GB2452916A

GB2452916A - Sterilising fuel with ultra violet light

Info

Publication number: GB2452916A
Application number: GB0718162A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Richard Louis Massara; Jacqueline May Massara; Gilbert Louis Massara; Carol Anne Massara
Original assignee: NILBAC
Current assignee: NILBAC
Priority date: 2007-09-18
Filing date: 2007-09-18
Publication date: 2009-03-25
Also published as: GB0718162D0

Abstract

A device to kill bacteria in liquid fuels, such as diesel. When used together with a filter 13 the device can remove the bacteria from a fuel. The device is formed from 2 chambers. Chamber 1 contains the UV source and controls. The fuel flows through chamber 3. The fuel is irradiated through a transparent partition between the 2 chambers. The device also includes a warning light and the fuel chamber has an internally reflective coating to maximise the effect of the UV light. The device is intended to have standardised connectors so that it can be added to an existing system.

Description

Nilbac -Bacterial and other contamainte removal from fuels and other liquids.

The principle behind Nilbac is simple, to actively kill off bacterial infection principally from liquid fuels such as diesel or marine diesel as well as other liquids via use of a UV lamp.

Nilbac employs the principle of Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation (UVGI) to kill off bacterial infection. By utilising the short wavelength of UV that is harmful to forms of life at the micro-organic level, Nilbac is designed to destroying the nucleic acids in these organisms so that their DNA is disrupted by the UV radiation, which is a form of ionising radiation. This removes their reproductive capabilities and/or kills them.

The principle is relatively simple. Fuel such as diesel (or any other liquid to be treated) enters the Nilbac unit's chamber, where it is bombarded by the UVGI lamp for a period of time. The fuel (or other liquid) then passes out of the Nilbac unit with its infection neutralised. Other systems separate to this patent application can then be employed to remove the contamination. We are not making any filtration claims for Nilbac, only the killing of bacterial in fuel such as diesel and similar liquids.

Specifically relating to Diesel and other middle distillate fuel for the marine or land based applications -bacterial infection (more commonly known as "the fuel bug") generates sludge and contaminates that block filtration systems, and multiply rapidly to render infected vessels and systems useless. Nilbac is designed to assist in the removal of such bacterial infection before it can multiply and spread.

Key features of Nilbac: * Its safe -there are no harmful chemicals, and the UVGI is contained to avoid contact with anything other than the media being treated. Moreover no hazardous or flammable materials can reach the UV lamp or power section.

* Its small -these is only a minimal footprint to each unit, depending on the flow rate required * Easy to use -simply switch it on, there is no other interaction required.

* Maintenance free -there is nothing to do to the unit during its life, unless the UV bulb requires replacing.

* Adaptable -with fittings options for all popular pipe sizes.

* All inside surfaces of Nilbac are reflective to maximise the UVGI effect Key benefits of Nilbac: * Sale and effective killing of "the fuel bug" for marine and land based applications.

No other system can actually kill it, they can only to remove the by product. Nilbac will kill off the infection, protecting the entire fuel system.

With ref to Nilbac drawings fig 1 -this shows a boxy design principle to Nilbac. It highlights the two section design (power/UV and fluid chambers). Figure 2 then shows a typical lower section complete with pipe connection point and protective glass section.

Figures 3 and 4 show the two options for fluid flow within the unit, and finally figure 5 shows a typical installation on a recirculating filtration system -naturally it can also be installed in line between the fuel or liquid store and the lift or transfer pump.

Claims

C-lQim Nilbac is a product and procedure to kill off bacterial and other germ infections in liquid fuels such as diesel, although it may also be used for other liquids.

Nilbac kills bacterial infection by utilisation of UVGI (Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation). A UVGI light is shone onto a clear chamber or pipe through which the liquid media to be processes is passed. The UVGI will kill the bacterial and other living infections (in toher words it will sterilise the liquid).

Nibac is a two chamber principle, which can be adapted into a single chamber if needs be, however the safety of Nilbac is that its UV and power sections are isolated from any hazardous of flammable liquids. UVGI lams need only be low power (a typical example is 9 or 11 watts), but in isolating the system, we maintain its safety -this is essential if it is to be applied to marine applications.

Nilbac, by our understanding, is the only method available to kill bacterial infection in middle distillate fuel (such as diesel, fuel oil, etc) by non chemical means.

Nilbac is a simple to operate system, requiring only power to activate the UV light. It is typically maintenance free and will warn the user if the UV lamp requires replacement.

Nilbac has standard size input and output ports allowing for fittings to be attached for any size of fuel or liquid pipe.

Nilbac can include a clear glass (or other suitable material) pipe to allow liquid to flow below the UVGI lamp, although a separate Nilbac design also has a sealed large fuel chamber for the liquid to flow thought (with a glass top to allow the UVGI to pass through).

Nilbac's inside surfaces are reflective to maximise the UVGI effect.