Ultraviolet wastewater disinfection system and method

Abstract

An ultraviolet (UV) disinfection system and method for treating for treating waste-containing fluids including a configuration and design to function effectively with at least one UV light source or lamp that is not submerged in the fluid. The UV light source is positioned outside the fluid to be disinfected via exposure to at least one UV dose zone outside the fluid being treated wherein UV light is projected into the at least one dose zone. The UV light source may be presented in a vertical riser configuration, wherein the UV light source is positioned above the fluid to be treated and projecting a UV dose zone downward toward and into the fluid to be treated, with the fluid moving upward toward the UV light source. At least one interface plate is used to provide a surface zone for UV disinfection above the fluid and to provide additional treatment means for balancing pH, affecting effluent chemistry, reducing organic chemicals, and the like. Alternatively, the UV light source may be presented in a planar or horizontal design, wherein the UV light source is positioned above the fluid to be treated and projecting a UV dose zone downward toward and into the fluid to be treated, with the fluid moving in a direction substantially perpendicular to the UV dose zone. Thirdly, the UV light source may be presented in a reservoir configuration, wherein the UV light source is positioned above the fluid to be treated that is contained in a reservoir.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.