LED fluid purification system and method
View Patent ↗Provided herein are systems and methods for the treatment and purification of fluids (e.g., water) using a light-emitting diode (LED) light source. In one embodiment, for example, there is provided a fluid flow conduit having an LED light source and a photo-catalytic material disposed therein. The LED light source emits ultraviolet light with a peak wavelength between about 265 nm and about 400 nm. In operation, the photo-catalytic material absorbs the ultraviolet light from the LED light source, and releases free radicals into the fluid. The free radicals then degrade organic substances (e.g., bacteria) in the fluid.
1. A fluid purification system, comprising:
a fluid flow conduit;
a light-emitting diode (LED) light source emitting ultraviolet light within the fluid flow conduit, wherein the ultraviolet light has a peak wavelength between about 265 nm and about 400 nm;
a photo-catalytic material disposed within the fluid flow conduit, wherein the photo-catalytic material is positioned within an illumination area provided by the LED light source; and
a continuous helical light reflector disposed within the fluid flow conduit and positioned within the illumination area provided by the LED light source to reflect the light emitted by the LED light source, wherein the light reflector is shaped and positioned to cause turbulent flow of fluid through the fluid flow conduit, and wherein the light reflector extends into the fluid flow conduit to cover between 20%-80% of a cross-sectional area of the fluid flow conduit.
2. The fluid purification system of claim 1 , wherein the photo-catalytic material is TiO 2 Anatase.
3. The fluid purification system of claim 1 , wherein the photo-catalytic material is selected from the group consisting of: GaP, ZrO 2 , Si, CdS, TiO 2 Rutile, ZnO, Fe 2 O 3 , WO 3 , and SnO 2 .
4. The fluid purification system of claim 1 , wherein the ultraviolet light has a peak wavelength between about 320 nm and about 395 nm.
5. The fluid purification system of claim 1 , wherein the ultraviolet light has a peak wavelength of about 365 nm.
6. The fluid purification system of claim 1 , wherein the light reflector is coated with the photo-catalytic material.
7. The fluid purification system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a power source coupled to the LED light source.
8. The fluid purification system of claim 7 , wherein the power source is a hydro-electric generator driven by fluid directed through the fluid flow conduit.
9. The fluid purification system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a flow-disturbing element shaped and positioned within the fluid flow conduit to cause turbulent flow of fluid through the fluid flow conduit.
10. The fluid purification system of claim 1 , wherein the LED light source is positioned within the flow of fluid through the fluid flow conduit.
11. The fluid purification system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a contaminant sensor in the fluid flow conduit.
12. The fluid purification system of claim 1 , wherein the light reflector extends into the fluid flow conduit to cover between 30%-40% of a cross-sectional area of the fluid flow conduit.
13. A fluid purification system, comprising:
a fluid flow conduit;
a photo-catalytic material disposed on an interior surface of the fluid flow conduit;
a power source;
lighting means for providing ultraviolet light, with a peak wavelength between about 265 nm and about 400 nm, to the photo-catalytic material, wherein the lighting means is disposed within the fluid flow conduit and is coupled to the power source;
fluid input means for directing a flow of fluid into the fluid flow conduit; and
means for generating turbulent fluid flow, wherein said means are provided by a continuous helical light reflector that extends into the fluid flow conduit to cover between 20%-80% of a cross-sectional area of the fluid flow conduit, wherein the continuous helical light reflector reflects the ultraviolet light provided by the lighting means.
14. The fluid purification system of claim 13 , wherein the means for generating turbulent fluid flow extends into the fluid flow conduit to cover between 30%-40% of a cross-sectional area of the fluid flow conduit.
15. A fluid purification system, comprising:
a fluid flow conduit forming a hollow inner surface within the fluid flow conduit;
a light-emitting diode (LED) light source emitting ultraviolet light within the fluid flow conduit, wherein the ultraviolet light has a peak wavelength between about 265 nm and about 400 nm;
a photo-catalytic material disposed within the fluid flow conduit, wherein the photo-catalytic material is positioned within an illumination area provided by the LED light source; and
a continuous helical light reflector disposed within the fluid flow conduit and positioned within the illumination area provided by the LED light source to reflect the light emitted by the LED light source, wherein the light reflector is shaped and positioned within the hollow inner surface of the fluid flow conduit in order to cause turbulent flow of fluid through the fluid flow conduit.
16. The fluid purification system of claim 15 , wherein the light reflector extends into the fluid flow conduit to cover between 30%-40% of a cross-sectional area of the fluid flow conduit.
17. A fluid purification system, comprising:
a fluid flow conduit forming a hollow inner surface within the fluid flow conduit;
a light-emitting diode (LED) light source emitting ultraviolet light within the fluid flow conduit, wherein the ultraviolet light has a peak wavelength between about 265 nm and about 400 nm;
a photo-catalytic material disposed within the fluid flow conduit, wherein the photo-catalytic material is positioned within an illumination area provided by the LED light source;
a continuous helical light reflector disposed within the fluid flow conduit and positioned within the illumination area provided by the LED light source to reflect the light emitted by the LED light source, wherein the light reflector is shaped and positioned within the hollow inner surface of the fluid flow conduit in order to cause turbulent flow of fluid through the fluid flow conduit; and
an LED control circuit configured to control a light output of the light source based on the flow rate of fluid through the flow conduit, wherein a functional relationship between the light output (L), flow rate (F), dosing (D), and diameter (φ) of the fluid flow conduit is defined by the following formula: L=4·F·D/φ.
18. The fluid purification system of claim 17 , wherein the dosing is at least 1,000 μW·s/cm 2 .
19. The fluid purification system of claim 17 , wherein the dosing is between 1,000-10,000 μW·s/cm 2 .
20. The fluid purification system of claim 17 , wherein the dosing is greater than 6,000 μW·s/cm 2 .
21. The fluid purification system of claim 17 , wherein the light reflector extends into the fluid flow conduit to cover between 20%-80% of a cross-sectional area of the fluid flow conduit.
22. The fluid purification system of claim 17 , wherein the light reflector extends into the fluid flow conduit to cover between 30%-40% of a cross-sectional area of the fluid flow conduit.