting cable

[0090] 18, 18' control unit, ballast

[0091] 19, 19' level sensor, communication connection

[0092] 20 inlet slot

[0093] 21 Pump bracket section

[0094] 22 Cover cap

[0095] 23 earthing bolts

[0096] 30 Pump inlet

[0097] 31 Pump outlet

[0098] 40 particle filters

[0099] 50 Holding section / fixing collar

[0100] 51 Passage opening 52 Cable entry

[0101] 53 threaded insert

[0102] 60 flange section

[0103] 61 Passage opening

[0104] 62 nozzle section

[0105] 63 connection sockets

[0106] 64 mounting hole

[0107] 110 Open End

[0108] 111 Closed End

[0109] 112 splinter protection coating

[0110] 113 Wiper device

[0111] 130 End of connection

[0112] 131 End of exit

[0113] 132 Flow guide element

[0114] 133 Reflector coating

[0115] 140 outlet opening

[0116] 190 UV sensor

[0117] 191 Temperature sensor

[0118] 100 Device for water disinfection

[0119] 101 water tanks

[0120] L Longitudinal axis

[0121] D axis of rotation

[0122] W Water

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS 1 . UV water disinfection reactor (1) designed for arrangement in a water tank (101), wherein the UV water disinfection reactor (1) has an elongated reactor housing impermeable to UV radiation, having a reactor inlet (1a) and a reactor outlet (1b), and in the reactor housing a pump (3) and a UV emitter (10) which emits UV radiation in a UVC wavelength range, characterized in that the reactor housing is formed along its longitudinal axis (L) by a pump housing (2) which has the reactor inlet (1a), and a emitter housing (13) which has the reactor outlet (1b), wherein the pump (3) is arranged in the pump housing (2) and the UV emitter (10) in the emitter housing (13), and the UV water disinfection reactor (1) has a pump holder (5) and an emitter holder (6), wherein the pump holder (5) is sealingly arranged in the pump housing (2) and has a holding section (50),to which the pump (3) is attached by its pump outlet (31) and which connects the pump outlet (31) to a passage opening (51) extending through the pump holder (5) from the holding section (50) with a tapered cross-section, and the lamp holder (6) is connected to the pump holder (5) and the lamp housing (13), and has a connection base (63) for the UV lamp (10) and at least one passage opening (61) which is connected to the passage opening (51) of the pump holder (5), wherein the pump (3) and the UV lamp (10) are designed for operation with protective extra-low voltage.

2. UV water disinfection reactor (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the reactor inlet (1a), which is connected to a pump inlet (30) of the pump (3), is formed by a plurality of circumferentially distributed inlet slots (20) which are formed on the pump housing (2) next to a pump holder section (21) in which the pump holder (5) is sealingly received, wherein the pump housing (2) is closed at the end by a cover cap (22) which has at least one connection device (16, 16') which is connected to at least one connection line (17, 17') which provides an electrical and communicative connection of the Pump (3) and the UV lamp (10) with at least one control unit (18).

3. UV water disinfection reactor (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the pump holder (5) has, next to the holding section (50), a line feedthrough (52) through which a connecting line (17') for the electrical and communicative connection of the UV lamp (10) extends in a sealing manner, and the connection base (63) surrounds a receiving bore (64) which extends through the lamp holder (6) and is closed on the side facing the pump holder (5) by a connecting device (16') which is connected to the connecting line (17') for the electrical and communicative connection of the UV lamp (10).

4. UV water disinfection reactor (1) according to at least one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the lamp holder (6) has a flange section (60) for connection to the pump holder (5) and a nozzle section (62) for connection to the lamp housing (13), which is offset from the flange section (60), wherein the connection base (63) is formed offset on the nozzle section (62) and the at least one passage opening (61) extends through the nozzle section (62).

5. UV water disinfection reactor (1) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the UV lamp (10) is arranged in a dip tube (11) closed on one side and made of a material permeable to UVC radiation, wherein an open end (110) of the dip tube (11) is received in the receiving bore (64) and the dip tube (11) is fastened to the lamp holder (6) by a fastening element (12) engaging with the connection base (63).

6. UV water disinfection reactor (1) according to at least one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the reactor outlet (1 b) is formed on the front side by a plurality of outlet openings (140) at an outlet end (131) of the lamp housing (13) facing away from the lamp holder (6), wherein the outlet openings (140) are Size and arrangement are designed to regulate a flow exiting through the reactor outlet (1 b).

7. UV water disinfection reactor (1) according to at least one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the UV water disinfection reactor (1) has a throttle disc (14') at the reactor outlet (1 b), the opening angle of which is designed to regulate a flow exiting through the reactor outlet (1 b).

8. UV water disinfection reactor (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the throttle disc (14') is rotatable about an axis of rotation (D) orthogonal to the longitudinal axis (L) of the reactor housing (13) and is adjustable with regard to its opening angle.

9. UV water disinfection reactor (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the throttle disc (14') has a plurality of outlet openings (140) which are designed with regard to their size and arrangement to provide a minimum outlet flow through the reactor outlet (1b) in a closed position of the throttle disc (14').

10. UV water disinfection reactor (1) according to at least one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the UV water disinfection reactor (1) - to increase the turbulence and / or the residence time in the radiator housing (13) additionally has at least one flow guide element (132), and / or - has a particle filter (40) upstream of the pump (3) and the UV lamp (10).

11. Water disinfection reactor (1) according to at least one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the radiator housing (13) consists of a reflective material or has a reflector coating (133) on its inside, wherein a UV water disinfection reactor (1) which is designed for drinking water disinfection is formed, has drinking water compatible materials, and a UV water disinfection reactor, designed for process water disinfection in the semiconductor industry, is metal-free.

12. UV water disinfection reactor (1) according to at least one of claims 5 to 11, characterized in that the immersion tube (11) has a splinter protection coating (112) or splinter protection cover made of a material transparent to the UVC radiation, and / or a mechanical wiping device (113) is integrated in the radiator housing (13), which is designed to clean an outer side of the immersion tube (11).

13. UV water disinfection reactor (1) according to at least one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the UV lamp (10) which has a minimum dose of 250 J / m 2 provides an amalgam lamp, low-pressure mercury vapor lamp, or a lamp module with a plurality of LEDs.

14. UV water disinfection reactor (1) according to at least one of claims 2 to 13, characterized in that the control unit (18) has a timer which is designed to remind the user to replace the UV lamp (10) after a predetermined operating time has elapsed, and / or that the control unit (18) is communicatively connected to at least one sensor for detecting an operating parameter and is designed to adapt the operation of the pump (3) and / or the UV lamp (10) depending on the detected operating parameter, wherein the sensor is selected from a group comprising at least one fill level sensor (19) for detecting a fill level in the water tank (101), a UV sensor (190) for detecting a UV radiation output of the UV lamp (10) and a temperature sensor (191) for detecting the water temperature, wherein - the level sensor (19) is designed to be arranged in the water tank (101) separately from the reactor housing, - the UV sensor (190) is arranged in the radiator housing (13), and - the temperature sensor (191) is located in or on the reactor housing.

15. A device (100) for water disinfection with ultraviolet (UV) radiation, wherein the device (100) comprises a water tank (101) and at least one UV water disinfection reactor (1) arranged therein, which has an elongated reactor housing impermeable to UV radiation with a reactor inlet (1a) and a reactor outlet (1b) and, in the reactor housing, a pump (3) and a UV radiator (10) which emits UV radiation in a UVC wavelength range, wherein a control unit (18) which is connected to the pump (3) and the UV radiator (10) is arranged outside the water tank (101), characterized in that the UV water disinfection reactor (1) is a UV water disinfection reactor (1) according to at least one of claims 1 to 14.

Images