WO2018022358A1

WO2018022358A1 - Ultraviolet fluid treatment apparatuses, systems, and related methods

Info

Publication number: WO2018022358A1
Application number: PCT/US2017/042662
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael Keoni MANION
Original assignee: Empire Technology Development
Priority date: 2016-07-26
Filing date: 2017-07-18
Publication date: 2018-02-01

Abstract

Embodiments described herein relate to methods, systems, products, and devices related decontaminating a fluid using light as the fluid flows through a tortuous path within the device.

Description

ULTRAVIOLET FLUID TREATMENT APPARATUSES, SYSTEMS, AND

RELATED METHODS

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[001 ] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/366,748 filed on 26 July 2016, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein, in its entirety, by this reference.

BACKGROUND

[002 ] Commercially produced beverages and consumable liquid, pastes, and gels typically contain some, albeit in most cases small, amount of microorganisms therein. Such beverages require prc-trcatmcnt to control the population(s) of microorganisms therein. For example, the population of a microorganism can be reduced to such an amount that even after a long period of storage (e.g., a year or more), the population of microorganisms— despite growth thereof during storage— remains sufficiently small to allow safe human consumption of the beverage. Such control of the microorganism population(s) provides for a selected shelf life for the beverage or consumable liquid and safe human consumption during the shelf life.

[003 ] Food and beverage safety standards arc set by various local governmental agencies worldwide and require treatment of certain beverages to reduce or limit populations of one or more microorganisms therein. Prc-trcatmcnt methods can include pasteurization, high pressure processing (HPP), chemical treatment, etc. Such prc- trcatmcnt methods can limit production throughput time, alter the flavor of the beverage, and increase production costs.

SUMMARY

[004 ] Techniques arc generally described that include methods, products, devices, systems, and/or apparatuses generally related to treating a fluid with light to reduce a population of one or more microorganisms therein to safe storage and/or consumption levels. In an example, a light decontamination apparatus is disclosed. The light decontamination apparatus may include a conduit that includes at least one sidewall defining a first opening, a second opening, and an inner surface, where the inner surface of the conduit defines a lumen that includes the first opening and the second opening. The light decontamination apparatus may also include at least one light source (e.g., ultraviolet (UV) light source) positioned within the lumen. The at least one light source may be configured to emit light (e.g., UV light). The light decontamination apparatus may further include a macroporous light guide disposed within the lumen and extending about the at least one light source. The macroporous light guide may have a continuous body configured to diffuse the light at least partially throughout the lumen. The light decontamination apparatus may also include at least one transparent body that extends between at least a portion of the macroporous light guide and the at least one light source. The at least one transparent body may be configured to guide the light from the at least one light source to the macroporous light guide.

[005] In another example, a light decontamination apparatus is disclosed. The light decontamination apparatus may include a fluid tight conduit that includes a first opening, a second opening, and an inner surface where the inner surface defines a lumen that includes the first opening and the second opening. The light decontamination apparatus may include at least one light source (e.g., UV light source) positioned within the lumen. The at least one light source may be configured to emit light (e.g., UV light). The light decontamination apparatus may also include a macroporous light guide disposed within the lumen and extending about the at least one light source effective to diffuse the light throughout the lumen. The macroporous light guide may include a continuous body that defines a plurality of fluidly interconnected pores extending therethrough. The light decontamination apparatus may further include a plurality of photocatalytic particles coupled to the macroporous light guide. The light decontamination apparatus may also include at least one transparent body extending between the macroporous light guide and the at least one light source. The at least one transparent body may be integrally formed with the macroporous light guide and configured to guide the light from the at least one light source to the macroporous light guide.

[006] An example method of decontaminating a fluid using light is disclosed. The method may include flowing a fluid through a conduit from a first opening to a second opening thereof. The method may include emitting light (e.g., UV light) from at least one light source (e.g., UV light source) disposed within the conduit. The method may also include receiving the light at a transparent body disposed about the at least one light source in the conduit. The method may further include guiding the light into a macroporous light guide with the transparent body. The macroporous light guide may have a continuous body disposed about the transparent body that includes a plurality of fluidly-interconnected pores defining a tortuous path through the conduit and through which the fluid flows. The method may additionally include diffusing the light into the fluid with the macroporous light guide as the fluid passes through the plurality of interconnected pores effective to reduce a population of one or more microorganisms in the fluid.

[007 ] In another example, a method of decontaminating a beverage using light (e.g., UV light) is disclosed. The method may include flowing a beverage through a conduit. The conduit may include at least one wall defining a first opening, a second opening, and an inner surface extending therebetween. The method may include emitting light (e.g., UV light) from at least one light source (e.g., UV light source) disposed within the conduit. The method may include receiving the light at a transparent body disposed about the at least one light source in the conduit. The method may include guiding the light into a macroporous light guide with the transparent body. The macroporous light guide may have a plurality of photocatalytic particles opcrably coupled thereto. The macroporous light guide may have a continuous body disposed about the transparent body within the conduit that includes a plurality of interconnected pores that define a tortuous path through the conduit from the first opening to the second opening. The method may include activating at least some of a plurality of photocatalytic particles with the light. The method may include diffusing the light into the beverage with the macroporous light guide as the fluid passes through the plurality of interconnected pores effective to reduce a population of one or more microorganisms in the beverage.

[008 ] In another example, a system fcr decontaminating a fluid is disclosed. The system may include a fluid source and light decontamination apparatus opcrably coupled to the fluid source. The light dccontamiiation apparatus of the system may include a conduit that includes at least one sidcwall defining a first opening, a second opening, and an inner surface defining a lumen that includes the first opening and the second opening. The light decontamination apparatus may further include at least one light source (e.g., UV light source) positioned within the lumen, with the at least one light source configured to emit light (e.g., UV light source). The light decontamination apparatus may also include a macroporous light guide disposed within the lumen and extending about the at least one light source. The macroporous light guide may include a continuous body configured to diffuse the light at least partially throughout the lumen. The light decontamination apparatus may include at least one transparent body that extends between at least a portion of the macroporous light guide and the at least one light source. The at least one transparent body may be configured to guide the light from the at least one light source to the macroporous light guide. The system may further include at least one downstream component opcrably coupled to the light decontamination apparatus at the second opening.

[009] Features from any of the disclosed embodiments may be used in combination with one another, without limitation. In addition, other features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art through consideration of the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings.

[010] The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[Oil I The foregoing and other features of the present disclosure will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only several examples in accordance with the disclosure and arc, therefore, not to be considered limiting of its scope, the disclosure will be described with additional specificity and detail through use of the accompanying drawings, in which:

[012] FIG. 1 A is an isometric cutaway view of a decontamination system including an ultraviolet light decontamination apparatus, according to an example;

[013] FIG. IB is an exploded isometric view of the ultraviolet light decontamination apparatus of FIG. I A;

[014] FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view of the ultraviolet light decontamination apparatus of FIG. I A, taken along the plane A-A, according to an example;

[015] FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of the ultraviolet light decontamination apparatus of FIG. 1 A, taken along the plane A-A, according to an example;

[016] FIG. 3A is a front view of the region B of the ultraviolet light decontamination apparatus of FIG. 2A, according to an example;

[017] FIG. 3B is a front view of the region B of the ultraviolet light decontamination apparatus of FIG. 2A, according to an example;

[018] FIG. 4A is a front view of the region C of FIG. 2A, according to an example; [019] FIG. 4B is a front view of the region D of FIG. 4A, according to an example;

[020 ] FIG. 4C is a front view of the region C of FIG. 2A, according to an example;

[021 ] FIG. 5 is a partial isometric view of an ultraviolet light decontamination apparatus, according to an example;

[022] FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of a method of decontaminating a fluid, according to an example; and

[023 ] FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of a method of decontaminating a fluid using ultraviolet light, according to an example.

[024 ] all arranged in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[025] In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings, similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless context dictates otherwise. The illustrative examples described in the detailed description, drawings, and claims arc not meant to be limiting. Other examples may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter pxscntcd herein. It will be readily understood that the aspects of the present disclosure, £S generally described herein, and illustrated in the Figures, can be arranged, substituted, combined, separated, and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are implicitly contemplated herein.

[026] This disclosure is drawn, inter alia, to methods, systems, products, devices, and/or apparatus generally related to treatment (e.g., decontamination) of fluids using light (e.g., ultraviolet (UV) light). The methods, systems, products, devices, and/or apparatus disclosed generally describe using a conduit that contains at least one light source (e.g., at least one UV light source), a macroporous light guide, at least one transparent body that extends between at least a portion of the macroporous light guide and the at least one light source, to irradiate a fluid passing therethrough with light. The macroporous light guide diffuses the light throughout a lumen of the conduit to deliver the light to any microorganisms in the fluid as the fluid passes through the lumen of the conduit. In such a manner, the light can be delivered to even the most distant radial extent of the lumen (with respect to the light source), regardless of the absorption or obstruction of the light by the fluid in the lumen. Accordingly, the treatment of fluid via light is substantially as effective proximate to the light source as it is distal to the light source. Such features allow effective treatment of fluid throughout the entire lumen, allowing fast treatment of large amounts of fluids. The transparent body guides the light from the light source to the macroporous light guide. The macroporous light guide can include photocatalytic particles on at least the surface thereof effective to kill at least some of the microorganisms (e.g., bacteria, fungi, etc.) in the fluid as the fluid passes through the macroporous light guide. The photocatalytic particles arc activated by the light as the light diffuses through the macroporous light guide.

[027 ] FIG. 1 A is an isometric cutaway view of a decontamination system 50 including a light decontamination apparatus 100, according to some examples. FIG. IB is an exploded isometric view of the light decontamination apparatus 100 of FIG. 1A. The decontamination system 50 includes a fluid source 60, a light decontamination apparatus 100, and at least one downstream component 70. During use, a fluid 80 is supplied from the fluid source 60 into the light decontamination apparatus 100. The fluid 80 is decontaminated in the light decontamination apparatus 100 (as explained in detail below) and exits the light decontamination apparatus into the one or more downstream components 70. The light used in the light decontamination apparatus may be UV light, such as any wavclength(s) thereof. UV light may be particularly effective for killing more microorganisms in fluids in the systems and techniques disclosed herein.

[028] The fluid source 60 can include a supply of fluid (e.g., a tank, supply line, production line, etc.). The fluid 80 can include any fluid to be decontaminated, such as a beverage, a solution, water, etc. The fluid 80 can be supplied from the fluid source 60 to the light decontamination apparatus 100 via one or more conduits (e.g., pipes, channels, tubes, conduits, or troughs) therebetween. The one or more conduits can include one or more fluid tight seals (e.g., a pipe fitting, valve, coupling, or joint) fluidly coupling the fluid source 60 to the light decontamination apparatus 100. The fluid 80 travels through the light decontamination apparatus 100 and is decontaminated by light therein. The fluid 80 travels out of the light decontamination apparatus 100 into the one or more downstream components 70. The one or more downstream components 70 can include one or more conduits and an end-use or shipment site. For example, the one or more downstream components 70 can include one or more of a pipe, a pipeline, a tube, a conduit, a vending apparatus (e.g., a point of sale beverage dispenser), a storage tank, point of sale packaging (e.g., into cans or containers for sale to consumers) or an apparatus for filling the same, etc. The one or more downstream components 70 can be fluidly coupled to the light decontamination apparatus 100 via one or more fluid tight seals (e.g., a pipe fitting, valve, coupling, or joint) fluidly coupling the one or more downstream components 70 to the light decontamination apparatus 100. In some examples, the fluid source 60 can include i fluid supply line or tank operably coupled to the light decontamination apparatus 100 via a pipe, the light decontamination apparatus 100 can be further coupled to a downstream pipe operably coupled to one or more downstream components 70 in the form of a storage tank for the decontaminated fluid. In such examples, the light decontamination apparatus 100 can at least partially decontaminate the fluid 80 as it travels from the fluid source 60 to the at least one downstream component 70.

[029] The light decontamination apparatus 100 includes a conduit 1 10, at least one light source 120, a macroporous light guide 130, and at least one transparent body 140. Each of the at least one light source 120, a macroporous light guide 130, and at least one transparent body 140 arc disposed inside of the conduit 1 10.

[030] The conduit 1 10 includes at least one sidewall 1 12 (e.g., a wall) having an outer surface 113 and an inner surface 114. The inner surface 114 of the at least one sidewall 1 12 at least partially defines a lumen 1 16 extending through the conduit 1 10. The conduit 1 10 includes a first opening 1 17 (e.g., an inlet or outlet) and a second opening 1 18 (e.g., an outlet or inlet). The lumen 1 16 extends at and from the first opening 1 17 to the second opening 1 18 and vice versa. The conduit 1 10 defines a longitudinal axis L extending along a ccntroid thereof. For example, the conduit 1 10 can be a substantially cylindrical tube or pipe. The conduit 1 10 can be substantially non-cylindrical, such as squared, rectangular, elliptical, triangular, or any otker cross-sectional shape. The conduit 1 10 can have a substantially constant or varying oulcr dimension, inner dimension, or both.

[031 ] The conduit can be constructed of any matcrial(s) suitable to retain a fluid therein, such as a polymer, glass, or a metzl (e.g., alloys). In some examples, the conduit 1 10 can include a polymer coated metal or alloy, such as a polymer coating along the inner surface or outer surface of the at least one sidewall 1 12, or vice versa. Suitable materials for the at least one sidewall 112 can include aluminum, aluminum alloys, copper, copper alloys, cast iron, stainless steel, titanium, titanium alloys, vinyl, polyvinylchloridc (PVC), polyamidc (e.g., Nylon), silicone rubber, ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM), or any other food safe material. Such materials can be used to form or at least partially coat the at least one sidcwall 1 12. In some examples, the at least one sidcwall 1 12 of the conduit 1 10 can include a substantially reflective inner surface 1 14. For example, the inner surface 1 14 can at least partially reflect at least some light, such that light (e.g., UV light) that passes out of the macroporous light guide 130 and impinges on the inner surface 1 14 is reflected back toward the centroid of the conduit 1 10. Such a configuration can enable the light to impinge on microorganisms in the fluid passing through the conduit 1 10 (or photocatalytic particles in the macroporous light guide) rather than being absorbed by the conduit 110. In some examples, the conduit 1 10 can include stainless steel, which may further include a polished inner surface 114 or another polished metal coated on the inner surface 1 14 (e.g., reflective surface).

[032 ] As noted above, each of the at least one light source 120, macroporous light guide 130, and at least one transparent body 140 arc disposed within the conduit 1 10. As the fluid passes through the conduit 1 10 from the first opening to the second opening, light diffused throughout the lumen 1 16 by the macroporous light guide 130 irradiates the fluid, killing one or more microorganisms therein. The light is diffused throughout the lumen 1 16 as the light travels (e.g., reflect, substantially outwardly as the light strikes the boundary of the macroporous light guide material at anglc(s) less than the incident angle) through the material of the at least one macroporous light guide 130. When the light strikes the outer surface of the macroporous material at an angle above the incident angle, the tight passes out of the macroporous l.ght guide material and into the fluid passing thereby (and/or photocatalytic particles). The light is directed into the macroporous light guide 130 by the transparent body 140. The light originates in the at least one light source 120 and radiates outwardly therefrom as described above.

[033] For operation of the light decontamination apparatus 100, the first opening 1 17 can be opcrably coupled to the fluid source 60. The fluid source 60 can provide the fluid 80 to be treated, such as water, a soda beverage (e.g., cola, etc.), a dairy product, a juice, a brine, a broth, a medical solution (e.g., saline), or any other (ingestible) fluid. The fluid 80 to be treated can be passed through the lumen 1 16 of the conduit from the first opening 1 17 to the second opening 1 18. The second opening 1 18 can be opcrably coupled to an output (not shown), such as a point of use dispenser, a supply line, a storage tank, or a downstream feed line for further distribution. The light decontamination apparatus 100 can be configured with one or more of a length, diameter, porosity, light intensity or dose, light wavelength, or photocatalytic particle content, sufficient to reduce a population of one or more microorganisms by about a 5-Log reduction or more.

[034] In some embodiments, the at least one light source may emit light in a specific spectrum or wavclcngth(s). In some examples, the at least one light source 120 my emit light in the UV spectrum of wavelengths. The at least one light source 120 can include one or more of black light(s), UV lamp(s) (e.g., a short wave UV lamp), a full spectrum light(s), UV light emitting diodc(s), lasers, or any other source of light. The at least one light source 120 can be configured to emit UV light of a single type or multiple types of UV light (e.g., UV-A, UV-B, UV-C, Near UV, etc.), at a single wavelength, multiple wavelengths, or a broad range of wavelengths (e.g., all in a range from about 10 nm to about 400 nm) in the UV spectrum. For example, the at least one light source 120 can include a UV lamp configured to emit UV-C light having a wavelength between about 100 and about 300 nm. In some examples, the at least one light source 120 can be configured to additionally or alternatively emit light at a single wavelength, multiple wavelengths, or a broad range of wavelengths outside of the UV spectrum, such as in the visible light, infrared, or other spectrum(s). In some examples, the at least one light source 120 can additionally or alternatively emit light in wavelengths other than in the UV spectrum, such as infrared, visible, ultraviolet, etc.

[035] The light dose of the light emitted from the at least one light source 120 can include a light dose of about 100 μ W s/cm^:2 or more, such as a light dose in a range of about 100 μ W-s/cm² to about 1000 W s/cm², about 1 mW-s/cnr to about 1000 W s/cm², about 10 mW-s/cm² to about 1000 W-s/cnr, about 100 mW s/cm² to about 500 W-s/cm², about I W-s/cm² to about 500 W-s/cm², about 100 W-s/cm² to about 500 W-s/cm², more than about 500 μ W-s/cm², more than about 1 mW s/cm², or less than about 500 W s/cm².

[036] The intensity of the light emitted from the at least one light source 120 can include an intensity of about 1 mW/m² or more such as an intensity in a range of about ImW/m² to about 100 W/m², about 10 mW/m² to about 10 W/m², about 100 mW/m² to about 1 W/m², about 1 mW/m² to about 500 mW/m², about 500 mW/m^* to about 5 W/m², about 5 W/m² to about 100 W/m², more thjn about 1 W/m², more than or less than about 100 W/m².

[037 ] As shown in FIG. IB, the at least one light source 120 can be configured to extend through at least a portion of the longitudinal length of the conduit 1 10. In some examples, the at least one light source 120 can be concentrically disposed about the longitudinal axis L. In some examples, the at least one light source 120 can be non- conccntrically disposed about the longitudinal axis L, such as offset from the longitudinal axis L by some distance. In some examples, the at least one light source 120 can extend less than the entire longitudinal length of the conduit 1 10. For example, the at least one light source 120 can extend along less than 100% of the length of the conduit, such as along about 90%, about 75%, about 66%, about 50%, about 33%, about 25% of the length of the conduit 1 10, or ranges between any two of the foregoing values.

[038] The macroporous light guide 130 includes a matrix of material defining a plurality of interconnected pores extending at least partially therethrough- The plurality of interconnected pores can form a tortuous path through the macroporous light guide 130, where the path extends from the first opening 1 17 to the second opening 1 18. Accordingly, the effective distance of the path of the fluid 80 through the conduit 1 10 may be greater than the actual length of the conduit 1 10. In some examples, the interconnected pores in the matrix of material can be nanoporous (e.g., nanometer scale average pore sizes) or macroporous (e.g., having any of the average pore sizes disclosed below). The plurality of pores can exhibit an average pore size (as determined by the average diameter of the ccntroid or largest outer dimension of each pore) of at least about 100 μm. such as pores in a range from about 100 μm to about 2 cm, about 500 μm to about I cm, about 1 mm to about 1 cm, about 100 μm to about 1 cm, about 100 μm to about 1 mm, about 1 mm to about 2 cm. about I mm to about 3 mm, about 3 mm to about 6 mm, about 6 mm to about 1 cm, about 5 mm to about 1.5 cm, about 1 mm to about 5 mm, less than about I cm, greater than about 1 cm, or about 2 mm to about 1.2 cm average pore size.

[039] The porosity of the macroporous light guide 130 may be about 1 % void space or more of (e.g., the volume of the macroporous light guide is 1% voids or more), such as in a range of about 1% to about 90% void space, about 5% to about 80% void space, about 10% to about 70% void space, about 20% to about 60% void space, about 25% to about 50% void space, about 5% to about 30% void space, about 30% to about 70% void space, about 5% to about 50% void space, about 15% to about 50% void space, about 35% to about 60% void space, about 5% to about 80% void space, more than about 20% void space, less than about 60% void space, or less than about 90% void space. The porosity may be dependent upon the average pore size of the pores therein and the interconnectivity between the pores. [040] The material used to form the macroporous light guide 130 can be resistant to chemical breakdown from exposure to the light emitted from the at least one light source 120 and at least partially transparent or, in some cases, translucent to the light (e.g., UV light). The material can include any matciial capable of one or more of allowing light to pass therethrough, reflecting at least some light that strikes the surface of the material (e.g., internally or externally) at an angle smaller than the incident angle, and allowing at least some light that strikes the surface of the material (e.g., internally or externally) at an angle higher than the incident angle to pass through the surface of the material. In some examples, the material for the macroporous light guide 130 may be configured with additional refractive properties that enhance propagation of light therethrough, such as having a selected index of refraction. The matrix of material of the macroporous light guide 130 can be constructed of a single material or multiple materials, such as having a layered configuration or different portions arranged longitudinally or radially by material type through the conduit 1 10. For example, the macroporous light guide 130 can be a single continuous material defining a plurality of interconnected pores forming a plurality of tortuous paths therethrough. The material used to form the macroporous light guide 130 can include one or more of a polymer, a glass, or quartz. In some examples, the polymer includes a polyacrylate formed from one or more aery late monomers, such as mcthacrylate, methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, butyl acrylaic, etc. In some examples, the polyacrylate can be one or more of polycthyl acrylate or polymcthyl acrylate.

[041 ] The macroporous matrix of the macroporous light guide 130 can include or be formed from a continuous material matrix. That is, the continuous material matrix is a single continuous body of material as opposed to a matrix formed by a plurality of bodies in contact with one another. Such a continuous body can limit or eliminate movement or clogging of the macroporous light guide 130 due to movement of portions of the matrix material during use. The macroporous light guide 130 (matrix) can be configured as a (reticulated) foam of one or more of the materials mentioned herein. For example, a polymer can be made or cast with a chemical blowing agent (e.g., a chemical blowing agent appropriate for the polymeric material forming the macroporous light guide 130) or can be made using a physical blowing agent such as carbon dioxide, each of which produces a foam in the resulting polymer. The foam can be a hardened foam suitable to withstand prcssurc(s) exerted thereon by the fluid 80 traveling therethrough. The foam can be reticulated, that is, an open cell continuous body (e.g.. foam) having a plurality of interconnected pores. The plurality of interconnected pores form the tortuous path(s) through the macroporous light guide 130. In some examples, the macroporous light guide 130 can be configured as a (hardened) pclyacrylatc foam. In some examples, the foam macroporous light guide 130 can be configured as a single continuous body defining a plurality of interconnected pores and having substantially no discontinuities (e.g., breaks or scams) therein.

[042 ] As shown, the macroporous light guide 130 can be disposed within the conduit 1 10 substantially concentrically about the longitudinal axis L. The macroporous light guide 130 is disposed between the inner surface 114 and the light source 120, such that the light from the light source 120 is diffused throughout the lumen 1 16. The macroporous light guide 130 can be disposed within the conduit 11O substantially concentrically about the at least one light source. The macroporous light guide 130 can extend along at least a portion of the longitudinal length of the conduit 1 10.

[043 ] The at least one transparent body 140 may include a material that is substantially transparent to one or more wavelengths of light (e.g., UV wavelengths) and which guides the light from the light source 120 into the macroporous light guide 130. The transparent body 140 is disposed between the light source 120 and the macroporous light guide 130. The transparent body 140 can extend through at least a portion of the longitudinal length of the conduit. The transparent body 140 can be formed of any material that is substantially transparent (e.g., transmits) or, in some cases, translucent to one or more wavelengths of light. For example, the iransparent body 140 can include polymers), glass, quartz, or any other at least partially light transparent (e.g., UV transparent) material. In some examples, the at least partially light transparent material can include any polymer disclosed herein, such a polyacrylatc polymer as disclosed above. In some examples, the at least partially transparent light material can include fused quartz glass or window glass.

[044] The at least one transparent body 140 can be made of a material that is different than or identical to the material of the macroporous light guide 130. As explained in more detail below, the transparent body MO can be a body separate and distinct from the macroporous light guide 130, or can be integrally formed with the macroporous light guide 130. In some examples, the transparent body 140 is substantially concentric to one or more of the light source 120, the macroporous light guide 130, or the conduit 1 10. The transparent body 140 serves to separate the macroporous light guide 130 from the at least one UV source 120 and guide the light from the light source 120 into the macroporous light guide 130.

[045] As shown in FIGS. 1A and I B, in some examples, the at least one tight source 120 can be concentrically located about the longitudinal axis L of the conduit 1 10. The transparent body 140 can be disposed directly over (e.g., in contact or close proximity with) the light source 120, such as between the light source 120 and the macroporous light guide 130. The macroporous light guide 130 can be disposed directly over (e.g., in contact or close proximity with) the transparent body 140, such as between the transparent body 140 and the conduit 110.

[046 ] As shown in FIG. I B, in some examples, one or more of the least one light source 120, macroporous light guide 130, or at least one transparent body 140 can extend along the entire longitudinal length of the conduit 1 10. In some examples, one or more of the least one light source 120, macroporous light guide 130, or at least one transparent body 140 can extend less than the entire longitudinal length of the conduit 1 10. In some examples, the length of one or more of the at least one light source 120, the macroporous light guide 130, or the transparent body 140 can be greater than the length of the conduit 1 10. In some examples, one or more of the conduit, the at least one light source 120, the macroporous light guide 130, or the transparent body 140 can be at least about 5 cm long, such as about 5 cm to about 10 m. about 10 cm to about 3 m, about 25 cm to about 2 m, about 50 cm to about 1 m, about S cm to about 1 m, about SO cm to about 2 m, about 1 m to about 3m, about 25 cm to about 75 cm about 10 cm to about 66 cm, about 30 cm to about 3 m, about 33 cm, less than about 10 m, less than about 3 m, or less than about 1 m long.

(047] In some examples, one or more of the at least one light source 120, the macroporous light guide 130, or the transparent body 140 can comprise more than one light source 120, macroporous light guide 130, or transparent body 140, in scries. For example, the at least one light source 120 can include a plurality of light sources 120 arranged in scries along the longitudinal axis of the conduit 1 10, collectively extending at least a portion of the longitudinal length of the conduit 1 10. In such an examples, one or more aspects or properties of the at least one light source 120, the macroporous light guide 130, or the transparent body 140 can vary along the longitudinal length of the conduit 1 10. For example, the wavelcngth(s) of light can be varied along the longitudinal length of the conduit as different light sources 120 are used in series. In some examples. a plurality of light sources 120 (e.g., UV light sources) can be arranged in the lumen of the conduit in a longitudinal scries, starting with a first light source at a first end longitudinal end of the conduit, a second light source in a longitudinal center region of the conduit, and followed by a third light source at the second longitudinal end of the conduit. In such examples, each of the first, second, and third light sources can emit a different wavelength of UV light, such that the UV varies along the longitudinal length of the conduit 1 10.

[048 ] While shown as linear, in some examples, the conduit 1 10 can include one or more curved, angled, or any other non-lincarly configured portions. One more of the light source(s) 120, macroporous light guide 130, or transparent body(s) 140 can extend substantially parallel (e.g., concentrically) to the longitudinal axis L of the conduit, whether linear or non-linear. In some examples, at least one of the least one light source 120, macroporous light guide 130, or at least one transparent body 140 can have one or more portions thereof which extend in a non-linear direction with respect to the longitudinal axis L. For example, the light source 120 and transparent body 140 can have a serpentine configuration extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis L within the conduit 110.

[049] FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view of the light decontamination apparatus 100 of FIG. 1A. taken along the plane A-A in FIG. 1A. As illustrated, the at last one sidcwall 1 12 of the conduit 1 10 can exhibit a wall thickness W defined between the outer surface 1 13 and the inner surface 1 14 of the at least one sidewall 1 12. The thickness W can be substantially consistent along at least the circumference of the conduit 1 10. Additionally or alternatively, the thickness W can be substantially consistent along at least the length of the conduit 1 10. In some examples, the thickness W can be at least about 1 mm, such as in a range of about I mm to about 5 cm, about 5 mm to about 2 cm, about I cm to about 3 cm, about 1 mm to about 1 cm, abcut 3 mm to about 1.5 cm, less than about 2 cm, or less than about S cm. The diameter D (inside diameter) of the conduit 1 10 (e.g., diameter of the lumen 1 16) can be about I cm or more, such as in a range of about I cm to about 1 m, about 5 cm to about 70 cm, about 10 cm to about 50 cm, about I cm to about 30 cm, about 30 cm to about 60 cm, about 60 cm to about 1 m, about 10 cm to about 1 m, about 15 cm to about 45 cm, about 30 cm to about 65 cm, or less than about 1 m. The outer diameter of the conduit 1 10 is defined as two times the wall thickness W plus the diameter D. [050] Inwardly from the at least one sidcwall 1 12. the macroporous light guide 130 can be positioned in contact with the at least one sidcwall 1 12. Still further inward, the at least one transparent body 140 is disposed within (e.g., concentrically disposed in) the macroporous light guide 130. In the center or other inward position of the light decontamination apparatus 100, the light source 120 is positioned within the transparent body 140. Each of the conduit 1 10, at least one light source 120, macroporous light guide 130, and at least one transparent body 140 can be concentrically arranged about longitudinal axis L. In some examples, one or more of conduit 1 10, at least one light source 120, macroporous light guide 130. or at least one transparent body 140 can be non- concentrically arranged about longitudinal sxis L.

[051 ] In some examples, one or more of the least one tight source 120, macroporous light guide 130, or at least one transparent body 140 can extend along or adjacent to the entire inner surface of at least a portion (e.g., circumference) of the conduit 1 10. In some examples, one or more of the least one light source 120, macroporous light guide 130, or at least one transparent body 140 can extend along or adjacent to less than the entire inner surface of the conduit 1 10. For example, the at least one light source 120 can extend along or adjacent to only half of the inner surface of at least a portion of the conduit 110, such that the light is produced over only half of the conduit. In such examples, the light can be diffused and reflected throughout the lumen 1 16 effective to provide light throughout the entire lumen 1 16 to treat the fluid 80 therein despite only emitting tight in half the circumference of the lumen 1 16.

[052] During use, the fluid 80 flows around the tight source 120 and transparent body 140 thereabout, through the macroporous light guide 130, and is confined in the conduit 1 10 by the at least one sidcwall 1 12. The distance between the inner surface 1 14 of the conduit 110 and an outer surface of the transparent body 140 defines a flow width F, which can be substantially completely filled or at least partially filled with the macroporous light guide 130. The flow w.dth F can be at least about 4 mm, such as in a range of about 4 mm to about 50 cm, about 1 cm to about 50 cm, about 2 cm to about 40 cm, about 5 cm to about 25 cm, about 10 cm to about 20 cm, about 1 cm to about 5 cm, about 3 cm to about 7 cm, 7 cm to about 15 cm, about 5 cm, about 10 cm, about 20 cm, about 30 cm, or about 50 cm, more than about 10 cm, more than about 20 cm, less than about 50 cm, less than about 30 cm, or less than about 20 cm. [053 ] As shown in FIG. 2A, the macroporous light guide 130 of the light decontamination apparatus 100 can include a network of interconnected pores 134 defined between a plurality of interconnected structures 132 that collectively form the macroporous light guide 130. The interconnected structures 132 can include a plurality of interconnected, open cells defined by cell support structures (e.g., columns, walls, etc.) therebetween. The interconnected structures 132 arc formed from the material disclosed herein for a macroporous light guide 130 (e.g., a polymer such as a polyacrylatc). The interconnected structures 132 can be randomly oriented as shown in FIG. 2 A. Such randomly oriented interconnected structures 132 can be made by adding a blowing agent to a polymer, such as while forming or casting the polymer; and/or by casting a randomly packed mold with a polymer and removing (e.g., dissolving, melting, or oxidizing) the packing material upon cooling of the mold. Accordingly, in some examples, the macroporous light guide 130 can be in the form of a randomly ordered hardened polymeric foam (forming a continuous body) of any of the polymers or glass disclosed herein. The average pore size of the interconnected pores 134 can include any of the pore sizes disclosed herein. While not all pores are interconnected with all of the pores adjacent thereto, enough of the pores arc interconnected such that a desired fluid flow is permitted therethrough.

[054] FIG. 2A includes the regions B and C therein, which arc discussed in more detail hcrcinbclow. The region B is a cross-section of the macroporous light guide 130. The region C is a cross-section of the light decontamination apparatus 100 having a portion of the light source 120, the macroporous light guide 130, and transparent body 140, therein.

[055] FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of the light decontamination apparatus 100' taken along the plane A-A in FIG. 1A. As illustrated, in some examples, light decontamination apparatus 100' can include a macroporous light guide 130' having a substantially ordered matrix structure or pattern. The substantially ordered pattern can include a plurality of interconnected pores 134' defined between a plurality of interconnected structures 132' (e.g., walls, columns, ribs, etc.). The interconnected structures 132' can be similar or identical to the interconnected structures 132 in one or more aspects. The interconnected pores 134' can be similar or identical to the interconnected pores 134 in one or more aspects. However, the interconnected structures 132' and interconnected pores 134' arc arranged in a substantially ordered pattern. The ordered pattern can include one or more of a substantially uniform spacing between pores. a substantially uniform pore size throughout, or a substantially uniform connectivity between adjacent pores (e.g., limits bottlenecks compared to adjacent flow paths). Accordingly, in some examples, one or more aspects of the ordered pattern can vary, such as having evenly spaced pores and differing average pore sizes. The substantially ordered pattern can include a plurality of substantially identical geometrically shaped pores (e.g., prisms, cuboids, spheres, ellipsoids, etc.), at least some of which arc interconnected. Such patterned macroporous light guides 130' can provide a more reliable and consistent flow rate through the conduit 1 10. In some examples, one or more of the spacing, average pore size, or extent of intcrconnsctivity between interconnected pores can be selected to provide a specific flow rate or microorganism kill rate. For example, a larger average pore size and/or greater extent of intcrconncctivity between adjacent pores may allow for a larger flow rate through the macroporous light guide 130', which may allow for more of the fluid to be treated to kill microorganisms than in examples having smaller pore sizes or less intcrconncctivity.

[056] The ordered pattern can be formed by casting around an ordered (as disclosed above) packing material in a closed volume and then removing the packing material as disclosed above. For example, the casting can be accomplished with a polymer, such as any polymer disclosed herein. For example, a plurality of substantially spherical beads can be packed into a mold in a substantially ordered (or unordered pattern) and a polyacrylatc polymer can be cast around the plurality of substantially spherical beads. After the polyacrylatc is cast, the substantially spherical beads can be removed (e.g., dissolved, melted, etc.) leaving a porous matrix behind which is the macroporous light guide 130'. Accordingly, the macroporous light guide 130' can be a single continuous (hardened) polymeric body having an ordered structure (pattern) and can be formed with any of the polymers or glass disclosed herein. The ordered structure constructed as described above can be a continuous ordered polymeric foam. That is, the ordered structure can have a hardened polymeric foam-like structure (without the random orientation of pores) when the substantially spherical beads arc removed, in some examples, the macroporous light guide 130^* can be printed on a three dimensional printer.

[057] FIG. 3A is a front view of the region B of the light decontamination apparatus 100 of FIG. 2A, according to an example. The region B provides a closer view of a small portion of the macroporous structure of the macroporous light guide 130. As shown and described above, the macroporous light guide 130 can include the plurality of interconnected structures 132 defining the plurality of interconnected pores 134 therebetween. The plurality of interconnected pores 134 can collectively form one or more tortuous flow paths through the macroporous light guide 130 and conduit 1 10 containing the same. The plurality of interconnected structures 132 and plurality of interconnected pores 134 can be randomly oriented. The macroporous light guides herein increase the effective length of the conduit 1 10 while also providing (diffusing or guiding) light to radially distal regions of the macroporous light guide, such that as a fluid is passed therethrough, the substantially all of the fluid comes in contact with the light. The light delivered through the macroporous light guide, even to radially distal regions (as related to the longitudinal axis L) of the macroporous light guide 130, has an intensity or a dose high enough to kill one or rrorc microorganisms therein. In contrast, in examples without the macroporous light guide 130, a cloudy liquid can absorb the light as the light radiates outward from the light source, leaving the radially distal regions of the fluid flow in the conduit substantially untreated. Accordingly, the light decontamination apparatuses having the macroporous light guides disclosed herein, provide multiple paths for delivering amounts of light to all regions of the light decontamination apparatus 100 effective to kill one or more microorganisms in a fluid passing therethrough.

[058 ] The flow rate of the fluid passing through the macroporous light guide 130 can be controlled at least partially by one or more of an average pore size of the plurality of interconnected pores 134; a total amount of porosity in the macroporous membrane (e.g., amount of interconnected pores therein); a fluid type (e.g., viscosity of differing fluids); a diameter of one or more of the conduit 1 10, the at least one light source 120, the macroporous light guide 130, or the at least one transparent body 140; a size of one or more of the first opening or the second opening, or pressure at which the fluid is pumped into the light decontamination apparatus 100. Flow rates through the light decontamination apparatus 100 can include rates of at least about I liter per minute (1/m), such as rates in a range of about 1 1/m to sbout 2000 1/m, about 5 1/m to about 1600 1/m, about 10 1/m to about 1000 1/m, about 20 1/m to about 500 1/m, about 1 1/m to about 500 1/m, about 500 1/m to about 1000 1/m, about 1000 1/m to about 1500 1/m, about 1500 1/m to about 2000 1/m, about 1300 1/m to about 1700 1/m, less than about 1600 1/m, less than about 1000 1/m, less than about 500 1/m. less than about 100 1/m, more than about 10 1/m, more than about 100 1/m, more than about 500 1/m, more than about 1000 1/m, more than about 1500 1/m, about 1577 1/m, or about 1250 1/m, about 950 1/min, or a rate of about 630 1/m. The geometry (e.g., diamctcr(s)) of one or more of the conduit(s) 1 10, the at least one light source 120, the macroporous light guide 130 (e.g., porosity thereof), the at least one transparent body 140, the first opening, or the second opening can be sized and configured to provide any of the above noted flow rates. The macroporous light guide 130 can diffuse enough light (e.g., UV light) throughout the interior of the conduit 1 10 to effectively treat a fluid (e.g., kill enough microorganisms to bring the fluid into compliance with safe food and beverage standards, such as a 5-Log reduction of microorganisms) flowing at any of the above flow rates.

[059 ] In some examples, the structure of the macroporous light guide 130 can provide a tortuous flow path therethrough having a flow path length to conduit length ratio of about l.S: 1 or more, such as a ratio in a range of about 1.5:1 to about 100:1, about 2:1 to about 50:1, about 4:1 to about 25: 1, about 5:1 to about 10:1, about 2:1 to about 5: 1, about 3: 1 to about 7: 1, about 7: 1 to about 15: 1, less than about 50: 1, less than about 25: 1, less than about 15: 1, or less than about 10: 1 (all being greater than 1 : 1).

[060] FIG. 3B is a front view of the region B of the light decontamination apparatus 100 of FIG. 2A. according to an example. The region B is small portion of the macroporous structure of the macroporous light guide 130". The macroporous light guide 130" includes the plurality of interconnected structures 132 defining a plurality of interconnected pores 134 therebetween. The plurality of interconnected structures 132 and plurality of interconnected pores 134 therebetween can have any characteristics disclosed herein for the same. As shown, in some examples, the macroporous light guide 130" can include a plurality of photocatalytic particles 136 associated therewith. For example, the plurality of photocatalytic policies 136 can be adhered to a surface of the interconnected structures 132 or at least partially embedded therein. Accordingly, the photocatalytic particles 136 can be disposed on a surface of (e.g., adhered or at least partially embedded in) the wall of the interconnected pores, such that fluids passing therethrough contact of come into close contact therewith (e.g.. a distance suitable for reaction with the photocatalytic particle or a free radical produced therefrom). In some examples, the plurality of photocatalytic particles 136 may be present as a dopant in the macroporous light guides disclosed herein For example, the plurality of photocatalytic particles 136 may be added to (e.g., mixed into) the polymeric material forming the macroporous light guide 136" during formation thereof. In some examples, the plurality of photocatalytic particles 136 may be added to the macroporous light guide 136" after formation thereof, such as by adhering or at least partially embedding the plurality of photocatalytic particles 136 to the surfaces) of the macroporous light guide 130". In some examples, adhering or at least partially embedding the plurality of photocatalytic particles to the macroporous light guide may be accomplished using one or more adhesive(s) such as organic binders (e.g., PAA polymer, an epoxy material, etc.), addition of photocatalytic particles via a sol gel technique, filtration of the photocatalytic particles through the macroporous light guide, or combinations of any of the foregoing. In some examples, the plurality of photocatalytic particles may at least partially coat the surfaces) (e.g., surfacc(s) of the interconnected pores) of the macroporous light guide 130. Such photocatalytic particles 136 may be present in the resulting pores in the concentrations (ppm or wt%) noted above.

[061 ] The photocatalytic particles 136 can include oxides (or dioxides) of one or more metals, such as titanium, copper, ruthenium, zinc, zirconium, any other suitable metal, or combinations one or more of any of the foregoing. Suitable photocatalysts for killing microorganisms can include titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, or zinc oxide/copper oxide particles. The metal oxide can aid in formation of free radicals, such as hydroxyl and/or superoxide radicals in the solutions (e.g., fluids) that contact the photocatalytic particles. The free radicals interact with one or more microorganisms to kill or disrupt the reproductive cycle of the one or more microorganisms, effective to reduce the population of the one or more microorganisms (e.g., produce a 5-log reduction), such as by breaking down, degrading, dissolving, oxidizing, cr reducing one or more organic components thereof (e.g., cell walls). In some embodiments, the free radicals can interact with the one or more microorganism, collapsing, degrading, dissolving, or rupturing one or more cells, cell walls, organelles, etc. of the one cr more microorganisms. For example, the superoxide anion radical can disrupt proteins via oxidation or reduction. Hydroxyl anion radicals can similarly disrupt or kill microorganisms. Accordingly, as the fluid passes over the interconnected structures 132 having the photocatalytic particles thereon, the activated photocatalytic particles can act to at least partially control, or kill, one or more microorganisms in the fluid.

[062] The plurality of photocatalytic particles 136 can exhibit an average particle size defined by an average of one of a diameter of the ccntroid or largest outer dimension of each individual particle. The photocatalytic particles 136 can exhibit an average particle size of about 10 nm or more, such as in a range of about 10 nm to about 1 mm. about 25 nm to about 500 μm, about SO tun to about 100 μm, about SO nm to about 10 μm. about 10 μm to about SO μm, about SO μm to about 200 μm, about 200 μm to about 500 μιτι, about 25 nm to about 100 nm. about 100 rim to about 500 nm, about 500 nm to about 1 μm, less than about 1 mm, less than about S00 μm, less than about 100 μm, less than about SO μm, less than about 10 μm, less than about I μm, less than about 100 nm. In some examples, the photocatalytic particles 136 can be photocatalytic nanoparticlcs having an average particle size (e.g., diameter) of about 1000 nm or less, such as in a range of about I nm to about 1000 nm, 10 nm to about 500 nm, about 50 nm to about 400 nm about 100 nm to about 500 nm. about 500 am to about 1000 nm, or about 50 nm to about 200 nm.

[063] In some examples, the plurality of photocatalytic particles 136 may be present in the macroporous light guide 130 or a portion thereof in ppm amounts, such as in a range of about 1 ppm to about 1000 ppm, about 10 ppm to about 500 ppm, about 50 ppm to about 400 ppm, about 100 ppm to about 300 ppm, about 300 ppm to about 600 ppm, about 600 ppm to about 1000 ppm, about. In some embodiments, the plurality of photocatalytic particles 136 may be present in amounts larger than ppm. In such embodiments, the photocatalytic particles 136 make up a portion of the overall weight % (wt %) of the macroporous light guide 130 or a portion thereof. In some embodiments, the photocatalytic panicles 136 can be about 0.1 wt % or more of the macroporous light guide 130, such as in a range of about 0.1 wt % to about 10 wt %, about 0.1 wt % to about 5 wt %, about 0.5 wt % to about 3 wt %, about 1 wt % to about 10 wt %, about 0.1 wt % to about 8 wt %, about 0.1 wt% to about 1 wt%, about 0.1 wt % to about 3 wt %, about 3 wt % to about 6 wt %, about 6 wt % to about 10 wt %, more than about I wt %, more than about 3 wt %, less than about 10 wt %, or less than about 5 wt %. In some examples, each of the photocatalytic particles 136 can be substantially identical.

[064] In some examples, the photocatalytic particles 136 can include more than one group of photocatalytic particles, such as a first group having a first average particle size and/or material composition, and at least a second group having a second average particle size and/or material composition. The first group and at least one second group can be configured with any of the photocatalytic materials or particle sizes thereof. The groups of photocatalytic particles 136 can be substantially evenly distributed in a mixture of the photocatalytic particles 136, or can be arranged in series in the macroporous light guide 130 in the conduit 1 10 such as a first group of photocatalytic particles adjacent to the first opening and a second group of the photocatalytic particles adjacent to the second opening.

[065] FIG. 4A is a front view of the region C of FIG. 2A, according to an example. FIG. 4A depicts the cross-section of the light decontamination apparatus 100 at the intersection between of the transparent body 140 with the macroporous light guide 130 and light source 120, on opposite sides thereof.

[066] The transparent body 140 can be positioned in contact with the light source 120 such that substantially no fluid passes therebetween. For example, the transparent body 140 can be slip fit, interference fit, or press fit over the at least one light source 120. In another example, the transparent body 140 can be bonded to the light source 120, such as via an adhesive therebetween, wherein the adhesive is also substantially transparent to the light (e.g., UV light) emitted therefrom. The transparent body 140 can include an inner surface thereof which defines a lumen therein that is configured to at least partially enclose at least a portion of the at least one light source 120. The inner surface of the transparent body 140 can be configured to match the geometry of the outer surface of the at least one light source 120.

[067 ] The macroporous light guide 130 can be positioned in contact with the transparent body 140 on an opposite side from the light source 120, such that substantially no fluid passes therebetween. The macroporous light guide 130 can include an inner surface thereof defining a lumen configured to at least partially enclose at least a portion of the transparent body 140. For example, the macroporous light guide 130 can be slip fit, interference fit, or press fit over the transparent body 140. In another example, the transparent body 140 can be bonded to the macroporous light guide 130, such as via an adhesive therebetween, wherein the adhesive is substantially transparent to the light emitted from the light source 120.

[068] The assembly of the conduit 1 10 (FIG. 1A), the macroporous light guide 130, the transparent body 140, and the at least one light source 120, can be fit and/or adhered to one another such that the fluid flow through the light decontamination apparatus 100 is substantially through the interconnected pores of the macroporous light guide 130. In some examples (not shown), a wire or card can be disposed within the lumen of the conduit 1 10 to provide power for the at least one light source 120.

[069] FIG. 4B is a front view of the region D of FIG. 4A, according to an example. As shown, the light source 120 can emit light noted as "Av" (Planck's constant "A" multiplied the frequency of light 'V") radially outward therefrom, the light hv is received by the transparent body 140 and guided into the macroporous light guide 130 by the transparent body 140. The light hv then diffuses (e.g., internally reflects) throughout the macroporous light guide 130 as the light hv strikes the boundary (edge) of the material of the interconnected structures 132 forming the microporous light guide 130 at angles less than the incident angle. As the light hv strikes the boundary (edge) of the material forming the microporous light guide 130 at angles greater than the incident angle, the light hv passes through the material and into one of the interconnected pores 134 formed therein. One or more microorganisms in a fluid in the interconnected pores 134 can be irradiated with the light Λν, which can kill or limit reproduction of the microorganism(s), thereby treating the fluid to a safe storage and/or consumption level of microorganisms therein (as may be directed by local or national standards). In some examples, the light hv can strike one or more photocatalytic particles (FIG. 3B) at least partially embedded in the material forming the interconnected structures 132 (e.g., embedded or adhered to the surface of continuous macroporous polymer (foam)). In such examples, the photocatalytic particles can be activated by the light hv to form one or more free radicals as disclosed above. The one or more free radicals can react with one or more microorganisms in the fluid in the interconnected pores 134 to kill, damage, or limit reproduction thereof.

[070] FIG. 4C is a front view of the region C of FIG. 2A, according to an example. As shown in FIG. 4C, in some examples, the transparent body 140 can be integrally formed with the macroporous light guide 130. For example, the macroporous light guide 130 and the transparent body 140 can be formed of the same material. The macroporous light guide 130 and the transparent body 140 can be integrally formed from the same material. That is, the macroporous light guide 130 can be a radially extending portion of the transparent body 140. In such examples, the transparent body 140 is defined by a central region in the material having substantially no porosity therein and the macroporous light guide 130 is defined as a radially extending region of the material having a plurality of interconnected pores therein. In such examples, the integrally formed transparent body 140 and macroporous light guide can be particularly efficient at guiding and diffusing light throughout the lumen in the conduit 110 (not shown) due to no material boundaries therebetween (e.g., limits light energy loss due to refraction or diffraction at the boundaries between the materials). [071 ] As shown, a boundary between the macroporous light guide 130 and the transparent body 140— while it may be integrally formed from the same material— can be identified as the point(s) at which the material transitions from porous to non-porous. Accordingly, while being a single piece of material, different portions thereof can still function as the macroporous light guide 130 and the transparent body 140 as described herein. The structure of the integrally formed macroporous light guide 130 and the transparent body 140 can be formed by controlling the extent and depth of foaming of a polymer or glass at a radially outer portion thereof, such as by adding blowing agent to an outer portion or edge of a polymer, such as in a stream, extrusion, or semi-hardened state.

[072) FIG. 5 is a partial isometric view of a UV light decontamination apparatus 500, according to an example. The UV light decontamination apparatus 500 can include a plurality of light sources 120 (UV light sources). Accordingly, the lumen of the conduit 1 10 can be increased in size to treat a larger volume of fluid without sacrificing effectiveness. The UV light decontamination apparatus 500 includes a macroporous light guide 530. The macroporous light gu.de 530 can be similar or identical to the macroporous light guide 130 in one or more aspects. The macroporous light guide 530 can include one or more lumens therein, each configured to at least partially enclose at least a portion of a respective transparent body 140 (and light source 120 therein). Each light source 120 can irradiate a specific region of the macroporous light guide 530 in the lumen of the conduit 1 10 and collectively irradiate the entire lumen with UV light as it the light diffused from one region to another through the macroporous light guide 530. Each light source 120 can include a respective transparent body 140. In some examples, the light sources 120 can be disposed in a single transparent body 140 having a plurality of lumens therein, each configured to at least partially enclose a respective the light source 120.

[073 ] In some examples, a UV light decontamination apparatus 500 can include multiple tight sources 120, (and associated transparent bodies 140) such as 2 to 10 UV lights, 2 to 5 UV lights, 5 to 10 UV lights, 3 or more UV lights, 4 or more UV lights, 5 or more UV lights, 6 or more UV lights, 10 or more UV lights, less than 10 UV lights, or less than 5 UV lights.

[074 ] The various components described in FIGS. 1A-5 arc merely examples, and other variations, including eliminating components, combining components, and substituting components are all contemplated. [075] FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of a mctiod 600 of decontaminating a fluid, according to various examples. Method 600 can include one or more operations, functions, or actions as illustrated by one or more of blocks 610, 620, 630, 640, and/or 6S0. An example process may begin with block 610, which recites "flowing a fluid through a conduit from a first opening to a second opening thereof." Block 610 may be followed by block 620, which recites "emitting light from at least one light source disposed within the conduit." Block 620 may be followed by block 630, which recites "receiving the light at a transparent body disposed about the at least one light source in the conduit." Block 630 may be followed by block 640, which recites "guiding the light into a macroporous light guide with the transparent body, the macroporous light guide having a continuous body disposed about the transparent body and including a plurality of interconnected pores defining a tortuous path through the conduit and through which the fluid flows." Block 640 may be followed by block 6S0, which recites "diffusing the light into the fluid with the macroporous light guide as the fluid passes through the plurality of interconnected pores effective to reduce a population of ore or more microorganisms in the fluid."

[076 ] The blocks included in the described example methods are for illustration purposes. In some embodiments, the blocks may be performed in a different order. In some other embodiments, various blocks may be eliminated. In still other embodiments, various blocks may be divided into additional blocks, supplemented with other blocks, or combined together into fewer blocks. Other variations of these specific blocks arc contemplated, including changes in the order of the blocks, changes in the content of the blocks being split or combined into other blocks, etc. In some examples, emitting light from at least one light source disposed within the conduit can commence prior to flowing a fluid through a conduit from a first opening to a second opening thereof. In some examples, guiding the light into a macroporous light guide with the transparent body can be omitted.

[077] Block 610 recites, "flowing a fluid through a conduit from a first opening to a second opening thereof." The block 610 can include flowing a fluid from a fluid supply into any of the conduits disclosed herein, such as flowing a beverage into the first opening of the conduit. In some examples, the beverage can include one of water, juice, milk, tea, coffee, punch, broth, or soda. In some examples, the juice can exclude or include pulp therein. Flowing the fluid can include flowing the fluid out of the second opening to a downstream, end-use, or shipment site, such as into a vending apparatus (e.g., a point of sale beverage dispenser), a storage tank, point of sale packaging (e.g.. into cans or containers for sale to consumers), etc. In some examples, flowing the fluid can include flowing the fluid at a flow rate selected to ensure that one or more microorganisms in the fluid entering the first opening arc at least reduced to a level sufficient to allow safe storage and consumption (e.g., 5-log reduction in one or more microorganisms) by the time the fluid passes through the second opening. Suitable flow rates can include any flow rate disclosed herein.

[078] Block 620 recites, "emitting light from at least one light source disposed within the conduit." In some examples, emitting light from at least one light source includes emitting light (e.g., UV light) at a sufficient wavelength and a sufficient intensity or dose to produce a S-log reduction in microorganisms in the fluid as the fluid passes the from the first opening to the second opening in the conduit. Emitting light from at least one light source can include emitting light constantly or intermittently. Emitting light from the at least one light source can include emitting light radially outward from the at least one light source about at least 90 degrees of a circumference of the at least one light source, such as about 90 degrees, about 180 degrees, about 270 degrees, about 360 degrees, or a range between and inducing any two of the preceding values. In some examples, emitting light from at least one light source can including emitting UV light from more than one light source, such as a plurality of light sources.

[079] In some examples, emitting light from at least one light source includes emitting UV light from a UV light source. In some examples, emitting light from the at least one light source can include emitting one or more wavelengths of light, such as wavelengths of about 100 nm or more, wavelengths in a range of about 100 nm to about 400 nm, about 200 nm to about 400 nm, about 100 nm to about 280 nm, about 280 nm to about 315 nm, about 315 nm to about 400 nm, about 250 nm to about 350 nm, about 250 nm to about 300 nm, or wavelengths less than about 400 nm, less than about 315 nm, or less than about 280 nm. In some examples, emitting light from at least one light source can alternatively or additionally include emitting a light other than UV light (e.g., infrared, visible, etc.). For example, emitting light from the at least one light source can include additionally or alternatively emitting light having a wavelength of about 400 nm or more, such as wavelengths in a range of about 400 nm to about 780 nm, about 400 nm to about 500 nm, about 500 nm to about 600 nm, about 600 nm to about 700 nm, about 700 nm to about 780 nm, wavelengths less than about 780 nm, or wavelengths of about 780 nm or more.

[080] Emitting light from at least one light source can include increasing or decreasing the amount of the light emitted based on one or more of fluid type, porosity of the macroporous light guide, material make-up of the macroporous light guide (including any photocatalytic particles therein), flow rate of the fluid, type of microorganism(s) in the fluid, or length of one or more components of the fluid treatment apparatus.

[081 ] Block 630 recites, "receiving the light at a transparent body disposed about the at least one light source in the conduit." Receiving the light (e.g., UV light) at a transparent body can include providing a substantially obstacle or obstruction free interface (e.g., substantially no fluid therebetween) between the at least one light source and the transparent body. Receiving the light at a transparent body can include passing one or more photons of light (e.g., UV light) into the at least one transparent body from the at least one light source. Receiving the light at a transparent body can include using a material for the transparent body configured to allow light to pass therethrough.

[082 ] Block 640 recites, "guiding the light into a macroporous light guide with the transparent body, the macroporous light guide having a continuous body disposed about the transparent body and including a plurality of interconnected pores defining a tortuous path through the conduit and through which the fluid flows." Guiding the light (e.g., UV tight) into a macroporous light guide can include using a material constructed of a continuous polymeric or glass foam defining a plurality of interconnected pores therebetween, as disclosed herein. Guiding the light into a macroporous light guide can include using a material for the transparent body that is at least partially transparent to one or more wavelengths of light such as any of those wavelengths disclosed herein. In such examples, the material of the transparent body can serve to guide (e.g., transmit or have substantially no absorption of) the light therethrough while preventing the light from being absorbed by another material— such as the fluid in the conduit— as the light passes into the macroporous light guide adjacent thereto.

[083] In some examples, guiding the light into a macroporous light guide with the transparent body can include using the rracroporous light guide that extends from the transparent body to an inner surface of the conduit. In some examples, guiding the light into a macroporous light guide with the transparent body can include using a macroporous light guide and transparent body that arc a single integrally formed structure or separate structures that arc integrated together.

[084] Block 650 recites, "diffusing the light into the fluid with the macroporous light guide as the fluid passes through the plurality of interconnected pores effective to reduce a population of one or more microorganisms in the fluid." Diffusing the light into the fluid with the macroporous light guide can include transmitting or passing the light (e.g., UV light) through the macroporous light guide, such as by reflection of the light inside of the macroporous light guide radially outward. Such diffusing can include internally reflecting at least some of the guided light (e.g., from the at least one light source guided thereto via the transparent body) off of the surface of macroporous light guide. For example, the light can reflect substantially outwardly from the light source and transparent body, and, as it strikes the boundary of the macroporous light guide material at angles less than the incident angle, the light reflects inwardly, remaining in the material of the macroporous light guide. The light travels through the material of the at least one macroporous light guide 130 until the light strikes the surface of the material at an angle above the incident angle, at which point the light passes out of the macroporous light guide material and into the fluid passing thereby. In some examples, diffusing the light into the fluid includes diffusing substantially equal amounts of light (e.g., UV light) into the fluid at a radially distal section of the macroporous light guide (relative to the light source) and at a radially proximal section of the macroporous light guide.

[085 ] The method 600 can further include using photocatalytic particles in the macroporous light guide. The photocatalytic particles can be disposed in or on the macroporous light guide a disclosed herein. The method 600 can further include activating at least some of the plurality of photocatalytic particles opcrably coupled to the macroporous light guide, with the light (e.g., UV light). Activating the photocatalytic particles can include causing the photocatalytic particles to form free radicals in the fluid contacting the photocatalytic particles by striking the photocatalytic particles with a photon of light. The method 600 can include using the photo-activated photocatalytic particles to treat (e.g., at least reduce a population of one or more microorganisms in) the fluid.

[086 ] The method 600 can further include flushing the macroporous light guide effective to clean one or more contaminants therefrom, such as out of the interconnected pores. Flushing can include flowing a cleaning fluid (e.g., a solvent or surfactant) through the conduit or reverse flushing the conduit (and macroporous light guide therein).

[087] FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of a method 700 of decontaminating a beverage using UV light, according to an example. The example method 700 may include one or more operations, functions or actions as illustrated by one or more of blocks 710, 720, 730, 740, 750, and/or 760.

[088] An example process may begir with block 710, which recites "flowing a beverage through a conduit, the conduit comprising at least one wall defining a first opening, a second opening, and an inner surface therebetween" Block 710 may be followed by block 720, which recites "emitting UV light from at least one UV light source disposed within the conduit." Block 720 may be followed by block 730, which recites "receiving the UV light at a transparent body disposed about the at least one UV light source in the conduit." Block 730 may be followed by block 740, which recites "guiding the UV light into a macroporous light guide with the transparent body, the macroporous light guide having a plurality of photocatalytic particles opcrably coupled thereto, the macroporous foam light guide having a continuous body being disposed about the transparent body within the conduit and including a plurality of interconnected pores defining a tortuous path through the conduit from the first opening to the second opening." Block 740 may be followed by block 7S0, which recites "activating at least some of a plurality of photocatalytic part.clcs with the UV light." Block 750 may be followed by block 760, which recites "diffusing the UV light into the beverage with the macroporous light guide as the fluid passes through the plurality of interconnected pores effective to reduce a population of one or more microorganisms in the beverage." 1089 ] The blocks included in the described example methods arc for illustration purposes. In some embodiments, the blocks may be performed in a different order. In some other embodiments, various blocks may be eliminated. In still other embodiments, various blocks may be divided into additional blocks, supplemented with other blocks, or combined together into fewer blocks. Other variations of these specific blocks arc contemplated, including changes in the order of the blocks, changes in the content of the blocks being split or combined into other blocks, etc. In some examples, block 750 activating at least some of a plurality of protocatalytic particles with the UV light can be performed substantially simultaneously with block 760 diffusing the UV light into the beverage with the macroporous light guide as the fluid passes through the plurality of interconnected pores effective to reduce a population of one or more microorganisms in the beverage.

[090] Block 710 recites, "flowing a beverage through a conduit, the conduit comprising at least one wall defining a first opening, a second opening, and an inner surface therebetween." Flowing a beverage through a conduit comprising at least one wall defining a first opening, a second opening, and an inner surface therebetween can include flowing any beverage disclosed herein, through any conduit disclosed herein (and/or any macroporous light guide disclosed herein). Block 710 flowing a beverage through a conduit, the conduit comprising at least one wall defining a first opening, a second opening, and an inner surface theiebetween can be similar or identical to block 610 flowing a fluid through a conduit frorr a first opening to a second opening thereof as described above, in one or more aspects. Flowing a beverage through the conduit can include flowing the beverage between the first opening and the second opening of the light guide as disclosed herein. Flowing the beverage can include flowing the beverage through the conduit and macroporous light guide at any of the flow rates disclosed herein effective to treat the beverage (e.g., reduce a population of one or more microorganisms to an amount deemed safe for storage and/or consumption).

[091 ] Block 720 recites, "emitting U V light from at least one UV light source disposed within the conduit." Emitting UV light from at least one UV light source can include emitting one or more wavelengths of light, such as one or more of any of the wavelengths disclosed herein. Emitting UV light from at least one UV tight source can include emitting one or more wavelengths of light, such as one or more of any of the wavelengths disclosed herein. Block 720 emitting UV light from at least one UV light source disposed within the conduit can be similar or identical to Block 620 emitting light from at least one light source disposed within the conduit, as described above, in one or more aspects. Emitting UV light from at least one UV light source can include emitting at least enough UV light to limit a population of one or more microorganisms in the beverage to safe levels prior to or upon the beverage reaching the second opening in the conduit.

|092] Block 730 recites, "receiving the UV light at a transparent body disposed about the at least one UV light source in the conduit." Block 730 receiving the UV light at a transparent body disposed about the at least one UV light source in the conduit can be similar or identical to block 630 receiving the light at a transparent body disposed about the at least one light source in the conduit in one or more aspects. In some examples. receiving the UV light at a transparent body disposed about the at least one UV light source in the conduit can include providing a substantially obstacle/obstruction tree interface (e.g., substantially no fluid therebetween) between the at least one UV light source and the transparent body.

[093] Block 740 recites, "guiding the UV light into a macroporous light guide with the transparent body, the macroporous light guide having a plurality of photocatalytic particles opcrably coupled thereto, the macroporous light guide being disposed about the transparent body within the conduit and including a plurality of interconnected pores defining a tortuous path through the conduit from the first opening to the second opening." Guiding the UV light into a macroporous light guide can include using a material for the transparent body that is at least partially transparent to one or more wavelengths of light such as any of those wavelengths disclosed herein. Guiding the UV light into a macroporous light guide includes using a macroporous light guide constructed of a continuous polymeric or glass foam material defining a plurality of interconnected pores therebetween, as disclosed herein. Guiding the UV light into a macroporous light guide can include using a macroporous light guide having any of the photocatalytic particles disclosed herein secured thereto (e.g., adhered to a surface or at least partially embedded therein). Block 740 guiding the UV light into a macroporous light guide with the transparent body, the macroporous light guide having a plurality of photocatalytic particles opcrably coupled thereto, the macroporous tight guide being disposed about the transparent body within the conduit and including a plurality of interconnected pores defining a tortuous path through the conduit from the first opening to the second opening can be similar or identical to block 640 guiding the light into a macroporous light guide with the transparent body, the macroporous light guide having a continuous body disposed about the transparent body and including a plurality of interconnected pores defining a tortuous path through the conduit and through which the fluid flows, as described above, in one or more aspects.

[094] Block 750 recites, "activating a; least some of a plurality of photocatalytic particles with the UV light." Activating at least some of the plurality of photocatalytic particles can include causing the photocatalytic particles to catalyze formation of free radicals in the beverage in contact therewith. Activating at least some of the plurality of photocatalytic particles can include striking at least some of the photocatalytic particles with a photon of light effective to cause the photocatalytic particle to catalyze formation of free radicals in the beverage in contact therewith. The photon of light can be emitted from the at least one UV light source. Activating at least some of a plurality of photocatalytic particles with the UV light can include activating photocatalytic particles on the surface of the macroporous light guiding material. Activating at least some of a plurality of photocatalytic particles with the UV light can include activating photocatalytic particles at least partially embedded within the surface of the macroporous light guiding material. Block 750 can include using the photo-activated photocatalytic particles to treat the beverage.

[095] Block 760 recites, "diffusing the UV light into the beverage with the macroporous light guide as the fluid passes through the plurality of interconnected pores effective to reduce a population of one or more microorganisms in the beverage." Diffusing the UV light into the beverage with the macroporous light guide can include diffusing enough light in the macroporous light guide to bring one or more populations of microorganisms to safe storage and consumption levels (e.g., as may be set by local or national standards). Block 760 diffusing the UV light into the beverage with the macroporous light guide can be similar or identical to block 650 recites diffusing the light into the fluid with the macroporous light guide as the fluid passes through the plurality of interconnected pores effective to reduce a population of one or more microorganisms in the fluid as described above, in one or more aspects.

|096j The method 700 can further include flushing the macroporous light guide effective to clean one or more contaminants therefrom. Flushing can include flowing a cleaning fluid through the conduit or reverse flushing the conduit (and macroporous foam guide therein).

1097 ] In some examples, a light decontamination apparatus comprises a light source configured to generate light, a light guide configured to receive the light, and a lumen configured to receive and discharge a flow of a fluid, with the fluid passing through or proximate at least part of the light guide. In some examples, a light guide may be a porous structure, and the fluid may flow through pores in the light guide. In some examples, a light guide may comprise a plurality of apertures (such as provided by pores, open-celled structures, channels, and the like), with the fluid flowing through the plurality of apertures. In some examples, a light guide may include tubular structures that allow the fluid to flow through the light guide, where the tubular structures have a diameter less than a lumen diameter. In some examples, a light guide may comprise a plurality of protrusions, such as fins from a cylindrical light guide structure disposed in the lumen such as around a light source. In some examples, the light source may be a UV light source.

[098] In some examples, a light source may be positioned within the lumen. Electrical power to the light source may be provided by an electrical connection. A light source and any necessary electrical connections may be protected from contact with the fluid, such as located within a scaled chamber disposed in the lumen. Electrical contacts may extend through the wall of the lumen. In some examples, a light source may be located within the lumen and receive energy using wineless power transfer, for example using electromagnetic power transfer (e.g., using magnetic coupling of coils), optical irradiation of photovoltaic cells, the effect of temperature gradients on thermoelectric material (e.g., due to a temperature gradient in a fluid), and the like.

[099] In some examples, a power connection to the light source may be located outside the lumen, and the light source may have a light emitting surface that may be disposed adjacent an exterior surface of a wall of the lumen (for example, adjacent a window providing optical access to the interior of the lumen), within the outer wall, or disposed through an aperture in the lumen to illuminate the interior of the lumen.

[0100] In some examples, a light source may be positioned outside the lumen and a light guide may be configured to receive light generated by the light source. A lumen may include a window through which light may be directed towards the light guide. A light guide may be located within the lumen and configured to have a light receiving face located adjacent, proximate, or otherwise in optical communication with the window.

[0101 ] A light source, such as a UV light source, may comprise a light emitting diode, a laser, a gas discharge lamp, a compact fluorescent lamp, a nonlinear optical material (e.g., a crystal or other material configured to receive longer wavelength radiation and generate UV light, for example through multi-phototi fluorescence or other process based on multi- photon absorption), and the like. In some examples, a light source may be a UV light source (such as a UV-C (or shorter wavebngth) light source, a UV-B light source, or a UV-A light source), a violet light source, or a blue light source.

[0102] In some examples, the effects of light absorption in the fluid, on e.g.. a pasteurization process, may be reduced by providing a light guide comprising a transparent (at the light wavclength(s) used) material, which extends over the cross- section of the lumen so that no part of a fluid flow through the lumen is, at some point, further than a predetermined distance from a surface of the light guide. In some examples, the predetermined length may be, for example, in a range about 0.1 mm to about I cm, such as about 1 mm to about 5 mm. In some examples, the predetermined length may be related to a dimension of the lumen (e.g., a lumen interior diameter). For example, the predetermined range may be in a range about 1% to about 20%, such as about 1% to about 10% of, for example, a lumen interior diameter.

[0103] In some examples, depending on the emission wavelength of the light source, a light guide may comprise a glass (such as a fluoride glass or silica glass (such as fused silica), or other glass), a halidc (such as a fluoride, such as an alkali metal fluoride such as lithium fluoride, an alkaline earth metal fluoride such as magnesium fluoride, and the like), a gas or vacuum (for example, as part of a hollow structure, interior bubble, interior light guide, void, and the like), a polymer (such as an acrylatc or mcthacrylatc polymer), or other material.

[0104] In some examples, a light guide may comprise an open celled, macroporous structure that allows the flow of a fluid through the light guide. In some examples, an interior dimension of a cell size may be a: least I mm, and in some examples a median cell size may be in a range about 1 mm to about 5 mm. An optional transparent structure, such as a sleeve, may surround the light source, and gather light which is then guided to the light guide, and then diffuses through the light guide. In some examples, a fluid may follow a tortuous path through an open celled structure. In some examples, a transparent glass sponge may be formed from silica particles powders. In some examples, a light guide may comprise an ormosil or a xcrogcl. In some examples, a light guide may comprise a polymer foam, which may be made with a blowing agent. A light guide may also comprise a structured porous materials fabricated by tcmplating using materials such as salts, ice, or materials that may selectively leached or otherwise removed to form a porous structure.

[0105] In some examples, a light guide may also comprise a photocatalyst, such as a metal oxide photocatalyst, such as a transition metal oxide photocatalyst, such as a zinc oxide or titanium oxide photocatalyst. The photocatalyst may be in the form of particles, such as microparticles and/or nanoparticles. A photocatalyst may be disposed on at least some light guide surfaces which contact the fluid, and/or on an interior surface of the lumen. In some examples, photocatalytic particles (such as nanoparticles comprising zinc oxide and/or a titanium oxide) arc located on light guide exterior surfaces, which may provide a synergistic microbiocidal effect beyond the light irradiation alone.

[0106] In some examples, a light guide may comprise a plurality of structures, such as tubes (e.g., substantially parallel or randomly arranged glass tubes), baffles, prisms, lenses, fibers, voids (bubbles), photonic crystals, and the like. Tubes, apertures, and the like may be used to convey the fluid through the light guide. Structures, which may be interior structures, may be used to convey, refract, focus, and/or scatter the light so that the surfaces of the light guide that are in contact with the fluid may be more uniformly illuminated than if the structures were absent.

[0107] In some examples, a light guide may be disposed within the lumen and extend at least in part about the light source. A light guide, such as a macroporous waveguide, may have a continuous body configured to diffuse the light at least partially throughout the lumen.

[01081 In some examples, a transparent body may extend between at least a portion of the light guide and the light source, the transparent body being configured to guide light from the light source to the light guide. For example, the transparent body may comprise a tube, cylinder, fiber, and the like, and ma/ include hollow and/or solid portions.

[0109] In some examples, apparatus and methods described herein may be used for the non-thermal pasteurization of a fluid. Example apparatuses may comprise an open cell material, comprising as a polymer such as polyacrylatc, a light source, and optionally a light guiding transparent sleeve surrounding the light source. A transparent sleeve may receive light from the light source, and guide it to the light guide, which may have a foam structure. A light guide, such as an open celled macroporous light guide, may allow flow of a fluid through the light guide, subjecting the fluid to light irradiation at multiple locations.

[0110] Examples also may allow microbial reduction in a fluid with minimal damage to the flavor, appearance and nutritional content of the fluid. A fluid may be a liquid, such as beverage such as a fruit juice, vegetable juice, milk, soda, or other beverage, or other liquid consumable such as a soup, stock, sauce, and the like. A fluid may be visually transparent, cloudy, and/or comprise a pulp material. Examples further include bottling apparatus including or used with apparatus and methods described herein. Microbial reduction may be achieved in a continuous flow or batch operation. [0111 ] The present disclosure is not to be limited in terms of the particular examples described in this application, which arc intended as illustrations of various aspects. Many modifications and examples can be made without departing from its spirit and scope, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Functionally equivalent methods and apparatuses within the scope of the disclosure, in addition to those enumerated herein, will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing descriptions. Such modifications and examples arc intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims. The present disclosure is to be limited on!y by the terms of the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims arc entitled. It is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to particular methods, reagents, compounds compositions or biological systems, which cart, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular examples only, and is not intended to be limiting.

[0112] With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.

[0113] It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g . bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as "open" terms (e.g., the term "including" should be interpreted as "including but not limited to," the term "having" should be interpreted as "having at least," the term "includes" should be interpreted as "includes but is not limited to," etc.).

[0114] It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases "at least one" and 'one or more" to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles "a" or "an" limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to examples containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases "one or more" or "at least one" and indefinite articles such as "a" or "an" (e.g., "a" and/or "an" should be interpreted to mean "at least one" or "one or more"); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of "two recitations," without other modifiers, means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations).

[0115] Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B, and C, etc." is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand tic convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, and C" would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone. C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B, or C, etc." is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, or C" would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together. A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, cither of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase "A or B" will be understood to include the possibilities of "A" or "B" or "A and B."

[0116] In addition, where features or aspects of the disclosure are described in terms of Markush groups, those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosure is also thereby described in terms of any individual member or subgroup of members of the Markush group.

[0117] As will be understood by one skilled in the art, for any and all purposes, such as in terms of providing a written description, all ranges disclosed herein also encompass any and all possible subranges and combinations of subranges thereof. Any listed range can be easily recognized as sufficiently describing and enabling the same range being broken down into at least equal halves, thirds, quarters, fifths, tenths, etc. As a non- limiting example, each range discussed herein can be readily broken down into a lower third, middle third and upper third, etc. As will also be understood by one skilled in the art all language such as "up to," "at least," 'greater than," "less than," and the like include the number recited and refer to ranges which can be subsequently broken down into subranges as discussed above. Finally, as will be understood by one skilled in the art, a range includes each individual member. Thus, for example, a group having 1-3 items refers to groups having 1, 2, or 3 items. Similarly, a group having 1-5 items refers to groups having I. 2, 3, 4, or 5 items, and so forth.

[0118] While the foregoing detailed description has set forth various examples of the devices and/or processes via the use of block diagrams, flowcharts, and/or examples, such block diagrams, flowcharts, and/or examples contain one or more functions and/or operations, it will be understood by those within the art that each function and/or operation within such block diagrams, flowcharts, or examples can be implemented, individually and/or collectively, by a wide range of hardware, software, firmware, or virtually any combination thereof. In one example, several portions of the subject matter described herein may be implemented via Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), digital signal processors (DSPs), or other integrated formats. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that some aspects of the examples disclosed herein, in whole or in part, can be cquivalcntly implemented in integrated circuits, as one or more computer programs running on one or more computers (e.g., as one or more programs running on one or more computer systems), as one or more programs running on one or more processors (e.g., as one or more programs running on one or more microprocessors), as firmware, or as virtually any combination thereof, and that designing the circuitry and/or writing the code for the software and or firmware would be well within the skill of one of skill in the art in light of this disclosure. For example, if a user determines that speed and accuracy arc paramount, the user may opt for a mainly hardware and/or firmware vehicle; if flexibility is paramount, the user may opt for a mainly software implementation; or, yet again alternatively, the user may opt for some combination of hardware, software, and/or firmware.

[0119] In addition, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the mechanisms of the subject matter described herein arc capable of being distributed as a program product in a variety of forms, and that an illustrative example of the subject matter described herein applies regardless of the particular type of signal bearing medium used to actually carry out the distribution. Examples of a signal bearing medium include, but arc not limited to, the following: a recordable type medium such as a floppy disk, a hard disk drive, a Compact Disc (CD), a Digital Video Disk (DVD), a digital tape, a computer memory, etc.; and a transmission type medium such as a digital and/or an analog communication medium (e.g., a fiber optic cable, a waveguide, a wired communications link, a wireless communication link, etc.).

[0120] Those skilled in the art will recognize that it is common within the art to describe devices and/or processes in the fashion set forth herein, and thereafter use engineering practices to integrate such described devices and/or processes into data processing systems. That is, at least a portion of the devices and/or processes described herein can be integrated into a data processing system via a reasonable amount of experimentation. Those having skill in the art will recognize that a typical data processing system generally includes one or more of a system unit housing, a video display device, a memory such as volatile and non-volatile memory, processors such as microprocessors and digital signal processors, computational entities such as operating systems, drivers, graphical user interfaces, and applications programs, one or more interaction devices, such as a touch pad or screen, and/or control systems including feedback loops and control motors (e.g., feedback for sensing position and/or velocity; control motors for moving and/or adjusting components and/or quantities). A typical data processing system may be implemented utilizing any suitable commercially available components, such as those typically found in data computing/communication and/or network computing/communication systems.

[0121 ] The herein described subject matter sometimes illustrates different components contained within, or connected with, different other components. It is to be understood that such depicted architectures are merely examples, and that in fact many other architectures can be implemented which achieve the same functionality. In a conceptual sense, any arrangement of components to achieve the same functionality is effectively "associated" such that the desired functionality is achieved. Hence, any two components herein combined to achieve a particular functionality can be seen as "associated with" each other such that the desired functionality is achieved, irrespective of architectures or intermedial components. Likewise, any two components so associated can also be viewed as being "operably connected", or "operably coupled", to each other to achieve the desired functionality, and any two components capable of being so associated can also be viewed as being "operably couplablc", to each other to achieve the desired functionality. Specific examples of operably couplablc include but arc not limited to physically mateabte and/or physically interacting components and/or wirelessly interactablc and/or wirclcssly interacting components and/or logically interacting and/or logically interactablc components.

[0122] While various aspects and examples have been disclosed herein, other aspects and examples will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and examples disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A light decontamination apparatus, comprising:

a conduit including at least one sidewall defining a first opening, a second opening, and an inner surface defining a lumen including the first opening and the second opening;

at least one light source positioned within the lumen, the at least one light source configured to emit light;

a macroporous light guide disposed within the lumen and extending about the at least one light source, the macroporous light guide having a continuous body configured to diffuse the light at least partially throughout the lumen; and

at least one transparent body extending between at least a portion of the macroporous light guide and the at least one light source, the at least one transparent body being configured to guide the light from the at least one light source to the macroporous light guide.

2. The light decontamination apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one transparent body is formed from a material identical to the macroporous light guide.

3. The light decontamination apparatus of claim 2, wherein the at least one transparent body and the macroporous light guide arc a single integrally formed structure.

4. The light decontamination apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of photocatalytic particles coupled to the macroporous light guide.

5. The light decontamination apparatus of claim 4, wherein the plurality of photocatalytic particles arc present in a range from about 0.1 weight % to about 5 weight % of the macroporous light guide.

6. The light decontamination apparatus of claim 4, wherein the plurality of photocatalytic particles include a plurality of zinc oxide nanoparticles.

7. The light decontamination apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of photocatalytic particles coupled to the macroporous light guide at a surface thereof.

8. The light decontamination apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of photocatalytic particles at least partially incorporated into the macroporous light guide.

9. The tight decontamination apparatus of claim I , further comprising a tortuous path through the macroporous light guide in the conduit effective to cause a fluid passed therethrough to undergo a 5-log reduction in microorganisms as the fluid passes between the first opening and the second opening.

10. The light decontamination apparatus of claim I , further comprising a plurality of interconnected pores extending through the macroporous light guide from the first opening to the second opening.

1 1. The light decontamination apparatus of claim 10, wherein the plurality of interconnected pores exhibit an average pore size of about 100 μm to about I cm.

12. The light decontamination apparatus of claim 10, wherein the plurality of interconnected pores exhibit an average pore size of about 1 mm to about 5 mm.

13. The light decontamination apparatus of claim 10, wherein the plurality of interconnected pores arc randomly oriented.

14. The light decontamination apparatus of claim 10, wherein the plurality of interconnected pores arc arranged in ordered pattern.

15. The light decontamination apparatus of claim 1, wherein the macroporous light guide includes a hardened polymeric foam.

16. The light decontamination apparatus of claim 15, wherein the hardened polymeric foam includes a polyacrylatc foam.

17. The light decontamination apparatus of claim 1, wherein the inner surface is reflective.

18. The light decontamination apparatus of claim 17, wherein the conduit includes stainless steel and the inner surface is polished.

19. The light decontamination apparatus of claim 1, wherein the conduit exhibits a diameter between about 10 cm and about 100 cm.

20. The light decontamination apparatus of claim 1, wherein the conduit exhibits a length of about 30 cm to about 3 m.

21. The light decontamination apparatus of claim I, wherein the at least one light source includes at least one ultraviolet light source configured to emit ultraviolet light.

22. An ultraviolet (UV) light decontamination apparatus, comprising:

a fluid tight conduit including a first opening, a second opening, and an inner surface defining a lumen including the first opening and the second opening;

at least one UV light source positioned within the lumen, the at least one UV light source configured to emit UV light; a macroporous light guide disposed within the lumen and extending about the at least one UV light source effective to diffuse the UV light throughout the lumen, the macroporous light guide having a continuous body defining a plurality of interconnected pores extending therethrough;

a plurality of photocatalytic particles coupled to the macroporous light guide; and at least one transparent body extending between the macroporous light guide and the at least one UV light source, the at least one transparent body being integrally formed with the macroporous light guide and configured to guide the UV light from the at least one UV light source to the macroporous light guide.

23. The UV light decontamination apparatus of claim 22, wherein the plurality of photocatalytic particles include zinc oxide nanoparticlcs.

24. The UV light decontamination apparatus of claim 22. wherein the plurality of interconnected pores exhibit an average pore size of about 100 μm to about 1 cm.

25. The UV light decontamination apparatus of claim 22, wherein the macroporous light guide includes a polyacrylatc foam.

26. The UV light decontamination apparatus of claim 22, wherein the at least one transparent body includes polyacrylatc.

27. A method of decontaminating a fluid using light, the method comprising:

flowing a fluid through a conduit from a first opening to a second opening thereof; emitting tight from at least one light source disposed within the conduit;

receiving the light at a transparent body disposed about the at least one light source in the conduit;

guiding the light into a macroporous light guide with the transparent body, the macroporous light guide having a continuous body disposed about the transparent body and including a plurality of interconnected pores defining a tortuous path through the conduit and through which the fluid flows;

diffusing the light into the fluid with the macroporous light guide as the fluid passes through the plurality of interconnected pores effective to reduce a population of one or more microorganisms in the fluid.

28. The method of claim 27, further comprising activating at least some of a plurality of photocatalytic particles opcrably coupled to the macroporous light guide, with the light.

29. The method of claim 27, wherein flowing the fluid includes flowing one of water, juice, milk, or soda.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein flowing the fluid includes flowing juice including pulp therein.

31. The method of claim 27, wherein emitting the light from at least one light source includes emitting UV light at a sufficient wavelength and a sufficient intensity or dose to produce a S-log reduction in microorganisms in the fluid as the fluid passes from the first opening to the second opening.

32. The method of claim 27, wherein emitting the light from at least one light source includes emitting UV light having a wavelength in a range from about 2S0 nm to about

300 nm.

33. The method of claim 27, wherein guiding the light into a macroporous light guide with the transparent body incudes using a macroporous light guide that extends from the transparent body to an inner surface of the conduit.

34. The method of claim 27, wherein guiding the light into a macroporous light guide with the transparent body incudes using a macroporous light guide and transparent body that arc a single integrally formed structure.

35. The method of claim 27, wherein flowing the fluid through the conduit from the inlet to the outlet thereof includes flowing the fluid at a flow rate sufficient to ensure a 5- tog reduction in microorganisms in the fluid as the fluid passes from the first opening to the second opening.

36. The method of claim 27, wherein flowing the fluid through the conduit includes flowing the fluid at a flow rate of at least SOO gallons per hour.

37. The method of claim 27, further comprising flushing the macroporous light guide effective to clean one or more contaminants therefrom.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein flushing includes flowing a cleaning fluid through the conduit.

39. A method of decontaminating a beverage using ultraviolet (UV) light, the method comprising:

flowing a beverage through a conduit, the conduit comprising at least one wall defining a first opening, a second opening, and an inner surface extending therebetween; emitting UV light from at least one UV light source disposed within the conduit; receiving the UV light at a transparent body disposed about the at least one UV light source in the conduit;

guiding the UV light into a macroporous light guide with the transparent body, the macroporous light guide having a plurality of photocatalytic particles opcrably coupled thereto, the macroporous light guide having a continuous body disposed about the transparent body within the conduit and including a plurality of interconnected pores defining a tortuous path through the conduit from the first opening to the second opening; activating at least some of a plurality of photocatalytic particles with the UV light; diffusing the UV light into the beverage with the macroporous light guide as the fluid passes through the plurality of interconnected pores effective to reduce a population of one or more microorganisms in the beverage.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein flowing the beverage includes flowing one of water, juice, milk, or soda.

41. The method of claim 39, wherein Flowing the beverage includes flowing a juice including pulp therein.

42. A system for decontaminating a fluid, the system comprising:

a fluid source;

a light decontamination apparatus opcrably coupled to the fluid source, the light decontamination apparatus including:

a conduit including at least one sidcwall defining a first opening, a second opening, and an inner surface defining a lumen including the first opening and the second opening;

a macroporous light guide disposed within the lumen and extending about the at least one light source, the macroporous light guide having a continuous body configured to diffuse the light at least partially throughout the lumen; and at least one transparent body extending between at least a portion of the macroporous light guide and the at least one light source, the at least one transparent body being configured to guide the light from the at least one light source to the macroporous light guide; and

at least one downstream component operably coupled to the light decontamination apparatus at the second opening.

43. The system for decontaminating a fluid of claim 42, wherein the fluid source includes one or more of a storage tank, a supply line, or one or more pipes.

44. The system for decontaminating a fluid of claim 42, wherein the at least one downstream component includes one or more of a storage tank, a pipeline, a vending apparatus, or a packaging apparatus.

45. The system for decontaminating a fluid of claim 42, wherein the at least one light source includes at least one UV light source configured to emit LTV light.