Helical Vortex Baffle for UV Reactor Turbulence
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ultraviolet light reactors with planar disc baffle plates are ineffective for treating high solids content water due to unstable toroidal vortices that fail to bring waterborne particles into proximity with the UV light source, and they impose bending stresses on brittle inner tubes, limiting turbulence and treatment efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A baffle design with a non-planar inner or outer peripheral edge featuring undulations, such as sinusoidal configurations, generates stable counter-rotating helical vortices that increase the number of waterborne particles in proximity to the UV light source, reducing lateral loading on the inner tube and allowing higher fluid velocities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If planar disc baffle plates are used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the vortices generated are unstable and fail to bring waterborne particles into proximity with the UV light source
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by replacing the planar disc baffle plate with a three-dimensional curved surface baffle. The curved surface is configured to generate stable helical vortices that effectively transport waterborne particles into proximity with the UV light source, thereby maintaining ease of manufacture while significantly improving vortex stability and particle exposure effectiveness
2Device complexity
If planar disc baffle plates are used to create turbulence, then the structure is simple, but bending stresses are imposed on brittle inner tubes limiting turbulence and treatment efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The curved surface configuration of the baffle eliminates the need for planar disc plates that impose bending stresses on brittle inner tubes. The three-dimensional curved design generates the required turbulence and helical vortices without creating lateral loading forces, thereby maintaining structural simplicity while removing the stress limitation on treatment efficiency
3Productivity
If higher fluid velocities are used to increase treatment capacity, then productivity improves, but the brittle inner tube fractures due to bending stresses from conventional baffles
Solution Approach 1:
The curved surface baffle enables operation at higher fluid velocities by eliminating the bending stress problem associated with planar disc baffles. The curved geometry generates stable helical vortices that enhance particle exposure to UV light without imposing lateral loading forces on the brittle inner tube, thereby increasing treatment capacity while maintaining structural integrity
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 baffle design enhances UV treatment efficacy for high solids content water by increasing particle exposure to UV light and allowing higher fluid velocities without tube fracture, improving treatment efficiency and capacity.
Implementation Method 1
The inner peripheral edge is distorted so as to be non-planar... generates stable counter-rotating helical vortices
Implementation Method 2
The creation of turbulence within a fluid stream has many industrial applications... enhances the mixing of two fluid streams
Implementation Method 3
The inner tube is formed from a suitable material that allows UV light to pass therethrough... exposed to the UV light to effect treatment of the water
Implementation Method 4
contaminated water flows through the passage between the inner and outer tubes and is exposed to the UV light to effect treatment of the water
Implementation Method 5
The reduction in cross-sectional area as the water flows through the gap results in an increase in the local fluid velocity of the water
Implementation Method 6
When this relatively fast moving fluid contacts the relatively slow moving fluid behind or downstream of the baffle plate, the shear created by the differential velocity forms toroidal vortices
Data Source
AI summary
A baffle includes a body member having a first surface, a second opposed surface, and an outer peripheral edge. An aperture may be formed through the body member to define an inner peripheral edge. The inner peripheral edge is distorted to be non-planar. An apparatus includes a first conduit having a first end, a second end, and a first channel extending therebetween. At least one baffle is disposed in the first channel and includes a body member having a first surface, a second opposed surface, and an outer peripheral edge. At least one aperture may be formed through the body member to define an inner peripheral edge. The inner peripheral edge is distorted to be non-planar. A second conduit may be disposed inside the first conduit and extend through the aperture in the baffle. The apparatus may be an ultraviolet light reactor, a heat exchanger, or a static mixer.