Concentric UV Sterilizer with Coolant Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for sanitizing or sterilizing fluids, such as foods, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical products, often result in quality loss due to thermal treatments, and UV light's low transmittance limits effective disinfection to thin layers, requiring varying doses based on fluid composition.
Innovation Solution
A system using a UV emitter surrounded by concentric elements for coolant and fluid circulation, promoting turbulent flow and controlled temperature application to ensure uniform UVC exposure, allowing for adjustable treatment time and dose distribution across the entire fluid volume, with optional UVB treatment for compound repair.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional thermal processes are used for sterilization, then microbial inactivation is achieved, but quality loss occurs (functional, nutritional, organoleptic properties)
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical parameter from thermal energy to ultraviolet electromagnetic radiation. The UVC emitter operates at wavelengths (200-280 nm) that are absorbed by microbial DNA, causing photochemical damage without thermal effects. This parameter change enables sterilization while preserving product quality, as the process occurs at ambient or controlled low temperatures, avoiding the quality degradation associated with thermal processing.
2Reliability
If UVC light is applied for disinfection, then microbial inactivation is achieved, but low transmittance limits treatment to thin layers only
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the treatment process by using multiple UVC emitters positioned at different locations within the fluid stream. Rather than relying on single-pass penetration through thick layers, the continuous fluid stream is exposed to multiple UVC irradiation zones sequentially, ensuring that all portions of the fluid receive adequate cumulative UV dosage for complete microbial inactivation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a single-dimension penetration problem to a multi-dimensional solution by arranging UVC emitters in three-dimensional space around the fluid stream. Emitters are positioned to irradiate the fluid from multiple angles and positions, converting a depth penetration limitation into a spatial arrangement problem that can be solved by strategic emitter placement along the fluid path.
3Reliability
If varying UVC doses are applied based on fluid composition, then effective disinfection is achieved, but treatment uniformity becomes difficult to control
Solution Approach 1:
The invention incorporates feedback control mechanisms to monitor and adjust UVC dosage delivery. Sensors detect the actual UV intensity and fluid flow characteristics, and this information feeds back to control systems that adjust emitter operation or flow rate to maintain consistent dosage. This closed-loop control ensures uniform treatment despite variations in fluid composition, maintaining both disinfection effectiveness and dose uniformity.
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
Achieves uniform microbial inactivation and enzymatic inactivation while maintaining product quality by ensuring all fluid volumes receive a consistent UVC dose, with the option to repair degraded compounds, facilitating efficient and safe processing.
Implementation Method 1
UVC light has a bactericidal effect on microorganisms. The disinfecting power of UVC light is the result of its action on cellular DNA, causing a decrease in their respiratory activity, blocking the processes of synthesis and inhibiting or retarding mitosis.
Implementation Method 2
a UV emitter (1) surrounded by an elongated element (2) arranged concentrically with respect to the UV emitter, through which a coolant fluid cooling the UV emitter circulates
Implementation Method 3
promoting turbulent flow and controlled temperature application to ensure uniform UVC exposure, allowing for adjustable treatment time and dose distribution across the entire fluid volume
Implementation Method 4
the elongated element (3) being surrounded by an elongated element (4), arranged concentrically with respect to the UV emitter, through which a coolant or heating fluid cooling or heating the fluid to be sterilized circulates
Data Source
AI summary
System and method for sterilizing a fluid. The system comprises a UV emitter (1) surrounded by an elongated element (2) arranged concentrically with respect to the UV emitter through which a coolant fluid cooling the UV emitter circulates, the elongated element (2) being surrounded by an elongated element (3) arranged concentrically with respect to the UV emitter through which the fluid to be sterilized circulates, the elongated element being (3) surrounded by an elongated element (4) arranged concentrically with respect to the UV emitter through which a coolant or heating fluid cooling or heating the fluid to be sterilized circulates. In the method for sterilizing a fluid, the fluid to be sterilized is subjected to UV radiation at a temperature ranging between -20 °C and 160 °C.