Hybrid UV Source Control for Uniform Disinfection Intensity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ultraviolet radiation treatment systems for disinfection face challenges in efficiently delivering consistent ultraviolet intensity, particularly when combining solid state UV sources with mercury-based lamps, which can lead to uneven disinfection and potential overheating of UV sources.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses ultraviolet transparent windows to direct UV radiation from both solid state UV sources and mercury-based lamps into a treatment region, with a control component to individually operate these sources and adjust power to maintain a predetermined minimum UV intensity, ensuring effective disinfection while preventing overheating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If solid state UV sources and mercury-based lamps are combined to illuminate treatment region, then disinfection effectiveness is improved, but UV intensity distribution uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The treatment region is divided into multiple zones with different UV intensity requirements. Solid state UV sources are positioned to illuminate specific segments while mercury-based lamps illuminate other segments, allowing each source type to contribute to different spatial zones. This segmentation enables uniform overall UV intensity distribution while maintaining the disinfection effectiveness of both source types.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the treatment chamber are assigned different illumination characteristics. Areas requiring higher UV intensity receive illumination primarily from mercury-based lamps, while areas sensitive to heat or requiring different spectral composition receive illumination from solid state UV sources. This local quality differentiation ensures uniform effective disinfection throughout the entire treatment region.
2Productivity
If mercury-based lamps operate at full power to provide sufficient UV intensity, then disinfection rate is improved, but overheating of UV sources worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The control system operates UV sources in periodic cycles, alternating between solid state UV sources and mercury-based lamps. During periods when solid state sources are active, mercury-based lamps remain at reduced power or are off, preventing thermal accumulation. This periodic operation maintains high average UV intensity for effective disinfection while preventing overheating of any single source type.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes operational parameters of different UV source types based on real-time temperature monitoring. When mercury-based lamps show signs of overheating, the control system reduces their power output or switches to solid state UV sources. Conversely, when solid state sources are used, the system adjusts their power levels to maintain optimal UV intensity without excessive heat generation. This parameter adaptation ensures high disinfection rates while preventing thermal damage.
3Reliability
If multiple UV sources are used to ensure sufficient UV intensity, then disinfection effectiveness is improved, but system complexity worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is designed to manage multiple UV source types through a unified multi-functional architecture. The same control unit manages both solid state UV sources and mercury-based lamps, coordinating their operation to achieve uniform UV intensity distribution. This universal control approach maintains high disinfection effectiveness while avoiding the need for separate complex control systems for each source type.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates UV intensity sensors and temperature sensors that provide real-time feedback to the control system. Based on this feedback, the control system automatically adjusts the operation of solid state UV sources and mercury-based lamps to maintain optimal UV intensity distribution and prevent overheating. This feedback mechanism simplifies system operation by automating the coordination of multiple sources, reducing the need for complex manual control while ensuring effective disinfection.
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 ensures uniform UV intensity for efficient disinfection, preventing overheating of UV sources and maintaining optimal disinfection rates, even when transitioning from startup to full operation of mercury-based lamps.
Implementation Method 1
a set of ultraviolet transparent windows defining at least a portion of at least one side of a treatment region
Implementation Method 2
The UV radiation affects biological agents by fusing and damaging the DNA of microorganisms, and preventing their replication
Implementation Method 3
The UV radiation affects biological agents by fusing and damaging the DNA of microorganisms
Data Source
AI summary
A solution for illuminating an area and/or treating a substance with light, such as ultraviolet radiation, is described. The solution can use one or more solid state ultraviolet sources in conjunction with one or more ultraviolet lamps to illuminate a treatment region with ultraviolet radiation. A control component can individually operate the solid state ultraviolet source(s) and the ultraviolet lamp(s) to illuminate the treatment region with ultraviolet radiation having a predetermined minimum ultraviolet intensity.