UV Fluid Purification via Rotating Vortex and Radial LED Arrays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid purification systems using UV LEDs arranged around a pipe require multiple sources distributed around the circumference to achieve sufficient purification, leading to increased complexity and space usage, as well as higher electrical power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A flow-through housing design with a reactor chamber that imparts a vortex to fluids, allowing them to pass multiple times close to radially or laterally directed UV LED radiation sources, increasing dwell time and UV dose application without relying on UV reflection, and incorporating features like fluid-directing surfaces, removable covers, and plug-in cards for efficient radiation source management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple UV LED radiation sources are arranged around the circumference of the pipe to achieve sufficient purification, then the purifying performance is improved, but the device complexity and installation space increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a rotating fluid vortex that dynamically recirculates the fluid through the reactor chamber multiple times, allowing a small number of UV LED radiation sources to achieve effective purification by increasing the dwell time and exposure opportunities of the fluid to the radiation sources
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid vortex creates periodic circulation patterns where the fluid repeatedly passes through the irradiation zone, effectively utilizing the same radiation sources multiple times to achieve the purification effect that would otherwise require many more sources arranged around the pipe
2Reliability
If multiple UV LED radiation sources are distributed on many sides around the pipe, then the purifying effect is improved, but the installation space increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotating fluid vortex confines the fluid motion within a compact reactor chamber, allowing multiple passes through the irradiation zone without requiring a large spatial arrangement of radiation sources around the pipe circumference
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid vortex nests the fluid flow within itself, creating a compact circulation pattern that allows the fluid to be repeatedly exposed to the radiation sources in a small volume, eliminating the need for extensive peripheral arrangement of multiple radiation sources
3Reliability
If multiple UV LED radiation sources are arranged one behind the other around the pipe, then the purifying effect is improved, but the electrical power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid vortex dynamically increases the exposure time of the fluid to each radiation source by causing the fluid to circulate through the irradiation zone multiple times, allowing fewer and less powerful radiation sources to achieve the same purifying effect
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid vortex ensures continuous and repeated exposure of the fluid to the UV LED radiation sources throughout the residence time in the reactor chamber, maximizing the utilization of each radiation source's energy output and reducing the total power consumption required
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 enhances purification performance with reduced technical complexity, space, and power consumption, achieving effective disinfection of fluids by maximizing exposure to UV radiation, while allowing for easy maintenance and adaptable radiation source configurations.
Implementation Method 1
UV LED radiation sources directed into the reactor chamber
Implementation Method 2
UV LED radiation sources that are directed so as to radiate radially from the outside inward and/or laterally onto the fluid vortex
Implementation Method 3
the reactor chamber being provided with a flow-related design in such a way that a rotation can be imparted to a fluid flowing through it
Data Source
AI summary
A device for the treatment of fluids has a flow-through housing, a cover, an inlet, a reactor chamber with inner walls, an outlet and UV LED radiation sources directed into the reactor chamber, and also a power supply. The device achieves a high purifying performance with less technical complexity and less installation space and needs only little electrical power. The interior of the reactor chamber has a flow-related design. The radiation sources are arranged in the fluid on or in an inner wall and a rotating fluid vortex is imparted to a fluid flowing through by the flow-related design. The radiation sources radiate radially from the outside inward and/or laterally onto the fluid vortex. At least a partial stream of the fluid in the fluid vortex passes a number of times by the radiation sources before leaving the reactor chamber.