Method and apparatus for liquid disinfection using light transparent conduit

摘要

Some demonstrative embodiments of the invention include an illumination-based liquid disinfection device. The disinfection device may include, for example, a light transparent conduit to carry a flowing liquid to be disinfected, the conduit having an inlet to receive the liquid and an outlet to discharge the liquid, a substantially light transparent sleeve having external dimensions smaller than the internal dimensions of the conduit, the sleeve positioned within the conduit substantially perpendicular to the axis of symmetry of the conduit and a light source positioned within the sleeve.

主权项

1. An apparatus for liquid disinfection by light, the apparatus comprising:
a substantially ultraviolet (UV) light transparent conduit to carry flowing liquid to be disinfected; a substantially UV light transparent sleeve having external dimensions smaller than the internal dimensions of the conduit, the sleeve positioned within the conduit substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of symmetry of the conduit; and a UV light source positioned within the sleeve, wherein the conduit is substantially made of quartz and has an interface with air surrounding the conduit, the apparatus is configured such that when the liquid flows in the conduit, the liquid acts as a waveguide whereby part of the light emitted from the UV light source is totally-internally reflected at the interface of the light transparent conduit and the surrounding air, and a portion of an exterior surface of the conduit includes one or more UV reflecting coating areas to reflect back into the liquid UV light rays having an angle with the surface of the conduit above a critical angle which cannot undergo total internal reflection.