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US 7,001,571 B2Granted
Systems and methods for disinfection
AssigneeGeorgia Tech Research Corporation
InventorsLarry Forney, John Pierson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Methods and systems for establishing Taylor-Couette flow in a fluid are provide. Aspects of the disclosed methods and systems incorporate Taylor-Couette flow in combination with a source of radiation to provide more uniform radiation exposure to the fluid and its components. Common problems of non-uniform radiation levels and concentration boundary layer effects in UV reactors are largely eliminated using the methods and devices provided herein.
Claims17
A fluid reactor comprising:
- an outer cylinder;
- a rotor having a first annular channel between an outer wall and an inner cylinder, wherein the rotor is housed within the outer cylinder,
- the outer cylinder having:
- an inner annular wall defining a circular hollow for receiving the inner cylinder of the rotor, and
- an outer annular wall defining a second annular channel between the outer annular wall and inner annular wall for receiving the outer wall of the rotor;
- an inlet in fluid communication with the second annular channel;
- and
- an outlet in fluid communication with the circular hollow.
5 more elements
A method of disinfecting a fluid comprising:
- forming Taylor vortices in an edible fluid comprising an organism, wherein the edible fluid has a Taylor number of between about 40 to about 400;
- and
- irradiating the fluid with an anti-microbial amount of energy, wherein the ratio of penetration depth of the enemy to a velocity boundary layer of the edible fluid is less than about 1.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.