Periodic UVC LED Dosing for Water Disinfection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing UV disinfection methods for drinking water either continuously operate, leading to excessive heat and power consumption, or are intermittently triggered, allowing bacterial growth and biofilm formation during periods of stagnation.
Innovation Solution
A UVC LED-based photoreactor with a controller that implements a periodic dosing schedule, where the UVC LED is powered on for a specific active duration and off for an inactive duration, creating a duty cycle that reduces bacterial growth and biofilm formation, even when water is stagnant, using diffusively transmissive and reflective materials to ensure thorough disinfection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If UV disinfection operates continuously, then disinfection effectiveness is maintained, but heat and power consumption increase excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by implementing intermittent UV dosing cycles with alternating active and inactive periods. The controller activates the UV source for predetermined active periods to deliver disinfection doses, then deactivates it for inactive periods, thereby maintaining disinfection effectiveness while significantly reducing power consumption compared to continuous operation.
2Use of energy by moving object
If UV disinfection operates intermittently, then power consumption is reduced, but bacterial growth and biofilm formation occur during stagnation periods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by delivering UV disinfection doses during active periods before stagnation occurs. The controller is configured to activate the UV source in advance during active periods to prevent bacterial growth and biofilm formation that would occur during subsequent inactive periods, ensuring disinfection effectiveness is maintained despite intermittent operation.
3Reliability
If UV source operates continuously, then disinfection is consistent, but system life is reduced due to heat and wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by implementing cyclic operation with active and inactive periods. The UV source is activated only during active periods for predetermined durations, then deactivated during inactive periods. This periodic operation reduces cumulative heat generation and wear on the UV source, thereby extending system life while maintaining disinfection consistency through controlled dosing cycles.
4Use of energy by moving object
If duty cycle is reduced to save energy, then power consumption decreases, but disinfection coverage may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the duty cycle parameters - specifically the duration and timing of active and inactive periods. The controller is configured to activate the UV source for specific active period durations that deliver adequate disinfection doses, then deactivate for corresponding inactive periods. This parameter optimization ensures sufficient disinfection coverage while minimizing power consumption, achieving the desired balance between energy savings and disinfection effectiveness.
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 periodic dosing schedule effectively reduces bacterial growth and biofilm formation, conserves energy, and extends the life of the UV system by avoiding continuous operation, ensuring consistent disinfection of drinking water without the drawbacks of continuous UV exposure.
Implementation Method 1
UV-C light penetrates the cells of microorganisms and disrupts the structure of their DNA molecules
Implementation Method 2
The reactor also includes a cylinder within the chamber. The cylinder may be formed from UVC diffusively transmissive material and/or UVC diffusively reflective material.
Implementation Method 3
The reactor also includes a cylinder within the chamber. The cylinder may be formed from UVC diffusively transmissive material and/or UVC diffusively reflective material.
Data Source
AI summary
A photoreactor for disinfecting water includes at least one wall defining a chamber configured to contain fluid. The reactor also includes an inlet through which water flows into the chamber, and an outlet through which water exits the chamber. The reactor also includes a UVC LED. The LED is configured to power on for an active duration, and power off for an inactive duration. The active duration and the inactive duration define a period. The reactor also includes a controller configured to set a duty cycle for the period, where the duty cycle is a ratio of the active duration to the period. The duty cycle is less than or equal to about 1:100.