Chemical apparatus and process disinfecting – deodorizing – preser – Chemical reactor – With means applying electromagnetic wave energy or...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-19
2001-04-17
Gorgos, Kathryn (Department: 1741)
Chemical apparatus and process disinfecting, deodorizing, preser
Chemical reactor
With means applying electromagnetic wave energy or...
C210S748080, C096S224000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06217834
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
In one of its aspects, the present invention relates to an ultraviolet radiation lamp. In another of its aspects, the present invention relates to a radiation source module comprising the ultraviolet radiation lamp. In another of its aspects, the present invention relates to a fluid treatment system comprising the ultraviolet lamp.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Fluid treatment systems are known generally in the art.
For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,482,809, 4,872,980, 5,006,244, 5,418,370, 5,504,335, 5,539,210 and 5,590,390 (all in the name of Maarschalkerweerd and all assigned to the assignee of the present invention), the contents of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference, all describe gravity fed fluid treatment systems which employ ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
Generally, such prior fluid treatment systems employ an ultraviolet radiation lamp to emit radiation of a particular wavelength or range of wavelengths (usually between 185 and 400 run) to effect bacterial kill in or other treatment of the fluid being treated. Many conventional ultraviolet radiation lamps are known as “low pressure” mercury lamps.
In use, it is usually necessary that a “cold spot” be maintained in such lamps to allow the excess mercury in the lamp to condense thereby maintaining an adequate mercury vapour pressure for efficient emission of ultraviolet radiation. If the “cold spot” temperature is not within a narrow temperature range, the mercury vapour pressure in the low pressure lamp may not be suitable for efficient generation of UV radiation. Specifically, too high or too low a “cold spot” temperature will result in loss of efficiency of emission of UV radiation. This can lead to inadequate treatment of the fluid being treated.
When such mercury lamps are used in a fluid treatment system such as one of the specific systems described and illustrated in the Maarschalkerweerd patents referred to above, the necessary “cold spot” is through heat exchange with the water being treated since the water is moving and is typically at ambient temperature. However, when it is desirable to treat a fluid such as ambient air (e.g., containing pollutants that could be photocatalyzed) or relatively warm fluids (e.g., at temperatures greater than about 40° C.), there is a significant risk that the a “cold spot” having the desired suitable temperature will not be formed leading to the problems set out above.
Accordingly, it would be desirable to have an ultraviolet radiation lamp which, in use, provides the needed “cold spot” in a controllable fashion and could be used to treat ambient air, ambient gas or relatively warm fluids. It would be advantageous if the solution to the problem could be achieved with little or no redesign df the ultraviolet radiation lamp.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to obviate or mitigate at least one of the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel ultraviolet radiation lamp.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a novel radiation source module for use in a fluid treatment system.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a novel fluid treatment system.
Accordingly, in one of its aspects the present invention provides an ultraviolet radiation lamp comprising a heat absorbing element on the exterior thereof such that, during operation of the lamp, the temperature of the lamp in contact with the heat absorbing element is at a lower temperature than the remainder of the lamp.
In another of its aspects the present invention provides a radiation source module for use in a fluid treatment system, the module comprising an ultraviolet radiation lamp comprising a heat absorbing element on the exterior thereof such that, during operation of the lamp, the temperature of the lamp in contact with the heat absorbing element is at a lower temperature than the remainder of the lamp, and support means to mount the module in the fluid treatment system.
In yet another of its aspects, the present invention provides a fluid treatment system comprising a fluid treatment zone and a radiation source module, the module comprising an ultraviolet radiation lamp disposed in the fluid treatment zone, the ultraviolet radiation lamp comprising a heat absorbing element on the exterior thereof such that, during operation of the lamp, the temperature of the lamp in contact with the heat absorbing element is at a lower temperature than the remainder of the lamp, and support means to mount the module to the fluid treatment system.
Thus, the present inventors have discovered that placement of a heat absorbing element on the exterior of the ultraviolet lamp provides a simple and effective manner for creating a cold spot in the lamp which allows for efficient emission of ultraviolet radiation. Thus, the invention may be practiced by retrofitting an otherwise conventional ultraviolet radiation lamp with the heat absorbing element. In other words, the complete redesign of the ultraviolet radiation lamp is not necessary to practice the invention.
In use, the heat absorbing element in the present ultraviolet radiation lamp functions as a “heat sink” on the exterior surface of the lamp. As such, during use in a fluid incapable of inherently providing the desirable “cold spot”, the heat absorbing element removes heat from the area of the lamp with which it is in contact. The result is the creation of a “cold spot” on the interior surface of lamp (i.e., wherein the mercury vapour is contained) corresponding to that area. The mercury vapour condenses on the cold spot thereby resulting in efficient emission of ultraviolet radiation from the lamp.
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patent: 5266280 (1993-11-01), Hallett
patent: 5404281 (1995-04-01), Parker
patent: 5418370 (1995-05-01), Maarschalkerweerd
patent: 5539210 (1996-07-01), Maarschalkerweerd
patent: 6054097 (2000-04-01), Mass et al.
patent: 6126841 (2000-10-01), Whitby et al.
patent: 59-150589 (1984-08-01), None
patent: 63-137793 (1988-06-01), None
Brunet Rob
Hosein Feraz
Mao Ted
Gorgos Kathryn
Katten Muchin & Zavis
Tran Thao
Trojan Technologies Inc.
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