Liquid purification or separation – Processes – Utilizing electrical or wave energy directly applied to...
Reexamination Certificate
2002-01-15
2003-04-29
Hoey, Betsey Morrison (Department: 1724)
Liquid purification or separation
Processes
Utilizing electrical or wave energy directly applied to...
C210S695000, C210S222000, C210S253000, C210S255000, C204S158200, C204S554000, C204S666000, C422S020000, C422S022000, C422S186000, C422S186300, C422S187000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06555011
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method for simultaneously disinfecting and purifying liquids and gasses. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method for disinfecting and purifying liquids and gasses by passing the liquids and/or gasses through a reactor of a compounded concentrator geometry, in particular, a compounded parabolic concentrator geometry, and simultaneously concentrating a plurality of launched and/or delivered, and/or diversified energies in motion into a specific predetermined inner space of the reactor to form a high energy density zone. The energies include acoustic and/or ultrasonic transient cavitation and electromagnetic energy from a variety of ranges of the electromagnetic spectrum (e.g., ultra-violet, visible, infra-red, microwave etc.).
The inner surface of the reactor is preferably covered by a thin layer of photo-catalyst such as titanium oxide and the inner surface is optionally grooved, or sub-wavelength synthesized to have a predetermined holographic grooving pattern to facilitate wavelength dependent reflection and/or refraction and/or diffraction or any combination thereof.
The present invention further relates to a concentrator for use in the above method (hereinafter called hydrodynamic Compounded Parabolic Concentrator, or HDCPC) and to arrays of such concentrators interconnected either serially or in parallel or in a combination thereof.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Global need for efficient water disinfecting technologies is indisputable. Disinfecting technologies favor UV technology over the use of disinfecting chemicals, due to strict requirements for disinfectants and disinfecting by-products. UV light produced by conventional lamps is the principle means for generating UV energy with its non-residual effects creating no harmful compounding volumes (e.g. in comparison with chlorinating processes). These lamps are arranged in banks of lamps, often immersed in channels (or reactors) each hosting a large number of the lamps. The lamps, (such as mercury arc and vapor lamps, require expensive periodical replacement and maintenance. Current limitation imposed by the use of conventional lamp based reactors stem from their inability to combat colloidal deposits and/or hard water deposits efficiently. Further more, the use of protecting sleeves (e.g. quartz sleeves that are known for their ability to transmit deep UV of 200 nm to 320 nm) to ensure adequate protection for the lamps increases the cost further, often requiring allocation of additional resources as well as making it hard for designers, producers and/or end users to take advantage of an optical or acoustic concentrator orientation for reactors. The present invention is not so limited, and can be used for a wide variety of disinfecting, neutralizing, dissolving and deodorizing applications where liquids or gasses are to be treated.
The aim of the present invention is to provide a highly efficient method for disinfecting and purifying liquids and gasses by passing liquids and/or gasses through a compounded concentrator and simultaneously concentrating diversified electromagnetic and acoustic, ultrasonic (transient cavitation) energies into a high energy density and concentration zone where disinfecting or inactivation of DNA and RNA replication sequences (e.g. in noxious microorganisms) together with dissolving and neutralizing and deodorizing (e.g. organic and non organic compounds) of pollutants and polluted media take place.
An optically primitive form of non-imaging light concentrator, the light cone, has been used for many years [(Holter et al. (1962)]. During the years, the simple cone type optical concentrator has been evolved into complex structures that are more efficient, e.g. Compound Parabolic Concentrator (hereinafter called CPC), as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,727,108, or a Compounded Ellipsoidal Concentrator (hereinafter called CEC). Optical concentrators, such as CPC, have already demonstrated highly efficient harnessing and concentrating of solar energy collection, concentration, conversion and are well documented in fiber coupling applications.
Acoustic concentrators have been used for generations musical instruments such as the horn, flute, organ, and trumpet as well as other instruments. Acoustic geometrical concentration in buildings, temples, churches and other architectural structures has also been observed.
Cone shape interfaces for concentrating flows of liquids and gasses through particular conduit or chamber cross sections exist in many hydraulic and/or pneumatic system configurations.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The above mentioned optical and acoustic geometrical concentrators are used for separate purposes, i.e., for light concentration in optical concentrators and acoustic concentration and/or amplification in acoustic concentrators, but have not been used for both purposes simultaneously to treat liquids or gasses flowing through the concentrators. Furthermore, the above mentioned concentrators have never been used as hydrodynamic flow concentrators. More specifically, never before has a compounded concentrator been used at the same time to enhance liquid and gas flows and to concentrate electromagnetic and acoustic energies. The electromagnetic energy can be in any range of the electromagnetic spectrum, e.g. microwave, infrared, visible, ultraviolet etc., and the acoustic energy can be of any suitable frequency.
Surprisingly, it was found in the present invention, that using a compound concentrator as a concentrator or reactor in which both electromagnetic and acoustic energies interact while passing at the same time liquids and gasses through the reactor (having a single concentrator, and/or multi stage concentrator arrays) shaped reactor, enables disinfecting, and/or deodorizing and/or purification of the gasses and liquids with very high throughput efficiencies.
In the context of the present invention, “absorption” is the process by which substances in gaseous, liquid or solid form dissolve or mix with other substances (ASCE, 1985).
In the context of the present invention, “adsorption” is the adherence of gas molecules, ions, or molecules in a solution to the surface of solids (ASCEW, 1985).
In the context of the present invention, “adsorption isotherm” is a graphical representation of the relationship between the bulk activity of adsorbate and the amount adsorbed at a constant temperature (after Stumm and Morgan, 1981).
In the context of the present invention, “advection” is the process whereby solutes are transported by the bulk mass of flowing fluid (Freeze and Cherry, 1979).
In the context of the present invention, “air-space-ratio” is the ratio of (a) the volume of water that can be drained from saturated soil or rock under the action of gravity to (b) the total volume of voids (ASTM, 1980).
In the context of the present invention, “anisotropy” is the condition of having different properties in different directions (AGI, 1980).
In the context of the present invention, “anisotropic mass” is a mass having different properties in different directions at any given point (ASTM, 1980).
In the context of the present invention, “aquiclude” is a hydrogeologic unit which, although porous and capable of storing water, does not transmit water at rates sufficient to furnish an appreciable supply for a well or spring (after WMO, 1974).
In the context of the present invention, “aquifer” means a formation, a group of formations, or part of a formation that contains sufficient saturated permeable material to yield significant quantities of water to wells and springs (after Lohman et al., 1972) or a geologic formation, group of formations, or part of a formation capable of yielding a significant amount of ground water to wells or springs. Any saturated zone created by uranium or thorium recovery operations would not be considered an aquifer, unless the zone is or potentially is a) hydraulically interconnected to a natural aquifer, b) capable of discharge to surface water, or c) reasonably accessible because of migr
Ende Michael
Tribelsky Zamir
Atlantium Ltd.
Hoey Betsey Morrison
Lowe Hauptman & Gilman & Berner LLP
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