UV LED Fluid Reactor with Reflective Blocking and Integrated Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing UV LED devices for treating fluids face issues such as UVC leakage that can damage the housing and surrounding biological entities, lack of reflective blockers, and the need for separate cooling systems, which affect efficiency and safety.
Innovation Solution
A UV LED device with a housing that includes a reflective coating on the reaction chamber walls, a light blocker to prevent radiation leakage, and a heatsink for self-cooling, integrated with a LED module that emits UVB or UVC radiation and is submerged in the fluid, along with a flow generator for maintaining fluid flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a UV LED device is used to treat fluids, then microorganisms are destroyed by UV radiation, but UVC radiation may leak and damage the housing and surrounding biological entities
Solution Approach 1:
A reflective barrier is introduced as an intermediary component between the UV LED and the housing. This barrier reflects UVC radiation back toward the fluid treatment area while blocking direct exposure to the housing and surrounding environments, thus preventing radiation leakage damage while maintaining sterilization effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful UVC radiation that would otherwise leak and damage components is redirected through the reflective barrier to continue treating the fluid. The radiation that would be wasted or harmful is converted into a beneficial treatment effect, maximizing UV utilization while protecting the housing
2Temperature
If a separate cooling system is added to the UV LED device, then heat dissipation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling function is merged with the housing structure itself. The housing incorporates integrated cooling channels or heat dissipation surfaces that work together with the UV LED module, eliminating the need for separate cooling components while maintaining effective heat dissipation
Solution Approach 2:
The housing serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, contains the UV LED module, and simultaneously acts as a cooling system through integrated thermal management features. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity by eliminating dedicated cooling components
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 solution provides effective UV treatment of fluids with reduced radiation leakage, enhanced safety, and efficient heat dissipation without the need for additional cooling systems, ensuring optimal performance and longevity.
Implementation Method 1
at least one LED emitter mounted to the base configured to emit the UV radiation
Implementation Method 2
The UV radiation emitted by a UV LED device typically has a wavelength range of from 10 nm to 400 nm. Two particularly useful wavelength range of the UV radiation emitted by the UV LED device are UVB radiation having a wavelength range of from 280 nm to 310 nm and UVC radiation having a wavelength range of from 200 nm to 280 nm
Implementation Method 3
The housing can also include a reflective coating on the walls of the reaction chamber configured to reflect the UV radiation onto the fluid
Implementation Method 4
a heatsink attached to the housing in thermal communication with the LED module
Implementation Method 5
a heatsink attached to the housing in thermal communication with the LED module
Data Source
AI summary
A UV LED device for treating a fluid includes a housing configured for submersion in the fluid having a reaction chamber with one or more inlet openings configured to receive untreated fluid and an outlet opening configured to discharge treated fluid. The UV LED device also includes a LED module mounted to the housing configured to emit UV radiation including UV radiation in the UVC wavelength range. The UV LED device also includes a light blocker attached to the housing and a heatsink attached to the housing in thermal communication with the LED module. A UV LED reactor includes a vessel configured to contain a fluid, the UV LED device submerged in the fluid, and a flow generator for maintaining fluid flow paths through the UV LED device. A method for treating a fluid includes providing the UV LED reactor and treating the fluid using the UV LED reactor.