Adjustable UV Reactor for Fluid Sterilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
UV reactors face inefficiencies in sterilizing fluids with varying turbidity due to changing penetration depths of UV radiation, leading to either excessive radiation dosage or insufficient disinfection, especially when using LED-based systems which have limited UV output and high costs.
Innovation Solution
A UV reactor with an adjustable irradiation zone and sensor system that adapts the reactor dimensions and throughput rate based on turbidity measurements to maintain a consistent UV dose throughout the fluid volume, using UV-C LEDs and a displaceable slider or gliding walls to optimize radiation distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the radiation power is increased beyond a critical threshold to ensure sufficient sterilization in all regions, then the sterilization effectiveness is improved, but the energy efficiency deteriorates due to UV overdosing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the irradiation zone dimensions adjustable rather than fixed. The reactor chamber allows dynamic adjustment of the liquid layer thickness in the irradiation zone, enabling the system to adapt to varying turbidity conditions. This dynamic adjustment ensures that UV radiation is optimally distributed throughout the liquid volume, preventing both overdosing and underdosing, thereby maintaining high sterilization effectiveness while minimizing energy waste.
2Reliability
If the reactor is designed for the worst case (highly turbid liquids) to ensure sufficient sterilization, then the sterilization reliability is improved, but the energy efficiency deteriorates due to UV overdosing in less turbid conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs dynamic adjustment of the irradiation zone dimensions to match actual operating conditions. Rather than being fixed for worst-case scenarios, the reactor chamber can adapt its liquid layer thickness in real-time based on turbidity measurements, ensuring optimal UV dose delivery across varying conditions and eliminating energy waste from consistent worst-case design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control by measuring the actual turbidity of the liquid and using this information to adjust the irradiation zone dimensions. This closed-loop feedback mechanism allows the system to respond to changing conditions, optimizing UV radiation delivery and preventing overdosing when turbidity is lower than expected, thereby improving energy efficiency while maintaining sterilization reliability.
3Reliability
If the initial optical power is increased to achieve sufficient disinfection effect after attenuation, then the sterilization effectiveness is improved, but the cost and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by enabling real-time adjustment of the irradiation zone dimensions based on measured turbidity conditions. This allows the system to optimize UV radiation delivery efficiency, ensuring sufficient disinfection effect while minimizing the initial optical power required, thereby reducing energy consumption and costs associated with high-power UV sources.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Ensures efficient sterilization by maintaining a consistent UV dose across the fluid volume, preventing overdosing or underdosing, and improving energy efficiency by adapting to changing turbidity conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a multiplicity of radiation sources, preferably LEDs, each of which is designed to irradiate the liquid flowing in the reactor chamber with light having wavelengths in the range of UV radiation, preferably UV-C radiation
Implementation Method 2
the incident light intensity already drops to a few percent by absorption and/or scattering after a few millimeters
Implementation Method 3
the incident light intensity already drops to a few percent by absorption and/or scattering after a few millimeters
Implementation Method 4
A sensor device is provided, which detects the penetration depth of the radiation
Data Source
AI summary
A device for sterilising a fluid flowing therethrough by comprises a container having an inlet for receiving the fluid and an outlet for discharging the fluid, a variable or adjustable irradiation zone for irradiating the fluid with UV radiation. The irradiation zone including a gap which extends between two oppositely arranged walls. The distance between the walls, and thus the gap size of the gap, can be changed by at least one wall being movable. For example, the wall is a wall of a displaceable body that is located inside the container or projecting into the container. By adjusting the distance between the walls in the region of the gap, and thus the layer thickness of the fluid flowing through the gap, the efficiency of the operation of the device is optimised with different scattering and absorption properties of the fluid.