Pulsed Light Liquid Treatment System for Microbial Inactivation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid treatment systems face challenges such as high energy consumption, large size, and inefficiency in removing microbiological contaminants, often relying on chemical agents that can cause environmental harm or residual contamination.
Innovation Solution
A scalable liquid treatment system using high intensity broad-spectrum pulsed light with a controlled pulse rate, fluence, and peak power to eliminate or render inert physical, chemical, and microbiological contaminants, without the use of mercury or chemical agents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If reverse osmosis and membrane systems are used to clear liquid, then liquid purification is achieved, but excessive energy is consumed and microbiological organisms evolve requiring continuous tracking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic pulsed light action instead of continuous operation. The system uses high intensity pulsed light (HIPL) delivered in periodic bursts to inactivate microorganisms, reducing energy consumption compared to continuous light exposure or continuous membrane filtration. The pulsed nature allows the system to achieve effective purification while consuming less energy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical filtration systems (reverse osmosis, membranes) with a light-based photobiological system. Instead of physically forcing liquid through membranes requiring high pressure and energy, the system uses light to inactivate microorganisms in place, eliminating the need for mechanical filtration infrastructure and reducing energy consumption.
2Reliability
If reverse osmosis is used to treat liquid, then purification is achieved, but three-fourths of the liquid is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical filtration systems that separate and waste liquid with a light-based system that inactivates microorganisms in place. The pulsed light system treats the liquid without removing large volumes, eliminating the waste stream associated with reverse osmosis concentrate disposal.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows the liquid to remain in the treatment chamber and be treated in situ by the pulsed light, rather than forcing it through a membrane where the bulk is discarded. The liquid serves its own purification need through direct light exposure without requiring separation and disposal of treated and untreated portions.
3Reliability
If traditional light based sterilization methods are used, then sterilization is achieved, but the systems are large in size and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the treatment system into a compact modular design. The high intensity pulsed light source, treatment chamber, and control system are integrated into a compact unit that can be scaled according to treatment needs. This segmentation allows for smaller footprint compared to traditional large-scale continuous sterilization systems while maintaining effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The use of periodic pulsed light allows for shorter treatment times and smaller chamber volumes compared to continuous sterilization methods. The high intensity pulses achieve sterilization quickly, reducing the space and time required for the treatment process, thereby compacting the overall system size.
4Reliability
If chemical agents are used for liquid treatment, then contaminants are removed, but residual chemical agents remain causing illness or death
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces chemical treatment methods with a physical light-based system. High intensity pulsed light inactivates microorganisms and degrades contaminants through photolysis and oxidative mechanisms without introducing chemical residues. The treatment leaves no harmful chemical trace in the liquid.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the harmful effect of high intensity pulsed light on microorganisms and contaminants to achieve purification. The same light energy that damages microbial DNA and cellular structures is harnessed to eliminate pathogens without leaving harmful residues, converting the potentially harmful light energy into a beneficial purification mechanism.
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 effectively reduces contaminants at a molecular level, achieving efficient and reliable liquid purification with lower energy consumption and no chemical residues, while being scalable and cost-effective.
Implementation Method 1
high intensity broad-spectrum pulsed light (HIPL), high intensity broad-spectrum pulsed light (BSPL), or pulsed white light (PWL) at a predetermined or tunable pulse rate, frequency, fluence (radiant exposure), peak power, exposure time, and/or pulse width to eliminate, reduce, degrade, or render inert or nullify physical, chemical or microbiological contaminants
Implementation Method 2
high intensity broad-spectrum pulsed light (HIPL)... to eliminate, reduce, degrade, or render inert or nullify physical, chemical or microbiological contaminants
Implementation Method 3
an ionized wire wrapped outside the light source of the reactor
Data Source
AI summary
Liquid, air, or surface treatment/sterilization/disinfection using pulsed light to eliminate, reduce, degrade, render inert, or nullify physical, chemical, biological, microbiological, or non-microbiological contaminants is disclosed herein. The system also includes at least one power supply powering the light source of the reactor, an ionized wire wrapped outside the light source of the reactor, at least one digital multiplexer connected to the at least one power supply, and a controller to control the at least one digital multiplexer to power the light source to strobe the pulsed light at a predetermined fluence, a predetermined pulsed width, and a predetermined frequency or spectrum to eliminate, reduce, degrade, render inert, or nullify the physical, chemical, biological, microbiological, or non-microbiological contaminants in a liquid flow, air, or surface at a molecular level.