PROCESSING UNIT AND METHOD FOR SEPARATING HYDROCARBONS FROM FEEDSTOCK MATERIAL
The present invention relates to systems and methods for reducing fouling of a surface of an optically transparent element ( 102 ) with a light source. According to one aspect, the invention is a system including an LED ( 108 ) for emitting UV-C radiation, a mount for directing emitted UV-C radiation toward the optically transparent element ( 102 ), and control circuitry for driving the LED ( 108 ). The system may be used to remove a desired amount of biofilm.
1 . A system for reducing fouling of a surface of an optically transparent element subjected to a marine environment, the system comprising:
an LED for emitting UV-C radiation;
a mount for directing emitted UV-C radiation toward the optically transparent element; and
control circuitry for driving the LED.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the optically transparent element is selected from the group consisting of a window and a lens.
3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the emitted UV-C radiation has a wavelength in a range of about 265 nm to about 295 nm.
4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the mount is disposed on a side of the optically transparent element proximate the surface.
5 . The system of claim 4 , wherein the LED is disposed in a watertight enclosure.
6 . The system of claim 5 , wherein the watertight enclosure comprises a UV transparent port.
7 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the mount is disposed on a side of the optically transparent element remote of the surface.
8 . The system of claim 7 , wherein the optically transparent element comprises a UV transparent material.
9 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the control circuitry is adapted to maintain a constant duty cycle of the LED.
10 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the duty cycle is at least about 10%.
11 . The system of claim 1 , wherein an attenuated dosage reaching the surface is at least about 0.5 kJ/m 2 .
12 . The system of claim 1 , wherein a kill efficiency at the surface is at least about 95%.
13 . A method for reducing fouling of a surface of an optically transparent element subjected to a marine environment, the method comprising the steps of:
providing an LED source for emitting UV-C radiation;
driving the LED source to emit UV-C radiation; and
directing emitted UV-C radiation toward the optically transparent element.
14 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the optically transparent element is selected from the group consisting of a window and a lens.
15 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the emitted UV-C radiation has a wavelength in a range of about 265 nm to about 295 nm.
16 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the emitted UV-C radiation is directed on a side of the optically transparent element proximate the surface.
17 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the LED is disposed in a watertight enclosure.
18 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the watertight enclosure comprises a UV transparent port.
19 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the emitted UV-C radiation is directed on a side of the optically transparent element remote of the surface.
20 . The method of claim 19 , wherein the optically transparent element comprises a UV transparent material.
21 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the LED is driven to maintain a constant duty cycle.
22 . The method of claim 21 , wherein the duty cycle is at least about 10%.
23 . The method of claim 13 , wherein an attenuated dosage reaching the surface is at least about 0.5 kJ/m 2 .
24 . The method of claim 13 , wherein a kill efficiency at the surface is at least about 95%.