Abstract:
A cleaning apparatus for use in a fluid treatment system comprising a radiation source assembly, the cleaning apparatus comprising: at least one cleaning sleeve (300) in sliding engagement with the exterior of the radiation source assembly (150); a cleaning chamber (310) disposed in the at least one cleaning sleeve in contact with a portion of the exterior of the radiation source assembly (150) and for being supplied with a cleaning solution, the cleaning chamber comprising an opening (370) to an exterior of the cleaning sleeve; a pressure equalization member (355) disposed in the opening to provide a seal between the opening and the exterior of the cleaning sleeve, the pressure equalization member being movable in response to a pressure gradient thereacross; and drive means to translate the at least one cleaning sleeve along the exterior of the radiation source assembly. A fluid treatment device comprise the cleaning apparatus is also described.
Abstract:
A fluid treatment system includes one or more radiation sources arranged in an irradiation zone within a treatment zone through which fluid to be treated passes and is irradiated. The irradiation zone has a closed cross section to maintain the fluid within a predefined maximum distance from the radiation source. Preferably, the irradiation zone comprises a reduced cross-sectional area perpendicular to the direction of fluid flow and thus the fluid flow velocity is increased through the irradiation zone. This allows the fluid to enter the treatment zone at relatively low speed, traverse the irradiation zone at high speed and exit the treatment zone again at relatively low speed to minimize the loss of hydraulic head throughout the system. Fluid entering the treatment zone passes through an inlet transition region wherein the cross-sectional area is reduced prior to entering the irradiation zone and fluid exiting the irradiation zone passes through an outlet transition region wherein the cross-sectional area is increased. Each transition region is designed to reduce hydraulic head losses as the fluid flow velocity is increased and decreased. In the irradiation zone, radiation sources are mounted on radiation modules which are arranged to provide improved accessibility for maintenance. The radiation modules may also be provided with cleaning assemblies which are operable to remove materials fouling the radiation sources in situ while the radiation sources are in the irradiation zone.
Abstract:
A fluid treatment device comprising a housing for receiving a flow of fluid, the housing comprising a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, a fluid treatment zone disposed between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet, and at least one radiation source module disposed in the fluid treatment zone, the at least one radiation source module comprising a radiation source sealably connected to a leg, the leg sealably mounted to the housing, the radiation source being disposed substantially parallel to the flow of fluid. A method of treating a fluid in a housing comprising a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, a fluid treatment zone disposed between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet, the fluid treatment zone having at least one radiation source disposed therein is also described. The method comprises the steps of: (i) providing a flow of the fluid to the fluid inlet; (ii) feeding the flow of fluid from the fluid inlet to the fluid treatment zone in a manner substantially parallel to the at least one radiation source; (iii) irradiating the flow of fluid in the fluid treatment zone; and (iv) feeding the flow of fluid to the fluid outlet. During the method, the flow of fluid through the fluid inlet, the fluid outlet and the fluid treatment zone is substantially collinear. The fluid treatment device and method are ideally suited (but not limited) to inactivate microorganisms present in water.
Abstract:
A method of cleaning fouling materials from a radiation module, the method comprising the steps of: (i) immersing at least a portion of the radiation module in a fluid; and (ii) subjecting the radiation module to vibration at a frequency sufficient to substantially inhibit fouling materials adhering to the at least one radiation source. A radiation module for use in a fluid treatment system comprising: a support member for mounting the module in the fluid treatment system; at least one radiation assembly extending from the support member; and vibration generation means associated with the at least one radiation assembly. The radiation module is self-cleaning and can take the form of a radiation module or a radiation sensor module. Incorporation of the radiation source module in a fluid treatment system is also described.
Abstract:
A fluid treatment device comprising a housing for receiving a flow of fluid, the housing comprising a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, a fluid treatment zone disposed between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet, and at least one radiation source module disposed in the fluid treatment zone, the at least one radiation source module comprising a radiation source sealably connected to a leg, the leg sealably mounted to the housing, the radiation source being disposed substantially parallel to the flow of fluid. A method of treating a fluid in a housing comprising a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, a fluid treatment zone disposed between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet, the fluid treatment zone having at least one radiation source disposed therein is also described. The method comprises the steps of: (i) providing a flow of the fluid to the fluid inlet; (ii) feeding the flow of fluid from the fluid inlet to the fluid treatment zone in a manner substantially parallel to the at least one radiation source; (iii) irradiating the flow of fluid in the fluid treatment zone; and (iv) feeding the flow of fluid to the fluid outlet. During the method, the flow of fluid through the fluid inlet, the fluid outlet and the fluid treatment zone is substantially collinear. The fluid treatment device and method are ideally suited (but not limited) to inactivate microorganisms present in water.
Abstract:
A cleaning apparatus for use in a fluid treatment system comprising a radiation source assembly, the cleaning apparatus comprising: at least one cleaning sleeve (300) in sliding engagement with the exterior of the radiation source assembly (150); a cleaning chamber (310) disposed in the at least one cleaning sleeve in contact with a portion of the exterior of the radiation source assembly (150) and for being supplied with a cleaning solution, the cleaning chamber comprising an opening (370) to an exterior of the cleaning sleeve; a pressure equalization member (355) disposed in the opening to provide a seal between the opening and the exterior of the cleaning sleeve, the pressure equalization member being movable in response to a pressure gradient thereacross; and drive means to translate the at least one cleaning sleeve along the exterior of the radiation source assembly. A fluid treatment device comprise the cleaning apparatus is also described.
Abstract:
A method of cleaning fouling materials from a radiation module, the method comprising the steps of: (i) immersing at least a portion of the radiation module in a fluid; and (ii) subjecting the radiation module to vibration at a frequency sufficient to substantially inhibit fouling materials adhering to the at least one radiation source. A radiation module for use in a fluid treatment system comprising: a support member for mounting the module in the fluid treatment system; at least one radiation assembly extending from the support member; and vibration generation means associated with the at least one radiation assembly. The radiation module is self-cleaning and can take the form of a radiation module or a radiation sensor module. Incorporation of the radiation source module in a fluid treatment system is also described.
Abstract:
A fluid treatment system includes one or more radiation sources arranged in an irradiation zone within a treatment zone through which fluid to be treated passes and is irradiated. The irradiation zone has a closed cross section to maintain the fluid within a predefined maximum distance from the radiation source. Preferably, the irradiation zone comprises a reduced cross-sectional area perpendicular to the direction of fluid flow and thus the fluid flow velocity is increased through the irradiation zone. This allows the fluid to enter the treatment zone at relatively low speed, traverse the irradiation zone at high speed and exit the treatment zone again at relatively low speed to minimize the loss of hydraulic head throughout the system. Fluid entering the treatment zone passes through an inlet transition region wherein the cross-sectional area is reduced prior to entering the irradiation zone and fluid exiting the irradiation zone passes through an outlet transition region wherein the cross-sectional area is increased. Each transition region is designed to reduce hydraulic head losses as the fluid flow velocity is increased and decreased. In the irradiation zone, radiation sources are mounted on radiation modules which are arranged to provide improved accessibility for maintenance. The radiation modules may also be provided with cleaning assemblies which are operable to remove materials fouling the radiation sources in situ while the radiation sources are in the irradiation zone.