WO2007082337A1

WO2007082337A1 - Improvements relating to water treatment apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2007082337A1
Application number: PCT/AU2007/000039
Authority: WO
Inventors: Anthony Claude Gardner
Original assignee: Uvta Environmental Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2006-01-17
Filing date: 2007-01-17
Publication date: 2007-07-26

Abstract

An ultraviolet water radiation arrangement where there is a single reflector which is in the form of a cylinder in which both one or more ultraviolet lamps together with one or more r tubes/conduits carrying liquid, such as water, are located within and generally have a parallel axis with the cylindrical shape of the reflector.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO WATER TREATMENT APPARATUS

This invention relates to water treatment apparatus and in particular to apparatus using ultraviolet sterilisation.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The treatment of liquids and especially water by eradiating this water with ultraviolet light has long been established. It is also well known to use specific frequencies which are known to be powerful in connection with the ultraviolet light range for instance, 245 nms wavelength is considered to be a preferred wavelength for such treatment.

Currently, a significant quantity of ultraviolet sterilisers are in use and being made around the world.

PROBLEMS TO WHICH THIS INVENTION IS DIRECTED

Currently, it is known to have ultraviolet lamps which are electrically activated and which are aligned generally parallel to tubes through which the liquid to be treated is passed.

It is a fundamental requirement for any ultraviolet steriliser that any liquid that is being passed through the steriliser will be exposed to a sufficient intensity of the light for a sufficient time.

The challenge that this therefore imposes is to be able to get an arrangement where all of the water passing through which is to say every individual part of the water, can be assured of having been exposed to at least the selected level of ultraviolet irradiation at the appropriate wavelength and that portion of water for a sufficient period of time.

However, it is also a requirement that equipment should be able to be manufactured in the most economic manner possible for the job to be achieved and it is also a function that the amount of electricity needed to keep the unit running should also be a consideration so that it is not needing an excessive amount of electricity.

Finally, there is advantage if any apparatus can be made compactly but still be available to process an adequate quantity of water over a given time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Historically, each ultraviolet lamp where appropriate has a reflector which is positioned and designed so as to capture and reflect back toward the target tube.

Such reflectors are conventionally, for long ultraviolet lamps, positioned so as to be located to extend at least most of the length of the lamp and to be supported by a frame system to ensure maximum reflection for that lamp against the target.

If there are two ultraviolet lamps, then there may be two separate reflectors so that they are each targeted to provide the most efficient reflection for each lamp against each target.

My proposal is to have a single reflector which is in the form of a cylinder in which both one or more ultraviolet lamps together with one or more pipes or tubes/conduits carrying liquid, such as water, are located and generally have a parallel axis.

At first sight, such an arrangement does not need separate support structures or separate reflectors for each tube and moreover, because such a tube would be conventionally of cylindrical shape, the discovery is that a very large number of internal reflections will result where the reflector is chosen to have a surface appropriate to effect a high efficiency of reflectivity for the selected wavelength range, eg, 245 nrns or as otherwise selected, so that effectively substantially all of the output from one or more ultraviolet lamps will eventually target each of one or more conduits carrying liquid.

A particular configuration includes an arrangement in which there are three pipes arranged more or less at the apex of a triangle with two sides longer than the third and where there are two ultraviolet lamps positioned with their axes which is positioned approximately between the tubes or conduits defining a respective one or other of the longer axes of the triangle and are outside rather than inside the triangular shape.

In preference here, the pipes and lamps have their axes on a common circular perimeter which is coaxial with the outer cylindrical reflector-

It is implicit with respect to ultraviolet lamps and highly desirable with respect to pipes which can be described variously as tubes of conduits that are carrying liquid to be treated, that they are separated by areas allowing for relatively uniform cooling airflow there past.

Such an arrangement is especially effective where the pipe for carrying the liquid to be treated is made from a plastics material that provides a high transparency to the most relevant ultraviolet wavelengths. In one form of the invention then there is provided an ultraviolet water irradiation arrangement which has tubes/conduits for effecting passage of water past sources of ultraviolet irradiation comprised by an arrangement of one or more tubes/conduits for carrying water to be treated by ultraviolet irradiation from one or more ultraviolet lamps,

the respective tube/conduits in the case of two or more each being of a similar size and shape in cross section transverse to the axial direction of the tube/conduit and positioned so as to be approximately parallel one to the other and connected to transfer water there through from an inlet end to an outlet end,

each tubeΛubβ/conduit being comprised of a material providing a substantial transparency to at least selected wavelengths of ultraviolet radiation,

the tubes/tube/conduits being arranged so that they are positioned by having a respective central axis of each so that together with the other axes of the other tubes/conduits these are aligned to be spaced apart a similar distance one from the other,

at least one lamp of cylindrical proportions providing for, from each, a source of ultraviolet radiation, and which has or have for each, a central axis which is parallel to the axes of the previously referred to the tube/conduit or tubes/conduits and located respectively adjacent and generally so that a substantial proportion at least of ultraviolet radiation from the or each respective lamp will be directed directly and indirectly to the respective tubes/conduits, and a reflective surround of tubular shape and having an inner surface providing a substantial ultraviolet reflective efficiency extending at least approximately the length of the respective ultraviolet lamps and of a size and positioned so that the lamp or lamps and the tube/conduit or tubes/conduits are at least substantially within the tubular shape.

Jn a further application of the invention, this can be said to reside in an ultraviolet water irradiation arrangement which has at least one tube/conduit for effecting passage of water past a source or sources of ultraviolet irradiation comprised by an arrangement of three tubes/conduits for carrying water to be treated by ultraviolet irradiation from two ultraviolet lamps, the respective three tubes/conduits each being of a similar size and shape in cross section and positioned so as to be approximately parallel one to the other and connected to transfer water there through from an inlet end to an outlet end, each tube/conduit being comprised of a material providing a substantial transparency to at least selected wave lengths of ultraviolet radiation, the tubes/conduits being arranged so that they are positioned by having each respective central axis so that with the other axes define a triangular shape with therefore three legs, where a length of the leg of the triangular shape between a first two of the axes is shorter than the distance of each leg of the triangular shape between each respective axis of the first two axes and the third axis, and there are two cylindrical lamps providing from each a source of ultraviolet radiation, and which have for each an axis which is parallel to the axes of the previously referred to tubes/conduits and located respectively adjacent but outside from the respective second said legs of the triangular shape so that a substantial proportion at least of radiation from each respective lamp will be directed directly and indirectly to the respective tubes/conduits, and a reflective surround of tubular shape and having an inner surface providing a substantial ultraviolet reflective efficiency extending at least approximately the length of the respective ultraviolet lamps and of a size and positioned so that the lamps and the tubes/conduits are at least substantially within the tubular shape. In a further preferred arrangement, there is proposed an ultraviolet water irradiation arrangement which has tube/conduits for effecting passage of water past sources of ultraviolet irradiation comprised by an arrangement of three only tubes/conduits for carrying water to be treated by ultraviolet irradiation from two ultraviolet lamps,

trie respective three tubes/conduits each being of a similar size and shape in cross section and positioned so as to be approximately parallel one to the other and connected to transfer water there through from an inlet end to an outlet end, where the tubes/conduits are connected in sequence so that a first tube/conduit with an inlet at one end has at its further end a connection effecting a transfer of water to the inlet of a second of the tubes and thereafter from the second tube/conduit an outlet connected to transfer water to an inlet of the third of the tubes/conduits,

each tube/conduit being comprised of a material providing a substantial transparency to at least selected wavelengths of ultraviolet radiation,

the tubes/conduits being arranged so that they are positioned by having a respective central axis of each so that together with the other axes these define a triangular alignment,

where a length of the leg of the triangular shape between a first two of the axes is shorter than the distance of each leg of the triangular shape between each respective axis of the first two axes and the third axis,

two cylindrical tubes providing for, from each, a source of ultraviolet radiation,

and which have, for each, a central axis which is parallel to the axes of the previously referred to tubes/conduits and located respectively adjacent but outside from the respective second said legs of the triangular shap© and generally so that a substantial proportion at least of ultraviolet radiation from each respective tube will be directed directly and indirectly to the respective tubes/conduits.

In preference there is provided an ultraviolet water irradiation arrangement comprised by a surround of tubular shape with an inner surface providing a substantial ultraviolet reflective efficiency extending at least approximately the length of the respective ultraviolet lamps and of a size and positioned to surround both the lamps and the tubes/conduits.

In preference there is provided in ultraviolet water irradiation arrangement further comprised in that the lamps are adapted to provide ultraviolet radiation is within the range of from 240nms to 260 nms wavelength in which the relative positions of the tubes/conduits and lamps are such that the radiation emanating from an outer surface of each respective lamp is aligned so that each lamp will have an effect of having a greater than 50% of the relevant side of the respective lamp directly visible and therefore being able to be directly radiated from the lamp.

Jn preference there is provided in ultraviolet water irradiation arrangement further comprised in that the axes of each of the tubes/conduits and the tubes/conduits are all coincident with a perimeter of a circle.

For a better understanding of this invention it will now be described with relation to a preferred embodiment which shall be described with the assistance of drawings wherein

Fig 1 is an exploded view of the elements relevant to this invention in relation to the embodiment, Fig 2 is a perspective view of the arrangement in its assembled form with however, a cylindrical reflector and an outer cylindrical housing being shown in dotted outline,

Figs 3 and 4 are alternate views of the same sub-assernbly of inner pipes or tubes/conduits and the ultraviolet iamps,

Fig 5 is a perspective view of an outside housing with inlets and outlets at respective oncfs,

Figs 6 and 7 are side views of the housing with the elements inside, but showing the specific cylindrical reflector in each case as a fuller outline,

Fig 9 is a cross-sectional view through Fig 8 along the lines CC, and

Fig 11 is a cross-sectional view along the lines BB in Fig 10,

Fig 12 is a cross-sectional view along the lines AA in Fig 10, and

Fig 13 is an enlarged cross sectional view along the lines BB in Fig 10 but with axes and a circle perimeter being shown to assist in clarification of the relative relationships of the positions of the described relevant components.

The embodiment being shown, shows a relative placement of the specific elements appropriate for the invention and it is to be appreciated that for a working unit, there wlIJ be an appropriate electronic control for the UV lights, a fan to draw air into the housing and urge this past the respective lamps and pipes to exit from an opposite end. Also there will be a flow controller to restrict the flow rate of water in this case through the pipes to a predetermined maximum level and there can be further sensors including a sensor to detect the status of the UV lights and the temperature of these and as appropriate means to effect control or otherwise of the fan or possibly fans,

As can now be seen from the drawings, there is being produced a very slim ultraviolet irradiation treatment arrangement intended for appropriate applications.

Now referring to the embodiment in detail, the arrangement 1 includes an outer cylindrical housing 2 so that there are arranged a liquid inlet 3 and a liquid outlet 4 which would be conventionally connected to the supply of water to be treated and the outlet to water being diverted to appropriate storage or immediate use devices for downstream applications.

There is also an air inlet at 5 and an air outlet at 6.

As previously explained, the elements including a fan are not specifically shown in the drawings but are included in practice in the embodiment in use.

The various operating devices would be incorporated within the housing space 7.

Within this housing 2 is supported a cylindrical tube 8 which is supported at one end by a spacer 9 which also implicitly supports lamps 10 and 11 , and pipes 12, 13 and 14.

As can be seen, especially in the cross-sectional views in Figs 11 and 12, the positions with their respective circular walls of the respective pipes or tubes/conduits 12. 13 and 14 and the walls of the ultraviolet lamps 10 and 1 1 are all spaced relatively equidistant one from the other and their axes are positioned on a common circular perimeter with the centre of that circle being also the centre of the circular axis of the cylinder which is the reflector 8.

In order to keep the ultraviolet lights 10 and 11 relatively cool, spacer 9 and also spacer 16 have a plurality of apertures there through to allow such air to ρa$s these passages being shown now typically at 17, 18, 19 and 20 in the case of the spacer at 16 and 21 ,^; 22, 23 and so on.

The distance of the inner surface 24 of the reflective cylinder 8 is also located in a spaced apart relationship with the outer surfaces of the respective walls of the pipes 12, 13 and 14 and also there is plenty of room with respect to the lamps 10 and 11.

What we have then is three pipes generally of cylindrical shape which are chosen to be made of a selected plastic which in this case is known as AFP 840 and which has a very low absorbency of ultraviolet radiation, especially at the 245 nm wavelength range.

Further, it has been found that anodised aluminium provides a surface that provides a very high degree of reflectivity for ultraviolet light within the same range or close to it so that the cylindrical tube can be made of aluminium with an anodised inner surface.

It will now be seen that there can be created a very high direct and indirect irradiation pattern from two lamps and three pipes in the arrangement shown and furthermore, this is a very efficient packing alignment for getting pipes into a relatively condensed space where the other demands of ultraviolet irradiation are required. In this embodiment, the three pipes 12, 13 and 14 are connected so that they carry liquid, or in this case water, in series so that a respective to of the pipes, let ua say 12 and 13 are interconnected at an upper end by a connection fitting 26, and 12 and 14 are interconnected at an opposite end by an interconnection fitting 27.

These elements are especially seen in the final figure at Fig 13 but further show in dotted lines the circular perimeter 28 on which each of the axes eg 29 is located which is also co annular with the circular shape of the reflector 8 shown also shown in cross section and also shows the triangular relationship 30 of the axes 29 of the pipes and the relative placement outside of this triangular shape and especially the longer sides as compared to the shorter sides of the ultraviolet lamps.

This then describes the embodiment in this particular case.

Alternate arrangements can now be envisaged where there can be two only tubes/conduits carrying water which are connected together at one end so that the inlet and outlet are at a common end for the respective pipes.

in such a case, such two pipes can be included with either a single or two ultraviolet lamps if desired, again each spaced so they have room between the respective outermost surfaces to allow for cooling air past these and also that they are positioned to extend along a length of a common cylindrical shaped outer reflector which has an internal surface providing high degree of efficiency in reflectivity for the particular wavelength of choice.

The housing as can now be seen provides a long slim and relatively robust unit that will provide great advantage and very high efficiency for treatment of water in most extenuating circumstances. The alignment of the three pipes and two lamps is also of great advantage where effectively all of the output of the lights will either be directly or indirectly directed into the water passing through the pipes and this high degree of reflectivity is achieved in this very simple way of using simply a cylinder.

Claims

1 An ultraviolet water irradiation arrangement

which has tubes/conduits for effecting passage of water past sources of ultraviolet irra intended to limit the invention to any one or more of these statements or claims, diation comprised by an arrangement of one or more tubes/conduits for carrying water to be treated by ultraviolet irradiation from one or more ultraviolet lamps,

the respective tubes/conduits in the case of two or more each being of a similar size and shape in cross section transverse to the axial direction of the tubes/conduit and positioned so as to be approximately parallel one to the other and connected to transfer water there through from an inlet end to an outlet end,

the tubes/conduits being arranged so that they are positioned by having a respective central axis of each so that together with the other axes of the other tubes/conduits these are aligned to be spaced apart a similar distance one from the other,

at least one cylindrical lamp providing for, from each, a source of ultraviolet radiation, and which has or have for each a central axis which is parallel to the axes of the previously referred to the tube/conduit or tubes/conduits and located respectively adjacent and generally so that a substantial proportion at least of ultraviolet radiation from the or each respective lamp will be directed directly and indirectly to the respective tubes/conduits, and a reflective surround of tubular shape and having an inner surface providing a substantial ultraviolet reflective efficiency extending at feast approximately the length of the respective ultraviolet iamps and of a size and positioned so that the lamp or lamps and the conduit or conduits are at least substantially within the tubular shape.

An ultraviolet water irradiation arrangement which has at least one tube/conduit for effecting passage of water past a source or sources of ultraviolet irradiation comprised by an arrangement of three tubes/conduits for carrying water to be treated by ultraviolet irradiation from two ultraviolet lamps, the respective three tubes/conduits each being of a similar size and shape in cross section and positioned so as to be approximately parallel one to the other and connected to transfer water there through from an inlet end to an outlet end, each tube/conduit being comprised of a material providing a substantial transparency to at least selected wave lengths of ultraviolet radiation, the tubes/conduits being arranged so that they are positioned by having each respective central axis so that with the other axes define a triangular shape with therefore three legs, where a length of the leg of the triangular shape between a first two of the axes is shorter than the distance of each leg of the triangular shape between each respective axis of the first two axes and the third axis, and there are two cylindrical lamps providing from each a source of ultraviolet radiation, and which have for each an axis which is parallel to the axes of the previously referred to tubes/conduits and located respectively adjacent but outside from the respective second said legs of the triangular shape so that a substantial proportion at least of radiation from each respective lamp will be directed directly and indirectly to the respective tubes/conduits, and a reflective surround of tubular shape and having an inner surface providing a substantial ultraviolet reflective efficiency extending at least approximately the length of the respective ultraviolet lamps and of a size and positioned so. that the lamps and the tubes/conduits are at least substantially within the tubular shape.

An ultraviolet water irradiation arrangement as in either of the preceding claims further characterised in that there is an outer cylindrical body housing within the arrangement as in any one of the preceding claims where an axis of the cylindrical shape of the housing is parallel to the axis of each of the lamps and tubes/conduits.

An ultraviolet water irradiation arrangement

which has tubes/conduits for effecting passage of water past sources of ultraviolet irradiation comprised by an arrangement of three only tubes/conduits for carrying water to be treated by ultraviolet irradiation from two ultraviolet lamps,

the respective three tubes/conduits each being of a similar size and shape in cross section and positioned so as to be approximately parallel one to the other and connected to transfer water there through from an inlet end to an outlet end, where the tubes/conduits are connected in sequence so that a first tubes/conduit with an inlet at one end has at its further end a connection effecting a transfer of water to the inlet of a second of the tubes and thereafter from the second tube/conduit an outlet connected to transfer water to an inlet of the third of the tubes/conduits, each tube/conduit being comprised of a material providing a substantial transparency to at least selected wavelengths of ultraviolet radiation,

two cylindrical lamps providing for, from each, a source of ultraviolet • radiation,

and which have, for each, a centra) axis which is parallel to the axes of the previously referred to tubes/conduits and located respectively adjacent but outside from the respective second said legs of the triangular shape and generally so that a substantial proportion at least of ultraviolet radiation from each respective lamp will be directed directly and indirectly to the respective tubes/conduits.

5 An ultraviolet water irradiation arrangement as in any one of the preceding claims further comprised in that there is a surround of tubular shape and having an inner surface providing a substantial ultraviolet reflective efficiency extending at least approximately the length of the respective ultraviolet lamps and of a size and positioned to surround both the lamps and the tubes/conduits. 6 An ultraviolet water irradiation arrangement as in any one of the preceding claims in which the ultraviolet radiation is within the range of from 240nms to 260 πms wavelength.

7 An ultraviolet water irradiation arrangement as in any one of the preceding claims in which the relative positions of the tubes/conduits and lamps are such that the radiation emanating from an outer surface of each respective lamp is aligned so that each lamp will have an effect of having a greater than 50% of the relevant side of the respective lamp directly visible and therefore being able to be directly radiated from the lamp.

8 An ultraviolet water irradiation arrangement as in any one of the preceding claims in which the axes of each of the tubes/conduits and the tubes/conduits are all coincident with a perimeter of a common circle.