WO2022149164A1

WO2022149164A1 - System for disinfecting water in domestic and municipal water storage tanks using ultraviolet light

Info

Publication number: WO2022149164A1
Application number: PCT/IN2022/050012
Authority: WO
Inventors: Vaibhav Verma
Original assignee: Vaibhav Verma
Priority date: 2021-01-06
Filing date: 2022-01-06
Publication date: 2022-07-14

Abstract

The present invention portrays to application of ultraviolet (UV) electromagnetic radiation in disinfection of water stored in domestic and municipal water storage tanks by installing a UV source device inside it. Herein, water in the tank is exposed to UV light and the UV light eliminates the microorganisms and pathogens present in the water by damaging their DNA/RNA. This invention also provides methods to further enhance the efficiency of the system with the use of photocatalyst materials and/or by installation of reflective materials in the system. Hence, providing the facility of eliminating bacteria, virus, fungus, etc. present in water therefore disinfecting the water stored in the tanks.

Description

SYSTEM FOR DISINFECTING WATER IN DOMESTIC AND MUNICIPAL WATER STORAGE TANKS USING ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT

Field of Invention:

The present invention portrays to application of ultraviolet (UV) electromagnetic radiation in disinfection of water stored in domestic and municipal water storage tanks by the utilization of a UV source device. Hence providing the facility of eliminating bacteria, virus, fungus, etc. present in water and reducing the risks of water borne diseases.

Background: Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art. Water is essential for all living organisms to stay alive and function. However, water is also a very common medium for microorganisms/pathogens such as bacteria, virus, etc. to communicate. Water is distributed for household purposes by government through various means. Usually, municipal water tanks are constructed for a locality and then domestic water tanks are used by individual households to store water. Even underground water is now a days contaminated and has the potential to transmit diseases. Many pathogens, including but not limited to bacteria, virus, fungus, parasite, prion, etc. have the ability to transmit/spread through water. Such pathogens enter the body while usage and consumption of water and lead to various diseases.

In order to reduce chances of contact from such pathogens, drinking water is generally purified with the help of reverse osmosis based purifiers and these filters are also efficient for such small volumes of water. However, similar water filtration systems cannot be implemented for large volumes of water since it would become impractical and prove to be inefficient and costly method. Disinfection of water from such pathogens is currently a very tedious and costly process and is presently unavailable for the society. Hence, a method of disinfecting water is urgently required in order to efficiently and economically reduce the risks of such pathogens and help in controlling pandemics.

Previously UV light has been used for disinfection of goods, materials, fruits/vegetables, clothes, etc. in such applications, the desired product is exposed to UV light and it kills the pathogens present on the exposed surface of the product, hence, disinfecting the exposed surface.

Also, many reverse osmosis water purifiers are equipped with UV chambers to treat drinking water. However, such methods have not been discovered for treatment of large volumes of water for domestic purposes. Also, water is generally treated in water treatment plants by use of various chemicals/reagents before distribution in cities but water often gets contaminated during transit and becomes unfit for usage before reaching households.

Currently, no particular or feasible solution is present to disinfect domestic water and hence a very huge risk is imposed of community transmission of pathogens.

Therefore, there is a need to overcome the above-mentioned problems associated with the traditionally available method or system.

All publications herein are incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. Where a definition or use of a term in an incorporated reference is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein applies and the definition of that term in the reference does not apply. As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided with respect to certain embodiments herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the invention.

Objective:

The principal objective of this invention is to provide a system for disinfection of water, from microorganisms and pathogens by exposing it to ultraviolet electromagnetic radiation emitted by a UV source device.

Another objective of this invention is to increase the efficiency of the system by use of photocatalyst materials and/or installation of reflective materials in the tank.

Another objective of this invention is to protect the exposed parts of tanks from mold formation by eliminating mold forming microorganisms by the effect of UV light.

Summary:

The present invention discloses a water decontamination technique that can easily facilitate the feature of disinfection of water stored in domestic water tanks and/or municipal water tanks by installation of UV source device to eliminate the pathogens present in the water. The present invention can easily be employed in already installed/active or new/under manufacturing tanks. Also, the present invention does not require any additional chemicals or reagents to disinfect water.

The present invention provides a method to disinfect water from microorganisms and pathogens in which, water stored in domestic water tank and/or municipal water tank is exposed to ultraviolet (UV) electromagnetic radiation emitted by a UV source device and the pathogens in the water are exterminated due to the effect of UV light.

Ultraviolet range (between 100-400nm specially UVC between 200-280nm) of electromagnetic radiation has germicidal properties which help in disinfection of surfaces and mediums including air and fluids. UV at these germicidal wavelengths damage a microorganism's DNA/RNA so that it cannot reproduce, hence, making it harmless.

The main effect of ultraviolet electromagnetic radiation on biological systems works by two methods, (i) it produces a large number of free radicals that destabilize macromolecules and (ii) it is absorbed by the DNA molecules in the cells of microorganisms and cause alterations that damage the microorganism.

Short wavelength rays (such as UV) interact with water molecules in the cell to produce free radicals (-OH). Such free radicals lack an electron and attack other molecules such as cell proteins or DNA to absorb their electron. Many free radicals may retrieve electrons from the same large cell molecule and cause changes in the molecule hence making the microorganism disabled.

The most common change in the DNA molecule brought about by UV irradiation and consequently by the free radicals occur at locations on the molecule where two thymine (one of the bases that make up DNA) bases occur adjacent to each other. UV irradiation causes the two thymine bases to fuse to each other on the same strand. Such structures are called thymine dimers and cause a distortion in the shape of DNA. Thus, when next time it goes for DNA replication, a wrong base may be incorporated at the thymine dimer position on the strand being synthesized. This would constitute a site of mutation and when it involves a protein that plays a role in cell survival, it will be lethal. Hence exposing water to ultraviolet electromagnetic radiation disinfects it from any microorganisms/pathogens present in the same.

Apart from the main motive of disinfection of water, this method also protects the irradiated parts of tank from mold/algae formation by eliminating the mold forming microorganisms with the effect of UV light.

Brief Description of drawings: The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure. Figure 1 illustrates water distribution mechanism.

Figure 2 illustrates an architecture of domestic/household water tank.

Figure 3 illustrates an architecture of municipal water tank.

Figure 4 illustrates a few UV source devices.

Figure 5 visualizes a few UV source devices placed in domestic/household water tank.

Figure 6 visualizes a few UV source devices placed in municipal water tank.

Figure 7 illustrates a flowchart of working mechanism of present disclosure/invention.

Detailed Description:

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present invention. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that embodiments of the present invention may be practiced without some of these specific details.

The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims. Water distribution network basically consists of the following stages : (i) Collection of water from water sources such as rivers, ponds, reservoirs, underground water, dams, etc. (ii) treatment of collected water in water treatment plants, (iii) distribution of treated water to municipal water tanks in different areas, (iv) distribution of water from municipal water tanks to individual houses.

Figure 1 illustrates the water distribution system/mechanism. Consisting of a water source (1), transmission pipelines (3), water treatment plant (2), municipal water tank (4), domestic water tank (5) (6) (7) (8) (9). The arrows in the figure indicate flow of water. Water is obtained from water source (1) such as river, dam, underground water, lake, reservoirs, etc. it is then pumped into water treatment plant (2) through transmission pipelines (3). After completion of necessary treatments in treatment plant (2), it is further distributed into different areas of the city and is stored in municipal water tanks (4) and then it is further sent to individual households for different uses such as residential (5), multi- residential (6), commercial (7), institutions (8), industries (9), etc.

Figure 2 illustrates the architecture of a domestic/household water tank (10). Consisting of a tank (10), lid (11), water (13) and a water overflow pipeline (12). In domestic water tanks (10), a lid (11) is provided on top to provide ventilation and access the internal parts of the tank (10) where water (13) is stored. Usually, in order to control the overfilling of the tank (10), an overfill pipeline (12) is established such that water is expelled outside the tank (10) if extra water (13) is filled in it.

Figure 3 illustrates the architecture of a municipal water tank (14). Consisting of its base structure (17), water (18), ladders (16) and floor area (15).

In municipal water tanks (14), the tank (14) is established on a structure (17) to support it and a ladder (16) along with a floor area (15) is provided for accessing the same. Such municipal water tanks (14) are constructed to fulfil the demands of an area and are connected with domestic tanks to supply water (18).

Figure 4 illustrates a few UV source devices with visualization from different angels, such as quartz lamp (20) with a conventional method of installation of a baten (21) on a holder and a power for the same is supplied through electric wires (19). Similarly, light emitting diodes (LED) based devices (22) and LED strip (23) which work on the basis of light emitting diodes (24) are also meant to be used in a similar manner as disclosed. These UV source devices are meant to release light of the ultraviolet range (between 100- 400nm specially UV-C between 200-280nm). The power of the UV source device (measured in W{watt}) can vary as per the needs of the user.

Various devices are available that can generate ultraviolet range of electromagnetic radiation, such as LED, Quartz, Low pressure mercury lamp, Excimer Lamp, Pulsed Xenon Lamp, etc. and all such devices even if invented in future can be easily used in a similar manner as disclosed in the present application and is/are within the scope of this disclosure. When water is exposed to electromagnetic radiation of ultraviolet range, the microorganisms/pathogens in the same are eliminated by the following procedure:

Short wavelength rays (such as UV) interact with water molecules in the cell to produce free radicals (-OH). Such free radicals lack an electron and attack other molecules such as cell proteins or DNA to absorb their electron. Many free radicals may retrieve electrons from the same large cell molecule and cause changes in the molecule hence making the microorganism disabled. The most common change in the DNA molecule brought about by UV irradiation and consequently by the free radicals occur at locations on the molecule where two thymine (one of the bases that make up DNA) bases occur adjacent to each other. UV irradiation causes the two thymine bases to fuse to each other on the same strand. Such structures are called thymine dimers and cause a distortion in the shape of DNA. Thus, when next time it goes for DNA replication, a wrong base may be incorporated at the thymine dimer position on the strand being synthesized. This would constitute a site of mutation and when it involves a protein that plays a role in cell survival, it will be lethal. Hence exposing water to ultraviolet electromagnetic radiation disinfects it from any microorganisms/pathogens present in the same.

Apart from the main motive of disinfection of water, this method also protects the irradiated parts of tank from mold/algae formation by eliminating the mold forming microorganisms with the effect of UV light. Figure 5 visualizes a UV source device (24) (25) (26) placed in a domestic/household water tank (10).

In a domestic water tank (10), water (13) is stored inside the tank and the interior of the same is accessed through a lid (11). The UV source device is placed in the tank (10) such that water (13) is exposed to the UV radiation. Hence, a few exemplary placements have been visualized in Figure 5 such as the UV source device (24) (also, referred as a first UV source device) is placed below the lid (11) such that on placing the lid (11) on the domestic water tank (10), the UV radiation emanating from the UV source device (24) is focused inside the domestic water tank (10), the UV source device (25) (also, referred as a second UV source device) is placed on the wall portion of tank (10) especially on the inner wall portion of the tank (10) such that the UV radiation emanating from the UV source device (25) is focused inside the domestic water tank (10) and the UV source device (26) (also, referred as a third UV source device) on the bottom of the tank (10) especially on the inner wall portion of the tank (10) such that the UV radiation emanating from the UV source device (26) is focused inside the domestic water tank (10).

Figure 6 visualizes a UV source device (27) (28) (29) (30) (31) (32) placed in a municipal water tank (14).

In a municipal water tank (14), the UV source device is placed in the tank (14) such that water (18) is exposed to the UV radiation. Hence, a few exemplary placements have been visualized in Figure 6 such as the UV source device (27) (also, referred as a fourth UV source device) and the UV source device (28) (also, referred as a fifth UV source device) are placed on the top of the tank (14) such that the UV radiation emanating from the UV source device (27) and the UV source device (28) is focused inside the municipal water tank (14), the UV source device (29) (also, referred as a sixth UV source device) and the UV source device (30) (also, referred as a seventh UV source device) are placed on the wall portion of the tank (14) especially on the inner wall portion of the tank (14) such that the UV radiation emanating from the UV source device (29) and the UV source device (30) is focused inside the municipal water tank (14) and the UV source device (31) (also, referred as an eight UV source device) and the UV source device (32) (also, referred as a ninth UV source device) on the bottom of the tank (14) especially on the inner wall portion of the tank (14) such that the UV radiation emanating from the UV source device (31) and the UV source device (32) is focused inside the municipal water tank (14).

In all the above-mentioned systems, water is already stored inside the tanks (701). The main motive of this disclosure is to install a UV source device inside the tank such that the water stored in it is exposed to UV radiation (703). Hence, the water will be disinfected form pathogens with the effect of UV light (705). For a better understanding of the same, Figure 7 illustrates a brief flowchart of the working method of this disclosure. Also, since the UV source device is placed inside the tanks, it eliminates the risk of unnecessary leakage/escape of UV rays which could lead to unnecessary exposure to nearby people and surroundings.

Additionally, photocatalyst materials such as titanium dioxide, strontium titanate, etc. can also be installed along with the UV source device in the system in order to enhance the performance of the UV source device by initiating the process of photocatalysis, which excites the UV light rays inbound/incident on the photocatalyst material, which consequently increases the amount of free radicals and hence increases the efficiency of the system.

Additionally, the interior portion of the tank can be covered/coated with reflective materials such that the UV light inbound to/incident on such surfaces is reflected, which would increase the intensity of the UV light within the system and hence increase the efficiency of the system.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of disinfecting water stored in a tank comprises the steps of: Installation of UV source device in the tank such that the UV source device provides exposure of UV light to water. The water hence gets disinfected from microorganisms/pathogens by the effect of UV light.

In the present invention, the system for disinfecting water may comprise the water storage tank and at least one ultraviolet (UV) source device arranged inside the water storage tank to irradiate stored water with UV light to eliminate the microorganisms/pathogens present in the stored water.

In the present invention, the at least one UV source device may comprise Light-Emitting Diode (LED), Quartz, Low pressure mercury lamp, Excimer Lamp, Pulsed Xenon Lamp, etc. to generate an electromagnetic radiation with wavelength between 100 nm and 400nm. Furthermore, the at least one UV source device may be a water-proof and/or weather proof type of UV source device such that the at least one UV source device can be conveniently placed/arranged inside the water storage tank to irradiate stored water with UV light to eliminate the microorganisms/pathogens present in the stored water.

In the present invention, the water storage tank may a municipal water tank or a domestic water tank.

In the present invention, the at least one UV source device may protect exposed parts of the water storage tank from mold formation by eliminating the mold forming microorganisms.

In the present invention, a photocatalyst material may be arranged along with the at least one UV source device inside in the water storage tank to initiate a process of photocatalysis for exciting the UV light inbound to/incident on the photocatalyst materials.

In the present invention, interior portions of the water storage tank are covered/coated with reflective materials to reflect the UV light.

In the present invention, the at least one UV source device may be powered by a separate power source. If the specification states a component or feature “may”, “can”, “could”, or “might” be included or have a characteristic, that particular component or feature is not compulsorily required to be included or have the characteristic.

Exemplary embodiments have been described more fully herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be limited to the embodiments set forth herein. These embodiments have been provided in order to make this disclosure thorough and complete in order to fully convey the scope of the invention to those of ordinary skill in the art. Moreover, all statements herein reciting embodiments of the invention, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass both structural and functional equivalents thereof. Additionally, it is intended that such equivalents include both currently known equivalents as well as equivalents developed in the future (i.e. , any elements developed that perform the same function, regardless of structure/size).

Each of the appended claims defines a separate invention, which for infringement purposes is recognized as including equivalents to the various elements or limitations specified in the claims. Depending on the context, all references below to the "invention" may in some cases refer to certain specific embodiments only. In other cases, it will be recognized that references to the "invention" will refer to subject matter recited in one or more, but not necessarily all, of the claims.

Various terms as used herein are shown below. To the extent a term used in a claim is not defined, it should be given the broadest definition that persons in the pertinent art have given that term as reflected in printed publications and issued patents at the time of filing.

While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.

Claims

I Claim:

1. A system for disinfecting water comprising: a water storage tank; and at least one ultraviolet (UV) source device arranged inside the water storage tank to irradiate stored water with UV light to eliminate the microorganisms/pathogens present in the stored water.

2. A system for disinfecting water as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the at least one UV source device comprises Light-Emitting Diode (LED), Quartz, Low pressure mercury lamp, Excimer Lamp and Pulsed Xenon Lamp.

3. The system for disinfecting water as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one UV source device generates an electromagnetic radiation with wavelength between 100 and 400nm.

4. A system for disinfecting water as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the water storage tank is a municipal water tank or a domestic water tank.

5. A system for disinfecting water as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the at least one UV source device protects exposed parts of the water storage tank from mold formation by eliminating the mold forming microorganisms.

6. A system for disinfecting water as claimed in claim 1, wherein a photocatalyst material is arranged along with the at least one UV source device inside in the water storage tank to initiate a process of photocatalysis for exciting the UV light inbound to the photocatalyst materials.

7. A system for disinfecting water as claimed in claim 1, wherein interior portions of the water storage tank are covered/coated with reflective materials to reflect the UV light.

8. A system for disinfecting water as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the at least one UV source device is powered by a separate power source.