UV Ozone Generator With Narrow Annular Flow Gap
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ozone generation devices using UV radiation suffer from low ozone yield due to the breakdown of ozone formed by 254 nm wavelength radiation, which is crucial for disinfection, and inefficient photon absorption in the annular gap.
Innovation Solution
Designing a device with a cladding tube inner diameter up to 1.2 times the protective tube outer diameter, filled with inert gas, and optimizing the annular space for UV radiation wavelengths to limit ozone depletion and enhance photon collision probability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the annular gap between the protective tube and cladding tube is enlarged to increase air flow path for photon absorption, then the ozone generation efficiency is improved, but the residence time of fluid in the radiation field increases causing excessive ozone breakdown by 254 nm radiation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the annular gap width as a critical parameter, setting it to between 0.5-2.0 mm (preferably 1.0-1.5 mm) based on the protective tube outer diameter. This parameter optimization balances photon absorption path length against residence time, maximizing ozone generation while minimizing breakdown by 254 nm radiation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different functional zones within the annular space: the region closest to the protective tube (within 0.5-1.0 mm) is optimized for intense 185 nm photon absorption and ozone generation, while the outer region is optimized for fluid flow and heat dissipation. This local differentiation allows simultaneous optimization of generation efficiency and breakdown prevention.
2Power
If a larger diameter protective tube is used to increase radiation output, then the photon emission intensity is improved, but the clear width of the annular space for fluid flow must be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes a scaling relationship between protective tube outer diameter (d) and cladding tube inner diameter (D), specifying that D should be 1.05-1.20 times d. This parameter relationship ensures that as radiation power increases with larger tube diameter, the annular gap width scales proportionally to maintain optimal photon absorption conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite structure combining the protective tube (containing inert gas for thermal insulation), the annular fluid channel, and the cladding tube. This composite design allows the system to handle higher radiation outputs by distributing thermal loads and maintaining structural integrity while preserving optimal optical path conditions.
3Productivity
If the UV lamp operates at high power to increase ozone generation rate, then the photon emission intensity is improved, but the thermal load on the lamp increases affecting plasma temperature stability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent fills the protective tube with inert gas (nitrogen or argon) at pressures of 0.1-1.0 atm. This inert atmosphere provides thermal insulation around the UV lamp, stabilizing plasma temperature during high-power operation. The inert gas also prevents unwanted chemical reactions and allows efficient heat dissipation through the annular fluid channel.
Solution Approach 2:
The inert gas in the protective tube acts as a thermal intermediary, decoupling the thermal management of the UV lamp from the process fluid in the annular channel. This allows independent optimization of lamp temperature stability and process fluid flow conditions, enabling sustained high-power operation.
4Loss of substance
If the annular gap is made very narrow to limit ozone exposure to 254 nm radiation, then the ozone breakdown is reduced, but the photon absorption efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent identifies the annular gap width as the critical parameter balancing two competing effects: narrow gaps reduce ozone breakdown by limiting exposure to 254 nm radiation, while wide gaps improve photon absorption. The optimal range of 0.5-2.0 mm (preferably 1.0-1.5 mm) is determined through parameter optimization to achieve the best compromise between these two effects.
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
Significantly increases ozone yield by minimizing ozone breakdown and optimizing fluid flow conditions for efficient ozone generation.
Implementation Method 1
A UV emitter (1) arranged in a protective tube (2) for two main wavelengths of 185 nm and 254 nm
Implementation Method 2
The photons split the oxygen molecules into atomic oxygen, whereby these free oxygen atoms react with oxygen molecules to form ozone
Implementation Method 3
the protective tube (2) surrounding the UV lamp is filled with an inert gas, preferably nitrogen. The inert gas acts as thermal insulation
Implementation Method 4
the radiation usable for ozone generation, with a wavelength of 185 nm, is absorbed by the oxygen-containing fluid without becoming photolytically active
Data Source
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AI summary
A device for generating ozone from an oxygen-containing fluid is described, comprising a UV lamp (1) arranged in a protective tube (2) for two main wavelengths of 185 nm and 254 nm, and comprising a cladding tube (3) which coaxially encloses the protective tube (2) to form an annular space (4) that forms a flow path for the oxygen-containing fluid, and which has a flow inlet (5) and a flow outlet (6) upstream and downstream of the protective tube (2) in the flow direction. In order to increase the ozone yield, it is proposed that the inner diameter (D) of the cladding tube (3) corresponds to at most 1.2 times the outer diameter (d) of the protective tube (2) and that the protective tube (2) be filled with an inert gas.