UV Disinfection Reactor Spiral Flow Mixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ultraviolet (UV) water treatment reactors face challenges in achieving uniform UV radiation distribution due to optical absorbance and discrete UV light sources, leading to non-uniform radiation delivery to fluid elements.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a cylindrical housing with a UV light source attached to one end, an inlet diffusion tube with slots for creating a spiral flow, and an outlet positioned within the inner half of the radius, ensuring that fluid flows in a spiral path to achieve uniform UV exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If mixers (physical devices like metal discs or twisted metal elements) are used to disrupt flow and combine high and low UV dosage regions, then uniform UV dosage distribution is improved, but flow blocking, energy absorption, and suspended material accumulation occur
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the physical mixer elements from the system entirely. Instead of using metal discs or twisted elements to create mixing, the patent employs a diffuser plate with multiple holes that generates micro-mixing through fluid dynamics alone, eliminating the harmful effects of physical mixers while maintaining dosage uniformity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical mixing system (physical mixers) with a non-mechanical approach using a diffuser plate that creates turbulent flow patterns and micro-mixing through its hole structure, substituting mechanical disruption with fluid dynamic mixing
2Manufacturing precision
If helical reactors with coiled tubing are used to induce Dean vortices for mixing, then fluid mixing is improved, but restricted volume, high pressure drop, and large surface area occur
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the flow into multiple streams through the diffuser plate holes, creating numerous small flow paths that mix as they recombine. This segmentation approach achieves mixing without requiring the large volume of helical coiled tubing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces mixing in a different dimensional approach by using a flat diffuser plate that creates vertical and radial flow components, rather than the horizontal helical path required by coiled tubing reactors
3Manufacturing precision
If inlet is positioned in outer half of radius and outlet in inner half, then spiral flow is created for mixing, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines the inlet positioning, diffuser plate, and outlet positioning into an integrated flow path design that naturally generates spiral flow. The diffuser plate serves multiple functions: flow distribution, mixing initiation, and flow direction control, reducing overall device complexity
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 uniform UV dosage distribution to all fluid elements by creating a spiral flow path that mixes fluid regions receiving high and low UV doses, enhancing the effectiveness of UV treatment in making water potable.
Implementation Method 1
the one or more slots of the inlet diffusion tube are facing a direction tangential to the housing such that the fluid flows into the housing to create a spiral flow in the housing
Implementation Method 2
Water may pass through a small chamber or a larger vessel, known as a reactor, where the water is subjected to ultraviolet light. The ultraviolet treatment may damage nucleic acids of the pathogens making the pathogens incapable of performing vital cellular functions
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for disinfecting fluid flowing through a reactor with ultraviolet (UV) light emitted from a light source assembly. The apparatus includes a housing, light source, inlet, and outlet. The inlet and the outlet are positioned on the housing such that flow of fluid through the housing creates a spiral flow path. In an embodiment, the outlet is located in an outer half of the radius of the housing and directs the flow of the fluid into the housing in a direction circumferential with respect to a cylindrical wall of the housing.