UV LED Water Purifier with Double-Sided Photocatalyst Irradiation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water purification techniques using plate-type photocatalysts face inefficiencies in light irradiation, leading to incomplete contaminant removal and increased processing costs due to the need for additional filtering processes to recover the photocatalyst.
Innovation Solution
A water purifying device with multiple light source modules and light guide plates that evenly irradiate UV rays onto both surfaces of a plate-type photocatalyst, eliminating the need for additional filtering by ensuring complete contaminant removal without requiring photocatalyst recovery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a light source is positioned above the plate-type photocatalyst, then the photocatalyst can be irradiated with light, but the light irradiation is uneven and the other side of the photocatalyst is not utilized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from single-sided (one-dimensional) light irradiation to double-sided (two-dimensional) irradiation by positioning light sources on both sides of the plate-type photocatalyst. This dimensional change allows uniform light distribution across the entire photocatalyst surface, maximizing the utilization of the photocatalytic material and eliminating the energy loss associated with unused portions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs asymmetric light source positioning relative to the photocatalyst plate, with light sources arranged on both sides at optimized distances and angles. This asymmetric configuration ensures that light reaches all areas of the photocatalyst surface uniformly, resolving the uneven irradiation problem caused by symmetric single-sided positioning.
2Productivity
If a photocatalyst in the form of a powder is used, then the photocatalytic reaction can occur, but an additional filtering process is required to remove the photocatalyst
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a plate-type photocatalyst structure instead of powder form. This thin film configuration maintains the high surface area-to-volume ratio necessary for efficient photocatalytic reactions while providing a solid, filterable structure. The plate design allows contaminants to be degraded on its surface without requiring subsequent filtration steps to remove dispersed powder particles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite structure by coating or growing photocatalytic material on a solid plate support. This composite approach combines the high reactivity of photocatalytic materials with the structural integrity of a solid substrate, enabling efficient contaminant degradation while eliminating the need for complex separation and filtration processes required with powder-based systems.
3Area of stationary object
If multiple light sources are used to cover a large area, then the light coverage is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of increasing the number of light sources horizontally to cover a large area, the patent utilizes the vertical dimension by placing light sources on both sides of the photocatalyst plate. This approach achieves complete area coverage with fewer light sources, reducing device complexity and cost while maintaining uniform illumination across the entire photocatalyst surface.
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 device efficiently purifies water by ensuring uniform light exposure to both sides of the photocatalyst, enhancing contaminant removal efficiency and reducing processing costs by eliminating the need for photocatalyst recovery processes.
Implementation Method 1
a light source that emits a UV ray
Implementation Method 2
When a light (in particular, an ultraviolet ray) is irradiated to water that contains a photocatalyst, contaminants may be oxidized or reduced by means of the photocatalyst and the light
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a water purifying device that may include: an upper cover that is configured to have an inlet for liquid; two or more light source modules that are configured to include a light source that emits a UV ray; two or more light guide plates that are configured to guide, to the front, the UV ray that is incident through the lateral side thereof from the light source module to then be output; a purifying plate that is configured to provide a flow path through which liquid flows, and that is configured to provide a plate-type photocatalyst that is disposed on the flow path so that the UV ray emitted from the light guide plate reaches the plate-type photocatalyst in order to thereby purify the liquid; and a lower cover that is configured to have an outlet for the liquid.