UV Sensor Arrangement for Aircraft Water Disinfection Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing UV-disinfection systems for liquids, particularly in mobile applications like aircraft, face challenges in accurately monitoring the maintenance status of UV-radiators and their cladding due to varying UV-transmittance of the liquids being disinfected, leading to unreliable radiation intensity measurements.
Innovation Solution
The system employs two UV-sensors with different geometric configurations and distances from the UV-radiator cladding to measure distinct attenuation characteristics, allowing for the determination of radiation intensity at the liquid-cladding boundary, independent of the liquid's chemical-physical parameters, and includes a control device for evaluating these measurements to assess the maintenance status and adjust operation accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single UV-sensor is used to monitor radiation intensity, then the monitoring function is simple, but the measurement reliability deteriorates due to varying UV-transmittance of different liquids
Solution Approach 1:
The single UV-sensor is divided into multiple UV-sensors (first UV-sensor and second UV-sensor) positioned at different locations. Each sensor measures radiation intensity at its specific position, allowing the system to differentiate between attenuation caused by liquid properties and attenuation caused by cladding contamination. This segmentation enables reliable maintenance status monitoring despite variations in liquid UV-transmittance.
2Measurement precision
If UV-sensors are positioned at different distances from the UV-radiator, then the ability to differentiate attenuation sources is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The solution introduces a spatial dimension by positioning UV-sensors at different distances from the UV-radiator along the radiation path. The first UV-sensor is positioned closer to the UV-radiator while the second UV-sensor is positioned farther away. This dimensional arrangement creates measurable differences in attenuation characteristics that directly correlate with cladding contamination levels, enabling precise measurement without overly complex sensor configurations.
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 approach enables reliable monitoring of the UV-radiator and cladding maintenance status, optimizing disinfection efficiency and extending maintenance intervals, while ensuring effective pathogen reduction regardless of water quality variations.
Implementation Method 1
The germicidal effect of short-wave UV-radiation is based on the absorption of this radiation by nucleic acids (DNA, RNA) in the cell nucleus of the microorganisms. UV-radiation in the wavelength range of approximately 260 nm has the highest absorption rate. In the cell nucleus, this UV-C radiation causes a photochemical reaction that alters the nucleic acid structure of the microorganisms.
Implementation Method 2
In the cell nucleus, this UV-C radiation causes a photochemical reaction that alters the nucleic acid structure of the microorganisms. Cell division and progeny are now no longer possible.
Implementation Method 3
a first UV-sensor is arranged in the irradiation chamber in such a way that a first attenuation characteristic with respect to the UV-light emitted by the UV-radiator may be measured with the first UV-sensor, wherein the first attenuation characteristic includes a first aging characteristic and a first liquid attenuation characteristic. Furthermore, a second UV-sensor is arranged in the irradiation chamber in such a way that a second attenuation characteristic with respect to the UV-light emitted by the UV-radiator may be measured with the second UV-sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A disinfection system for liquids is provided that features an irradiation chamber for accommodating a liquid to be disinfected. A UV-radiator with a cladding that is transparent to UV-light is arranged in the irradiation chamber such that the UV-radiation emitted by the UV-radiator may penetrate the liquid. A first UV-sensor is arranged in the irradiation chamber such that a first attenuation characteristic with respect to the UV-light emitted by the UV-radiator may be measured with the first UV-sensor, wherein the first attenuation characteristic comprises a first aging characteristic and a first liquid attenuation characteristic. A second UV-sensor is arranged in the irradiation chamber such that a second attenuation characteristic with respect to the UV-light emitted by the UV-radiator may be measured with the second UV-sensor, wherein the second attenuation characteristic comprises a second aging characteristic and a second liquid attenuation characteristic and differs from the first attenuation characteristic.