Flow-through chemical actinometer for ultraviolet disinfection reactors
OwnerChristopher R. Schulzinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A chemical actinometer for determining the absolute level of exposure to ultraviolet light of a fluid to be treated for disinfection purposes. The actinometer includes a translucent sample cell through which the chemical actinometric fluid flows. The area of exposure of the actinometric fluid is controlled by allowing the ultraviolet light to pass through only a portion of the sample cell. A suitable actinometric fluid is a combination of iodide and iodate in a solution. The sample cell is positioned within an ultraviolet disinfection reactor at a position to receive ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light source.
Claims22
A chemical actinometer system for monitoring ultraviolet light radiation within an ultraviolet reactor vessel, said actinometer comprising:
- a. a source vessel containing an actinometric solution that is responsive to ultraviolet light in a germicidal treatment range;
- b. a collection vessel for receiving the actinometric solution after it has been exposed to ultraviolet light;
- c. a flow conduit extending from the source vessel, through the ultraviolet reactor vessel, to the collection vessel, the flow conduit including at least one sample cell positioned within the ultraviolet reactor vessel and having a transparent section through which the actinometric solution flows for exposure of the solution to ultraviolet light while the solution is within the ultraviolet reactor vessel;
- d. a pump for conveying the actinometric solution from the source vessel, through the conduit, to the collection vessel.
A method for assessing the ultraviolet light dose to which a liquid containing microorganisms is exposed while flowing through a reactor containing an ultraviolet light source for inactivating the microorganisms, said method comprising the steps of:
- a. providing an actinometric chemical solution that is reactive to ultraviolet light in a germicidal treatment wavelength range;
- b. passing the actinometric solution through an opaque conduit that extends into the ultraviolet reactor and that includes a sample cell having a predetermined area of transparency to expose the actinometric solution to ultraviolet light within the reactor;
- c. analyzing the exposed actinometric solution for chemical changes;
- and
- d. determining the ultraviolet light dose to which the liquid to be treated has been exposed within the reactor based upon the analyzed chemical changes.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.