UV irradiation unit and UV reactor

Abstract

The invention relates to a UV irradiation unit (15) for purifying a medium (105), the UV irradiation unit comprising: a plurality of LEDs (102) that are arranged on a carrier (101); and a heat dissipation element (110) made of a first material, the heat dissipation element being in contact with the carrier (101) and being spaced from the medium (105) to be irradiated. The UV irradiation unit (15) also comprises a heat transfer element (115) made of a second material, the heat transfer element (115) being in contact with the heat dissipation element (110) and the medium (105) to be irradiated. A thermal conductivity of the first material is greater than or equal to the thermal conductivity of the second material.

Description

[0001] UV IRRADIATION UNIT AND UV REACTOR

[0002] DESCRIPTION

[0003] UV reactors for irradiating media, such as water or air, typically feature LEDs (light-emitting diodes) capable of generating electromagnetic radiation in the UV range, particularly in the UV-C range. Generally, concepts are being sought that allow for cooling of LEDs.

[0004] The present invention is based on the object of providing an improved UV irradiation unit and an improved UV reactor.

[0005] According to the embodiment, the problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent patent claims. Further developments are defined in the dependent patent claims.

[0006] According to embodiments, a UV irradiation unit for cleaning a medium comprises a plurality of LEDs and a heat dissipation element made of a first material, wherein the heat dissipation element is in thermal contact with the LEDs and is spaced apart from the medium to be irradiated. The UV irradiation unit further comprises a heat transfer element made of a second material, wherein the heat transfer element is in contact with the heat dissipation element and the medium to be irradiated. A thermal conductivity of the first material is greater than or equal to the thermal conductivity of the second material.

[0007] For example, the first material may comprise a metal. The metal may, for example, comprise aluminum or copper. According to further embodiments, the first material may comprise a ceramic or a composite material. In this case, the thermal conductivity may also be achieved by so-called heat pipes.

[0008] For example, the heat dissipation element can be realized as a heat pipe filled with a heat transfer medium.

[0009] According to embodiments, the heat transfer element can be implemented as a heat pipe filled with a heat transfer medium. The heat transfer medium can represent the heat dissipation element.

[0010] According to further embodiments, the heat dissipation element may be a carrier on which the LEDs are arranged.

[0011] According to embodiments, a UV reactor comprises a UV irradiation unit as described above. The UV reactor further comprises a reactor chamber through which the medium to be irradiated can flow, wherein the reactor chamber has an outer wall.

[0012] For example, the reactor chamber may have a longitudinal axis. The medium to be irradiated may flow through the reactor chamber along the longitudinal axis.

[0013] According to embodiments, the plurality of LEDs are arranged at least along the longitudinal axis.

[0014] For example, the heat transfer element may extend in a direction that intersects the longitudinal axis. According to embodiments, the medium to be irradiated may be passed through the heat transfer element.

[0015] According to embodiments, the plurality of LEDs can be arranged outside the reactor chamber. Furthermore, the outer wall can have a region transparent to electromagnetic radiation generated by the LEDs.

[0016] For example, the heat transfer element may be part of another area of ​​the outer wall that constitutes a heat transfer area.

[0017] According to further embodiments, the plurality of LEDs can be arranged within the reactor chamber and spaced from the medium to be irradiated by a separating element that is transparent to electromagnetic radiation emitted by the LEDs.

[0018] According to embodiments, the heat transfer element and the heat dissipation element are arranged one behind the other along the longitudinal axis.

[0019] According to embodiments, the UV reactor comprises a plurality of UV irradiation units arranged along the longitudinal axis.

[0020] According to further embodiments, the UV reactor comprises a plurality of UV irradiation units arranged in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

[0021] The accompanying drawings are intended to provide an understanding of embodiments of the invention. The drawings illustrate embodiments and, together with the description, serve to explain the same. Further embodiments and many of the intended advantages will be apparent from the following detailed description. The elements and structures shown in the drawings are not necessarily to scale. Like reference numerals refer to like or corresponding elements and structures.

[0022] Fig. 1A shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a UV reactor with a UV irradiation unit according to embodiments.

[0023] Figures 1B to 1D show schematic cross-sectional views of a UV reactor with a UV irradiation unit according to further embodiments.

[0024] Fig. 2A shows a perspective view of a UV reactor according to embodiments.

[0025] Fig. 2B shows a perspective view of a UV reactor according to embodiments.

[0026] Figs. 3A to 3C show cross-sectional views of UV reactors according to embodiments.

[0027] Fig. 3D shows views of heat transfer elements.

[0028] Fig. 4 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a UV reactor with a UV irradiation unit according to further embodiments.

[0029] 5A and 5B show cross-sectional views of UV reactors according to further embodiments. In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the disclosure, and in which specific embodiments are shown for purposes of illustration. In this context, directional terminology such as "top", "bottom", "front", "back", "over", "on", "in front of", "behind", "front", "rear", etc., refers to the orientation of the figures just described. Since the components of the embodiments can be positioned in different orientations, the directional terminology is for the purpose of explanation only and is in no way limiting.

[0030] The description of the embodiments is not limiting, as other embodiments exist and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope defined by the claims. In particular, elements of embodiments described below may be combined with elements of other described embodiments, unless the context indicates otherwise.

[0031] Fig. 1A shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a UV reactor 10 and a UV irradiation unit 15 according to embodiments. The UV reactor 10 comprises a UV irradiation unit 15 and a reactor chamber 100 through which a medium 105 to be irradiated can flow. The reactor chamber 100 has an outer wall 107. For example, the medium to be irradiated can be water or gas, for example ambient air. As shown in Fig. 1A, the medium 105 to be irradiated can be introduced into the reactor chamber 100, for example, through an inlet 103 and leave the reactor chamber 100 via the outlet 104. The flow direction of the medium 105 to be irradiated is also indicated in Fig. 1A. The reactor chamber 100 may, for example, have a longitudinal axis 108, i.e., the direction of the longest extension of the reactor chamber 100 may correspond to the longitudinal axis 108.For example, the direction of the flowing medium 105 can correspond to the longitudinal axis 108. The longitudinal axis 108 can, for example, correspond to the x-direction.

[0032] The UV irradiation unit 15 has a plurality of LEDs 102, which are arranged, for example, on a carrier 101. For example, the LEDs 102 can be suitable for generating UV radiation, for example UV-C radiation. For example, the UV irradiation unit 15 can have several tens to several hundred LEDs 102. The carrier 101 can, for example, be a PCB (printed circuit board) that contains contact areas and lines for contacting the LEDs 102 as well as a dielectric layer for insulating the individual LEDs 102. The UV irradiation unit 15 further comprises a heat dissipation element 110 made of a first material. The heat dissipation element 110 is in thermal contact with the LEDs 102. For example, the heat dissipation element 110 is in contact with the carrier 101. The heat dissipation element 110 is spaced from the medium 105 to be irradiated.For example, the carrier 101, the plurality of LEDs 102, and the heat dissipation element 110 can be arranged outside the reactor chamber 100. An outer wall 107 of the reactor chamber 100 can be arranged between the heat dissipation element 110 and the medium 105 to be irradiated.

[0033] The UV irradiation unit 15 further comprises a heat transfer element 115 made of a second material. The heat transfer element 115 is in contact with the heat dissipation element 110 and the medium 105 to be irradiated. A thermal conductivity of the first material is greater than or equal to the thermal conductivity of the second material. For example, the first material can be or comprise a metal, for example aluminum or copper. According to further embodiments, the first material can also be a ceramic or a composite material. According to embodiments, the first material can also be a heat transfer medium, for example in a heat pipe. The term "first material" or "second material" is not intended to mean that the first material has only a single component, for example a metal. For example, both the first and the second material can comprise a mixture of suitable component materials.In particular, the first material can be a mixture of different metals or a ceramic or a composite material, which can, for example, have several sub-materials or heat pipes.

[0034] The second material can, in particular, be a material suitable for contacting the medium 105 to be irradiated. For example, the second material can be stainless steel or another material (mixture) that, due to legal regulations, may be brought into contact with water or air, for example.

[0035] In this way, even though the LEDs 102 for irradiation, for example for disinfection or cleaning of the medium 105 to be irradiated, are arranged outside the reactor chamber 100, the LEDs 102 can be cooled predominantly by the medium to be irradiated. Furthermore, by using the first material as a heat dissipation element, heat can be effectively dissipated from the LEDs. The heat can then be effectively transferred to the medium 105 to be irradiated via the heat transfer element 115, which is in contact with the medium 105 to be irradiated. In this way, for example, a heat dissipation element 110 made of a first material, which due to legal regulations must not be brought into contact with water or air, such as aluminum, can be used for efficient heat dissipation.

[0036] Overall, this provides a compact and cost-effective UV irradiation unit or reactor without the need for additional cooling media. Furthermore, active cooling concepts such as fan-heat sink combinations are eliminated.

[0037] As shown in Fig. 1A, the outer wall 107 has a region 106 which is transparent to the electromagnetic radiation 16 generated by the LEDs 102. For example, this transparent region 106 can be a quartz glass window. According to further embodiments, the reactor chamber can also be designed at least partially as a quartz glass cylinder or hollow body. The transparent region 106 is arranged, for example, between the LEDs 102 and the medium 105 to be irradiated. The LEDs 102 can be arranged along the longitudinal axis 108 of the reactor chamber 100. In this way, irradiation with the emitted radiation 16 takes place along the entire direction of flow of the medium 105. As is further shown in Fig. 1A, the heat transfer element 115 can be part of a further region of the outer wall 107. This area of ​​the outer wall represents the heat transfer area 109 . As shown in Fig .1A, for example, the heat transfer region 109 may be adjacent to the transparent region 106 of the outer wall, so that the outer wall of the reactor chamber 100 is composed of the heat transfer region 109 and the transparent region 106.

[0038] For example, a width d can correspond to an extension of the heat transfer region 109 along the longitudinal axis 108 of the reactor chamber 100. By adjusting the width d, for example, the amount of heat that is transferred via the heat transfer region 109 to the medium 105 to be irradiated can be adjusted.

[0039] For example, an extension of a protruding region 111 of the heat dissipation element 110 can be completely adjacent to the heat transfer element 115. More precisely, the entire protruding region 111 can form an interface with the heat transfer element 115. The extension of the protruding region 111 can be selected according to the width of the heat transfer element 115. Furthermore, the amount of heat that can be transported away can be adjusted by dimensioning the layer thickness b of the heat dissipation element 110 in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 108 of the reactor chamber 100. In general, according to embodiments, heat transport can take place in directions that intersect the longitudinal axis 108 of the reactor chamber 100.

[0040] According to embodiments shown in Fig. 1B, the heat dissipation element 110 can also be realized as a heat pipe 112 that is filled with a heat transfer medium 113, for example a suitable liquid for heat transfer. As shown in the upper part of Fig. 1B, the heat pipe 112 can, for example, extend parallel to the longitudinal axis 108 through a suitable carrier, for example a metal such as aluminum or stainless steel. According to further embodiments, the heat pipe 112 can also have a different geometric shape. An outer wall 114 of the heat pipe 112 can be constructed from the carrier material or another material. For example, when using stainless steel as the carrier material, the heat transfer element 115 can be formed integrally with the carrier 116 of the heat pipe 112.For example, the heat pipe 112 can be realized as a cavity formed in the carrier 116, which is filled with the heat transfer medium 113.

[0041] According to embodiments illustrated in Fig. 1C, the heat dissipation element 110 may be a carrier 101 on which the LEDs 102 are arranged. As described with reference to Fig. 1A, the LEDs 102 may be arranged on a carrier 101, for example, a printed circuit board. This printed circuit board may, for example, have a horizontal extension, so that a part of the printed circuit board on which no LEDs 102 are arranged is in contact with the heat transfer element 115.

[0042] In the embodiment of the UV irradiation unit shown in Figs. 1A to 1C, the carrier 101 with the LEDs 102 and the heat dissipation element 110 can be removed without opening the reactor chamber 100. Accordingly, the UV irradiation unit 15 and the UV reactor 10 are designed to be maintenance-friendly.

[0043] According to embodiments shown in Fig. 1D, the UV irradiation unit 15 can also have a heat pipe 112 that extends from an area adjacent to the LEDs 102 into the medium 105 to be irradiated. In this case, the outer wall 114 of the heat pipe 112 can be in contact with the medium 105 to be irradiated and thus represent the heat dissipation element 115. The heat transfer medium 113 filled in the heat pipe 112 is in thermal contact with the LEDs 102 and thus represents the heat dissipation element 110. For example, the outer wall 114 of the heat pipe 112 can be constructed of stainless steel or another material that may come into contact with the medium 105 to be irradiated. The heat pipe 112 may, for example, extend along the longitudinal axis 108 of the UV reactor 10 to a position near the inlet 103.

[0044] Fig. 2A shows a perspective view of the UV reactor 10 according to embodiments. As can be seen from Fig. 2A, for example, the reactor chamber 100 can be cylindrical. Correspondingly, the heat dissipation element 110 and the support 101 can also be cylindrical. The LEDs 102 are arranged opposite the reactor chamber 100 on the cylindrical support 101. As is further shown in Fig. 2A, the heat transfer element 115 can have cooling fins 119, by means of which more efficient heat dissipation is possible. Furthermore, as will be shown below with reference to Fig. 3A, the heat transfer element 115 can be arranged adjacent to the inlet 103 and adjacent to the outlet 104 of the reactor chamber 100.

[0045] Fig. 2B shows a perspective view of a UV reactor 10 according to further embodiments. Fig. 2B shows similar elements to Fig. 2A. Furthermore, the transparent outer wall 106, which may surround the reactor chamber 100 in a cylindrical shape, is shown.

[0046] Figure 3A shows a UV reactor 10 according to further embodiments. As shown in Fig. 3A, the UV reactor 10 can have two or more UV irradiation units 15. For example, a first irradiation unit can be constructed as shown in one of Figs. 1A to 1D. In addition, a second irradiation unit can be designed in a similar or identical manner. The heat transfer element 115 of the first UV irradiation unit 15 can, for example, be arranged adjacent to the inlet 103 of the reactor chamber 100. Furthermore, the heat transfer element 115 of the second irradiation unit 15 can be arranged adjacent to the outlet 104 from the reactor chamber 100. In this way, the efficiency of the UV irradiation and the heat dissipation can be further improved.

[0047] According to embodiments shown in Fig. 3B, the UV reactor can have additional UV irradiation units 15. For example, in addition to the heat transfer elements 115 shown in Fig. 3A, a further heat transfer element 115 can be arranged in the middle or in a central region of the reactor chamber 100. Furthermore, viewed from the position of the heat transfer element 115, some of the LEDs can be arranged along the flow direction and some against the flow direction. In this way, more efficient irradiation and more efficient cooling of the LEDs can be achieved.

[0048] Fig. 3C shows a cross-sectional view of a UV reactor according to further embodiments. In contrast to Fig. 3A, here the heat transfer element 115 is designed such that the medium 105 to be irradiated flows through it at least partially. For example, the heat transfer element 115 can extend in a direction that intersects the longitudinal axis 108 of the reactor chamber 100. Openings through which the medium 105 to be irradiated can flow can be formed in the heat transfer element 115. Fig. 3D shows examples of corresponding heat transfer elements 115. In particular, the heat transfer element 115 can have cooling fins 119 made of the second material. The cooling fins 119 can have different shapes, as shown in Fig. 3D. The cross-sectional view of Fig. 3D is along the y-z plane, i.e. in a direction perpendicular to the flow direction of the medium 105 to be irradiated. In the case shown in Fig.With the configuration of the heat transfer element shown in FIG. 3D, the contact area with the medium to be irradiated can be enlarged, enabling more efficient heat dissipation. As shown in FIGS. 1A to 3, the UV irradiation unit 15 or the plurality of LEDs 102 can be arranged outside the reactor chamber 100. According to further embodiments, the UV irradiation unit 15 can also be arranged inside the reactor chamber 100.

[0049] Fig. 4 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a UV reactor 10, in which the UV irradiation unit 15 is arranged inside the reactor chamber 100. In particular, according to Fig. 4, the LEDs 102 are arranged inside the reactor chamber 100 and spaced from the medium 105 to be irradiated by a separating element 118, which is transparent to electromagnetic radiation 16 emitted by the LEDs 102. For example, the separating element 118 can be made of quartz glass. The separating element 118 can, for example, surround the irradiation unit 15 in a cylindrical manner. As is further shown in Fig. 4, in this embodiment the heat transfer element 115 is, for example, arranged completely inside the reactor chamber 100. More precisely, the heat transfer element 115 does not represent any region of the outer wall 107 of the reactor chamber 100.

[0050] As shown in Fig. 4, supports 101 can be arranged on both sides of the heat dissipation element 110. Furthermore, the LEDs 102 can be arranged on both sides of the heat dissipation element 110. According to embodiments shown in Fig. 4, the LEDs are arranged along the longitudinal axis 108 of the reactor chamber 100. The longitudinal axis 108 of the reactor chamber 100 corresponds to the flow direction of the medium 105 to be irradiated. The heat transfer element 115 can extend in a direction that intersects the longitudinal axis 108. For example, the medium to be irradiated can be passed through the heat transfer element 115. The right part of Fig. 4 shows an example of a heat transfer element 115. As shown, the heat transfer element 115 can have cooling fins 119.

[0051] For example, in embodiments shown in Fig. 4, the UV irradiation unit can be removed from the reactor. For example, the LEDs 102 can be connected to a voltage supply via electrical connections 121. According to embodiments shown in Fig. 4, an outlet 104 from the reactor chamber 100 can be arranged, for example, on an outer wall 107 of the reactor chamber 100. In this way, part of the flow of the medium 105 flowing through can occur in a direction that intersects the longitudinal axis 108 of the reactor chamber 100. For example, with the exception of sensor ports for optical monitoring of the reactor, the outer wall 107 has no region that is transparent to the radiation 16 emitted by the LEDs 102.

[0052] Fig. 5A shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a UV reactor 10 according to further embodiments. As shown, multiple UV irradiation units 15 can be arranged within the reactor chamber 100. For example, the UV irradiation units 15 can be arranged along a longitudinal axis 108 of the reactor chamber 100.

[0053] Fig. 5B shows a UV reactor 10 according to further embodiments. As shown, a plurality of UV irradiation units, as described above, can be arranged both along the longitudinal axis 108 and in a direction perpendicular thereto. In this way, a more efficient cleaning of the medium to be irradiated can be achieved. At the same time, an efficient dissipation of heat can take place via the heat transfer elements 115. The UV reactor shown in Figs. 4 to 5B can be cylindrical in shape, just like the UV reactor shown previously. Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, those skilled in the art will recognize that the specific embodiments shown and described can be replaced by a variety of alternative and / or equivalent designs without departing from the scope of the invention.This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the specific embodiments discussed herein. Therefore, the invention is limited only by the claims and their equivalents.

[0054] LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0055] 10 UV reactor

[0056] 15 UV irradiation unit

[0057] 16 emitted radiation

[0058] 100 reactor chamber

[0059] 101 carriers

[0060] 102 LED

[0061] 103 Entrance

[0062] 104 Outlet

[0063] 105 medium to be irradiated

[0064] 106 transparent area of ​​the outer wall

[0065] 107 Exterior wall

[0066] 108 Longitudinal axis

[0067] 109 Heat transfer area

[0068] 110 Heat dissipation element

[0069] 111 protruding area

[0070] 112 Heat pipe

[0071] 113 Heat transfer medium

[0072] 114 Exterior wall

[0073] 115 Heat transfer element

[0074] 116 Heat pipe support

[0075] 118 Separator

[0076] 119 Cooling fin

[0077] 121 electrical connection

Claims

CLAIMS 1. UV reactor (10) with a UV irradiation unit (15) for irradiating a medium (105), wherein the UV irradiation unit (15) comprises: a plurality of LEDs (102), a heat dissipation element (110) made of a first material, wherein the heat dissipation element is in thermal contact with the plurality of LEDs (102) and is spaced from the medium (105) to be irradiated, and a heat transfer element (115) made of a second material, wherein the heat transfer element (115) is in contact with the heat dissipation element (110) and the medium (105) to be irradiated, wherein a thermal conductivity of the first material is greater than or equal to the thermal conductivity of the second material;wherein the UV reactor (10) comprises a reactor chamber (100) having an outer wall (107) and a longitudinal axis (108), and the medium to be irradiated (105) flows through the reactor chamber (100) along the longitudinal axis (108), and the heat transfer element (115) and the heat dissipation element (110) are arranged one behind the other along the longitudinal axis (108); 2. UV reactor (10) according to claim 1, wherein the heat dissipation element (110) is realized as a heat pipe (112) filled with a heat transfer medium (113).

3. UV reactor (10) according to claim 1, wherein the heat transfer element (115) is realized as a heat pipe (112) filled with a heat transfer medium (113) which represents the heat dissipation element (110).

4. UV reactor (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of LEDs (102) are arranged at least along the longitudinal axis (108).

5. UV reactor (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the heat transfer element (115) extends in a direction intersecting the longitudinal axis (108).

6. UV reactor (10) according to one of claims 1, 2, 4 or 5, wherein the medium to be irradiated (105) is passed through the heat transfer element (115).

7. UV reactor (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of LEDs (102) is arranged outside the reactor chamber (100) and the outer wall (107) has a region (106) transparent to electromagnetic radiation (16) generated by the LEDs (102).

8. UV reactor (10) according to claim 7, wherein the heat transfer element (115) is part of a further region of the outer wall (107) which represents a heat transfer region (109).

9. UV reactor (10) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the plurality of LEDs (102) are arranged within the reactor chamber (100) and are spaced from the medium (105) to be irradiated by a separating element (118) which is transparent to electromagnetic radiation (16) emitted by the LEDs (102).

10. UV reactor (10) according to one of the preceding claims, with a plurality of UV irradiation units (15) arranged along the longitudinal axis (108).

11. UV reactor (10) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a plurality of UV irradiation units (15) arranged in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (108).

12. UV irradiation unit (15) for irradiating a medium (105), comprising: a plurality of LEDs (102), a heat dissipation element (110) made of a first material, wherein the heat dissipation element is realized as a heat pipe (112) which is filled with a heat transfer medium (113), is in thermal contact with the plurality of LEDs (102) and is spaced from the medium (105) to be irradiated, and a heat transfer element (115) made of a second material, wherein the heat transfer element (115) is in contact with the heat dissipation element (110) and the medium (105) to be irradiated, wherein a thermal conductivity of the first material is greater than or equal to the thermal conductivity of the second material.

13. The UV irradiation unit (15) according to claim 12, wherein the first material comprises a metal.

14. UV irradiation unit (15) according to claim 13, wherein the metal comprises aluminum or copper.

15. UV irradiation unit (15) according to claim 12 to 14, wherein the first material comprises a ceramic or a composite material.

16. UV irradiation unit (15) according to claim 12 to 15, wherein the heat dissipation element is a carrier (101) on which the LEDs (102) are arranged.

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