Cleanable helical modules

1. A cleanable helical module for the irradiation of fluids, comprising a UV-transparent cover tube, a radiation source within said UV-transparent cover tube, a reactor housing movably mounted over said cover tube in a form-fitting manner and forming helical channels around said cover tube, said cover tube and said housing having conical shapes with angles of conicity of less than 15° whereby said housing and said cover tube are pressure fit against each other to seal said helical channels.

2. The module as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said UV-transparent cover tube, radiation source and reactor housing are rotatable with respect to one another.

3. The module as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a sealing face which is in contact with the cover tube and reactor housing and is provided with a seal between cover tube and reactor housing.

4. The module as claimed in claim 1 , configured to irradiate fluid passing through it without dead zones.

5. The module as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said components are continuously movable relative to each other to effectuate an in-situ cleaning of the components.

6. The module as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the UV-transparent cover tube and the reactor housing are sealable by pressing together.

7. The module as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the reactor housing has an inside wall that reflects radiation.

8. The module as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising an irradiation chamber on the outside of the reactor housing.

9. The module as claimed in claim 1 , adapted for fluid flow from the outside of the reactor housing to the inside of the reactor housing and to produce a pressure gradient between outside and inside in the process.

10. The module as claimed in claim 1 , wherein a cooling fluid flows around the reactor housing.

11. The module as claimed in claim 1 wherein the helix is provided with a seal on those parts of the helix which come into contact with the cover tube.