CA1089623A - Ultraviolet liquid purification system - Google Patents
Ultraviolet liquid purification systemInfo
- Publication number
- CA1089623A CA1089623A CA305,093A CA305093A CA1089623A CA 1089623 A CA1089623 A CA 1089623A CA 305093 A CA305093 A CA 305093A CA 1089623 A CA1089623 A CA 1089623A
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- ultraviolet
- liquid
- chamber
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- Prior art date
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Abstract
ULTRAVIOLET LIQUID PURIFICATION SYSTEM
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
An ultraviolet liquid purification system includes a purification chamber having banks of ultraviolet lamps distributed therein for applying germicidal ultraviolet radiation to the liquid flowing through in said chamber.
Ultraviolet photocell detectors are located in said chamber to detect the level of ultraviolet radiation transmitted through the quartz jacket housing the ultraviolet lamps and through the liquid being purified. Indicator means produce an alarm signal when the total ultraviolet radiation transmitted through the liquid drops below a preselected level.
In addition, a light conducting fiber is provided for each ultraviolet lamp having its input endface located at the ultraviolet lamp and its output endface at a display panel where-by identification of a particular ultraviolet lamp that has failed may be easily detected. Photocell detector means are provided to detect the light output at the output endface of the light conductor fiber and to produce an alarm signal when said light output rails. An in-place cleaning system for cleaning the interior of the purification chamber is also provided.
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
An ultraviolet liquid purification system includes a purification chamber having banks of ultraviolet lamps distributed therein for applying germicidal ultraviolet radiation to the liquid flowing through in said chamber.
Ultraviolet photocell detectors are located in said chamber to detect the level of ultraviolet radiation transmitted through the quartz jacket housing the ultraviolet lamps and through the liquid being purified. Indicator means produce an alarm signal when the total ultraviolet radiation transmitted through the liquid drops below a preselected level.
In addition, a light conducting fiber is provided for each ultraviolet lamp having its input endface located at the ultraviolet lamp and its output endface at a display panel where-by identification of a particular ultraviolet lamp that has failed may be easily detected. Photocell detector means are provided to detect the light output at the output endface of the light conductor fiber and to produce an alarm signal when said light output rails. An in-place cleaning system for cleaning the interior of the purification chamber is also provided.
Description
11)13~;Z3 BACKG~OU~D OF THE INVENTION
This lnvention relates to the purirication and/or sterllization Or rluids and in particular to the use o~
ultraviolet ray emlssions for sterlllzation of rluids.
Conventional ultravlolet germicidal puri~icatlon systems generally comprise a purirication chamber having a plurallty Or ultravlolet lamps applying ~ermicldal ultravlolet llght radlation to the liquid flowing through said chamber.
The ultràviolet radlatlon lntensity and the total ultraviolet radiation dosage thus imparted to the liquid are re~pectlvely a function Or number Or ultraviolet lamps, the radiation lntensity Or each lamp and the exposure time. hccordingly, in order to control the ultraviolet radiation dosage belng admlnistered to the fluid~ it is essentlal to monltor the operation Or each ultravlolet lamp ln the puri~ication chamber.
Such monitoring is particularly lmportant where large ~low rates Or liquld are being handled such as ln water purl~lcatlon sy~tems~
Prior llquid purirlcation systems comprised tan~s each of which typically had a capaclty o~ about 30-40 gpm connected in parallel in order to treat larger volumes of water. Such systems required complicated piping manlfolds) speclallzed hydraulic controls to ensure equal ~low rates through the respectlve tanks, which caused substantial pressure loss through the overall system. Furthermore, with lncreaslng capacity thereor, such systems incorporated large numbers Or ultraviolet lamps which made it dlrricult to monitor the - radlation outputs thereor.
.
This lnvention relates to the purirication and/or sterllization Or rluids and in particular to the use o~
ultraviolet ray emlssions for sterlllzation of rluids.
Conventional ultravlolet germicidal puri~icatlon systems generally comprise a purirication chamber having a plurallty Or ultravlolet lamps applying ~ermicldal ultravlolet llght radlation to the liquid flowing through said chamber.
The ultràviolet radlatlon lntensity and the total ultraviolet radiation dosage thus imparted to the liquid are re~pectlvely a function Or number Or ultraviolet lamps, the radiation lntensity Or each lamp and the exposure time. hccordingly, in order to control the ultraviolet radiation dosage belng admlnistered to the fluid~ it is essentlal to monltor the operation Or each ultravlolet lamp ln the puri~ication chamber.
Such monitoring is particularly lmportant where large ~low rates Or liquld are being handled such as ln water purl~lcatlon sy~tems~
Prior llquid purirlcation systems comprised tan~s each of which typically had a capaclty o~ about 30-40 gpm connected in parallel in order to treat larger volumes of water. Such systems required complicated piping manlfolds) speclallzed hydraulic controls to ensure equal ~low rates through the respectlve tanks, which caused substantial pressure loss through the overall system. Furthermore, with lncreaslng capacity thereor, such systems incorporated large numbers Or ultraviolet lamps which made it dlrricult to monitor the - radlation outputs thereor.
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-2-,3~, .
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.. . . ..... . . .
~O~g~Z3 In the system Or the present lnvention, a simple large purl~lcation chamber ls provided becoming banks Or ultravlolet lamps distributed therein whereby large volumes Or liquid ma~
be treated without the need for piplng manlfolds, and specialized hydraulic controls as in the prior systems which required a flow control device for each o~ the several tanks. As a result, ln the system o~ the present invention, large volumes Or liquid may be treated without lncurrlng significant pressure losses due to restrictions in flow.
Furthermore, in the systern Or the present invention dosage ad~lnlstered to the ~luid in the chamber may be easily and selectively varled by switchlng on selected banks of ultraviolet lamps in accordance wikh the rlow rate through the puri~ication chamber, thereby conservlng energy and ultraviolet lamp usuage, - Furthermore, in the system of the present invention, the ultraviolet lamp ràdiation sensors may be movably located within the cham~er and selectively oriented to detect the level Or ultraviolet radiation ~rom selected lamps at varlous locations.
It ls there~ore an ob~ect o~ the present lnvention to provlde a system ~or monltorlng the operation of ultraviolet lamps ln a ~luid puriflcation chamber.
It is a rurther obJect Or the present inventlon to provide a monltorlng system of the characher described which monltor6 the ultravlolet radiation dosage imparted to the liquid being treated and the operative condition of each of said lamps and the ultrav:Lolet transmission quality oI the fluid passing through said purification chamber.
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..... .
6~3 It is another obJect of the present invention to provide a monitoring system of the character descL~ibed which provides an automatic alarm and fail-safe protection in the event Or malfunction or failure ln any Or said u'traviolet lamps.
It is yet a further ob~ect of the present invention to provide a monitorlng system of the character descrlbed which ls operative to locate the particular lamp(s) which malfunct~ons or fail~.
, .
SUMMARY OF THE INVENT~ON
In accordance with the principles Or the present inventionj khere is pro~ided an ultraviolet llquid purification system comprising an ultraviolet purification chamber having liquid inlet and outlet parts and means for producing ultraviolet radiation located within said chamber operative to irradiate liquid in said chamber. There is further provided ultraviolet radiation sensor means for detecting the intensity level of the ultraviolet radiation produced by said ultraviole~ radiation means and indlcako-r means operatlve ln response to said radlation sensor means to produce an lndicator signal corresponding to said detected radiatlon lnten~lty level.
~ urther ob~ects, features and advantages of this invention will become apparent from a conslderation of the ~following description, khe appended claims and the accompanying draw1nEs ln which:
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.
, . , .,_............................................... ~ :
~01~ 3 ~ L ~r OL~ OF T~IE DI~WI:~GS
FIG. 1 is a front perspective view o~ the purification cllalllb~ï ol a Lluid puLi,LcaLiGh sy~.elll in accord~llc~ wiLll tlle present invention;
FIG. 2A and 2B are schematic diagrams showing the in-place cleaning system ~or the ultraviolet puriEication chamber in FIG. l;
FIG. 3A is a perspective schematic illustration of one o~ the quart2 jacket of FIG. 1 showing how the ultraviolet photocell is mounted thereon;
FIG. 3B is a section view taken along the line 3B-3B
of FIG. 3A;
FXG. 4A is a side elevational vi.ew oE an ultraviolet lamp in said fluid purification system showing the connection of the fiberoptic light conductor to ~he quartz jacket;
FIG. 4B is a section view taken along the line 4B-4 of FIG. 4A;
FIG. 5 is an electrical schematic diagram oE the monitoring circuit for monitoring the transmissi.on of W energy through the :Eluid under treatment in the purification chamber oE FIG. l; ~ :
FIG. 6 is an electrical schematic diagram of a lamp monitoring circuit operative to detect the conducted light output of a plurality optical fibers respectively connected ;
to corresponding ultraviolet lamps; and FIG. 7 is an electrical schematic diagram of an alternate UV lamp monitoring circuit utilizing toroids for detecting t:he operating condition of the various ultraviolet lamps.
6;~3 DET~ILEI~) DESCRI M`ION O~ THE INVENTION
Referring to the drawings, and in particular to FIG.l thereof, a rectangular liquid puri.fier tank 10 comprises side- ...
walls 12, 14 which are respectively provided with inlet and of outlet ports 16 and 18 for circulation/liquid, such as water, through tank lO, the water line 20 normal.ly reaching the level of outlet port 18. Tank 10 further comprises a floor wall 22 and a top wall 24 including a transparent cover door 25 enclosing banks of.ultraviolet ~W) radiation lamps 28 throughout the .
interior of cha~ber 32 as shown in greater detail in FIGS. 2B, 4A and 4B. A drain port 30 is provided in sidewall 14. The liquid to be treated, e.g. water, is caused to flow through the tank plenum chamber 32, where it is exposed to the germicidal energv emitted by ultraviolet lamps 28. :.
The ultraviolet energy dosage, imparted to the water, and hence the germicidal effect thereof, is a direct function . :
of the intensity of the ultraviolet light energy produced by lamps 28, which, in turn, is proportional to the number of lamps and the exposure time of the liquid to the ultraviolet energy dosage. In order to ensure that an adequate ultraviolet germicidal energy is being delivered to the water under treat-ment, the apparatus of the present invention is provided with means for continuously monitoring the intensity of ~he ultra- .
.violet light energy emitted by lamps 28, locating the particular lamp, if any, which has failed and actuat;ng an appropriate alar~ in such event, ss hereafter described ln greater detsil.
", ' '' ~
--6-- .
.. . ... .. .. . . .. . . .. ... .. . . .
36~3 Thus, the rnonitoring system of ~IG. 6 is operative to detect failure of any particular lamp 28, while the monitorlng system of FIG. S is operative to detect the magnitude of the W energy delivered through the liquid under treatment, which in turn is a function of the UV emission of the lamps, the absorption loss of W energy due to coating build~up on the quartz jacket over lamps 28, and the optical density of the liquid under treatment.
Referring to FIG. l, in many applications, a flow rate of about 0.2 gallons per minute per inch of length of the ultraviolet lamps 28, with a minimum retention time of 15 seconds assures an adequate ultraviolet dosage. Plenum chamber 32, which may be designed to operate either on a gravity flow or pressure system, may be provided with baffles (not shown) or similar known devices for controlling the flow of liquid in accordance with the aforementioned flow rate requirements.
Ultraviolet lamps 28 may be located in tank 10 either perpendicular or parallel to the direction of flow, as required.
The ultraviolet lamps 28 are grouped i.e. wired in banks, so that selected banks of lamps 28 may be selectively turned on or off, depending on the fluid flow rate to selectively vary the disinfecting capaci~y of purifier tank. Thus, by way of example onl~, a liquid flow rate of 3000 gpm may require a total of 252 ultraviolet lamps 28. In this case, the lamps 28 would be wired so that a flow rate of 1000 gpm a bank of 84 lamps 28 would be turned on, for a flow rate of 2000 gpm two 84 lamp banks, i.e. a total of 168 lamps would be turned on~
and for a flow rate of 3000 gpm three bank of 84 lamps, i.e.
a total of 252 lamps would be turned on.
~ ' t!
Ele~Lrical ela~sed op~ration t;me indicaLoL~s (llo~ ~hO~h~
may be provided for each o~ said lamp banks to facilitate timely replacement of the lamps 28 in the various banks and to achieve maximum utilization of lamp life.
As indicated hereinabove, in order to ensure that the fluid being trea~ed is being subjected to an adequate ultraviolet energy dosage, it is essential to promptly detect any drop in such administered dosage due ei~her to the formation of an .. . .
ultraviolet energy absorbing coating on the lamp 28 or its quartz protective tube, to a drop in voltage at or failure of a lamp 28.
In the system of the present invention, an in-place cleaning system, shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B serves to remove the ultraviolet energy absorbing coatings which form on ~he quartz jackets and the internal surfaces of purification chamber 32 without dismantling tank 10. Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, the clean:ing process in accordance with the principles of the present invention com~rises the following procedure. First~
the normal flow of water through purification chamber 32 is interrupted by closing inlet and outlet ports 16 and 18 respectively by rneans of isolating valves (not shown), and tank 10 is drained of water.
. . . _. .
Cleaning solut:ion 36 rom cleaner storage tank 38 is then by means of pump 34 pumped/into purification chamber 32 and circulated through chamber 32 and back to cleaning solution storage tank 38 through circulation feed line 40 and return line 42 for a suitable period of time. In order to ensure that adequate .
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.. . .
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3l~8~Z3 cleaning has been achiev~d, colnl~ressed air may be introduced by an (not shown) into chamber 32 / air inlet port / creating a fine stream of bubbles wllich produces a scrubbing and cleaning action on the surfaces of the quartz tubes 5~ as well as the interior walls o~ purification chamber 32. It is understood that ultrasonic cavitation may be used instead of compressed air ln order to produce the required scrubbing action. As a measure of pre~entative maintenance and improve~l UV efficiency, the aforementioned compressed air process may be employed continuously to eliminate the need for periodic cleaning and shutdown.
The W intensity monitoring system for detecting the UV emission from the lamps 28, the W absorption loss due to coating build-up on the quartz jacket 5~ of the lamps 28 and the deterioration in the optical density o r the liquid under treatment is shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B and 5. Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B, each photocell 48 is mounted in an acrylic holder 50 mounted on a connecting rod 52 which is slid into a quartz tube jacket 5~ which is positioned intermediate several adjacent lamps 28 and photocell 48 is oriented to receive ultraviolet light transmission through the liquid being treated. Photocell ~8 may be slidably positioned along the length of connecting rod 52 and may be rotatably adjusted through 360 so as to provide selective monitoring of selected adjacent lamps 28. Each photocell ~8 is electrically connected via a lead 56 extending through rod 52 to its own electrical monitoring circuit 60 at the input terminals 58 thereof shown i~ FIG. 5. -.
_9_ ., , !
~96~3 As previously indicated, the ma~nitude of the ultra-violet energy detected by photocells 48 is a function of the ultraviolet energy emission by the corresponding lamps 28, the coating build-ups on the lamp jacket 54 and the optical density, i.e ultraviolet energy transmission yuality, and hence the state of puri~y, of the fluid flowing therepast.
These parameters are measured by means of a plurality W
monitoring circuits 60 shown in FIG 5, each having a pair of input termi.nals 58 for connection of each of said photo-cells 48. Each 1~ monitoring circuit 60 comprises a comparator circuit in which the resistance of photocell 48 (which is a function ~ the ultraviolet energy impinging thereon), and hence the voltage thereacross is compared with a reference voltage corresponding to optimum operating condition of the ultraviolet lamp 28 and optimum quality of the fluid being purified. Thusg the comparator circuit comprises a potentio-meter 64 for setting the reference voltage corresponding to the aforementioned optimum ~luid quality and lamp W output conditions. The voltage across photocell 48 applied at input terminals 58 is fed to D.C. amplifier 66 at one of its input terminals 68 while the reference voltage is fed into the other input terminal 70 of D.C. amplifier 66 which compares the two input signals and produces an output signal at its output terminal 69 corresponding to the difference therebetween.
This output signal is applied via lead 71 to alarm circuit 85 at the input terminal 78 o differential amplifier 80 , , - 1 0 - .
~3~9~ ~ 3 Aml~lifier 80 is operative to compare the afore-mentioned photocell signal app].ied at its input terminal 78 witl~ tlle alarm reference signal provided by potentiometer 82 applied at input terminal 79, and if the photocell signal is sufficient.ly high, the output signal of amplifier 80 a~
its terminal. ~4 will energize relay solenoid coil 86 to operate relay contacts 88 to actuate a suitable alarm 75. Furthermore, a D.C. meter 62 may be connected to output terminal 69 to provide an analog indication of the W intensity measured by photocell 48.
The alarm signal output at output terminals 8~ may be utilized to automatically initiate the in-place cleaning system described above thereby providing an important pre- ;
ventative maintenance feature to ~he present system. Thus, the electrical output signal at terminals 83 may be electrically connected to a suitable electrically controlled (e.g. solenoid operated) valve 102 (FIG. 2A) whereby the in-place cleaning operation would be initiated when the pho~ocells ~8 indicate that the fluid under treatment is not obtaining su-fficient ultraviolet energy. If, however, the alarm signal at output terminals 84 exceed a preselected danger level, such signal may be employed to automatically shut-off the entire system and cause alarm 75 to emit a danger bell (not shown) or similar signal to alert the operator of the existence of a serious malfunction of the system.
As shown in FIGS. 4A, 4B and 6 ~he system of the - present inventlon also provides means for monitoring each ~-of the ultr~violet lamps 28 on an individual basis 9 i. e. to ' ' ~'.' - 1 1- ~ . .
.. . , . . ..... ; . . . . . . .. . ... . .... .
determine whether an ul~raviolet lamp 28 has ~urned out and if so to locate the particular lamp 28 in question. In a~ldition ~o the ul raviolet photo_^ll detector 48, a light-cond~cting fiber 90 is connected at one end thereof to the quartz jacket 54 of an ultraviolet lamp 28 through ~he neoprene sleeve 92, whereby the input endface of said optical fiber 90 faces and is illuminated by ultraviolet light -from tube 28.
The other end of fiberoptic member 90 is connected to display panel 94 whereby the other (i.e. output) endface g6 of member 90 appears at the front face of display panel 94. Display panel 94 is suitably marked to identify the output endfaces of the various iberoptic members connected to the various ultraviole~ lamps. If an ultraviolet lamp 28 is on, light from the lamp 28 is conducted by fiberoptic member 90 to its output endface 96 at display panel 94. If a lamp 28 burns out or fails, i-~s corresponding fiberoptic member output end-face 96 will be dark thus identifying the particular lamp 28 in question.
Referring to FIG. 6 addi~ional photocells 98 are located adjacent the output faces 96 of fibers 90 to detect a lack of light produced by a particular fiber 94 corresponding to a particular lamp 28. The series arrangement of photocells 98 is connected to the input terminals 58 of a comparator circuit similar to that of FIG. 5. Accordingly, failure of a single lamp 28 will cause a lack of light at its corresponding fiberoptic endface 96 producing a substantial drop in the resistance across input terminals 58. As explained above, soch drop in the resistance and consequ~ntly the voltage ' .
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;.... ,. ~ :-... -- . -- . . ..
189~Z3 appli~ed a~ the input terminals 58 of comparator circuit 61 will produce a signal at its output terminal 72 to actuate alarm 77 connected thereto. As a result, the operator will be alerted to check display panel 94 to locate the particular lamp 28 which has failed.
It is understood that circuits other than monitoring circuit 61 of FIG.6 may be employed for detecting the light output of lamps 28. Thus, a toroid may be connected to the secondary winding of the ballast (not shown) for each lamp 28, the current in such ~oroid corresponding to the eletrical operation output of the lamps 28. Each of such toroids Tl, T2, etc. may be respectively connected to the various branclles of a summing network of the type illustrated in FIG. 7 and the summed voltage signal may be applied to an alarm circuit similar to circuit 85 of FIG. 5. Thus, each of the branches and alarm circuit 83 is similar to monitoring circuit 60 and alarm circuit ~5 of FI~. 5 and hence corresponding elements thereo~ are provided with similar identifying numerals.
Alterr.ately, the various secondary windings of the lamp ballasts may be directly wound on the primary side of a toroid to produce a current in the secondary winding of the toroid which corresponds to the sum of currents in the ballast secondary windings, with the toroid secondary winding being applied to a suitable alarm circuit such as alarm circuit 8~ of FIG. 5.
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, - L3~
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, ... . . .
~0~ 23 Although the invention has been described with respect to a particular embodiment thereof, it is to be ~mderstood that such embodimellt is merely illustrative of the applicatî.on of the principles of the invention. Numerous modifications may be made therein and oLher arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
' ~
1~ .
.
.. . . ..... . . .
~O~g~Z3 In the system Or the present lnvention, a simple large purl~lcation chamber ls provided becoming banks Or ultravlolet lamps distributed therein whereby large volumes Or liquid ma~
be treated without the need for piplng manlfolds, and specialized hydraulic controls as in the prior systems which required a flow control device for each o~ the several tanks. As a result, ln the system o~ the present invention, large volumes Or liquid may be treated without lncurrlng significant pressure losses due to restrictions in flow.
Furthermore, in the systern Or the present invention dosage ad~lnlstered to the ~luid in the chamber may be easily and selectively varled by switchlng on selected banks of ultraviolet lamps in accordance wikh the rlow rate through the puri~ication chamber, thereby conservlng energy and ultraviolet lamp usuage, - Furthermore, in the system of the present invention, the ultraviolet lamp ràdiation sensors may be movably located within the cham~er and selectively oriented to detect the level Or ultraviolet radiation ~rom selected lamps at varlous locations.
It ls there~ore an ob~ect o~ the present lnvention to provlde a system ~or monltorlng the operation of ultraviolet lamps ln a ~luid puriflcation chamber.
It is a rurther obJect Or the present inventlon to provide a monltorlng system of the characher described which monltor6 the ultravlolet radiation dosage imparted to the liquid being treated and the operative condition of each of said lamps and the ultrav:Lolet transmission quality oI the fluid passing through said purification chamber.
., .... __ .... ., .. . , , .. ... _ ... . .. . .. .. .
..... .
6~3 It is another obJect of the present invention to provide a monitoring system of the character descL~ibed which provides an automatic alarm and fail-safe protection in the event Or malfunction or failure ln any Or said u'traviolet lamps.
It is yet a further ob~ect of the present invention to provide a monitorlng system of the character descrlbed which ls operative to locate the particular lamp(s) which malfunct~ons or fail~.
, .
SUMMARY OF THE INVENT~ON
In accordance with the principles Or the present inventionj khere is pro~ided an ultraviolet llquid purification system comprising an ultraviolet purification chamber having liquid inlet and outlet parts and means for producing ultraviolet radiation located within said chamber operative to irradiate liquid in said chamber. There is further provided ultraviolet radiation sensor means for detecting the intensity level of the ultraviolet radiation produced by said ultraviole~ radiation means and indlcako-r means operatlve ln response to said radlation sensor means to produce an lndicator signal corresponding to said detected radiatlon lnten~lty level.
~ urther ob~ects, features and advantages of this invention will become apparent from a conslderation of the ~following description, khe appended claims and the accompanying draw1nEs ln which:
.
.
, . , .,_............................................... ~ :
~01~ 3 ~ L ~r OL~ OF T~IE DI~WI:~GS
FIG. 1 is a front perspective view o~ the purification cllalllb~ï ol a Lluid puLi,LcaLiGh sy~.elll in accord~llc~ wiLll tlle present invention;
FIG. 2A and 2B are schematic diagrams showing the in-place cleaning system ~or the ultraviolet puriEication chamber in FIG. l;
FIG. 3A is a perspective schematic illustration of one o~ the quart2 jacket of FIG. 1 showing how the ultraviolet photocell is mounted thereon;
FIG. 3B is a section view taken along the line 3B-3B
of FIG. 3A;
FXG. 4A is a side elevational vi.ew oE an ultraviolet lamp in said fluid purification system showing the connection of the fiberoptic light conductor to ~he quartz jacket;
FIG. 4B is a section view taken along the line 4B-4 of FIG. 4A;
FIG. 5 is an electrical schematic diagram oE the monitoring circuit for monitoring the transmissi.on of W energy through the :Eluid under treatment in the purification chamber oE FIG. l; ~ :
FIG. 6 is an electrical schematic diagram of a lamp monitoring circuit operative to detect the conducted light output of a plurality optical fibers respectively connected ;
to corresponding ultraviolet lamps; and FIG. 7 is an electrical schematic diagram of an alternate UV lamp monitoring circuit utilizing toroids for detecting t:he operating condition of the various ultraviolet lamps.
6;~3 DET~ILEI~) DESCRI M`ION O~ THE INVENTION
Referring to the drawings, and in particular to FIG.l thereof, a rectangular liquid puri.fier tank 10 comprises side- ...
walls 12, 14 which are respectively provided with inlet and of outlet ports 16 and 18 for circulation/liquid, such as water, through tank lO, the water line 20 normal.ly reaching the level of outlet port 18. Tank 10 further comprises a floor wall 22 and a top wall 24 including a transparent cover door 25 enclosing banks of.ultraviolet ~W) radiation lamps 28 throughout the .
interior of cha~ber 32 as shown in greater detail in FIGS. 2B, 4A and 4B. A drain port 30 is provided in sidewall 14. The liquid to be treated, e.g. water, is caused to flow through the tank plenum chamber 32, where it is exposed to the germicidal energv emitted by ultraviolet lamps 28. :.
The ultraviolet energy dosage, imparted to the water, and hence the germicidal effect thereof, is a direct function . :
of the intensity of the ultraviolet light energy produced by lamps 28, which, in turn, is proportional to the number of lamps and the exposure time of the liquid to the ultraviolet energy dosage. In order to ensure that an adequate ultraviolet germicidal energy is being delivered to the water under treat-ment, the apparatus of the present invention is provided with means for continuously monitoring the intensity of ~he ultra- .
.violet light energy emitted by lamps 28, locating the particular lamp, if any, which has failed and actuat;ng an appropriate alar~ in such event, ss hereafter described ln greater detsil.
", ' '' ~
--6-- .
.. . ... .. .. . . .. . . .. ... .. . . .
36~3 Thus, the rnonitoring system of ~IG. 6 is operative to detect failure of any particular lamp 28, while the monitorlng system of FIG. S is operative to detect the magnitude of the W energy delivered through the liquid under treatment, which in turn is a function of the UV emission of the lamps, the absorption loss of W energy due to coating build~up on the quartz jacket over lamps 28, and the optical density of the liquid under treatment.
Referring to FIG. l, in many applications, a flow rate of about 0.2 gallons per minute per inch of length of the ultraviolet lamps 28, with a minimum retention time of 15 seconds assures an adequate ultraviolet dosage. Plenum chamber 32, which may be designed to operate either on a gravity flow or pressure system, may be provided with baffles (not shown) or similar known devices for controlling the flow of liquid in accordance with the aforementioned flow rate requirements.
Ultraviolet lamps 28 may be located in tank 10 either perpendicular or parallel to the direction of flow, as required.
The ultraviolet lamps 28 are grouped i.e. wired in banks, so that selected banks of lamps 28 may be selectively turned on or off, depending on the fluid flow rate to selectively vary the disinfecting capaci~y of purifier tank. Thus, by way of example onl~, a liquid flow rate of 3000 gpm may require a total of 252 ultraviolet lamps 28. In this case, the lamps 28 would be wired so that a flow rate of 1000 gpm a bank of 84 lamps 28 would be turned on, for a flow rate of 2000 gpm two 84 lamp banks, i.e. a total of 168 lamps would be turned on~
and for a flow rate of 3000 gpm three bank of 84 lamps, i.e.
a total of 252 lamps would be turned on.
~ ' t!
Ele~Lrical ela~sed op~ration t;me indicaLoL~s (llo~ ~hO~h~
may be provided for each o~ said lamp banks to facilitate timely replacement of the lamps 28 in the various banks and to achieve maximum utilization of lamp life.
As indicated hereinabove, in order to ensure that the fluid being trea~ed is being subjected to an adequate ultraviolet energy dosage, it is essential to promptly detect any drop in such administered dosage due ei~her to the formation of an .. . .
ultraviolet energy absorbing coating on the lamp 28 or its quartz protective tube, to a drop in voltage at or failure of a lamp 28.
In the system of the present invention, an in-place cleaning system, shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B serves to remove the ultraviolet energy absorbing coatings which form on ~he quartz jackets and the internal surfaces of purification chamber 32 without dismantling tank 10. Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, the clean:ing process in accordance with the principles of the present invention com~rises the following procedure. First~
the normal flow of water through purification chamber 32 is interrupted by closing inlet and outlet ports 16 and 18 respectively by rneans of isolating valves (not shown), and tank 10 is drained of water.
. . . _. .
Cleaning solut:ion 36 rom cleaner storage tank 38 is then by means of pump 34 pumped/into purification chamber 32 and circulated through chamber 32 and back to cleaning solution storage tank 38 through circulation feed line 40 and return line 42 for a suitable period of time. In order to ensure that adequate .
.. , . ~ . . .. -- .. .. . . . .. . . . . ........ . . . ......... .. . . . . .. . . .
.. . .
. ~ . .
3l~8~Z3 cleaning has been achiev~d, colnl~ressed air may be introduced by an (not shown) into chamber 32 / air inlet port / creating a fine stream of bubbles wllich produces a scrubbing and cleaning action on the surfaces of the quartz tubes 5~ as well as the interior walls o~ purification chamber 32. It is understood that ultrasonic cavitation may be used instead of compressed air ln order to produce the required scrubbing action. As a measure of pre~entative maintenance and improve~l UV efficiency, the aforementioned compressed air process may be employed continuously to eliminate the need for periodic cleaning and shutdown.
The W intensity monitoring system for detecting the UV emission from the lamps 28, the W absorption loss due to coating build-up on the quartz jacket 5~ of the lamps 28 and the deterioration in the optical density o r the liquid under treatment is shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B and 5. Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B, each photocell 48 is mounted in an acrylic holder 50 mounted on a connecting rod 52 which is slid into a quartz tube jacket 5~ which is positioned intermediate several adjacent lamps 28 and photocell 48 is oriented to receive ultraviolet light transmission through the liquid being treated. Photocell ~8 may be slidably positioned along the length of connecting rod 52 and may be rotatably adjusted through 360 so as to provide selective monitoring of selected adjacent lamps 28. Each photocell ~8 is electrically connected via a lead 56 extending through rod 52 to its own electrical monitoring circuit 60 at the input terminals 58 thereof shown i~ FIG. 5. -.
_9_ ., , !
~96~3 As previously indicated, the ma~nitude of the ultra-violet energy detected by photocells 48 is a function of the ultraviolet energy emission by the corresponding lamps 28, the coating build-ups on the lamp jacket 54 and the optical density, i.e ultraviolet energy transmission yuality, and hence the state of puri~y, of the fluid flowing therepast.
These parameters are measured by means of a plurality W
monitoring circuits 60 shown in FIG 5, each having a pair of input termi.nals 58 for connection of each of said photo-cells 48. Each 1~ monitoring circuit 60 comprises a comparator circuit in which the resistance of photocell 48 (which is a function ~ the ultraviolet energy impinging thereon), and hence the voltage thereacross is compared with a reference voltage corresponding to optimum operating condition of the ultraviolet lamp 28 and optimum quality of the fluid being purified. Thusg the comparator circuit comprises a potentio-meter 64 for setting the reference voltage corresponding to the aforementioned optimum ~luid quality and lamp W output conditions. The voltage across photocell 48 applied at input terminals 58 is fed to D.C. amplifier 66 at one of its input terminals 68 while the reference voltage is fed into the other input terminal 70 of D.C. amplifier 66 which compares the two input signals and produces an output signal at its output terminal 69 corresponding to the difference therebetween.
This output signal is applied via lead 71 to alarm circuit 85 at the input terminal 78 o differential amplifier 80 , , - 1 0 - .
~3~9~ ~ 3 Aml~lifier 80 is operative to compare the afore-mentioned photocell signal app].ied at its input terminal 78 witl~ tlle alarm reference signal provided by potentiometer 82 applied at input terminal 79, and if the photocell signal is sufficient.ly high, the output signal of amplifier 80 a~
its terminal. ~4 will energize relay solenoid coil 86 to operate relay contacts 88 to actuate a suitable alarm 75. Furthermore, a D.C. meter 62 may be connected to output terminal 69 to provide an analog indication of the W intensity measured by photocell 48.
The alarm signal output at output terminals 8~ may be utilized to automatically initiate the in-place cleaning system described above thereby providing an important pre- ;
ventative maintenance feature to ~he present system. Thus, the electrical output signal at terminals 83 may be electrically connected to a suitable electrically controlled (e.g. solenoid operated) valve 102 (FIG. 2A) whereby the in-place cleaning operation would be initiated when the pho~ocells ~8 indicate that the fluid under treatment is not obtaining su-fficient ultraviolet energy. If, however, the alarm signal at output terminals 84 exceed a preselected danger level, such signal may be employed to automatically shut-off the entire system and cause alarm 75 to emit a danger bell (not shown) or similar signal to alert the operator of the existence of a serious malfunction of the system.
As shown in FIGS. 4A, 4B and 6 ~he system of the - present inventlon also provides means for monitoring each ~-of the ultr~violet lamps 28 on an individual basis 9 i. e. to ' ' ~'.' - 1 1- ~ . .
.. . , . . ..... ; . . . . . . .. . ... . .... .
determine whether an ul~raviolet lamp 28 has ~urned out and if so to locate the particular lamp 28 in question. In a~ldition ~o the ul raviolet photo_^ll detector 48, a light-cond~cting fiber 90 is connected at one end thereof to the quartz jacket 54 of an ultraviolet lamp 28 through ~he neoprene sleeve 92, whereby the input endface of said optical fiber 90 faces and is illuminated by ultraviolet light -from tube 28.
The other end of fiberoptic member 90 is connected to display panel 94 whereby the other (i.e. output) endface g6 of member 90 appears at the front face of display panel 94. Display panel 94 is suitably marked to identify the output endfaces of the various iberoptic members connected to the various ultraviole~ lamps. If an ultraviolet lamp 28 is on, light from the lamp 28 is conducted by fiberoptic member 90 to its output endface 96 at display panel 94. If a lamp 28 burns out or fails, i-~s corresponding fiberoptic member output end-face 96 will be dark thus identifying the particular lamp 28 in question.
Referring to FIG. 6 addi~ional photocells 98 are located adjacent the output faces 96 of fibers 90 to detect a lack of light produced by a particular fiber 94 corresponding to a particular lamp 28. The series arrangement of photocells 98 is connected to the input terminals 58 of a comparator circuit similar to that of FIG. 5. Accordingly, failure of a single lamp 28 will cause a lack of light at its corresponding fiberoptic endface 96 producing a substantial drop in the resistance across input terminals 58. As explained above, soch drop in the resistance and consequ~ntly the voltage ' .
.
;.... ,. ~ :-... -- . -- . . ..
189~Z3 appli~ed a~ the input terminals 58 of comparator circuit 61 will produce a signal at its output terminal 72 to actuate alarm 77 connected thereto. As a result, the operator will be alerted to check display panel 94 to locate the particular lamp 28 which has failed.
It is understood that circuits other than monitoring circuit 61 of FIG.6 may be employed for detecting the light output of lamps 28. Thus, a toroid may be connected to the secondary winding of the ballast (not shown) for each lamp 28, the current in such ~oroid corresponding to the eletrical operation output of the lamps 28. Each of such toroids Tl, T2, etc. may be respectively connected to the various branclles of a summing network of the type illustrated in FIG. 7 and the summed voltage signal may be applied to an alarm circuit similar to circuit 85 of FIG. 5. Thus, each of the branches and alarm circuit 83 is similar to monitoring circuit 60 and alarm circuit ~5 of FI~. 5 and hence corresponding elements thereo~ are provided with similar identifying numerals.
Alterr.ately, the various secondary windings of the lamp ballasts may be directly wound on the primary side of a toroid to produce a current in the secondary winding of the toroid which corresponds to the sum of currents in the ballast secondary windings, with the toroid secondary winding being applied to a suitable alarm circuit such as alarm circuit 8~ of FIG. 5.
- ' ' , . .
, - L3~
,, . :
, ... . . .
~0~ 23 Although the invention has been described with respect to a particular embodiment thereof, it is to be ~mderstood that such embodimellt is merely illustrative of the applicatî.on of the principles of the invention. Numerous modifications may be made therein and oLher arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
' ~
1~ .
Claims (12)
1. An ultraviolet liquid purification system comprising an ultraviolet purification chamber having liquid inlet and outlet ports; a plurality of ultraviolet lamps located within said chamber and operative to irradiate liquid in said chamber; a plurality of ultraviolet sensors located to detect ultraviolet radiation transmitted through said liquid from said ultraviolet lamps; a plurality of light conducting fibers for monitoring the operation of said ultraviolet lamps, each of said light conducting fibers having its endface located in close proximity with a corresponding ultraviolet lamp to directly receive light radiation therefrom; ultraviolet transmission indicator means operative in response to said ultraviolet sensors to produce an ultraviolet transmission indicator signal correspond-ing to the detected ultraviolet radiation transmitted through said liquid; and lamp condition indicator means associated with said light conducting fibers and operative to produce a lamp condition indicator signal corresponding to the light emitted by said lamps.
2. An ultraviolet liquid purification system as defined in claim 1 wherein each of said ultraviolet sensors comprises an ultraviolet photocell operative to produce an ultraviolet energy level output signal whose magnitude corresponds to the ultraviolet energy received thereon.
3. An ultraviolet liquid purification system as defined in claim 2 wherein said ultraviolet transmission indicator means comprises means to produce an output alarm signal when said ultraviolet energy level output signal is less than a first preselected level.
4. An ultraviolet liquid purification system as defined in claim 1 wherein said lamp condition indicator means includes a display panel, each of said light conducting fibers having its output endface located on said display panel operative to display light conducted from a respective ultraviolet lamp, to thereby provide a visual indication of the light output of said respective ultraviolet lamps.
5. An ultraviolet liquid purification system comprising an ultraviolet purification chamber having liquid inlet and outlet ports; a plurality of ultraviolet lamps located within said chamber and operative to irradiate liquid in said chamber; a plurality of ultraviolet photocells located to detect ultraviolet radiation transmitted through said fluid from said ultraviolet lamps and operative to produce an ultraviolet energy level output signal whose magnitude corresponds to the ultraviolet energy received thereon; indicator means operative in response to said photo-cells to produce an indicator signal corresponding to the intensity level of said transmitted ultraviolet radiation, said indicator means including means to produce an output alarm signal when said ultraviolet energy output signal exceeds a first preselected level; and an in-place cleaning system for cleaning the interior of said purification chamber comprising a feed line and a return line respectively connected to said purification chamber, means operative to drain the contents of said purification chamber, and pump means operative to circulated cleaning solution through said purification chamber via said feed line and return line.
6. An ultraviolet liquid purification system as defined in claim 5 wherein said in-place cleansing system includes means for agitating said cleaning solution in said purification chamber to produce a scrubbing action therein.
7. An ultraviolet liquid purification system as defined in claim 5 including valve means operative in response to said first alarm signal to activate said in-place cleaning system.
8. An ultraviolet liquid purification system as defined in claim 5 wherein said indicator means is operative to produce a second output alarm signal when said ultraviolet energy level output signal is less than a second preselected level.
9. An ultraviolet liquid purification system as defined in claim 5 including shut-off means operative in response to said second output alarm signal to shut-off said liquid purification system.
10. An ultraviolet liquid purification system as defined in claim 1 including a lamp monitoring circuit com-prising a plurality of photocells respectively positioned opposite the corresponding output endfaces of said light conducting fibers, and comparator circuit means operative to produce an output alarm signal when the electrical output of said photocells exceeds a preselected level.
11. An ultraviolet liquid purification system comprising an ultraviolet purification chamber having liquid inlet and outlet ports; a plurality of ultraviolet lamps located within said chamber and operative to irradiate liquid in said chamber; a plurality of ultraviolet photocells located to detect ultraviolet radiation transmitted through said fluid from said ultraviolet lamps and operative to produce an ultraviolet energy level output signal whose magnitude corresponds to the ultraviolet energy received thereon;
indicator means operative in response to said photocells to produce an indicator signal corresponding to the intensity level of said transmitted ultraviolet radiation, said indicator means including means to produce an output alarm signal when said ultraviolet energy output signal exceeds a first preselected level; and a lamp monitoring circuit comprising means for detecting the electrical power flow in said ultraviolet lamps respectively.
indicator means operative in response to said photocells to produce an indicator signal corresponding to the intensity level of said transmitted ultraviolet radiation, said indicator means including means to produce an output alarm signal when said ultraviolet energy output signal exceeds a first preselected level; and a lamp monitoring circuit comprising means for detecting the electrical power flow in said ultraviolet lamps respectively.
12. An ultraviolet liquid purification system as defined in claim 11 wherein said means for detecting the electrical power flow comprises a plurality of toroids respectively connected to the secondary windings of the ballasts of said ultraviolet lamps respectively.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA305,093A CA1089623A (en) | 1978-06-09 | 1978-06-09 | Ultraviolet liquid purification system |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA305,093A CA1089623A (en) | 1978-06-09 | 1978-06-09 | Ultraviolet liquid purification system |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1089623A true CA1089623A (en) | 1980-11-18 |
Family
ID=4111657
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA305,093A Expired CA1089623A (en) | 1978-06-09 | 1978-06-09 | Ultraviolet liquid purification system |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1089623A (en) |
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4983307A (en) * | 1989-08-02 | 1991-01-08 | Serres Naturtek Greenhouses Inc. | Method for sterilizing liquids by ultraviolet radiation |
| WO2006050596A1 (en) * | 2004-09-27 | 2006-05-18 | Trojan Technologies Inc. | Apparatus for treatment of a liquid by my means of radiation |
| CN110204120A (en) * | 2019-06-06 | 2019-09-06 | 浙江浙能技术研究院有限公司 | A kind of thermal power plant counter-infiltration system sterilizing unit based on physical method |
-
1978
- 1978-06-09 CA CA305,093A patent/CA1089623A/en not_active Expired
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4983307A (en) * | 1989-08-02 | 1991-01-08 | Serres Naturtek Greenhouses Inc. | Method for sterilizing liquids by ultraviolet radiation |
| WO2006050596A1 (en) * | 2004-09-27 | 2006-05-18 | Trojan Technologies Inc. | Apparatus for treatment of a liquid by my means of radiation |
| CN110204120A (en) * | 2019-06-06 | 2019-09-06 | 浙江浙能技术研究院有限公司 | A kind of thermal power plant counter-infiltration system sterilizing unit based on physical method |
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