UV Treatment Chamber Swirl Flow for Uniform Exhaust Residence Time
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air purification systems using ozone or other agents for treating effluent streams face challenges in ensuring uniform dwell-time of air contaminants due to short-circuiting issues, which can be exacerbated by the use of baffles that block ultraviolet light, leading to incomplete treatment and high operating costs.
Innovation Solution
An ultraviolet exposure chamber design that generates a stable flow pattern through momentum effects, using swirl or helical paths without baffles to ensure uniform exposure to UV light, allowing for longer residence time of air contaminants and minimizing light obstruction, while also utilizing photocatalysts on exterior walls for particle separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If baffles are introduced to spread the effluent stream and increase residence time, then the dwell time of air contaminants is improved, but ultraviolet light transmission is blocked and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical baffle system with an acoustic field (ultrasonic vibration) to achieve flow dispersion and extended residence time. The ultrasonic waves create acoustic radiation pressure that disperses the effluent stream without requiring physical barriers, thus maintaining UV light transmission while increasing dwell time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces acoustic waves as an intermediary mechanism to mediate between the conflicting requirements of flow dispersion and light transmission. The ultrasonic field acts as a non-contact intermediary that can manipulate fluid flow patterns without blocking the optical path required for UV treatment.
2Duration of action of moving object
If a large number of baffles are used to spread the flow, then residence time is increased, but pressure drop increases and operating costs rise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes mechanical baffles with an acoustic field to achieve flow dispersion. This eliminates the pressure drop associated with multiple baffle elements while maintaining extended residence time through acoustic radiation pressure and stream dispersion mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and parameters of the effluent stream through ultrasonic vibration, creating cavitation and acoustic streaming effects that extend residence time without the energy losses associated with mechanical flow restriction through baffles.
3Reliability
If effluent stream is cooled to condense water and organic vapors, then purification is improved, but oxidation efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic ultrasonic vibration to maintain the effluent stream in a dynamic state that prevents complete condensation while still achieving purification. The oscillating acoustic field creates periodic pressure variations that keep organic vapors in a state suitable for oxidation while allowing water condensation to occur intermittently.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses ultrasonic energy to alter the thermal and physical parameters of the effluent stream, creating localized heating zones that prevent complete condensation and maintain oxidation efficiency while still achieving significant purification through acoustic dispersion and enhanced mass transfer.
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
This design ensures a uniform and prolonged exposure of air contaminants to UV light, enhancing oxidation and purification efficiency while reducing operational costs by minimizing the need for additional light sources and avoiding light obstruction, ensuring effective treatment of organic substances without creating NOx.
Implementation Method 1
The effluent stream is then irradiated with ultraviolet light and then ejected to the ambient
Implementation Method 2
The oxygen injected in the dilution process is used in the creation of ozone when the air is irradiated with the ultraviolet light. Certain organic substances are oxidized by the ozone in a so-called cold combustion
Implementation Method 3
The chamber is designed to use momentum effects of the air to force the air to take a circuitous path through the chamber without the introduction of baffles or duct sections that would block ultraviolet light
Implementation Method 4
utilizing photocatalysts on exterior walls for particle separation
Data Source
AI summary
An ultraviolet treatment chamber for treating exhaust streams, particularly those containing organic particulates, utilizes ultraviolet light energy very efficiently. This is done by setting up a circulating flow in a treatment plenum so that all of the effluent experiences a substantially uniform residence time without the need for baffles or other flow controllers that would block the ultraviolet light.