Dual-Source UVC Fluid Treatment to Eliminate Bacterial Tailing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mercury-based UV light sources, commonly used for fluid disinfection, exhibit a 'tailing' effect where bacteria self-repair, leading to incomplete disinfection and subsequent re-infestation, as they primarily emit a narrow peak around 254nm, failing to reduce Colony Forming Units (CFU) below 10^-2 to 10^-3 CFU/ml.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a field emission UV light source that emits a broader spectrum above 254nm, potentially up to 400nm, to enhance disinfection efficacy by reducing bacterial counts below 100-1000 CFU/ml, combined with a mercury-based UV light source for improved germicidal effectiveness and energy efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mercury-based UV light source emitting at 254nm is used, then the system achieves good energy efficiency and long lifespan, but the disinfection effectiveness is limited due to the tailing effect where bacteria self-repair
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a mercury-based UV light source (emitting at 254nm) with a non-mercury-based UV light source (emitting at wavelengths above 254nm, up to 400nm) in a single treatment system. This merging allows the system to leverage the energy efficiency and longevity of mercury lamps while adding the broader spectrum coverage of non-mercury lamps to eliminate the tailing effect and achieve complete bacterial reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the wavelength parameter of UV radiation from a narrow peak at 254nm to a broader spectrum extending above 254nm (up to 400nm). This parameter change allows the light to affect bacteria through multiple mechanisms simultaneously, preventing bacterial self-repair and eliminating the tailing effect that limits disinfection effectiveness.
2Reliability
If a narrow peak UV light source at 254nm is used, then the system maintains simplicity and cost-effectiveness, but it fails to reduce Colony Forming Units below 10^-2 to 10^-3 CFU/ml
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two light sources with different spectral characteristics - a mercury-based source for the 254nm peak and a non-mercury-based source for broader spectrum emission. This combination achieves superior bacterial reduction (below 10^-3 CFU/ml) while maintaining reasonable system complexity through the use of established lamp technologies.
3Reliability
If a broader spectrum UV light source above 254nm is used, then the disinfection efficacy is enhanced by reducing bacterial counts below 100-1000 CFU/ml, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges two relatively simple light source technologies (mercury lamps and non-mercury UV sources) into a dual-source system. While this increases device complexity compared to a single source, the complexity remains manageable and is justified by the significant improvement in disinfection completeness, achieving bacterial reduction below 100-1000 CFU/ml and eliminating the tailing effect.
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
The system achieves significant bacterial reduction without tailing, maintaining high energy efficiency and long lifespan, effectively reducing bacteria by 2-4 orders of magnitude beyond mercury-based systems, ensuring sustained disinfection and safer water treatment.
Implementation Method 1
a field emission based UV light source adapted to emit light within a ultraviolet C (UVC) spectrum
Implementation Method 2
emit light within a ultraviolet C (UVC) spectrum with a wavelength range having an upper range limit being higher compared to light emitted from a mercury based UV light source
Implementation Method 3
Systems for disinfection of water, air, surfaces or certain equipment using ultraviolet (UV) light
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention generally relates to a system for treating a fluid and specifically to a treatment system configured for improved bacterial reduction, wherein the system comprises a field emission based UV light source adapted to emit light within a ultraviolet C (UVC) spectrum with a wavelength range having an upper range limit being higher compared to light emitted from a mercury based UV light source.