Patent Application
20210230035
The present invention relates generally to waste treatment systems and more particularly to treatment systems utilising ultraviolet light and/or ozone.
The treating of fluids such as water for the purpose of purifying or removing contaminants from the fluid has become an increasing problem for growing communities where increasing volumes of effluent or contaminated water is generated. Contaminated water can be generated in domestic, commercial and agricultural situations. Waterways and river systems can also be heavily polluted. Often such water receives primary treatment and is then simply left in settling ponds where solids settle out. However, such settling ponds can require considerable space.
Fluid treatment systems can include systems include use of membranes, such as micro and nanofiltration membranes, or reverse osmosis membranes. However, particularly when heavily polluted fluids are to be purified, such membranes may foul relatively quickly increasing operational costs.
Other fluid treatment systems may involve use of ultraviolet light. Ultraviolet light is a disinfection method for destroying disease-causing organisms in wastewater effluent in onsite wastewater treatment systems. The UV light destroys the genetic material of microorganisms which prevents them from reproducing. However, for the UV light to be effective, the UV radiation must come in direct contact with the microorganisms in the wastewater stream. Constituents allow a hiding place for the pathogenic organisms and shield them from the UV light. If the UV light does not come in direct contact with the constituents of concern, then it is useless. Turbidity, suspended solids, and flow rate of the wastewater must be kept at low levels to ensure proper treatment.
Other fluid treatment systems may involve use of chemicals or flocculants. One type of chemical is ozone, which is an excellent disinfectant with a superior ability to kill viruses and biological contaminants found in water. It is also a very powerful oxidant that can oxidize metals in water such as manganese, iron, and sulphur into insoluble particles, aiding in their filtration and removal from water.
It will be clearly understood that, if a prior art publication is referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms part of the common general knowledge in the art in Australia or in any other country.
The present invention is directed to a waste treatment system, which may at least partially overcome at least one of the abovementioned disadvantages or provide the consumer with a useful or commercial choice.
With the foregoing in view, the present invention in one form, resides broadly in a waste treatment system including at least one treatment chamber.
In a first aspect, the present invention relates to a waste treatment system including
The inventor has surprisingly found that the above arrangement provides a superior fluid treatment effect. Oxidization by ozone in water purification aids in removing taste and odour problems from water much more efficiently than other substances such as chlorine, and ozone itself doesn't produce any odour or taste. In the first aspect of the invention ozone is generated by ultraviolet light treatment of oxygen, which means that there are no byproducts produced during ozone generation. Due to the fact that ozone consists of oxygen, it reverts back to pure oxygen and disappears without a trace after it has been used. Not only does ozone remove microorganisms from the water, but it also halts the accumulation of deposits in pipes and the water system which greatly improves the quality of water.
However, in the first aspect of the invention the at least one treatment chamber includes a plurality of ultraviolet light sources configured to irradiate fluid in the at least one treatment chamber with light at a wavelength of from 240 nm to 400 nm. Such wavelengths are typically used to destroy chemicals such as ozone. However, the inventor has advantageously found that when ozone is dispersed into the treatment chamber, the UV light surprisingly synergistically acts with the ozone to form an extremely powerful decontaminant. Using this system the inventor has been able to very significantly reduce the biological oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), oil and grease content, coliform content, salt content, ammonia content, bromide/bromate content, and also significantly reduce the concentration of chemical contaminants such as dieldrin. The inventor has performed detailed analyses of fluids treated by the system, and the contaminants do not seem to form precipitates or other similar waste products.
Without wishing to be limited by theory, it is believed that the generation of ozone immediately adjacent (often within 1 metre) of the treatment chamber allows a high concentration of ozone to be achieved in the fluid to be treated due to the proximity of formation and the extremely short time before the ozone is used in the treatment.
In a second aspect, the present invention relates to a waste water treatment system including at least one treatment chamber through which a fluid to be treated is moved in a fluid flow. The at least one treatment chamber may include at least one of:
Features of the first and second aspects of the present invention may be as described below.
In one embodiment (and as described in the first aspect), the system includes at least one treatment chamber through which a fluid to be treated is moved in a fluid flow. The at least one treatment chamber includes at least one (preferably a plurality) of ultraviolet light sources. The ultraviolet light sources may be configured (or be operable) to irradiate fluid in the treatment chamber. The light may operate at a wavelength or wavelength band to have a sterilising or disinfecting effect on the fluid to be treated at least reducing harmful bacteria, viruses and other microbes from the fluid. In one embodiment, the light is at a wavelength of from 240 nm to 400 nm. The at least one treatment chamber may include at least one dispersion assembly located at a base of the treatment chamber to disperse a sterilizing agent (such as ozone) supplied to the treatment chamber in a counter flow direction to the fluid flow. The at least one dispersion assembly may disperse the sterilizing agent (such as ozone) in bubbles, especially having a diameter of less than 1000 μm. In the context of the present invention, the treatment chamber in which treatment with both ultraviolet light and sterilizing agent (such as ozone) occurs, for example as described in this paragraph, may be described by the phrase “extreme advanced oxidation” or “hyperoxidation”. In one embodiment, the fluid in said at least one treatment chamber is polarized.
The system may include any suitable number of treatment chambers. In one embodiment, the system includes at least two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine or ten treatment chambers. Fluid may flow through the treatment chambers in series or parallel. In one embodiment, fluid to be treated flows sequentially through the said treatment chambers. In one embodiment, the at least one treatment chamber is a plurality of treatment chambers, wherein fluid to be treated flows through at least two of said plurality of treatment chambers. In another embodiment, the at least one treatment chamber is at least five treatment chambers, wherein fluid to be treated flows sequentially through the at least five treatment chambers.
Having gas from the at least one dispersion assembly flowing in a counter flow direction to the fluid flow advantageously can assist in mixing of the contents of the treatment chamber.
In various embodiments, the present invention is directed to treatment of fluids and gases, heavy metals, minerals and chemical destruction as well as sodium reduction and a method of removing heavy metals and chemicals, which is suited for treating liquids such as water for the purpose of purifying, cleaning or otherwise removing impurities or contaminants in the liquid. In particular, in some embodiments the invention is designed to reduce salt or sodium chloride, some heavy metals, and break down many chemicals from contained in discharge water from many industries and also breakdown many pharmaceuticals which end up in rivers and underground water. This includes the sterilising or disinfecting of biological material. In the context of the present description, sterilization is distinct from disinfection, sanitization, and pasteurization, in that sterilization kills, deactivates, or eliminates all forms of life and other biological agents which are present.
In various aspects, the system of the present invention is applicable in all environments and temperatures, provides chemical free, healthier, cost efficient and more effective solutions to water and gas purification and treatment application worldwide, is modular in construction and where the source water requires further treatment additional reactor compartments can be added to the system as needed. The fluid to be treated may be an aqueous solution, especially a wastewater.
The term “sterilizing agent” as used throughout the specification and claims typically comprises a gas such as ozone, or ozone enriched air. The sterilizing agent may be introduced into the or each treatment chamber in the form of bubbles.
In the present invention, the ultraviolet (UV) light sources will preferably operate at a wavelength or wavelength band to have a sterilising or disinfecting effect on the fluid at least reducing and preferably eliminating harmful bacteria, viruses and other microbes from the fluid. Additionally, at least some of the ultraviolet light sources may be used to create ozone or ozone enriched air which will be supplied to or formed in a treatment chamber and will have a complementary oxidative effect in the fluid to be treated. In one embodiment, at least some of the ultraviolet light sources operate at a wavelength or wavelength band to have a sterilising or disinfecting effect on the fluid to be treated at least reducing harmful bacteria, viruses and other microbes from the fluid. In one embodiment, at least some of the ultraviolet light sources operate at a wavelength or wavelength band to create ozone in the treatment chamber.
In a one embodiment, one or more UV light source may be provided to have a dual effect, namely produce ozone and to have a sterilising or disinfecting effect. One or more UV light source may be provided that produce UV light with two main peaks in the UV light band, one at or around 250 nm or 254 nm for a sterilising or disinfecting effect, and another peak at or around 185 nm for ozone production. However, in a preferred embodiment ultraviolet light within the treatment chamber is only at a wavelength (or wavelength band) of 240 nm to 400 nm (or between 240 nm to 400 nm).
Ozone generation from oxygen exposed to UV light typically occurs at between 160-240 nm. Above 240 nm light will preferably have sterilising or disinfecting effect.
A shortwave, low pressure UV lamp can be used for this purpose. These lamps will typically produce UV light with two main peaks in the UV light band at or around the desired wavelengths.
Importantly, light at wavelengths at or around 254 nm (or generally above approximately 240 nm) will normally adversely affect the levels of ozone in the fluid, normally degrading the ozone by photolysis. Therefore, the light from the ozone generating UV light sources may be located at a different treatment location within the same treatment chamber to the sterilising or disinfecting light sources to maximise the respective effects.
Alternatively, a number of separate treatment chambers may be used, one treatment chamber with the ozone generating UV light sources optimised to emit light waves predominantly at or around 185 nm for ozone production, and an adjacent treatment chamber having sterilising or disinfecting light sources optimised to emit light waves at or around 254 nm for a sterilising or disinfecting effect. In one embodiment, a number of separate treatment chambers are used, at least one treatment chamber with a number of UV light sources which create ozone in the treatment chamber optimised to emit light waves predominantly at or around 185 nm for ozone production, and at least one treatment chamber having a number of the UV light sources which are at a wavelength or wavelength band to have a sterilising or disinfecting effect optimised to emit light waves at or around 254 nm.
Typically, the ozone generating UV light sources are provided prior to the sterilising or disinfecting light sources in the direction of flow of the fluid through the one or more treatment chambers. This will allow the ozone time to react with the fluid and any constituents before the photolytic destruction of the ozone by the light waves at or around 254 nm for a sterilising or disinfecting effect.
A UV light ozone production system is preferred in the present invention to minimise the production of NO2 when compared to a corona discharge system in which the N2 is converted to nitric acid.
In a preferred form, a pre-filtration step may be used. Any type of filter can be used, but a simple sand filter may be optimum in terms of simplicity and low cost. In one embodiment, the system does not include a filter.
Preferably, ozone may be produced and supplied to the at least one dispersion assembly (primary ozone creation). This is preferably achieved using atmospheric air as a feed material, generating ozone from the oxygen exposed to UV light at between 160-240 nm. This process may occur in an ozone generation chamber or an ozone generator. The feed pressure for the atmospheric air is preferably low, around 3 psi, as this will allow time for conversion of the oxygen in the feed to be converted to ozone, maximizing the levels of ozone created.
Secondary ozone generation will preferably occur in the treatment chamber using UV light sources optimized to emit light waves predominantly at or around 185 nm for ozone production.
The present invention includes at least one treatment chamber through which a fluid to be treated is pumped. As mentioned above, there will typically be one or more treatment chambers and preferably, a plurality of treatment chambers. Typically, the plurality of treatment chambers is provided in an in-line configuration with the fluid exiting a first treatment chamber entering a second treatment chamber and then exiting the second treatment chamber and entering a third treatment chamber and so on.
The number of treatment chambers provided will typically be determined according to the efficiency of the treatment chambers and/or any required output conditions and/or based on input conditions of the fluid to be treated.
Typically, a number of treatment chambers will be connected in series although the physical location of the treatment chambers need not necessarily be linear. Where a number of treatment chambers are provided, the treatment chambers are connected to allow flow through the treatment chambers in the treatment system and the physical configuration of the treatment chambers is less important.
Where a plurality of treatment chambers is provided, one or more of the treatment chambers are typically activated in order to treat the fluid to be treated. The number and configuration of treatment chambers which are activated can differ. For example, some treatment chambers may be activated whilst others are deactivated, some or all of the treatment chambers may be partially activated that is some of the UV light sources in some or all of the treatment chambers may be activated and some not activated in order to optimise the treatment of the fluid to be treated. The status of each of the UV light sources in all of the treatment chambers are preferably individually adjustable (on/off and/or the capacity of operation from 0 to 100%) in order to obtain the desired treatment effect.
The at least one or each treatment chamber may have an internal surface which is at least partially reflective or reflective to ultraviolet light, especially produced by the ultraviolet light sources. This may be to maximise the use of the UV light waves which are produced.
Each treatment chamber will be shaped and preferably cylindrically shaped. However, in some embodiments, the treatment chamber may be rectangular or even multisided such as square, pentagonal, hexagonal or octagonal shaped. The at least one treatment chamber may include an inlet at a base (or at a lower portion or position) of the treatment chamber. The at least one treatment chamber may include an outlet at a top (or at an upper portion or position) of the treatment chamber. Where two treatment chambers are in fluid connection, a connector may connect the outlet of a first treatment chamber with the inlet of a second treatment chamber.
In the embodiments where more than one treatment chamber is provided, appropriate connection piping to connect the treatment chambers is also preferably provided. The connection piping may take any physical configuration. For example, in some embodiments, connection piping may be provided to connect an outlet at the base or lower portion of a first treatment chamber with an inlet at an upper position of a second, adjacent treatment chamber. This connection piping may be angled or alternatively, may be formed from a number of portions, for example a first portion which is substantially horizontal with a second portion which is substantially vertical or vice versa. In one embodiment, the system includes at least one connector conduit to an outlet at a base of a first treatment chamber with an inlet at an upper position of a second, adjacent treatment chamber.
The flow direction of the fluid to treated through each treatment chamber is in a direction which is opposite to the direction in which the at least one sterilising agent is dispersed into or through the treatment chamber. Generally, the dispersion assembly is located at the base of a treatment chamber and therefore, the fluid will typically be provided into the treatment chamber through an inlet located at an upper portion of the treatment chamber and exit the treatment chamber through an outlet located at or towards the bottom of the treatment chamber.
One or more waste outlets will typically be provided in each treatment chamber. The specific location of a waste outlet in each treatment chamber would generally be dependent upon the type of waste which is to be removed. For example, any waste which may be contained in a froth or similar will typically be removed from an upper portion of the treatment chamber and therefore, the waste outlet will normally be in an upper portion of the treatment chamber. Similarly, any waste in the form of sediment will typically be removed from a lower portion of the treatment container.
Preferably, any treatment container which is designed to have or promote sedimentation will typically not include a dispersion assembly located at the base of the treatment chamber as this would tend to keep the sediment in suspension rather than allowing sedimentation to occur.
In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention the treatment chambers will be provided in one or more sets of two treatment chambers with an ozone generating chamber followed by a UV sterilizing chamber. More than one set of two treatment chambers can be provided and typically, the treatment chambers will alternate in treatment configuration that is an ozone generating chamber followed by a UV sterilizing chamber followed by an ozone generating chamber followed by a UV sterilizing chamber and so on.
A drain valve may be provided in a lower portion of each of the treatment chambers in order to drain fluid from the treatment chamber.
As mentioned above, each treatment chamber will typically be in fluid connection with an adjacent treatment chamber where more than one treatment chamber is provided in series. A single connection may be provided or more than one fluid connection can be provided between linked treatment chambers.
The fluid connection will normally be provided by one or more connector conduits extending between adjacent treatment chambers. Additional treatment components may be provided in association with the connector conduit.
For example, one or more UV light sources may be provided within a connector conduit such that fluid flowing through the connector conduit will flow past of the UV light sources thereby being treated by the one or more UV light sources.
One or more chlorinators or similar components may be provided in association with and/or within a connector conduit such that fluid flowing through the connector conduit can be treated with chlorine produced by the one or more chlorinators.
Each treatment chamber will typically be provided with a top wall and a bottom wall and at least one side wall extending between the top wall in the bottom wall. Preferably, the top wall in bottom wall are provided as or with a removable top and/or bottom to provide or allow access to an internal part of each of the treatment chambers.
The treatment system of the present invention may be provided within a housing to allow easy transport. In particular, a treatment system according to the present invention may be provided within one or more shipping containers, or in or in association with a floating vessel or boat designed to travel across a body of fluid to be treated. If ancillary equipment such as filters or pumps and the like are provided, these can be provided in the same housing as the treatment system or alternatively, one or more additional housings may be provided to house ancillary equipment which can then be associated with the housing which houses the treatment system.
The treatment system of the present invention may include a number of ultraviolet light sources provided within at least one treatment chamber. The ultraviolet light sources can be provided in the same treatment chamber as the at least one dispersion apparatus or ultraviolet light source, or may be provided in one or more treatment chambers which are separate from one or more treatment chambers housing the at least one dispersion apparatus.
Preferably, a number of ultraviolet light sources are provided in a number of different treatment chambers. As mentioned above, a treatment chamber may be provided with a number of ultraviolet light sources with or without a dispersion assembly. Preferably, the light sources will be configured to provide different wavelengths of light to the fluid to be treated. The light sources may treat the fluid directly and/or create secondary materials such as ozone for example that in turn treat the fluid, typically by acting on the materials carried by the fluid which the treatment is designed to remove.
In one embodiment, more than one treatment chamber is provided, at least one treatment chamber having a number of ultraviolet light sources and at least one treatment chamber having at least one dispersion assembly. In another embodiment, at least one of the treatment chambers includes a number of ultraviolet light sources and at least one dispersion assembly.
In one embodiment, the treatment chamber includes a plurality of ultraviolet light sources. The plurality of ultraviolet light sources may be configured to (or be operable to) irradiate fluid in the treatment chamber. The treatment chamber may include any suitable number of ultraviolet light sources. In one embodiment, the at least one treatment chamber includes at least one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine or ten ultraviolet light sources. The at least one treatment chamber may include less than 30 ultraviolet light sources. The total wattage of the ultraviolet light sources in a single treatment chamber may be from 100 to 4,500 watts, especially from 300 to 4,000 watts, more especially from 500 to 3,500 watts, or from 1,000 to 3,500 watts.
According to one embodiment, the ultraviolet light sources will provide light waves at at least approximately 180 nm and approximately 254 nm. Without wishing to be limited by theory, light sources at approximately 180 nm will preferably create ozone and light sources at approximately 254 nm will preferably treat biologics for example.
In one embodiment, the UV light sources provide light at about 50 nm to about 240 nm, or about 50 nm to about 210 nm, or about 130 nm to about 210 nm, especially from about 150 nm to about 200 nm, more especially from about 170 nm to about 200 nm or about 170 nm to about 190 nm, most especially form about 180 nm to about 190 nm. Such light sources may especially be present in the at least one ozone generation chamber.
In another embodiment, the UV light sources provide light at about 210 nm to 400 nm, or about 210 nm to about 310 nm, especially about 220 nm to about 290 nm, more especially about 240 nm to about 270 nm, most especially about 240 nm to about 260 nm or about 250 to about 260 nm. In another embodiment, the UV light sources provide light at about 240 nm to 400 nm, or about 240 nm to about 310 nm, especially about 240 nm to about 290 nm, more especially about 240 nm to about 270 nm, most especially about 240 nm to about 260 nm or about 250 to about 260 nm. Such light sources may especially be present in the at least one treatment chamber.
Light may be provided at more than these particular wavelengths. For example, UV light may be provided at UV-A wavelengths (315-400 nm), UV-B wavelengths (280-315 nm) and/or UV-C wavelengths (100-280 nm).
Light waves which are introduced into the fluid at one wavelength may also be split into light waves of lesser wavelength for example through interactions with materials carried by the fluid to be treated and/or bubbles for example which introduced into the fluid to be treated, for example by the at least one dispersion apparatus.
The UV light sources may be provided in any configuration. For example, as mentioned above, a number of ultraviolet light sources may be provided in a first treatment chamber and then an adjacent treatment chamber may contain a dispersion assembly without UV light sources and/or light sources may be provided in all treatment chambers in a treatment system.
The UV light sources may be grouped within a treatment chamber. For example, the light sources may be physically grouped within a treatment chamber in a bunched configuration in order to enhance the treatment of the fluid. The light sources may be grouped within a treatment chamber or in different treatment chambers according to a particular wavelength which is desired in an area of a treatment chamber or in a treatment chamber. For example, a number of light sources emitting light waves at or around 180 nm may be grouped in a particular location in a treatment chamber with a number of light sources emitting light waves at or around 254 nm grouped in a particular location that is different or separated from the grouping at or around 180 nm.
As mentioned above, any material or bodies within the fluid to be treated may further disperse or divide the UV light such as for example the UV light wavelengths may be split by bubbles from the dispersion apparatus and/or the bubbles may spread the light through the fluid to be treated.
The UV light sources may have any orientation relative to the treatment chamber but will typically be either a vertically oriented or horizontally oriented. UV light sources of a combination of orientations may be provided in a single treatment chamber or each treatment chamber may be limited to UV light sources of a particular orientation. The UV light sources may extend between the side wall(s) of the chamber.
The UV light sources may be spaced approximately equal across the volume of the treatment chamber in order to ensure treatment and/or grouped as outlined above.
A said chamber may include any number of UV light sources. At least one (or each) chamber may include from 5 to 100 UV light sources, especially from 5 to 50 UV light sources, more especially from 10 to 40 UV light sources, most especially from 15 to 40 UV light sources. Each said UV light source may be from 60 W to 150 W, especially from about 70 W to about 120 W, more especially from about 80 W to 100 W. The UV light sources may be dispersed throughout the or each chamber. The UV light sources may be layered within the or each chamber. Each said layer of UV light sources may include UV light sources extending in a plurality of different directions. The or each chamber may include any suitable number of layers of UV light sources, especially 2, 3, 4 or 5 layers. Each said layer may include 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 UV light sources. The system may include a voltage regulator in electrical connection with the UV light sources so as to provide consistent voltage.
The housing may be provided which is divided using one or more divider panels in order to produce an optimal flow of fluid through the housing. For example, by providing a rectangular housing with a series of divider panels with each alternate divider panel spaced from the floor and each other alternate divider panel attached to the floor but spaced from the top of the body of fluid, the divider panels can cause an under or over flow pattern through the housing.
Where divider panels are provided, the divider panels may be removable and/or movable within the housing. It is preferred that any divider panels are planar but any shape could be used.
Typically, pipework will be provided relative to a housing that is provided with divider panels in order to assist with the flow of either the fluid to be treated or other fluids which are provided to the treatment chamber such as for example a least one sterilising agent.
At least one treatment chamber in the treatment system of the present invention will typically include at least one dispersion assembly located at a base of one or more treatment chambers in order to disperse at least one sterilising agent supplied to the treatment chamber through the fluid to be treated. In a particularly preferred form, the sterilising agent will be ozone. In this way, ozone or gas charged with ozone can be provided to a treatment chamber in order to treat fluid, typically by oxidation of components or material being carried by the fluid to be treated.
At least one dispersion assembly may be provided in each treatment chamber within the system or only in one or more treatment chambers. In a particularly preferred embodiment, a number of treatment chambers are provided with each alternating treatment chamber provided with a number of ultraviolet light sources and each other alternating treatment chamber provided with at least one dispersion assembly. However in some embodiments, a dispersion assembly can be provided in every treatment chamber with the UV light sources provided in only some, preferably alternating treatment chambers within the system.
In some configurations, a treatment chamber will have ozone created in situ within the treatment chamber through the provision of UV light sources within the treatment chamber and at least one dispersion assembly will add ozone or air enriched with ozone to the same treatment chamber in order to enhance treatment. However, in a preferred embodiment the at least one treatment chamber is not configured to produce ozone, instead ozone is supplied to the at least one treatment chamber from an ozone generation chamber.
Additional treatment chambers may be provided without any ultraviolet light sources or dispersion assemblies such as for example to allow sedimentation of material which has been treated by the UV light sources and/or dispersion assembly to settle to allow removal from the fluid to be treated.
The means for introducing the sterilizing agent into the primary treatment chamber may comprise one or more gas outlets, the one or more gas outlets comprising one or more of air stones, a gas permeable pipe or pipes, a diffuser or diffusers or an external venturi or venturis communicating with the primary treatment chamber and a source of the sterilizing agent. In one embodiment, the at least one dispersion assembly comprises one or more gas outlets, one or more air stones, a gas permeable pipe or pipes, a diffuser or diffusers or an external venturi or venturis communicating with the treatment chamber and a source of the sterilizing agent.
Preferably, the sterilizing agent is introduced in the form of bubbles, especially from the dispersion assembly. The bubbles will typically be introduced in the form of microbubbles or nanobubbles, for example the dispersion assembly may include a microbubble and/or a nanobubbler. Without wishing to be limited by theory, the bubbles will preferably act to increase the surface area of the sterilizing agent. In one embodiment, the bubbles have a diameter of less than 1000 μm. In other embodiments, the bubbles have a diameter of less than 500, 400, 300, 200, 100 or 50 μm. As used herein, these diameters refer to the diameter of the bubbles at the point of release from the dispersion assembly; the bubbles may coalesce into larger bubbles as they move through the treatment chamber.
The means at the upper end of the chamber for removing waste may comprise an inverted U-shaped trap and/or a venturi unit.
Preferably, the system may further compromise a means at the upper end of any one or more of the treatment chambers for removing waste in the liquid conveyed by the bubbles upwardly through the chamber. The means at the upper end of the chamber for removing waste may compromise an outlet, preferably located above the preferred upper inlet for fluid to be treated preferably to take advantage of any flotation of waste materials, especially particulate or agglomerated material that may be carried upward by the bubbles and in particular, any waste materials in froth that may be formed. Each treatment chamber will preferably have a waste outlet and preferably, the respective waste outlets are associated with a common waste carriage conduit. In a preferred form, the common waste carriage conduit may have air or a gas pumped therethrough to create a suction effect at the waste outlet to assist with extraction of the waste materials.
In one embodiment, at least one or each chamber may include at least one suction source. The at least one suction source may be located at one end, especially an upper end of the at least one chamber. The suction source may reduce the pressure in the chamber (and thereby remove excess gases). The suction source may be a venturi. In one embodiment, each chamber includes a suction source. The function of the suction source is preferably to remove any gaseous material that is created or which exits a liquid body in the chamber, particularly if injected at a lower part of the chamber. The suction source will typically be located above any liquid inlet.
A tube or similar may be used in association with any one or more of the plurality of UV light sources. The UV light sources are preferably elongate and/or are provided in an elongate tube to allow the light to pass and/or to disperse the light. Preferably, the tube will be or include a quartz tube. The preferred quartz tube can be inserted into the treatment chamber horizontally or vertically, may extend across the width of the chamber or vertically substantially over the height of the treatment chamber. Preferably, a quartz tube or similar may extend substantially the length of the UV light source and the tube preferably protects the ultraviolet light from the fluid in the treatment chamber. The quartz tube may also surround the UV light sources and allow space for ozone enriched air to be produced within the quartz tube in certain embodiments. As this ozone enriched air is transparent, the UV light waves may freely pass through the ozone enriched air and into the fluid.
Preferably, a quartz tube or similar may extend substantially the length of the connection conduit and the tube protects the ultraviolet light from the fluid in the connection conduit.
Preferably, the tube may be manufactured from clear quartz or from any like materials; the tube allows the light wave from the ultraviolet light to interact with the ozone bubbles and reflect and react around the chamber.
The UV light sources may also be or include LED lights.
Preferably, the system may further comprise an end cap which is releasable attached to the top of each treatment chamber.
The tubes are preferably mounted through a sidewall and/or end cap and/or bottom mall depending upon their orientation.
Preferably, the waste removing means of each treatment chamber is connected to one or more waste pipes that is common. The lower ends of the treatment chambers may be selectively connectable to one or more common drainage pipes or ducts via control valves to allow drainage of the chambers.
Preferably, the system may further comprise at least one pre-filter located in the inlet line before the first chamber for removing any large materials from the fluid to be treated.
Preferably, the system may further comprise a U-shaped bend or trap to retain a level of water of fluid in the or each waste outlet to prevent any gas, particularly ozone gas or air charged with ozone gas, leaking into the waste.
Preferably, a combination of different wavelengths lamps may be used in the ozone production to produce ozone gas.
Preferably, the at least one dispersion assembly is associated with an ozone generator using ultraviolet light sources operating at a wavelength or wavelength band to create ozone or ozone enriched air which is then supplied to the at least one dispersion assembly.
Preferably, the UV light sources which create ozone in the treatment chamber are located first in the fluid flow followed by and separated from the UV light sources which are at a wavelength or wavelength band to have a sterilising or disinfecting effect.
Preferably, the ozone generator uses atmospheric air as a feed material at a feed pressure for the atmospheric air of approximately 3 psi to 5 psi, generating ozone from oxygen in the atmospheric air exposed to UV light at between 160-240 nm.
Preferably, the or each treatment chamber has an internal surface which is at least partially reflective in order to maximise the use of UV light waves which are produced.
Preferably, at least one connector conduit to an outlet at a base of a first treatment chamber with an inlet at an upper position of a second, adjacent treatment chamber.
Preferably, one or more chlorinators are provided within the connector conduit such that fluid flowing through the connector conduit is treated with chlorine produced by the one or more chlorinators.
Preferably, the treatment chamber is defined in a housing which is divided using one or more movable divider panels in order to produce an optimal flow of fluid through the housing.
Preferably, a number of treatment chambers are provided with each alternating treatment chamber provided with a number of ultraviolet light sources and each other alternating treatment chamber provided with at least one dispersion assembly.
Preferably, a treatment chamber has ozone created in situ within the treatment chamber through the provision of UV light sources within the treatment chamber and at least one dispersion assembly to add ozone or air enriched with ozone to the treatment chamber in order to enhance treatment.
Each chamber may be of any suitable volume. In one embodiment, each chamber has a volume of from 0.2 m3 to about 5 m3, especially from about 0.5 m3 to about 2 m3, more especially from about 1 m3 to about 1.5 m3. In the examples illustrated below each chamber typically has a volume of about 1 m3 to about 1.5 m3.
The system may be operated at any suitable flow rate, and the selection of flow rate will depend upon the cleanliness of the water. Cleaner liquids may be treated at a faster rate. In a system including 10 of the at least one treatment chamber (or extreme advanced oxidation) and 10 ozone treatment chambers (as discussed below), a typical flow rate would be from 0.7 m3 per minute to about 3.5 m3 per minute (about 1,000 to about 5,000 m3/day).
The system preferably operates at fluid to be treated feed pressure below 5 psi. The treatment system of the invention may employ one or multiple treatment chambers.
Treatment chambers can be used to treat fluid to be treated in particular, generally liquid or wastewater will be treated in order to provide clean water as a result.
The additional ozone or air enriched with ozone which may be used according to the present invention is typically created on-site, generally close to the injection location of the ozone or air enriched with ozone. According to a preferred embodiment, the ozone or air enriched with ozone is generally formed using UV light sources as well.
In order to be clear, in a preferred embodiment, typically air enriched with ozone is preferably created by passing atmospheric air past a UV light source configured to emit light waves at one or more wavelengths conducive to the creation of ozone and then this ozone is preferably passed to at least one dispersion assembly located in a treatment chamber to treat liquid.
The present invention can be configured to treat air or other gases with appropriate changes to the configuration within the scope of the invention.
In one embodiment, the system may also include at least one ozone treatment chamber (or sterilizing agent treatment chamber) through which a fluid to be treated is moved in a fluid flow. The at least one ozone treatment chamber (or sterilizing agent treatment chamber) may include at least one dispersion assembly located at a base of the ozone treatment chamber (or sterilizing agent treatment chamber) to disperse ozone (or sterilizing agent) supplied to the ozone treatment chamber in a counter flow direction to the fluid flow. The at least one dispersion assembly may disperse the sterilizing agent (such as ozone) in bubbles, especially having a diameter of less than 1000 Unlike the at least one treatment chamber described above, the at least one ozone treatment chamber (or sterilizing agent treatment chamber) typically does not include any ultraviolet light sources. The at least one ozone generation chamber may be configured to supply ozone to the at least one dispersion assembly in the ozone treatment chamber. Fluid to be treated may move through the at least one treatment chamber and the at least one ozone treatment chamber. Context permitting, features of the ozone treatment chamber (or sterilizing agent treatment chamber) may be as described above for the at least one treatment chamber.
In one embodiment, the system may also include at least one ultraviolet light treatment chamber through which a fluid to be treated is moved in a fluid flow. The at least one ultraviolet light treatment chamber may include at least one (preferably a plurality) of ultraviolet light sources. The ultraviolet light sources may be configured (or be operable) to irradiate fluid in the ultraviolet light treatment chamber. The light may operate at a wavelength or wavelength band to have a sterilising or disinfecting effect on the fluid to be treated at least reducing harmful bacteria, viruses and other microbes from the fluid. In one embodiment, the light is at a wavelength of from 240 nm to 400 nm. Fluid to be treated may move through the at least one treatment chamber and the at least one ultraviolet light treatment chamber. Unlike the at least one treatment chamber described above, the at least one ultraviolet light treatment chamber typically does not include a dispersion assembly. The ultraviolet light irradiated in the ultraviolet light treatment chamber may interact with residual ozone or sterilizing agent in the fluid flow. In the context of the present invention, the ultraviolet light treatment chamber in which treatment with both ultraviolet light occurs without use of a dispersion assembly, for example as described in this paragraph, may be described by the phrase “advanced oxidation”. Context permitting, features of the ultraviolet light treatment may be as described above for the at least one treatment chamber.
The system of the present invention may include at least one treatment chamber, at least one ozone treatment chamber (or sterilizing agent treatment chamber) and/or at least one ultraviolet light treatment chamber in any suitable combination. The system may include any number of at least one treatment chambers. For example, the system may include at least two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine or ten treatment chambers. The said treatment chambers may be connected in series or parallel, especially in series.
Similarly, the system may include any suitable number of at least one ozone (or sterilizing agent) treatment chambers. For example, the system may include at least two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine or ten ozone (or sterilizing agent) treatment chambers. The said ozone (or sterilizing agent) treatment chambers may be connected in series or parallel, especially in series. In one embodiment, fluid to be treated moves through the at least one ozone treatment chamber before moving through the at least one treatment chamber. Advantageously, use of at least one ozone (or sterilizing agent) treatment chamber immediately before the at least one treatment chamber in the fluid flow may elevate the concentration of ozone (or sterilizing agent) in the fluid flow within the at least one treatment chamber, which thereby may enhance the reaction in the at least one treatment chamber.
The system may also include any suitable number of at least one ultraviolet light treatment chambers. For example, the system may include at least two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine or ten ultraviolet light treatment chambers. The said ultraviolet light treatment chambers may be connected in series or parallel, especially in series. In one embodiment, fluid to be treated moves through the at least one treatment chamber before moving through the at least one ultraviolet light treatment chamber. Advantageously, use of at least one ultraviolet light treatment chamber after the at least one treatment chamber or the at least one ozone (or sterilizing agent) treatment chamber in the fluid flow may decrease the concentration of ozone (or sterilizing agent) in the fluid flow, for example, before the fluid exits the system.
The system may also include a plurality of groups of the at least one treatment chamber, the at least one ozone treatment chamber (or sterilizing agent treatment chamber) and/or the at least one ultraviolet light treatment chamber. For example, a said (or each) group may include at least one treatment chamber, at least one ozone treatment chamber (or sterilizing agent treatment chamber) and at least one ultraviolet light treatment chamber. Alternatively, a said (or each) group may include at least one treatment chamber, and at least one ozone treatment chamber (or sterilizing agent treatment chamber). Alternatively, a said (or each) group may include at least one treatment chamber, and at least one ultraviolet light treatment chamber. For example, a said (or each) group may include one, two three, four or five treatment chambers. A said (or each) group may include one, two three, four or five ozone treatment chambers (or sterilizing agent treatment chamber). A said (or each) group may include one, two three, four or five ultraviolet light treatment chambers. Where a group includes more than one treatment chamber, ozone treatment chamber (or sterilizing agent treatment chamber) or ultraviolet light treatment chamber, multiples of the same type of chamber may be connected in series or parallel, especially in parallel. The system may include at least two groups, especially two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine or ten groups.
The system may also include at least one ozone generation chamber (or at least one ozone generator). In one embodiment, the ozone generator includes at least one ozone generation chamber.
The at least one ozone generation chamber may be configured to supply ozone to the at least one dispersion assembly. In one embodiment, the system includes an ozone generation chamber for each dispersion assembly. However, in other embodiments a single ozone generation chamber may supply ozone to more than one dispersion assembly. The system may include a plurality of ozone generation chambers.
The at least one ozone generation chamber may include a gas inlet for introduction of an oxygen-containing gas. The oxygen containing gas may be air, oxygen, or oxygen enriched air. The at least one ozone generation chamber may include a gas outlet in fluid connection with at least one dispersion assembly. The at least one ozone generation chamber may include at least one ultraviolet light source. The at least one ultraviolet light source may be configured to irradiate oxygen-containing gas in the at least one ozone generation chamber to thereby produce ozone.
In one embodiment, the at least one ozone generation chamber includes a plurality of ultraviolet light sources. The at least one ozone generation chamber may include any suitable number of ultraviolet light sources. In one embodiment, the at least one at least one ozone generation chamber includes at least one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine or ten ultraviolet light sources. The at least one at least one ozone generation chamber may include less than 30 ultraviolet light sources. At least one (or each) ozone generation chamber may include from 5 to 100 UV light sources, especially from 5 to 50 UV light sources, more especially from 10 to 40 UV light sources, most especially from 15 to 40 UV light sources.
The total wattage of the ultraviolet light sources in a single at least one ozone generation chamber may be from 100 to 4,500 watts, especially from 300 to 4,000 watts, more especially from 500 to 3,500 watts, or from 1,000 to 3,500 watts. Each said UV light source may be from 60 W to 150 W, especially from about 70 W to about 120 W, more especially from about 80 W to 100 W. The UV light sources may be dispersed throughout the or each chamber. The UV light sources may be layered within the or each chamber. Each said layer of UV light sources may include UV light sources extending in a plurality of different directions. The or each chamber may include any suitable number of layers of UV light sources, especially 2, 3, 4 or 5 layers. Each said layer may include 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 UV light sources.
The ultraviolet light sources in the at least one ozone generation chamber may be in any suitable orientation or position. Such orientations or positions may be as described above for the at least one treatment chamber.
In one embodiment, the UV light sources provide light at about 50 nm to about 240 nm, or about 50 nm to about 210 nm, or about 130 nm to about 210 nm, especially from about 150 nm to about 200 nm, more especially from about 170 nm to about 200 nm or about 170 nm to about 190 nm, most especially form about 180 nm to about 190 nm. Such light sources may especially be present in the at least one ozone generation chamber.
In one embodiment, the at least one ozone generation chamber is configured to supply gas including at least 10 ppm ozone to the at least one dispersion assembly, especially at least 20 ppm ozone, or at least 30 ppm ozone, or at least 40 ppm ozone, or at least 50 ppm ozone.
In a third aspect, the present invention provides a method of treating a fluid, the method including passing fluid through the waste treatment system of the first or second aspects. Features of the third aspect of the present invention may be as described for the first and second aspects of the present invention.
Any of the features described herein can be combined in any combination with any one or more of the other features described herein within the scope of the invention.
The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.
Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows:
According to particularly preferred embodiments of the present invention, a waste treatment system is provided.
The waste treatment system of the invention is illustrated in a wide variety of embodiments in the Figures but all of the embodiments illustrated include at least one treatment chamber through which a fluid to be treated is pumped in a fluid flow, the or each treatment chamber including at least one of:
In the present invention, the ultraviolet (UV) light sources will preferably operate at a wavelength or wavelength band to have a sterilising or disinfecting effect on the fluid at least reducing and preferably eliminating harmful bacteria, viruses and other microbes from the fluid. Additionally, at least some of the ultraviolet light sources will be used to create ozone or ozone enriched air which will be supplied to or formed in a treatment chamber and will have a complementary oxidative effect in the fluid to be treated.
In a one embodiment, one or more UV light source may be provided to have a dual effect, namely to produce ozone and to have a sterilising or disinfecting effect. One or more UV light source may be provided that produce UV light with two main peaks in the UV light band, one at or around 254 nm for a sterilising or disinfecting effect, and another at or around 185 nm for ozone production. However, in a preferred embodiment, all UV light sources within a treatment chamber would have only a sterilising or disinfecting effect (and not an ozone generation effect).
Ozone generation from oxygen exposed to UV light typically occurs at between 160-240 nm. Above 240 nm light will preferably have sterilising or disinfecting effect.
A shortwave, low pressure UV lamp can be used for this purpose. These lamps will typically produce UV light with two main peaks in the UV light band at or around the desired wavelengths.
Importantly, light at wavelengths at or around 254 nm (or generally above approximately 240 nm) will normally adversely affect the levels of ozone in the fluid, normally degrading the ozone by photolysis. Therefore, the light from the ozone generating UV light sources may be located at a different treatment location within the same treatment chamber to the sterilising or disinfecting light sources to maximise the respective effects.
Alternatively, a number of separate treatment chambers may be used, one treatment chamber with the ozone generating UV light sources optimised to emit light waves predominantly at or around 185 nm for ozone production, and an adjacent treatment chamber having sterilising or disinfecting light sources optimised to emit light waves at or around 254 nm for a sterilising or disinfecting effect.
Typically, the ozone generating UV light sources are provided prior to the sterilising or disinfecting light sources in the direction of flow of the fluid through the one or more treatment chambers. This will allow the ozone time to react with the fluid and any constituents before the photolytic destruction of the ozone by the light waves at or around 254 nm for a sterilising or disinfecting effect.
A UV light ozone production system is preferred in the present invention to minimise the production of NO2 when compared to a corona discharge system in which the N2 is converted to nitric acid.
In a preferred form, a pre-filtration step may be used. Any type of filter can be used, but a simple sand filter may be optimum in terms of simplicity and low cost.
Preferably, ozone or ozone enriched air may be produced and supplied to the at least one dispersion assembly (primary ozone creation). This is preferably achieved using atmospheric air as a feed material, generating ozone from the oxygen exposed to UV light at between 160-240 nm. The feed pressure for the atmospheric air is preferably low, around 3 psi, as this will allow time for conversion of the oxygen in the feed to be converted to ozone, maximizing the levels of ozone created.
Secondary ozone generation will preferably occur in the treatment chamber using UV light sources optimized to emit light waves predominantly at or around 185 nm for ozone production.
The present invention includes at least one treatment chamber through which a fluid to be treated is pumped. As mentioned above, there will typically be one or more treatment chambers and preferably, a plurality of treatment chambers. Typically, the plurality of treatment chambers is provided in an in-line configuration with the fluid exiting a first treatment chamber entering a second treatment chamber and then exiting the second treatment chamber and entering a third treatment chamber and so on. In one embodiment, the system includes a plurality of treatment chambers provided in an in-line configuration with the fluid to be treated flowing sequentially through the plurality of treatment chambers.
The number of treatment chambers provided will typically be determined according to the efficiency of the treatment chambers and/or any required output conditions and/or based on input conditions of the fluid to be treated.
Typically, a number of treatment chambers will be connected in series although the physical location of the treatment chambers need not necessarily be linear. Where a number of treatment chambers are provided, the treatment chambers are connected to allow flow through the treatment chambers in the treatment system and the physical configuration of the treatment chambers is less important.
Where a plurality of treatment chambers is provided, one or more of the treatment chambers are typically activated in order to treat the fluid to be treated. The number and configuration of treatment chambers which are activated can differ. For example, some treatment chambers may be activated whilst others are deactivated, some or all of the treatment chambers may be partially activated that is some of the UV light sources in some or all of the treatment chambers may be activated and some not activated in order to optimise the treatment of the fluid to be treated. The status of each of the UV light sources in all of the treatment chambers are preferably individually adjustable (on/off and/or the capacity of operation from 0 to 100%) in order to obtain the desired treatment effect. In one embodiment, one or more of the treatment chambers are activated and one or more treatment chambers are deactivated in order to treat the fluid to be treated.
Each treatment chamber may have an internal surface which is at least partially reflective in order to maximise the use of the UV light waves which are produced.
Each treatment chamber will be shaped and preferably cylindrically shaped. However, in some embodiments, the treatment chamber may be rectangular or even multisided such as hexagonal shaped.
In the embodiments where more than one treatment chamber is provided, appropriate connection piping to connect the treatment chambers is also preferably provided. The connection piping may take any physical configuration. For example, in some embodiments, connection piping may be provided to connect an outlet at the base or lower portion of a first treatment chamber with an inlet at an upper position of a second, adjacent treatment chamber. This connection piping may be angled or alternatively, may be formed from a number of portions, for example a first portion which is substantially horizontal with a second portion which is substantially vertical or vice versa.
The flow direction of the fluid to treated through each treatment chamber is in a direction which is opposite to the direction in which the at least one sterilising agent is dispersed into or through the treatment chamber. Generally, the dispersion assembly is located at the base of a treatment chamber and therefore, the fluid will typically be provided into the treatment chamber through an inlet located at an upper portion of the treatment chamber and exit the treatment chamber through an outlet located at or towards the bottom of the treatment chamber.
One or more waste outlets will typically be provided in each treatment chamber. The specific location of a waste outlet in each treatment chamber would generally be dependent upon the type of waste which is to be removed. For example, any waste which may be contained in a froth or similar will typically be removed from an upper portion of the treatment chamber and therefore, the waste outlet will normally be in an upper portion of the treatment chamber. Similarly, any waste in the form of sediment will typically be removed from a lower portion of the treatment container.
Preferably, any treatment container which is designed to have or promote sedimentation will typically not include a dispersion assembly located at the base of the treatment chamber as this would tend to keep the sediment in suspension rather than allowing sedimentation to occur.
A drain valve may be provided in a lower portion of each of the treatment chambers in order to drain fluid from the treatment chamber.
As mentioned above, each treatment chamber will typically be in fluid connection with an adjacent treatment chamber where more than one treatment chamber is provided in series. A single connection may be provided or more than one fluid connection can be provided between linked treatment chambers.
The fluid connection will normally be provided by one or more connector conduits extending between adjacent treatment chambers. Additional treatment components may be provided in association with the connector conduit.
For example, one or more UV light sources may be provided within a connector conduit such that fluid flowing through the connector conduit will flow past of the UV light sources thereby being treated by the one or more UV light sources.
One or more chlorinators or similar components may be provided in association with and/or within a connector conduit such that fluid flowing through the connector conduit can be treated with chlorine produced by the one or more chlorinators.
Each treatment chamber will typically be provided with a top wall and a bottom wall and at least one side wall extending between the top wall in the bottom wall. Preferably, the top wall in bottom wall are provided as or with a removable top and/or bottom to provide or allow access to an internal part of each of the treatment chambers.
The treatment system of the present invention may be provided within a housing to allow easy transport. In particular, a treatment system according to the present invention may be provided within one or more shipping containers, or in or in association with a floating vessel or boat designed to travel across a body of fluid to be treated. If ancillary equipment such as filters or pumps and the like are provided, these can be provided in the same housing as the treatment system or alternatively, one or more additional housings may be provided to house ancillary equipment which can then be associated with the housing which houses the treatment system. In one embodiment, the treatment system is mounted on a floating vessel or boat designed to move across a body of fluid to be treated with the movement of the floating vessel or boat causing flow through the treatment system. In one embodiment, the treatment system mounted on a floating vessel or boat is mounted on a moveable portion to be moved between a raised, non-active position and a lowered used position.
The treatment system of the present invention includes a number of ultraviolet light sources provided within at least one treatment chamber. The ultraviolet light sources can be provided in the same treatment chamber as the at least one dispersion apparatus or ultraviolet light source may be provided in one or more treatment chambers which are separate from one or more treatment chambers housing the at least one dispersion apparatus.
Preferably, a number of ultraviolet light sources are provided in a number of different treatment chambers. As mentioned above, a treatment chamber may be provided with a number of ultraviolet light sources with or without a dispersion assembly. Preferably, the light sources will be configured to provide different wavelengths of light to the fluid to be treated. The light sources may treat the fluid directly and/or create secondary materials such as ozone for example that in turn treat the fluid, typically by acting on the materials carried by the fluid which the treatment is designed to remove.
According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the ultraviolet light sources will provide light waves at at least approximately 180 nm and approximately 254 nm. Without wishing to be limited by theory, light sources at approximately 180 nm will preferably create ozone and light sources at approximately 254 nm will preferably treat biologics for example.
Light may be provided many wavelengths including these in particular.
Light waves which are introduced into the fluid at one wavelength may also be split into light waves of lesser wavelength for example through interactions with materials carried by the fluid to be treated and/or bubbles for example which introduced into the fluid to be treated, for example by the at least one dispersion apparatus.
The UV light sources may be provided in any configuration. For example, as mentioned above, a number of ultraviolet light sources may be provided in a first treatment chamber and then an adjacent treatment chamber may contain a dispersion assembly without UV light sources and/or light sources may be provided in all treatment chambers in a treatment system.
The UV light sources may be grouped within a treatment chamber. For example, the light sources may be physically grouped within a treatment chamber in a bunched configuration in order to enhance the treatment of the fluid. The light sources may be grouped within a treatment chamber or in different treatment chambers according to a particular wavelength which is desired in an area of a treatment chamber or in a treatment chamber. For example, a number of light sources emitting light waves at or around 180 nm may be grouped in a particular location in a treatment chamber with a number of light sources emitting light waves at or around 254 nm grouped in a particular location that is different or separated from the grouping at or around 180 nm.
As mentioned above, any material or bodies within the fluid to be treated may further disperse or divide the UV light such as for example the UV light wavelengths may be split by bubbles from the dispersion apparatus and/or the bubbles may spread the light through the fluid to be treated.
The UV light sources may have any orientation relative to the treatment chamber but will typically be either a vertically oriented or horizontally oriented. UV light sources of a combination of orientations may be provided in a single treatment chamber or each treatment chamber may be limited to UV light sources of a particular orientation.
The UV light sources may be spaced approximately equal across the volume of the treatment chamber in order to ensure treatment and/or grouped as outlined above.
The housing may be provided which is divided using one or more divider panels in order to produce a optimal flow of fluid through the housing. For example, by providing a rectangular housing with a series of divider panels with each alternate divider panel spaced from the floor and each other alternate divider panel attached to the floor but spaced from the top of the body of fluid, the divider panels can cause an under or over flow pattern through the housing.
Where divider panels are provided, the divider panels may be removable and/or movable within the housing. It is preferred that any divider panels are planar but any shape could be used.
Typically, pipework will be provided relative to a housing that is provided with divider panels in order to assist with the flow of either the fluid to be treated or other fluids which are provided to the treatment chamber such as for example a least one sterilising agent.
At least one treatment chamber in the treatment system of the present invention will typically include at least one dispersion assembly located at a base of one or more treatment chambers in order to disperse at least one sterilising agent supplied to the treatment chamber through the fluid to be treated. In a particularly preferred form, the sterilising agent will be ozone. In this way, ozone or gas charged with ozone can be provided to a treatment chamber in order to treat fluid, typically by oxidation of components or material being carried by the fluid to be treated.
At least one dispersion assembly may be provided in each treatment chamber within the system or only in one or more treatment chambers. In a particularly preferred embodiment, a number of treatment chambers are provided with each alternating treatment chamber provided with a number of ultraviolet light sources and each other alternating treatment chamber provided with at least one dispersion assembly. However, in some embodiments, a dispersion assembly can be provided in every treatment chamber with the UV light sources provided in only some, preferably alternating treatment chambers within the system.
In some configurations, a treatment chamber will have ozone created in situ within the treatment chamber through the provision of UV light sources within the treatment chamber and at least one dispersion assembly will add ozone or air enriched with ozone to the same treatment chamber in order to enhance treatment.
Additional treatment chambers may be provided without any ultraviolet light sources or dispersion assemblies such as for example to allow sedimentation of material which has been treated by the UV light sources and/or dispersion assembly to settle to allow removal from the fluid to be treated.
The means for introducing the sterilizing agent into the primary treatment chamber may comprise one or more gas outlets, the one or more gas outlets comprising one or more of air stones, a gas permeable pipe or pipes, a diffuser or diffusers or an external venturi or venturis communicating with the primary treatment chamber and a source of the sterilizing agent.
Preferably, the sterilizing agent is introduced in the form of bubbles.
The means at the upper end of the chamber for removing waste may comprise an inverted U-shaped trap and/or a venturi unit.
Preferably, the system may further compromise a means at the upper end of any one or more of the treatment chambers for removing waste in the liquid conveyed by the bubbles upwardly through the chamber. The means at the upper end of the chamber for removing waste may compromise an outlet, preferably located above the preferred upper inlet for fluid to be treated preferably to take advantage of any flotation of waste materials, especially particulate or agglomerated material that may be carried upward by the bubbles and in particular, any waste materials in froth that may be formed. Each treatment chamber will preferably have a waste outlet and preferably, the respective waste outlets are associated with a common waste carriage conduit. In a preferred form, the common waste carriage conduit may have air or a gas pumped therethrough to create a suction effect at the waste outlet to assist with extraction of the waste materials.
A tube or similar may be used in association with any one or more of the plurality of UV light sources. The UV light sources are preferably elongate and/or are provided in an elongate tube to allow the light to pass and/or to disperse the light. Preferably, the tube will be or include a quartz tube. The preferred quartz tube can be inserted into the treatment chamber horizontally or vertically, may extend across the width of the chamber or vertically substantially over the height of the treatment chamber. Preferably, a quartz tube or similar may extend substantially the length of the UV light source and the tube preferably protects the ultraviolet light from the fluid in the treatment chamber.
Preferably, a quartz tube or similar may extend substantially the length of the connection conduit and the tube protects the ultraviolet light from the fluid in the connection conduit.
Preferably, the tube may be manufactured from clear quartz or from any like materials; the tube allows the light wave from the ultraviolet light to interact with the ozone bubbles and reflect and react around the chamber.
The UV light sources may also be or include LED lights.
Preferably, the system may further comprise an end cap which is releasable attached to the top of each treatment chamber.
The tubes are preferably mounted through a sidewall and/or end cap and/or bottom mall depending upon their orientation.
Preferably, the waste removing means of each treatment chamber is connected to one or more waste pipes that is common. The lower ends of the treatment chambers may be selectively connectable to one or more common drainage pipes or ducts via control valves to allow drainage of the chambers.
Preferably, the system may further comprise at least one pre-filter located in the inlet line before the first chamber for removing any large materials from the fluid to be treated.
Preferably, the system may further comprise a U-shaped bend or trap to retain a level of fluid in the or each waste outlet to prevent any gas, particularly ozone gas or air charged with ozone gas, leaking into the outlet or waste.
Preferably, a combination of different wavelengths lamps may be used in the ozone production to produce ozone gas.
The system preferably operates at fluid to be treated feed pressure below 5 psi. The treatment system of the invention may employ one or multiple treatment chambers.
Treatment chambers can be used to treat fluid to be treated in particular, generally liquid or wastewater will be treated in order to provide clean water as a result.
The additional ozone or air enriched with ozone which may be used according to the present invention is typically created on-site, generally close to the injection location of the ozone or air enriched with ozone. According to a preferred embodiment, the ozone or air enriched with ozone is generally formed using UV light sources as well.
In order to be clear, in a preferred embodiment, typically air enriched with ozone is preferably created by passing atmospheric air passed UV light source is configured to emit light waves at one or more wavelengths conducive to the creation of ozone and then this enriched with ozone is then preferably passed to at least one dispersion assembly located in a treatment chamber to treat liquid.
Importantly, the fluid to be treated flows through the treatment chambers of all of these embodiments from an upper end towards a lower end and then up to an elevated inlet of the adjacent treatment chamber and so on.
The examples illustrated in
Another alternative configuration is illustrated in
Chambers 2,4,6,8, and 10 have no ozone bubblers but have residual ozone (from the saturation in the respective preceding chamber) and UV lights treating the fluid at approximately 254 nm. This creates additional and/or differing reactions to those occurring in chambers 1,3,5,7, and 9. This configuration of the chambers created the result of the untreated sewerage shown in
UV lights are shown in all chambers in the configuration illustrated in
Two examples of an ozone generator which may be used in the system of the present invention are illustrated in
The salient characteristics of the fluid which is treated can be seen in the table below the machine configuration measured at the various positions though the respective machine.
Without wishing to be limited by theory, the inventor of the present invention describes operating principles of the invention in the following terms:
“A commonly known fact: if a liquid is placed in static electric fields, the field exerts a force on any free carriers of electric charge in the liquid. Therefore, it conducts electricity. There are two kinds of carriers: conductivities that are generally about one-third of the conductivity of the corresponding solid. The decrease in conductivity upon melting arises from the greater disorder of the positive ions in the liquid and hence their greater ability to scatter electrons. The contribution of the ions is small, less than 5 percent in the liquid metals, but it is the sole cause of conductivity in molten salts and in their aqueous solution. Such conductivities vary widely but are much lower than those of liquid metals.
Non-ionic liquids (those composed of molecules that do not dissociate into ions) have negligible conductivities. But they are polarized by an electric field; that is, the liquid develops positive and negative poles and also a dipole moment (which is the product of the poles strength and the distance between the poles) that is oriented against the field, from which the liquid acquires energy. This polarization has three kinds: Electron, Atomic and Orientation. In Electron polarization, the electron in each atom is displaced from their usual positions, giving each molecule a small dipole moment. The contribution of electron polarization to the dielectric constant of the liquid is numerically equal to the square root of its refractive index. The second effect is the atomic polarization, arises because there is a relative change in the mean positions of the atomic nuclei within the molecules. This generally small effect is observed at radio frequencies but not at optical (can only be seen through specialized ultraviolet lenses particularly through high-quality camera lenses), and so it is missing from the refractive index. The third effect is the Orientation polarization occurs with molecules that have permanent dipole moments. The molecule that is aligned with the field and contributes to the polarization. The above are commonly known to create the difference between a commonly known theory and creating equipment such as polarization that creates the reaction to cause polarization.
Polarization in the system of the present invention is also stimulated because of light waves from ultraviolet and the ozone bubbles which carry very high levels of hydrogen and lower levels of oxygen which rise up through the tubes or vessels, these ozone bubbles are highly energized as they have passed over a 180 nanometer ozone producing ultraviolet light which in volume can produce an electric charge into the bubbles which react with the 253 nanometer lights. These light waves continue to collide and split. Hence, they split into literally thousands of different wavelengths of light creating a guarantee of polarization. As the result of the polarization/sub atomic reaction any product or chemical, which has an atomic or molecular structure, can be broken up into negative zero, according to Einstein's theory, therefore it is still within the fluid or substances. However, it is no longer a chemical because it's no longer a structure. E.g. if clothing dye is pumped through the water dragon the colour turns clear within seconds, the reason for this is that the molecular structure of the chemical which is the dye is broken into negative zero the chemical has no molecular structure, therefore, it is no longer a substance hence the disappearance of the dye. In relation to heavy metals the atomic structure is destroyed or broken up and therefore heavy metals are also removed from the water or fluids, once again negative zero (−0) is created. By increasing, the electromagnetic waves, which are created by the light waves and by turning off some ultraviolet varying reactions, can be created. The hydrogen levels keep increasing. Remember that super high levels of hydrogen keep increasing in each chamber until coming in contact with ultraviolet light waves which then react with the super high levels of hydrogen bubbles ozone to create a polarization/subatomic reaction in water which breaks down atoms and chemicals creating negative zero. If the power level of the 180 nanometer light is increased the level of ozone which means very high levels of hydrogen and lower levels of oxygen and the destruction of nitrogen because the nitrogen atom is easily destroyed, once this is removed the hydrogen will have a much greater reaction within the chamber, and this is the reason why we can also create advanced oxidation without the need for hydrogen peroxide. This reaction is limited by the controlled creation of the hydrogen and oxygen within this environment as they are added to the system. It will create polarization by totally destroying or breaking up atoms and chemicals with a molecular or atomic structure. Polarization has the ability to break down almost all known substances listed above; this is because, within one apparatus, the following effects can be produced. The polarization system produces ‘pure ozone’, (no nitro-acid is produced) which is introduced against the flow of the water in a ‘Hyper oxidation’ polarization reaction chamber. The water then passes into an ozone chamber to enrich the hydrogen levels moving upward with the residual ozone to the top, where the water is divided and the process begins again with pure ozone added every time and this is repeated for as many chambers as there are in the system. Our ozone is produced by the use of of 180 nanometer light waves rather than electrical corona discharge so we do not produce any harmful nitric acid in the process. Additional live ozone must introduce a static electric field, which polarizes the liquid, and all contaminants held in solution are converted into harmless molecules such as water, carbon dioxide, and mineral salts. Bromide and any resultant bromates are destroyed in the same processes. Ozone destruction can be employ at the end of the system depending on the next stage requirements.
The atomic polarization reaction will destroy bacteria, viruses, parasites and residual organic matter that are dealt with early on in the system. The chemicals and heavy metals are particularly susceptible to the polarization processes that also effectively remove hormones and pharmaceuticals. It is a growing problem especially in recycled water, which no one seems to know how to tackle the impending problem.
The preferred system operates at a pressure below 5 psi and employs single or multiple reaction chambers using the following nature-based sciences to treat the polluted water:
The Polarization Water Purification System Technology:
The Polarization Water Purification System had been designed to:
The restriction to using ozone in most cases using cold corona discharge systems the creation of nitric acid (HNO3) will create blood clotting at even very low levels, so in most cases it is not practical to apply; also, the result of the ozone is 20.9% plus 70% toxic nitric acid, in comparison, making ozone with ultraviolet light of around 180 nanometers created ozone without the nitric acid. But when used in water which has bromide in it the bromide is converted to bromate when added to ozone/ozene causes a very cancerous substance in it, ozone turns bromine into bromate and bromate causes cancer to humans and animals. Bromate when created in the system is immediately destroyed with the breakdown of chemical compounds but bromate is destroyed within the Polarization System.
In remote areas and third world countries, the purification of contaminated water provides further challenges. Available water supplies are often contaminated. Moreover, the water supply is sometimes limited and can be exhausted seasonally, requiring users to move to another supply. Under these conditions, a system for water purification must be robust, simple to use, automated with robust controls mobile and relatively inexpensive. While treated water can be transport to these locations, such transportation is expensive for a heavy bulk item that is used in large quantities. In addition, transportation and storage pose potential recontamination issues.
Accordingly, it would be advantageous for the present invention to provide a convenient, which generates one, or more of the disadvantages set forth above or at least provides an alternative by mounting the polarization system in shipping containers for ease of transport, and also remove the need for buildings, and the like.
Aquaculture system can also be mounted in this way by using two containers with one side removed joined together with the polarization system mounted in a single container with a double container containing fish tank and out of 5 containers 4 can be growing fish and 1 container used for removing ammonia and other toxic substance in center or 1 container processing water. This can be mounted in various configurations and with the ability to have containerized climate control, stackable aquaculture systems requiring less space and better installation from fluctuating temperatures. As long as the water is cool enough to flow, all toxins can be removed and high levels of oxygen that are normally available can be achieved.
In accordance with the one aspect, this invention provides water/gas or a fluid/gas treatment system compromising a single or series of interconnected upright horizontal and vertical or slanting chambers or transfer pipes. The series of chambers has one inlet to the system and one outlet where the inlet is located at the same height as the outlet of the series of a chamber or in equal height in the case gas and or fluids. Gas destruction the inlets and outlets can be at the opposite of fluid treatment by coming in at the bottom and out at the top. The series comprising one first chamber composed of an inlet for fluid to treat at the upper end of the first chamber and the outlet from the first chamber is in the lower end of the first to the outlet. It means for introducing ozone gas in a form containing no nitric acid into a lower end of the first chamber for bubbling upwardly and through the liquid downwardly in a swirling motion through the first chamber and a tube extending horizontally first chamber and housing a first ultraviolet light. This combination will create polarization and when applied at the right density and energy levels. At least one second chamber comprising an inlet for fluid to be treated at the lower end of the second chamber and the outlet of the second chamber at the upper end of the second chamber such fluid flows upwardly or through the side of the second chamber by having the transfer pipe inside of the first chamber starting from the base and moving into the second chamber through the second chamber from the inlet to the outlet. At least one tube extending longitudinally inside of the second chamber and housing a second ultraviolet light wherein the first and second chambers are connecting to the fluid that passes from the first chamber into the second chamber. The ultraviolet lights in the second main chamber will be horizontal and of 253 nanometers or similar plus additional light waves of between 0 nanometers to 1200 nanometers and above. Any other variant of light wave required to give appropriate reactions. Moreover, the outlet of the second chamber that is located below or the same level with the input of the first chamber such that fluid flows gravitationally or pumped through the fluid treatment system. The first chamber may also have horizontal or vertical ultraviolet lights or varying wavelengths.
Preferably, the means for introduction of pure zone bubbles into the lower end of the first chamber can comprise. One ozone generator connected to at least one longitudinally extending ozone chamber, an air blower or pump for blowing air or pure oxygen into a manifold connected to the ozone chamber, an ozone control valve to control the flow of energized ozone gas. In addition, the ozone generator uses O2 or pure oxygen for an increase oxygen level which is pushed through the ozone in a bubble-creating medium in the lower end of the first chamber. Such as ozonebubbles, it will flow upward through the fluid flowing downwardly in the first chamber. Then, at least one ozone generator may be an ultraviolet lamp generating radiation from the said lamp to a frequency to convert oxygen in said air into ozone. The electrically charge ozone bubbles creating medium may be any one of an air stone or venture unit or similar or into at a lower level which creates the bubbles which bubble against the fluid flows in a downward or into a lower level direction within the first chamber.
Alternatively, an inlet valve may control the control of the rise of the ozone bubbles. Each first chamber may have a clear view window located in an upper section of the first chamber, the window allows the ozone bubbles that can see in the first chamber. This is designed to allow open flow or high enough to prevent overflow.
Preferably, the system may further compromise a mean at the upper end of the first chamber for removing waste in the liquid conveyed by the bubbles upwardly through the chamber. The means at the upper end of the chamber for removing waste may compromise an inverted U-shaped trap or section with bypass valve mounted under it.
A quartz tube can insert into the first chamber horizontally or vertically that may extend across the width of the first chamber or vertically between the horizontal cross sections in the quartz tube protects the ultraviolet light from the inside solutions of all chambers. These lights may also be LED lights.
Preferably, one tube may extend substantially the length of the second chamber and the tube protects the ultraviolet light from the fluid in the second chamber.
Preferably, the tube may be manufactured from clear quartz or from any like materials; the tube allows the light wave from the ultraviolet light to reflect from the ozone bubbles and reflect a react around the chamber by including 180 nanometer lights inside quartz tube additional ozone may be created to the oxygen and hydrogen bubbles.
By changing the bubble size, the atomic polarization reaction can be changed when combined with varying light waves and ozone levels, this creates polarization reaction within the chambers this happens because multiple light waves reflecting around the chambers collide with each other and split and create thousands of new wavelengths of light which combined with the charged ozone/ozene bubbles create a lightning type reaction (polarization).
Preferably, reflective materials may place on the inside of all chambers to improve the reflection of the ultraviolet light in the chamber. The ultraviolet light may have a wavelength of approximately 253 nanometer, any other suitable wavelength, or a mixture of wavelengths even a mixture of normal ultraviolet and LED ultraviolet, but because of the reaction, many new wavelengths are created during the polarization reaction.
Preferably, the system may further comprise an end cap which is releasably attached to the top of each chamber and in which the tube is mounted, the end cap has an aperture through which the ultraviolet lamp is passed into the tube. The second chamber may comprise two tubes or as many as required and in any wattage with ultraviolet lights extending longitudinally each tube.
Preferably, the first ultraviolet light or the means for introducing ozone bubbles may switch between active and non-active status to effectively changing the sterilization process in the second chamber and increase or decrease the electrical and hydrogen energy in the water or fluid as to assist in the creation of negative zero reaction or atom and molecular destruction via polarization.
Preferably, the ozone generation bubbles may use to assist the gravitational or pumped flow of fluid through the exit of the system.
Preferably, the waste removing means of each said first chamber is connected to one or more waste pipes that are more common. When creating negative zero or atomic polarization or molecular breakdown. The lower ends of the said first and second chambers may be selectively connectable to one or more common drainage pipes or ducts via control valves to allow drainage of the first and second chambers along with any excess ozone or any other gas.
Preferably, the first and the second chambers may be located in an in-line system. The fluid treatment system may comprise two first inline chambers and an alternating first and second chamber arranged in a line or is a single or doubled chamber system. Alternatively, the fluid treatment system may comprise a plurality of chambers. The plurality of the chambers may comprise an equal number of the first and second chambers or one single chamber.
Alternatively, the first chambers may be set out in the system in a zigzag pattern and likewise, the second chambers may set out in the system in the zigzag pattern.
Preferably, the system may further comprise a plurality of the fluid treatment system and wherein the inlet from the first chamber is, connect to the outlet of the immediately preceding second chamber. In addition, the lower ends of the first chamber and second chambers are in substantially the same horizontal plane such that the system can be freestanding or supported.
Preferably, the system may further comprise at least one pre-filter located in the inlet line before the first chamber for removing any large materials from the fluid to be treated.
Preferably, the system may further comprise four tubes with ultraviolet light in each tube. The second chambers may manufacture in different diameters to accommodate different numbers of and different sizes of the ultraviolet lights and the tube are mounted.
Preferably, the second chambers may comprise chambers of varying diameter from the top of the chamber to the bottom of the chamber or alternatively have variations where the smaller chamber pipes are located and mounted above large pipes below, which create additional capacity and allow fluids and gases a longer processing time in the system. Thus, allowing for a larger flow of substances to be clean and purified or destroyed by polarization.
Preferably, the system may further comprise a U-shaped bend or trap to retain a level of water of fluid in the waste outlet to prevent any ozone gas leaking into the waste drain and any gases can be re-directed into the gas destruction system to eliminate ozone and turn it back to oxygen.
Preferably, the first and second chamber may be vertical or semi-vertical elongated chambers. The system may be formed as a symmetrical unit with first and second chambers formed of vertically elongated chambers, which decrease in length or height starting at the outer sides of the system and decreasing in height or length until in the middle first chamber is reached, alternatively the system may be of equal height or close to equal height.
Preferably, the first chambers may be operating as extreme advance oxidation delivery units; an ozone gas delivery tubes delivers ozone gas to an ozone spray delivery units located within the first chamber Preferably, the ozone produce either pure ozone or a high level of ozone in the bubbles rising upwards against the water streams and passing ultraviolet lights of 253 nanometers or similar light waves will create polarization capable of breaking down heavy metals, chlorine, chemicals, and organics. The reason this happens is the atomic-molecular level because of the polarization process.
Preferably, ultraviolet lights of different wavelengths may be installed in either first or second chambers and are selected from any one or more UVA, UVB or UVC wavelength lights wavelengths of light or LED light waves covering a much larger nanometer spectrum or variations of different wavelengths in one or more chambers not previously used in treatment of fluids such that the oxidation is possible for substances which have not previously been treated.
Preferably, a combination of different wavelengths lamps may be used in the ozone chambers to produce ozone gas as long as they are close to 253 nanometers
Preferably, any one or more second chambers with fluids without bubbles passing one ultraviolet light of wavelength approximately 253 nanometers or similar can be used in the system to perform advance oxidation of the fluid by working and reacting with high levels of residual ozone.
Preferably, the ozone used in the system may be nitric acid-free however, the used of cold corona discharge may be used as nitric acid will be automatically be destroyed in the polarization process because of the molecular or atomic breakdown caused by polarization.
Preferably, an ozone live bubbles oxidation process may occur in each first chamber or only in selected chambers depending on the reactions required
Preferably, the fluid system may have been designed where valves are fitted to an exhaust outlet of the chambers containing fluid to treat backpressure if required fluids going through the exhaust vent force them to continue into the following chambers.
Preferably, with the present system it may possible to have ozonation, fractionation, chlorination, ozonation, extreme advance oxidation, and ionization, all reacting in the same chamber at the same time due to polarization reaction. Alternatively, any combination of the above as variation to create different reactions whenever is required.
Preferably, by varying the setup or the components within the system, the pH level may raise or lower as required. (See lab report fig no. 89) Because of oxidation concentration or if pH is too high it will be reduced.
Fractionated fluids or gases may be removed at the upper end of the chamber through an exhaust or waste pipe which may have a controlling valve which may be turned off, left, or partially open so as to create back pressures for said gases or fluids which will be required in normal operation. The backpressure created will contain the fluids.
These fluids may be sterilized using ozone and multiple wavelengths of ultraviolet light if required. These ozone bubbles rise to meet wavelength of UV such as 253 nanometers or similar light waves to create atomic polarization. When viewed through ultraviolet lenses, the effect is like looking at a thousand lightning strikes per second and almost appears that the chambers are on fire without producing any external heat. The UV bulbs may be mounted to the top part or lower down in expanded chambers of the embodiment. They may also be horizontal and or vertical or both.
The effects of the extreme atomic polarization are to destroy the molecules of the chemicals and in an atomic way to destroy heavy metals and in some cases, oxidize certain metals in a very efficient way. Some metals such as copper is removed at the upper exhaust tube or waste by ozone fractionation with the use of ozone bubbles before meeting the polarization process or air that is most preferable for the particular water or fluid and becoming a partial solid at the base of the collection chamber because of the molecular change in the change of water molecules. Other metals such as Zinc, Chromium, Nickel, and many other metals may also be recovered or removed
As multiple chambers may use a standard embodiment will need to be mounted on a level surface however embodiments such as the zigzag are designed so as to be mounted in such a way that every rolling motion such as at sea will not affect the embodiments function. In a zigzag format, the fluid or gases must pass through each chamber. Atomic polarization can be created in a chamber the ultraviolet lights may be turned on and off at will to change the reaction process.
All of the above reactions in the different embodiments have major destructive powers on viruses, bacteria, moulds, spores, protozoa, cyst, fungal pathogens, algae, fungus spores, and moulds spores, yeast. The removal of the biological oxygen demand (BOD) and the chemical oxygen demand (COD), natural or synthetic hormones.
In relation to chemical atomic molecular destruction, poisons such as cyanide and arsenic can easily destroy. The destruction of chemical molecules using polarization has a devastating effect on almost any chemical or poison.
Radioactive water or heavy water from a nuclear power station or nuclear facilities that can be treated with varying forms of these embodiments. The destructions of the metals of the radioactive particles within the water such as uranium caesium (Cs) and plutonium, which are primary metals of varying types, should be destroyed within these embodiments by varying the settings to suits the purpose. Heavy water should turn to light water with vastly lower levels or radiation. When using atomic polarization using various wattages and ozone levels.
The embodiment variations that be created by changing the settings and with the inclusion of ozone fractionation combined with ozonation, chlorination, advance oxidation creating polarization has the ability to breakdown the elements into chlorine gas and hydrogen sulphide which is extracted through the exhaust or waste discharge pipe for collection and reuse as fuel. Other elements are oxidized and/or molecularly dissipated thus leaving fresh germ-free water in any portion depending on the size and structure of the embodiment and also, providing fresh drinking water. No sodium as a physical form is produced in this process.
The combination of ozone fractionation and extreme advance oxidation, chlorination and ionization along with varying ultraviolet wavelengths can combine in one embodiment to produce atomic polarization. The ability to switch between active and non-active can change the reaction within the embodiment at the turn of the switch. The gases created may be dried, compressed to a suitable pressure, for burning, for the production of the steam or any other requirement as required.
Any gases produced or as a by-product of the burning gases that can be redirected through the gas destruction embodiment with or without water to neutralize any toxic or any pollution in the exhaust system.
Within the embodiment, carbon dioxide can be passed into chambers containing pure ozone then passed into 253 nanometers ultraviolet light to be broken back to oxygen (O2) and then into ozone (O3) and back into multiple chambers of ultraviolet at 253 nanometers, or both ozone and ultraviolet combined in one chamber. This process may produce oxygen (O2) capable of being recycled or reused for other purposes or continues use of air from carbon dioxide or carbon monoxide to oxygen and Polarization may be possible.
Within this system by using the varying wavelengths of lights, carbon dioxide can be converted back to oxygen for to improve the level of oxygen by creating ozone and then with the use of different wavelengths of ultraviolet light break the ozone (O3) back to (O2) or oxygen.
Because of the polarization reaction between the ozone bubbles and the UV light waves bouncing from the bubbles which can act mirrors or prisms and because light waves are refracting and bouncing around the chamber, the light waves also collide reacting and creating an electrical field of literally thousands of wavelengths which have been created from one wavelength. This electrical charge within the reaction chamber could be utilized as a power source.
The system of the present invention may include multiple treatment chambers of the same or different configurations, in line or side by side with angled connection pipes, vertical-horizontal pipes, horizontal and vertical pipes and horizontal. All of these connection pipes preferably have a coupling in top and bottom and may be removeable for cleaning outside of the housing chamber, or such pipes can be mounted internally to move water from the bottom to the top or top to the bottom internally or to another chamber.
The differing connection pipes allow for variation in operation and can carry ultraviolet bulbs of various wavelengths of light waves, to create varying reactions in the water or gases.
By changing the connection pipes to the various designs such as ozonation, fractionation, advanced oxidation, extreme advanced oxidation and polarization can be created simply by coupling and uncoupling different configurations as shown in the Figures. All of these reactions can be created without the use of hydrogen peroxide as a catalyst because of the high levels of hydrogen created from the extremely high levels of ozonation because no nitric acid is captured or created within the system. Therefore, the present invention can achieve use of a hundred times the ozonation levels of any other system. These connection pipes may have ozone or air bubbles included to create additional reactions or assist with a pumping action utilizing the rising bubbles.
The main embodiments of treatment chambers can have fluid or gas transfer chambers fitted to one side or both sides or can be installed internally and alternating sides as singular, doubles, triples or in any number to carry the required flow. Also, may be directly transferred internally through the side walls of the next chamber to reduce flow time and the room required to install such system.
The main embodiments of treatment chambers may be of equal height, slightly higher or lower than the main embodiments next to them and can placed in single rows, multiple rows or in any form that allows water or gases to flow between the treatment chambers.
The connection pipes can be different from the main embodiment chamber in many different formats to achieve the result required as shown from
The system can be used for fluids such as polluted water caused from chemical contamination, heavy metal contamination, viral bacteria contamination, and radiation contamination or colourings such as clothing dyes and other colouring agents. The destruction of these contaminants can be created by destroying or disrupting the chemical molecular structure or the atomic structure of various heavy metals. The biological structure of viruses and bacteria are destroyed in the following ways, extreme levels of pure zone containing no nitric acid these levels can be hundreds of times higher than can normally be achieved.
The invention can be change from one reaction to another simply by turning of lights whether it be in transfer chambers, fractionation chambers that can be in the transfer chambers or within the main embodiment. The amount of different reaction can be created in one system would be in the hundreds depending on the size of the system.
These systems can treat fluids or gases and air in one single system for example the front six chambers may be treating water and remaining four chambers may be treating gases or air or destroying ozone by turning it back to purified air.
By placing the varying ultraviolet bulbs in rows inside quartz housings, the water or fluids can be rotated around the system and slowly work the way down through the system pushing against ozone bubbles rising or air bubbles as they pass over the varying light waves, the bubbles have the effect of reflecting the light by acting as mirrors or prisms. When the light waves reflect around the chamber they have the effect of colliding with each other splitting and creating new light waves, which are in the thousand, the effect of these reactions create polarization and can only be seen through specialized UV lenses. Also, by adding 180 nanometer tubes along with 253 nanometer tubes and other wavelengths as required. As oxygen or air passes the 180 nanometer tube the oxygen in the water will convert into ozone.
By changing the wavelengths of different bulbs and placing them in different places throughout the chambers many different types of polarization can be created. The number of differing reactions is only limited by the imagination wavelengths from 10 nanometers to 1200 nanometers and above, such as that which can be created by LED lights. There is preferably little or no heat created within the system. As different wavelengths are created and mixed together when viewed through a specialized UV lens different colors of light waves can be viewed flashing around the chamber.
Electrostatic charge is created in two ways by pumping air over 180 nanometer ultraviolet lights and electrostatic charge is created within the ozone bubbles which form in the multiple chamber. In addition, the bubbles and water passing over ultraviolet lights of 253 nanometers or any other wavelengths also create an electrical discharge. This discharge must be controlled as excessive electrical discharge can have the effect of turning negative zero which chemical molecules and heavy metal atoms are broken down within the system and create the negative zero holding the various elements apart.
Excessive energy can be withdrawn from the system by using the chlorination system within the chambers as negative to earth. This will control excessive overcharging of the system if required to stop any molecular lock up within the system.
The excessive electrical charge can be reduced with the use of air bubbles passing through the water without lights, even with lights the amount of charge in the water or fluid is reduced. These electrical charges in the system must be controlled, in other ways, to reduce electrical charge is by speeding up the flow of the fluids or gases so they actually spend less time within the system and therefore hold less charge.
The system of the present invention has been designed to reduce salt from water or simply to reduce salt to required levels because the system has the ability to knock out minerals and minerals are metals and metals are atoms, the aim on treating the salt water is to knock out a lot of the 47 minerals and metals in the 40 water. This has the effect of reducing the total dissolve solids to an acceptable level, thus reducing the salinity of the water's dissolve solids to an acceptable level, thus reducing the salinity of the water.
By allowing the ozone level to increase to such high levels the effect in the following chambers 45 when passing through varying nanometers of ultraviolet and the polarization that the salinity of the water is dramatically reduced this can be adjusted from chamber to chamber. The advance oxidation and the extreme advance oxidation along with the polarization reducing the total dissolved solids (TDS) if the TDS is very low then the salinity is very low all of this can be done without filtering.
The system is designed to be fitted with chlorinators so in one chamber ozonation, chlorination can all be applied inside the chlorinator. Chlorine gas can be created as part of the process this has the effect of reducing the salinity levels and creating a usable fuel for the production of steam to drive turbines and produce electricity, the by-product of burning chlorine is carbon monoxide any by-products can be destroyed by passing the exhaust gasses through the system in the reversed manner to which it normally runs in other words, from the bottom to the top and by closing off any exhaust outlets within the system.
Another effect of the system is to spray water into a stack or chimney this will have the effect of taking the toxins from burning coal such as lead, mercury, CO2, as well as many other destructive toxins and placing it into the water along with any ash this will have the effect of reducing the pollution from these stacks up to 90% making coal and other fossil fuels a green energy source. Once the toxins are in the water they can be pass through the water dragon system and destroyed, this means no ponds required for water storage instead it can go straight back to the stacks again on a repeating cycle with only make up water required for the evaporation.
In addition to chemicals, heavy metals and biological issues the water dragon system with its multiple powerful combinations of reactions can destroy pharmaceuticals of any type including hormones which mainly distributed by the contraceptive pill and as with all pharmaceutical, which are synthetic, so they do not break down over time consumed by the human population they will all pass through our urinary track system in a form of urine and finishes up in 20 sewage plants and septic systems which also soak into the underground water system and eventually pump back to the population. This has the effect of creating massive side effects on humanity.
When passing toxic gases through the system, the system preferably has the ability to destroy many if not all of the toxins within the gas stream by adding air or oxygen to the system along with the gas and by placing exposed 180 nanometers ultraviolet bulbs in layers above or below 253 nanometers bulbs, the ozone will be created right next to the 253 nanometers ultraviolet these reactions will be enormous and instantaneous additionally by placing 180 nanometers and 253 nanometers side by side in multiple layers within each chamber along with various other bulbs of vary nanometers total destruction of most gases will occur.
By passing the gases through venturi or air stones, the gases will become trapped within the water. These compounds can then be destroyed by the advance oxidation, extreme advance oxidation and polarization. This provides to varying ways to destroy heavy metals, chemicals and toxic substances.
The waste pipe carrying any fractionated water bubbles along with any dirt or discoloration will be partially vacuumed out of the system by placing a 45-degree angled outlet pipes to the waste drain and being pumped into one end of the waste pipe will create a vacuum and instantly start the breaks down of any residual ozone into clean fresh air. At the discharge end of the waste drain, a U-bend will 40 force the gases and the water or fluids to separate the gases which can then be treated to remove any residual ozone and only emit clean air.
Ozone and ultraviolet tubes can be left exposed within the chambers both horizontally and vertically when using gases. However, in the case of fluids, the light must be housed in quartz tube to keep them dry; these tubes can be also in horizontal, vertical or in any practical format.
When placing gases through the system the first 5 chambers can be kept dry purely as a gas destruction at the end of these process any gases left can be placed into the water by venturis under pressure and the second half of the system can be a liquid based system applying additional destruction applications.
Within the system, negative zero energy is created this has the effect of splitting the molecules and dividing the molecular structure split each portion of the molecule and turns then into negative zero in this form, the chemical no longer exists and because of its portion of molecular structure is now negative zero, it cannot be reformed, However in sea water the test results establish that the system can reduce the sodium and the total dissolve solids in the case of chemicals such as dioxins (Dieldrin for example) when passed through the system become not detectable and in these test no waste discharge occurred. Adjusting the number of lights and/or their position shows differing reactions.
Chemicals, heavy metals and pharmaceuticals when pass through the system are destroyed in one or more of molecular and atomic breakdown; many of these contaminants are turned into negative zero, carbon dioxide and some salts when treating sea water the destruction of removal total dissolved solids (TDS) is the answer to the salt from the system by destroying the minerals in sea water which means the TDS will drop to 35,000 to less than 250.
The system has the ability to produce ozone from air when the 180 nm ozone producing bulb are place in the system with ozone, air and pure oxygen are passed over the bulbs within the system the expose ozone bulb will create ozone (no nitric acid is produced) are submerse inside quartz tube in the water in varying position across the chamber and vertically the oxygen in the bubbles passing the ozone producing tubes will produce ozone on contact or when penetrated by light waves produce within the lights.
The system when fitted with varying light waves in layers or side-by-side of 180 nm and 253 nm can create enormous destruction to living organisms, heavy metals, chemicals and pharmaceuticals along with unknown toxic gases. This has the effect of cleaning substances and destroying gases previously thought to be untreatable.
By exposing bulbs directly in the water but sealed from the water from each end by quartz tubes or similar and by varying the wavelengths with the used of LED lights and from its lowest of 0 nanometers to late 900 nanometers and above to the thousands and by placing various wavelength in close proximity in the chamber to each other destructive powers that can clean, destroy, oxidize and to reform some substances will be possible. The amount of electrical charge must be controlled so as create negative zero and not allow positive zero to reform so various systems such as earth chlorinators or wiring harness which can control the static electrical build up of the water or fluid or gases.
Gas destruction can be most efficient and by passing through 1, 2 or 20 chambers of various settings of nanometers and by using low and high energy bulbs and by flowing the gases adding air or oxygen to increase reaction either by adding it from the top, sides or base and by adding ozone, air and oxygen in various ways gas destruction, germ destruction is assured. The speed of flow of any gases added to the system must through the control rate to eliminate unwanted gases at the end of the process. Electrical charge within the gases must be monitored and reduce where required.
It Is in relation to a floating version of this invention a setting of the ultraviolet lights and the positioning of the ultraviolet lights will create advance oxidation and extreme advance oxidation and polarization when position above ozone bubbles diffuses or micro bubblers.
This portion of this invention allows the invention to become mobile in rivers, lakes, dams or oceans by lowering the platform and propelling the vessel through the water with the platform in the lowered position with the lights and ozone bubblers all working the water driven through the platform will create the treatment reaction. The speed in which the vessel is driven through the water will control the reaction and the severity of the reaction relating to the water flow and the reaction and time for the reaction of the ozone ultraviolet light exposure.
These floating systems can also be anchored and fix position and have the water driven through the submerged platform by the paddle wheel or pumps and be forced over the platform at any speed which is the correct flow for water to be treated.
Ozone will be produced inside the containers using air over ultraviolet bulbs of 180 nanometers or similar which is then forced into multiple rows of air stones or venturis or micro bubblers to create extremely high levels of ozone without nitric acid being produced and by changing how far apart the ultraviolet bulbs of 253 nanometers and other wavelengths and by changing these positions we can create the same effects as if the bulbs wherein tubes or containers as the level of ozone and the amount of saturation of ozone when meeting the UV bulbs can create the effects of advance oxidation (without hydrogen peroxide) being required to produce this reaction a massively high levels of ozone in the water (hydrogen) combined with air (oxygen) will create the advanced oxidation, extreme advance oxidation will also occur along with differing forms of atomic polarization.
The lifting of the platform allows the vessel to move freely through the water without drag and to clean the platform and service it above water. The double platform which is joined in the middle can be removed and separated and each fit in to a shipping container for transport the bow and stern ends can each be removed and also fit inside shipping containers to transport.
These floating systems can process huge quantities of water hundreds of thousands of cubic meters of water can be processed in this way every day. These systems can be driven through the water or placed in a stationary position or have the water driven through the system by the paddle wheel or pumps or allow the current to flow through the system and control the speed of flow by using paddle wheel to restrict or increase the flow. The same system can be built on land and by sealing. The ends of the platform water can be pump into the system at a suitable speed similar to float in on a river or a lake. The system in this format can be stacked one on top of the other or joined from end to end to create a much more powerful system by allowing the water to have more treatment time before being discharge through the system.
The paddle wheel, which can drive the system or boat through the water, can also be used when the boat is in an anchored position or when floating freely in the water to drive water over the plate form from the back or pull the water through from the front. The paddle wheel is driven by chain and sprocket or by belts which are attached to a variable speed electric motor with gear box to drive the paddle wheel at the appropriate speed required generators are also placed in the floating containers to provide the electricity for water processing or to move the vessel from place to place to create electricity for the air pumps and ultraviolet lights.
The platform can be used as a biological filter by spraying water from the top and bringing air bubbles from the bottom to oxygenate the water and by adding biological media for the bacteria to attach to remove or convert such elements such as ammonia to nitrate while passing thru the system. The system may be partly submerged to allow the water to trickle over the biological media which will allow the water to become highly oxygenated and remove carbon dioxide (CO2) from the system by slightly submerging the platform it will force the oxygen coming from air stones to pass upwards through the system and not just dissipate from the system, also by submerging the platform fully and spraying the water from the top these same effects will occur. The system may also be fully submerged allowing the bubbles to rise from the bottom and using the paddle to pull or push water through the biological media.
By pumping water through the system form end to end with the air stones operating fully and by applying UV at the end of the system or the discharge in biological reaction will occur with the purification at the end of the system, however by leaving the UV lights off the bacteria which are constantly separating can flow with the water out of the system into lake, river or dam and work within that water because water is now fully oxygenated and now the various forms of the bacteria can continue to remove the ammonia converted into Nitrate and by removing the ammonia the food source of the algae blooms will disappear and therefore the algae will also be gone.
The floating or land-based system can remove salt and minerals by breaking down the total dissolved solids. This can be done by setting the 253 nanometer ultraviolet lights in the center of the system and just prior to the end of the system or no center system just the concentration of light taking the end of the flow process. This can be done on land or in the water. The reactions of the advanced oxidation extreme advanced oxidation and polarization to remove the metals, chlorides and salinity or reduce it to a point where it is drinking water standard. This open system will produce the same reactions as the system shown previously in earlier phases of this patent application.
This molded embodiment allows for fix or removable flow panels these panels can be under and over or over and under or have open ended sections which can flow from one side to the other side create varying reactions in the same way as the under and over. These sections by being removable can allow larger or smaller compounds, which can allow the ozonation saturation to be increased and then create larger reactions of advance oxidation, extreme advance oxidation and polarization. A lid or a top will be fitted to each chamber. The adjustable fractionation waste pipes can be raised or lowered depending on the amount of froth or foam, which can be removed from the system without allowing too much fluid to flow out of the system. These pipes will have a vacuum created by air venturis to assist in a sucking action to create a vacuum to remove ozone gasses from the chambers.
By containerizing the equipment of the system or building it into a multi-story building, the processed water can be made to fall from the various heights and spinning a turbine creating electricity and water storage.
Adding flexible hanging rubber strips as part of any treatment chamber allows separation of the lighting from one chamber to another.
In the new format of the system with crisscrossed UV lights 253 nm bulbs, a single chamber on its own can be used by taking water or fluid in and bringing it up in to an adequate height for discharge will maintain the water level in the chamber.
This new version of the system or single polarization reaction chambers, may also be used as a tank as well as a processing system which adds another element to its productivity. Two single chambers with horizontal UV bulbs or horizontal in vertical UV bulbs may be joined the horizontal transfer pipe with an inlet on a first chamber and an outlet on the second reaction chamber with high wattage bulbs and high levels of ozone with little or no nitric acid with fine bubbles preferably produce polarization.
In one preferred form, waste typically enters the system through angled rotating drum filters where fluids and solids are separated. This solid enters an enclosed auger transfer system and are deposited into a paddle steam dryer where the solids are dried with heat and disinfected with additional injected of ozone. When coming out of the dryer all waste goes over a vibrating screen set on an angle any paper or waste products are discharged by the screen all dried sewage solids vibrate through the screen onto the conveyer belt to be made into compost fertilizer. All the liquid waste goes into two standard filters and is then pump into the water dragon system through the effects of polarization treatment. The result is clean water fit for drinking.
The system can be created as a C-section shaped, round shaped, hexagonal or any shape that will create polarization.
As an added filtering system for the system, a table type belt membrane may be used to eliminate salts and solid from any water source. The continuously moving belt is locate as close as 1 mm to the high-pressure water discharge, which after passing through the membrane belt the filtered water enters chamber and is discharged by pipe. The continuous moving belt carries away salts and debris and goes over the large drums. As it goes over the end drum wheel and passes under the system. The salt and waste derby are now at the bottom of the belt and is remove by a high-pressure air or water for discharge the belt then returns to the high-pressure water inlet for removal of contaminants. This continuously moving membrane belt replaces reverse osmosis membranes, never stops to backwash, and never requires chemical treatment as this is an advanced form of salt or sodium removal.
In the present specification and claims (if any), the word ‘comprising’ and its derivatives including ‘comprises’ and ‘comprise’ include each of the stated integers but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers.
Reference throughout this specification to ‘one embodiment’ or ‘an embodiment’ means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases ‘in one embodiment’ or ‘in an embodiment’ in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.
In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims (if any) appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018901984 | Jun 2018 | AU | national |
| 2019901167 | Apr 2019 | AU | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/AU2019/050560 | 5/31/2019 | WO | 00 |
