NO20200491A1

NO20200491A1 - Organisms treatment device and method

Info

Publication number: NO20200491A1
Application number: NO20200491A
Authority: NO
Inventors: Dennis Mason
Original assignee: Dennis Mason
Priority date: 2020-04-24
Filing date: 2020-04-24
Publication date: 2021-10-25
Also published as: NO347082B1; WO2021215935A1

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a treatment device for treatment of organisms such as micro-organisms being e.g., bacteria or virus or macro-organisms in a fluid. The treatment is more specifically related to mechanical destruction of such organisms inside the device, Further, it also relates to a method for treatment of micro-organisms.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Micro-organisms are among the earliest life forms that we are aware of. This is a broad term that encompasses bacteria, fungi, archaea, protists and viruses. Micro-organisms can be found almost everywhere, and they contribute in the recycling of our ecosystems.

However, some of the micro-organisms are pathogenic and can cause diseases.

[0003] One of the major problems faced by humanity today is the lack of clean drinking water, where pollution combined with an increasing population is one reason for contamination.

[0004] Another problem is that some fluids, such as ballast water, comprises macroorganisms or so-called invasive aquatic organisms. These macro-organisms typically belong to the group of invertebrates. Although such macro-organisms may not themselves be pathogenic, they may severely impact recipient water ecosystem functioning and -services when the ballast tanks are unloaded without proper treatment. Non-indigenous species may potentially become invasive in their new environment. Ballast water treatment today is usually based on chemical substances.

[0005] Mechanical destruction of bacteria has been known for a long time.

[0006] In the publication, “CURRAN, H. R. & EVANS, F. R. (1942). The killing of bacterial spores in fluids by agitation with small inert particles. J. Bact. 43, 125”, the destruction of bacterial spores by violent agitation with small inert particles was described. According to this article the phenomenon of disintegration of the bacteria as a result of abrasion and repeated collisions between the particles was described already in 1892. However, the method and system proposed required shaking for hours to obtain a significant reduction of the spores of the bacteria.

[0007] WO2015113575A1 illustrates an example of mechanical destruction of microorganisms where the inner hollow structure has internal cutting edges, and more specifically particles with cutting edges.

[0008] However, the prior art suffers either from taking too long to be applied in practice, or from limited reduction of the number of bacteria.

[0009] An improved system and method for mechanical treatment of both micro- and macro-organisms is therefore needed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Fig. 1 illustrates in a perspective view an embodiment of an organisms mechanical treatment device.

[0011] Fig. 2 illustrates in a side view the treatment device shown in Fig. 1

[0012] Fig. 3a illustrates in a section view the treatment device of Fig. 1 and 2.

[0013] Fig. 3b illustrates a detail of Fig. 3a.

[0014] Fig. 3b illustrates a detail of Fig. 3b.

[0015] Fig. 4 illustrate in a partly cut-away view, the treatment device of Fig. 1

[0016] Fig. 5a illustrates in a perspective view an embodiment of an organisms mechanical treatment device.

[0017] Fig. 5b illustrates in a side view the treatment device shown in Fig. 5a

[0018] Fig. 6a illustrates in a section view the treatment device of Fig. 5a and 5b.

[0019] Fig. 6b illustrates a detail of Fig. 6a.

[0020] Fig. 7 illustrate in a partly cut-away view, the treatment device of Fig. 5a.

[0021] Fig. 8 illustrates in a partly exploded view the treatment device of Fig. 5a.

[0022] Fig. 9a illustrates in a partly cut-away, perspective view an embodiment of an organisms mechanical treatment device.

[0023] Fig. 9b illustrates an exploded view of the mechanical treatment device in Fig. 9a.

[0024] Fig. 10 illustrates a section of a rough surface according to an embodiment of the invention.

EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0025] In the following description, various examples and embodiments of the invention are set forth in order to provide the skilled person with a more thorough understanding of the invention. The specific details described in the context of the various embodiments and with reference to the attached drawings are not intended to be construed as limitations. Rather, the scope of the invention is defined in the appended claims.

[0026] The embodiments described below are numbered. In addition, dependent embodiments defined in relation to the numbered embodiments are described. Unless otherwise specified, any embodiment that can be combined with one or more numbered embodiments may also be combined directly with any of the dependent embodiments of the numbered embodiment(s) referred to.

[0027] In a first embodiment the invention is an organism mechanical treatment device 1, 100, 200 comprising;

- a container 20, 120, 220 comprising an inlet 11, 111, 211 and an outlet 12, 112,222 wherein the container 20, 120, 220 is configured to contain a fluid comprising organisms, and wherein the fluid has a flow direction from the inlet to the outlet,

- a first treatment element 1, 101, 201 inside the container 20, 120, 220 wherein the first treatment element 1, 101, 201 comprises a rough surface substantially perpendicular to the flow direction and wherein the treatment device is configured to move the rough surface substantially perpendicular to the flow direction.

[0028] The term fluid is here defined according to the standard terminology in natural sciences, i.e. comprising liquids and gases.

[0029] According to the invention, the fluid will flow along the rough surface. The angle of incidence of the fluid, or the surface angle relative to the normal of the flow direction, may typically be between 0 and 45 degrees.

[0030] In a first dependent embodiment, that may be combined with the first embodiment and any of its dependent embodiments, the treatment element is configured to move relative the fluid with a speed of minimum 1,0*10E-2 m/s, 2,0*10E-2 m/s, 3,0*10E-2 m/s, 4,0*10E-2 m/s, or 5,0*10E-2 m/s. The speed is here given as an instantaneous relative speed between the fluid, and especially organisms in the fluid flowing in the flow direction and the first treatment element, which is not necessarily the same as the relative speed between first treatment element 1, 101, 201 and the container 20, 120, 220.

[0031] In a second embodiment, that may be combined with the first embodiment, the treatment device is configured to rotate the first treatment element 1, 101, 201 relative to the fluid about a rotational axis a.

[0032] In a first dependent embodiment, that may be combined with the second embodiment, the rotational axis a is parallel with the flow direction.

[0033] In a second dependent embodiment, that may be combined with the first embodiment, the rotational axis a is perpendicular to the flow direction.

[0034] In a third dependent embodiment, that may be combined with any of the second embodiment, and its dependent embodiments , the first treatment element 1, 101, 201 comprises one or more first plates, where the first treatment surfaces described above for the second embodiment in this dependent embodiment are surfaces on one or both sides of the first plate.

[0035] In a third embodiment that may be combined with the second embodiment, and any of its dependent embodiments, the treatment device, comprises a second treatment element 2, 102 with a second treatment surface directed substantially perpendicular to the direction of the rotational axis a, wherein the second treatment element 2, 102 is arranged fixed to the container 20, 120, 220.

[0036] In a first dependent embodiment, that may be combined with the third embodiment, the second treatment element 2, 102 comprises one or more second plates, where the second treatment surfaces described above are surfaces on one or both sides of the first plate.

[0037] In a second dependent embodiment, that may be combined with any of the third embodiment, and its dependent embodiments the first and second plates are arranged overlapping in the radial direction from the rotational axis a.

[0038] In a fourth embodiment, that may be combined with any of the embodiments above, the treatment device comprises a third treatment element 3, 103, 203, where the third treatment element 3, 103, 203, is configured to treat the fluid before it is treated by the first treatment element 1, 101, 201, where the third treatment element 3, 103, 203 is porous for the fluid and for organisms intended to be treated by the first treatment element 1, 101, 201.

[0039] In a first dependent embodiment, that may be combined with the fourth embodiment, the third treatment element has a mesh structure.

[0040] In a second dependent, that may be combined with that may be combined with any of the fourth embodiment, and its dependent embodiments, the third treatment element has a disk shape and is arranged perpendicular to the rotational axis a.

[0041] The third treatment element may be arranged fixed to inner walls of the container 20

[0042] In a fifth embodiment that may be combined with the fourth embodiment, the treatment device comprises a fourth treatment element 4, 104, 204 wherein the fourth treatment element 4, 104, 204 is configured to treat the fluid after it is treated by the third treatment element 3, 103, 203.

[0043] In a first dependent embodiment, that may be combined with the fifth embodiment, the fourth treatment element has a mesh structure.

[0044] In a second dependent, that may be combined with any of the fifth embodiment, and its dependent embodiments, the fourth treatment element has a disk shape and is arranged perpendicular to the rotational axis a.

[0045] In a sixth embodiment that may be combined with any of the embodiments above, the treatment device comprises a fifth treatment element 5, 105, 205 configured to set up an electromagnetic field inside the container 20, 120, 220, comprising first and second spaced apart electrodes inside the container 20, 120, 220, wherein the electrodes are configured to be connected to an electric AC-source.

[0046] In a first dependent embodiment, that may be combined with the fifth embodiment, the third treatment element 3, 103, 203 is the first electrode.

[0047] In a second dependent embodiment, that may be combined with the fifth embodiment and any of its dependent embodiments, the fourth treatment element 4, 104, 204 is the second electrode.

[0048] In the first and second embodiments above, the third/and or fourth treatment elements are in magnetic material, while the container is in a non-magnetic material.

[0049] In a third dependent embodiment, that may be combined with the first dependent embodiment above, at least part of the container 20, 120, 220 is the second electrode. In this case the part of the container being the second electrode is in a magnetic material.

[0050] In a fourth dependent embodiment, that may be combined with any of the sixth embodiment, and its dependent embodiments, the AC-source has a minimum voltage of 100 or 200V and a frequency higher than 200, 300, 400 or 500 Hz.

[0051] In a seventh embodiment, that may be combined with any of the embodiments above, a surface of any of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth treatment devices or the inner wall of the container 1, 0, 2, 102, 3, 103, 203, 4, 104, 204, 5, 105, 205, 20 has a rough surface.

[0052] In first dependent embodiments that may all be combined with the seventh embodiment, the rough surface may have any combination of the following features:

- the rough surface comprises protrusions

- the protrusions have at least one acute edge

- the protrusions have at least one vertex

- the protrusions have the shape of triangular prisms

- the protrusions are regularly spaced by spaces

- the spaces have the same width as the protrusions

- the protrusions are arranged in rows

- the protrusions have a width of between 10 and 100 µm, and more preferably between 30 and 80 µm.

- the protrusions have a hardness according to the Moh scale of at least 2.6

- the protrusions have a height of between 10 and 100 µm, and more preferably between 30 and 80 µm.

[0053] In a further dependent embodiment, that may be combined with any of the seventh embodiment, and its dependent embodiments, where the protrusions are regularly spaced and arranged in rows, neighboring rows are offset in the longitudinal direction with respect to each other.

[0054] In a further dependent embodiment, that may be combined with any of the seventh embodiment, and its dependent embodiments a protrusion in one ring or row interfaces a space in the neighboring row or ring.

[0055] In a further dependent embodiment, that may be combined with any of the seventh embodiment, and its dependent embodiments the spaces between the protrusions have the same length as the protrusions.

[0056] In a further dependent embodiment, that may be combined with any of the seventh embodiment, and its dependent embodiments the protrusions are irregularly spaced and constitutes a labyrinth or a maze for the fluid.

[0057] In an eight embodiment, that may be combined with any of the embodiments above, the container is cylindrical.

[0058] In a ninth embodiment, that may be combined with any of the embodiments above, the treatment device comprises a motor.

[0059] In a first dependent embodiment, that may be combined with the ninth embodiment, the motor is configured to move or rotate the first treatment element relative to the fluid flow.

[0060] In a second dependent embodiment, that may be combined with any of the ninth embodiment, and its dependent embodiments the motor is arranged outside the container.

[0061] In a third dependent embodiment, that may be combined with any of the ninth embodiment, and its dependent embodiments the motor is arranged to rotate the container.

[0062] In a tenth embodiment, that may be combined with any of the embodiments above, the treatment device 10, 100 comprises a turbine configured to move the first treatment element 1, 101, 201 relative to the flow direction.

[0063] In first a dependent embodiment, that may be combined with the tenth embodiment, the turbine comprises helical shaped blades.

[0064] In an eleventh embodiment, that may be combined with any of the embodiments above, the first treatment element 1, 101, 201 has a helix formed surface where the longitudinal axis of the helix is co-axial with the flow direction.

[0065] In a first method embodiment, the invention is a method for treating organisms in a fluid flowing in a flow direction between an inlet and an outlet of a container 20, 120, 220, wherein the method comprises moving a first treatment element 1, 101, 201 with a rough treatment surface inside the container substantially perpendicular to the flow direction.

[0066] In a second method embodiment that may be combined with the first method embodiment, the method comprises rotating the first treatment element 1, 101, 201 relative to the fluid about a rotational axis a.

[0067] In a first dependent embodiment, that may be combined with the second method embodiment the rotational axis a is parallel with the flow direction.

[0068] In a second dependent embodiment, that may be combined with any of the second method embodiment, and its dependent embodiments, the rotational axis a is perpendicular to the flow direction.

[0069] Further the method may in additional embodiments comprise any features present in the embodiments above.

[0070] In the treatment device and the method for treatment above, the organisms are mechanically treated. The mechanical treatment may destruct the organisms, by e.g. cutting the cell membrane of bacteria.

[0071] The optional electric treatment may independently or in combination with the mechanical treatment contribute to the destruction of organisms, by e.g. interacting with the electric charge of some of these organisms.

[0072] An embodiment of the treatment device 10, illustrated by Fig. 1, 2, 3a, 3b, 3c and 4, will now be described in more detail.

[0073] The organisms treatment device 10 comprises a container 20 comprising an inlet 11 and an outlet 12, wherein the treatment device 10 is configured to contain a fluid comprising organisms, and wherein the fluid has a flow direction from the inlet to the outlet, as indicated by the arrows.

[0074] The organism treatment device 10 comprises further a first treatment element 1 in the form of parallel plates in a stack in the middle of the container 20. The plates extend radially from the center, but not all the way out to the inner wall of the container. The plates have fixed individual distances and are further fixed to each other and to the container with three pins 14, seen in Fig. 4, extending in the longitudinal direction of the container.

[0075] The parallel plates each have a rough treatment surface with rows of prisms as illustrated in Fig. 3c and Fig. 10.

[0076] The treatment device further comprises a second treatment element 2, also in the form of parallel plates, but these plates have a center hole and extend all the way to the inner wall of the container 20. These plates are also stacked on top of each other with fixed distances between them.

[0077] The plates of first treatment element 1 and second treatment element 2 are interleaved so that every second plate belongs to the first treatment element 1 and every second plate belongs to the second treatment element 2.

[0078] All the plates have fixed individual distances and are further fixed to each other and to the container with three pins 14, seen in Fig. 1, extending in the longitudinal direction of the container.

[0079] Above the first and second treatment elements 1, 2 the treatment device comprises the third and fourth treatment element 3, 4 in the form of metallic meshes extending across the inner diameter of the container.

[0080] The metallic meshes are connected to an electric AC source outside the container via slip rings arranged on the outside of the container (20), as illustrated e.g. in Fig. 4 in electric connection with the meshes inside the container in order to set up an electromagnetic field between the meshes, which constitutes the fifth treatment element 5.

[0081] The two meshes are also fixed to the three pins 14.

[0082] At the lower end of the treatment device 1, there is a pulley and a belt. The belt is driven by a motor not shown. The motor is configured to rotate the container 20 with the first, second, third fourth and fifth treatment devices.

[0083] The container 20 rotates in a frame 15, and bearings are arranged between the frame and the container.

[0084] The inlet 11 is typically connected to a tube or hose feeding the fluid and should be kept stationary. The inlet 11 is therefore connected to the container with a swivel 13.

[0085] Fluid entering inlet 11 will enter into the rotating container with the treatment devices. The third and fourth treatment device 3, 4 will filter and distribute the fluid over a larger area. The rotating meshes will also mechanically treat and possibly destroy some of the organisms.

[0086] The fluid then enters the space between the meshes, where the electromagnetic field will further treat the organisms.

[0087] When the fluid thereafter enters the plate stack of the first and second treatment devices, it has to travel along the plates in outward and inward radial direction as illustrated by the arrows in Fig. 3b. Since the container is rotating, the trajectory of the fluid and organisms will be helical, almost all of the time along the rough surface of the plates.

[0088] Since the rotational speed of the plates is maintained during the operation, a successful treatment of the fluid with less clogging of the device is achieved.

[0089] Another embodiment of the treatment device 100 is shown in Fig.5a, 5b, 6, 7 and 8. The treatment principle is the same as for the treatment device 10, but in this case the container 120 is arranged inside a housing and rotated by a turbine inside and relative the housing 116.

[0090] The housing has an inlet 118 and an outlet 119, and a fraction of the fluid entering the housing inlet is driving the turbine 117, while the reminder enter into the inlet 111 of the container 20 for treatment and exits the container outlet 112.

[0091] The organisms treatment device 100 comprises further a first treatment element 101 in the form of parallel plates in a stack in the middle of the container 120. The plates extend radially from the center, but not all the way out to the inner wall of the container. The plates have fixed individual distances and are further fixed to each other and to the container with three pins as described above, extending in the longitudinal direction of the container.

[0092] The parallel plates each have a rough treatment surface with rows of prisms as illustrated in Fig. 10.

[0093] The treatment device further comprises a second treatment element 102, also in the form of parallel plates, but these plates have a center hole and extend all the way to the inner wall of the container 120. These plates are also stacked on top of each other with fixed distances between them.

[0094] The plates of first treatment element 101 and second treatment element 102 are interleaved so that every second plate belongs to the first treatment element 1 and every second plate belongs to the second treatment element 102.

[0095] All the plates have fixed individual distances and are further fixed to each other and to the container with three pins 112, extending in the longitudinal direction of the container, one of the pins can be partly seen in Fig. 7.

[0096] Above the first and second treatment elements 101, 102 the treatment device comprises the third and fourth treatment element 103, 104 in the form of metallic meshes extending across the inner diameter of the container.

[0097] The metallic meshes are connected to an electric AC source outside the container via slip at the lower end of the container (20), as illustrated e.g. in Fig. 6a, rings and wires in the container wall in order to set up an electromagnetic field between the meshes, which constitutes the fifth treatment element 105.

[0098] The two meshes are also fixed to the three pins.

[0099] The container 20 rotates in a frame 15, and bearings are arranged between the housing and the container.

[0100] The treatment process is similar to the process described above for the motor driven embodiment.

[0101] In an embodiment, the organisms treatment device 200 comprises a cylindrical container 220 with an inlet 211 and an outlet 212 as illustrated in Fig. 9a and Fig. 9b. The inlet and outlet are here treaded connectors for connecting to respective inlet and outlet tubes.

[0102] The fluid to be treated enters into the treatment device through the inlet 211 and the treated fluid exits through the outlet.

[0103] An external pump or fluid pressure resulting from gravity provides the pressure necessary for maintaining a flow through the treatment device.

[0104] The cylindrical housing comprises a first treatment element 201. In this embodiment the treatment element comprises a helical surface arranged between the inlet and the outlet, where the center axis of the helical surface is co-axial with the longitudinal center axis of the cylindrical container. In the radial direction the helical surface extends from the center axis to the inner wall of the cylindrical housing.

[0105] Further, on each end of the helical surface there is a third and fourth treatment element 203, 204, respectively with a mesh structure. The third and fourth treatment element are disk shaped with an outer diameter corresponding to an inner diameter of the cylindrical container.

[0106] The internal wall of the container has a helically formed groove configured to hold the helical surface in place, where the outer edge of the surface is shaped to fit into the groove.

[0107] The surface of the helical surface 201 facing the inlet 211 comprises protrusions in the form of multiple triangular prisms arranged in rows, as illustrated in Fig. 10, In each row, a space with the same length as the prisms separates neighboring prisms.

Neighboring rows are shifted the length one prism or one space to create a matrix pattern of protruding triangular elements. In this embodiment each prism has five protruding edges. The hardness of the prisms is approximately 2.75 according to the Moh scale.

[0108] As seen from Fig. 9a, the treatment device 200 further comprises a fifth treatment device 205 comprising an electrical power supply connected to the third and fourth treatment element 203, 204 and configured to create an electromagnetic field between the third and fourth treatment element 203, 204 inside the container.

[0109] Each of the elements described for this embodiment contribute individually to the successful treatment of organisms in the fluid. The protruding edges of the first treatment element rotating relative to the fluid, ensures that there is a high likelihood that the organisms will hit one of the edges at least once. The likelihood is further increased by the helical shaped surface, since the organisms have to flow along and interface the total surface length of the helix before reaching the outlet.

[0110] The third and fourth treatment elements 203, 204 act as filters and distributors for the fluid to ensure that the fluid is evenly distributed over the containers internal cross section. In addition, they are electrodes for the fifth treatment device 205, such that the electromagnetic field can be set up inside the container. The electromagnetic field has proven to have a positive effect on treatment of organisms, especially in combination with mechanical treatment. Thus, the treatment elements also have a combinative synergetic treatment effect larger than the sum of the individual treatment effects.

[0111] The dimensions given for some of the embodiments are for mechanical treatment of microorganisms.

[0112] However, the treatment device may equally be used for macro-organisms by adjusting the dimensions appropriately.

[0113] Some fluid contains both micro and macro organisms, and in this case a device adapted for macro-organisms may be serially connected to a device for micro-organisms, optionally with a particle filter in between.

[0114] In the exemplary embodiments, various features and details are shown in combination. The fact that several features are described with respect to a particular example should not be construed as implying that those features by necessity have to be included together in all embodiments of the invention. Conversely, features that are described with reference to different embodiments should not be construed as mutually exclusive. As those with skill in the art will readily understand, embodiments that incorporate any subset of features described herein and that are not expressly interdependent have been contemplated by the inventor and are part of the intended disclosure. However, explicit description of all such embodiments would not contribute to the understanding of the principles of the invention, and consequently some permutations of features have been omitted for the sake of simplicity or brevity.

Claims

1. An organisms treatment device (10, 100, 200) comprising;

- a container (20, 120) comprising an inlet (11, 111, 211) and an outlet (12, 112, 212), wherein the container (20, 120, 220) is configured to contain a fluid comprising organisms, wherein the fluid is gaseous or liquid or a combination of the two, and wherein the fluid has a flow direction from the inlet to the outlet, and

- a first treatment element (1, 101, 201) inside the container (20, 120, 220), wherein the first treatment element (1, 101, 201) comprises a rough treatment surface and the treatment device is configured to move the rough treatment surface substantially perpendicular to the flow direction.

2. The treatment device of claim 1, configured to rotate the first treatment element (1, 101, 201) relative to the fluid about a rotational axis (a) arranged in parallel with the flow direction.

3. The treatment device of claim 2, wherein the first treatment element (1, 101, 201) comprises one or more first plates.

4. The treatment device of claim 2 or 3, comprising a second treatment element (2, 102) with a treatment surface directed substantially perpendicular to the direction of the rotational axis (a), wherein the second treatment element (2, 102) is arranged fixed to the container (20, 120).

5. The treatment device of claim 4, wherein the second treatment element (2, 102) comprises one or more second plates, wherein the first and second plates are arranged overlapping in the radial direction from the rotational axis (a).

6. The treatment device of any of the claims above, comprising a third treatment element (3, 103, 203), wherein the third treatment element (3, 103, 203) has a mesh structure and configured to treat the fluid before it is treated by the first treatment element (1, 101, 201).

7. The treatment device of claim 6, comprising a fourth treatment element (4, 104, 204) wherein the third treatment element (3, 103, 203) has a mesh structure and configured to treat the fluid after it has been treated by the third treatment element (3, 103, 203).

8. The treatment device of any of the claims above, comprising a fifth treatment element (5, 105, 205), comprising first and second spaced apart electrodes inside the container (20, 120, 220), wherein the electrodes are configured to be connected to an AC-source.

9. The treatment device of any of the claims above, wherein a surface of any of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth treatment devices or the inner wall of the container (1, 101, 201, 2, 102, 3, 103, 203, 4, 104, 204, 5, 105, 205, 20, 120, 220) has a rough surface and comprises any combination of the following features;

- the rough surface comprises protrusions

- the protrusions have at least one acute edge.

- the protrusions have at least one vertex.

- the protrusions have the shape of triangular prisms.

- the protrusions are regularly spaced by spaces

- the spaces have the same width as the protrusions

- the protrusions are arranged in rows

- the protrusions have a hardness according to the Moh scale of at least 2.6

- the protrusions have a width of between 10 and 100 µm.

- the protrusions have a height of between 10 and 100 µm.

10. A method for treating organisms in a fluid flowing in a flow direction between an inlet and an outlet of a container (20, 120, 220), wherein the method comprises;

- moving a first treatment element (1, 101, 201) with a rough treatment surface inside the container substantially perpendicular to the flow direction.