Flow-through ultraviolet water disinfection module with a reflector inside the housing

Abstract

This utility model relates to devices for disinfecting water with ultraviolet (UV) radiation in a flow-through mode and can be used in water treatment and purification systems. The module comprises a cylindrical housing with inlet and outlet ports, and sealed upper and lower covers. A removable UV LED module is mounted on the outer lower cover, which also houses a UV-transparent insert. A conical reflector with a reflective coating is installed inside the housing, its tip facing downward. The inlet port is positioned above the outlet port to create a turbulent flow, and the inner surface of the housing also has a reflective coating. The technical result is increased disinfection efficiency due to the diffuse reflection of UV rays from the reflector and the coated walls of the housing, which increases their optical path length and the dose received by microorganisms.Simultaneously, maintainability is improved by the remote and removable UV LED unit, allowing for quick replacement without opening the main body or draining the system. The design ensures self-cleaning and resistance to contamination due to the combination of a conical reflector with its tip pointing downwards and a turbulent flow from the top-mounted inlet, which washes away particles and prevents deposits on work surfaces. Combined, this increases the overall reliability and service life of the device by optimizing UV radiation distribution and reducing the load on the light sources. This utility model represents a technologically advanced and practical solution for effective flow-through UV water disinfection. 1 ref. f-ly, 1 ill.

Description

[0001] Technical field

[0002] This utility model is a water purification solution designed for flow-through sterilization of water using ultraviolet radiation. This technology can be used to disinfect drinking water, as well as to purify and disinfect wastewater and groundwater.

[0003] Technology Level

[0004] 1. A technical solution is known - "Flow-through, non-pressure, contactless ultraviolet water sterilizer (variants)" [patent RU 2826358, IPC C02F 1 / 32 dated 03 / 07 / 2024], the essence of which is as follows.

[0005] This utility model relates to water purification, specifically to water sterilization units using ultraviolet radiation for disinfecting water for drinking. The utility model can also be used for the purification and disinfection of wastewater and groundwater. The water sterilizer is a closed cylinder and includes an ultraviolet disinfection chamber, hermetically sealed inlet and outlet pipes, ultraviolet lamps with electrical contacts, and a power supply connected to the electrical contacts of the ultraviolet lamps. The ultraviolet disinfection chamber is made of stainless steel. The sterilizer is contactless. The chamber functions as a water trough.At least one ultraviolet lamp is installed in the chamber at a specified distance from the surface of the water flow above the inlet and outlet pipes, in at least one row of one or more sequentially mounted ultraviolet lamps. The ultraviolet disinfection chamber is positioned at a horizontal inclination of 5-10 degrees. In the second embodiment, the chamber serves as a water storage chamber. A V-shaped trough for the feed water is installed in the chamber below the water inlet pipe. The trough's length is such as to ensure the flow of sterilized water into the storage chamber. The V-shaped trough has an internal angle of 120 to 160 degrees and is positioned at a horizontal inclination of 5-10 degrees.

[0006] The disadvantage of this technical solution is the difficulty of replacing the ultraviolet lamp—replacing it requires opening the housing and removing the long ultraviolet lamp. Furthermore, the stainless steel used for the disinfection chamber will absorb most of the ultraviolet radiation. Consequently, the path length of the ultraviolet radiation in the disinfected liquid will be significantly reduced.

[0007] 2. Another technical solution is also known - "Device for disinfecting water in a storage tank of a passenger car water supply system" [patent RU 229730, IPC C02F 1 / 32, B61D 35 / 00 dated 09 / 03 / 2024], the essence of which is as follows.

[0008] This utility model relates to equipment for disinfecting water with ultraviolet radiation and is intended for use in passenger car water supply systems. The device for disinfecting water in a storage tank of a passenger car water supply system includes a disinfection chamber with inlet and outlet pipes for water, inside which a UV amalgam lamp is installed. The UV amalgam lamp is enclosed in a cover transparent to UV radiation and is configured for connection to a control unit. The inlet pipe is located at the bottom of the chamber, and the outlet pipe is at the top of the chamber. A temperature sensor is additionally installed on the base of the UV amalgam lamp and can be connected to the control unit to regulate the on / off of the UV amalgam lamp based on a signal from the temperature sensor. The disinfection chamber is mounted at an angle, ensuring gravity drainage.

[0009] The disadvantage of this technical solution is that the cover of the UV amalgam lamp is located inside the housing of the disinfection chamber, and in the event of a breakage of the cover or contamination of its surface, it will be necessary to open the chamber.

[0010] 3. Another technical solution is also known - "Device for disinfecting water and its application" [patent RU 2507159, IPC C02F 1 / 32 dated 10.07.2009], the essence of which is as follows.

[0011] The utility model relates to devices for disinfecting water. A device for disinfecting water is proposed, comprising a UV lamp and at least one vessel, surrounded by water and having an inlet and outlet, in which a reaction chamber is located, wherein the outlet of the vessel forms a free drain. The UV lamp and the vessel are jointly located in a cartridge, wherein the cartridge contains at least fastening means for detachable fastening to a connecting device (1) and connection means for supplying current and water from the connecting device.

[0012] The disadvantage of this technical solution is the use of a hose-type tube wrapped around the UV lamp. If the tube fails, it will need to be replaced, which is complicated by its configuration and cost. Also, with prolonged use, a layer may form on the tube's walls that impedes the passage of UV radiation. Cleaning this layer with a hose-type tube will be extremely labor-intensive.

[0013] 4. The closest to the claimed technical solution is the "Method, system and device for processing fluid media" [patent RU 2755797, IPC C02F 1 / 32; A61L 2 / 10; B01J 19 / 12 dated 09.21.2021], the essence of which is as follows.

[0014] The group of utility models relates to a method, system and device for processing fluids. The device for processing a fluid comprises a chamber for processing the fluid and at least one ultraviolet light unit located along the periphery of the chamber for processing the fluid. At least one ultraviolet light unit comprises at least one ultraviolet radiation-emitting diode and an ultraviolet radiation directing element. The ultraviolet radiation directing element is configured to collimate at least a portion of the radiation emitted by at least one ultraviolet radiation-emitting diode during operation such that the ultraviolet rays emitted by each ultraviolet light unit are parallel in a first plane. A method for cooling an ultraviolet radiation-emitting diode in a fluid processing system is also described.

[0015] The disadvantage of this technical solution is the use of a tube with a high UV absorption coefficient in the disinfection chamber. This significantly reduces the UV radiation path length within the treated environment, which, in turn, significantly reduces the device's efficiency.

[0016] Disclosure of Utility Model

[0017] This technical solution is aimed at developing a highly efficient and ergonomic device for disinfecting fluids using ultraviolet radiation. The focus is on optimizing the design and operational characteristics of the device, which involves using materials with a high UV reflectivity inside the working chamber. This approach significantly increases the system's efficiency, thereby ensuring its high performance and reliability.

[0018] Disinfection of fluids is accomplished using ultraviolet radiation generated by a UV diode array. This array may include at least one diode, providing the required intensity and spectral characteristics of the radiation. The working chamber is a tube through which the disinfected medium flows. To optimize the effect of the ultraviolet rays on the treated medium, a reflector is located axially symmetrically within the working chamber. This reflector splits the radiation beam, increasing its path length within the medium. This design significantly enhances the bactericidal effect, promoting more effective destruction of pathogenic microorganisms.

[0019] To minimize surface contamination of the reflector over time, it is recommended to place it above the UV diode assembly. The reflector's conical shape, combined with the inlet port positioned above the outlet port, promotes enhanced mixing of the process medium. This also prevents the formation of contaminants on the reflector's surface.

[0020] Implementation of a utility model

[0021] The flow-through ultraviolet water disinfection module (hereinafter referred to as the module) is implemented in the form of a compact flow-through device, the main purpose of which is to treat a liquid flow (for example, drinking, waste or industrial water) with bactericidal ultraviolet (UV) radiation in order to destroy pathogenic microorganisms.

[0022] The design of the module, explained by the drawing (Fig. 1), includes the following main elements.

[0023] The housing (1) is the basic supporting element and is a hollow cylinder that forms the main channel for the flow of the processed liquid. The housing (1) is made of a material resistant to corrosion in an aqueous environment, such as food-grade stainless steel, anodized aluminum, or a durable polymer. To minimize UV ​​absorption, the inner surface of the housing (1) is coated with a highly reflective coating (2). This coating can be polished aluminum, special polymer films, or other reflective compounds resistant to constant contact with water.

[0024] Two ports are located in the side wall of the housing (1): an inlet port (3) for feeding the feed liquid and an outlet port (4) for removing the disinfected liquid. Critically for proper operation, the inlet port (3) is positioned higher than the outlet port (4). This arrangement, combined with the vertical orientation of the housing (1), ensures gravity flow of the liquid and creates an upward turbulent flow within the chamber, promoting active mixing.

[0025] The end openings of the housing (1) are hermetically sealed with removable covers. The top cover (5) serves as a supporting element for the conical reflector (6). The reflector (6) is rigidly attached to the cover (5) and is positioned axially symmetrically relative to the longitudinal axis of the housing (1), with the tip of the cone facing downward, in the direction of the flow. The working surface of the reflector (6) has a reflective UV coating (7), similar to the coating (2) on the walls of the housing. The conical shape of the reflector (6) is designed to scatter the incident UV radiation.

[0026] The bottom cover (8) serves several functions. First, it seals the housing (1). Second, it houses a UV-transparent insert (9), which acts as an optical window. Insert (9) is made of a material with a high transmittance in the UV-C range (approximately 254 nm), such as quartz glass or special UV-transparent polymers. Third, a removable UV LED unit (10) is attached to the outer surface of the bottom cover (8). Unit (10) contains at least one powerful UV-C LED, and generally a matrix of such LEDs necessary to achieve the desired bactericidal dose. Mounting unit (10) externally, without immersion in liquid, is key to maintainability: it can be quickly dismantled for replacement without opening the sealed housing (1) and drying the device.

[0027] The module operates on the following principle. The source liquid, either under pressure or by gravity, enters through the inlet (3). Due to its upper position, the liquid jet is directed downward, striking the reflector surface (6) and spreading across it. Then, meeting the upward flow from the lower zone, it creates an intense vortex motion. This turbulent flow regime prevents the formation of stagnant zones and ensures uniform exposure of the entire liquid to the radiation.

[0028] The UV LED unit (10) generates intense bactericidal radiation that passes through the optical window (9) and enters the liquid. Direct rays affect microorganisms in the immediate vicinity of the window. The bulk of the radiation falls on the conical reflector (6). Due to its shape and reflective coating (7), the radiation is not absorbed but reflected in different directions, creating a three-dimensional grid of intersecting UV rays inside the housing (1). Additional reflection from the coated walls of the housing (2) further increases the optical path length of each photon and the radiation density in the treated volume. The result is a synergistic effect, significantly increasing the likelihood of destruction of each pathogen compared to simple direct irradiation.

[0029] The design features simultaneously address the issue of self-cleaning. The reflector's downward-facing tip (6) and the turbulent flow prevent the adhesion and accumulation of suspended particles, hardness salts, or biofilm on its critical reflective surface. Particles are washed away by the flow and carried away through the outlet pipe (4). If the outer surface of the optical window (9) becomes contaminated (which is unlikely, as it is washed with already purified water), maintenance is limited to unscrewing the bottom cover (8) and mechanically cleaning it.

[0030] Thus, the proposed module design is technologically advanced, maintainable, and provides significantly higher disinfection efficiency by optimizing the flow hydrodynamics and spatial distribution of UV radiation through a system of internal reflective surfaces. The module can be mass-produced using standard industrial technologies and materials.

[0031] Description of drawings

[0032] The drawing shows a general view of the flow-through ultraviolet water disinfection module in longitudinal section, illustrating the relative position of the main structural elements.

[0033] The drawing shows:

[0034] cylindrical body (1) with inlet (3) and outlet (4) pipes made in its wall;

[0035] top cover (5) with a conical reflector (6) attached to it;

[0036] bottom cover (8) with a transparent insert (9) installed in it;

[0037] removable UV LED unit (10), located outside on the bottom cover (8).

[0038] The arrows show the direction of flow of the disinfected liquid from the inlet pipe (3) to the outlet (4).

Claims

1. A flow-through ultraviolet water disinfection module comprising a cylindrical housing with an inlet and outlet pipe, upper and lower sealed covers, a removable block of ultraviolet LEDs mounted externally on the lower cover, and an insert in it that is transparent to UV radiation, characterized in that a conical reflector with a UV-reflective coating is installed inside the housing, facing downwards, wherein the inlet pipe is located above the outlet pipe, and the inner surface of the housing has a UV-reflective coating.

2. The module according to paragraph 1, characterized in that the block of ultraviolet LEDs is removable and installed on the outer side of the bottom cover to ensure the possibility of its easy replacement.

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