UV LED Fluid Treatment Collimation and Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current UV fluid treatment systems using mercury gas-filled tube lamps are energy-inefficient, costly, and require frequent maintenance, with limited durability and effectiveness due to heat generation and light absorption issues, leading to incomplete disinfection of fluids.
Innovation Solution
The use of ultraviolet light emitting diodes (UV LEDs) arranged around the periphery of a fluid chamber with a light directing element that collimates light in one direction and converges or scatters it in another, reducing energy losses and ensuring even UV exposure, along with a cooling system to manage temperature and maintain light output.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mercury gas-filled tube lamps are used for UV fluid treatment, then UV disinfection capability is achieved, but energy consumption is high and heat generation causes mineral scaling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental operating parameters by replacing mercury arc discharge lamps with UV LEDs that operate at lower voltages and currents, converting the light source technology to achieve the same disinfection effect with dramatically reduced energy consumption and eliminated heat generation problems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the electrical arc discharge mechanism with LED electroluminescence, replacing a high-energy mechanical/electrical system with a more efficient solid-state light emission system that maintains UV output while eliminating the harmful thermal effects
2Reliability
If mercury gas-filled tube lamps are used for UV fluid treatment, then UV disinfection capability is achieved, but the lamps require frequent replacement and maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts this principle by using durable, long-lived UV LEDs that can operate for tens of thousands of hours without replacement, eliminating the frequent maintenance and replacement cycle of mercury lamps while maintaining effective UV output throughout their extended service life
3Illumination intensity
If mercury gas-filled tube lamps are used for UV fluid treatment, then UV light is emitted, but over 85 percent of electrical energy is converted to heat inside the lamps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent fundamentally changes the energy conversion parameters by using UV LEDs that directly convert electrical energy to UV light photons with minimal thermal loss, achieving over 50% electrical-to-optical conversion efficiency compared to the less than 15% efficiency of mercury lamps
4Reliability
If UV light passes through fluid with absorption, then treatment is provided, but light intensity is reduced according to Beer's Law and Inverse Square Law
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from point-source radial emission to linear collimated emission, changing the geometric dimension of light delivery to maintain parallel rays that do not diverge, thereby eliminating the inverse square law intensity decay and ensuring uniform UV dosage throughout the treatment chamber
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 configuration enhances the efficiency and reliability of UV treatment, providing a consistent germicidal dose across the fluid treatment area while minimizing maintenance and energy consumption, and reducing mineral scaling and operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
at least one ultraviolet light unit comprises at least one ultraviolet light emitting diode
Implementation Method 2
the ultraviolet light directing element is configured to collimate at least a portion of the light emitted from the at least one ultraviolet light emitting diode
Implementation Method 3
a cooling system to manage temperature and maintain light output
Implementation Method 4
the ultraviolet light rays emitted from each ultraviolet light unit are parallel in a first direction and are not parallel in a second direction
Data Source
AI summary
This invention is directed to a method, system and apparatus for the treatment fluids. An apparatus for the treatment of a fluid comprises a fluid chamber and at least one ultraviolet light unit arranged at a periphery of the fluid chamber. The at least one ultraviolet light unit comprises at least one ultraviolet light emitting diode and an ultraviolet light directing element. The ultraviolet light directing element is configured to collimate at least a portion of the light emitted from the at least one ultraviolet light emitting diode in use such that the ultraviolet light rays emitted from each ultraviolet light unit are parallel in a first plane. Also described is a method for the cooling a light emitting diode in a fluid treatment system.