IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
|
국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
|
출원번호 |
US-0359005
(2006-02-21)
|
등록번호 |
US-7507370
(2009-03-24)
|
발명자
/ 주소 |
- Forney,Larry
- Pierson,John
|
출원인 / 주소 |
- Georgia Tech Research Corporation
|
대리인 / 주소 |
Thomas, Kayden, Horstemeyer & Risley, LLP
|
인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
1 인용 특허 :
10 |
초록
▼
Methods and systems for establishing Taylor-Couette flow in a fluid are provided. Aspects of the disclosed methods and systems incorporate Taylor-Couette flow in combination with a source of radiation to provide more uniform radiation exposure to the fluid and its components. Common problems of non-
Methods and systems for establishing Taylor-Couette flow in a fluid are provided. Aspects of the disclosed methods and systems incorporate Taylor-Couette flow in combination with a source of radiation to provide more uniform radiation exposure to the fluid and its components. Common problems of non-uniform radiation levels and concentration boundary layer effects in UV reactors are largely eliminated using the methods and devices provided herein. In an exemplary embodiment, the reactor of the present disclosure has a hollow outer cylinder or stator and a rotor positioned therein and smooth walls for both the outer wall of its rotor and the inner wall of the outer cylinder or stator in which the rotor is positioned, the space between which forming the annular fluid gap. In an alternative embodiment, either the surface of the outer wall of the rotor or the surface of the inner wall of the outer cylinder or stator or both wall surfaces could be corrugated or furrowed such that they have a series of alternating peaks and valleys. This "wavy wall" embodiment provides a more uniform dosage to the fluid parcels formed within the annular gap of the reactor than the smooth wall embodiment.
대표청구항
▼
What is claimed is: 1. A method for disinfecting a fluid comprising: providing a fluid reactor including an annular wall having an inside wall surface; a rotor having an outer wall surface placed within the annular wall, wherein a gap spacing is provided between the inside wall surface of the annul
What is claimed is: 1. A method for disinfecting a fluid comprising: providing a fluid reactor including an annular wall having an inside wall surface; a rotor having an outer wall surface placed within the annular wall, wherein a gap spacing is provided between the inside wall surface of the annular wall and the outer wall surface of the rotor forming an annular fluid channel therebetween and wherein the gap spacing along the walls is non-uniform having a plurality of locations where the gap spacing is narrower than other locations in the gap; including at least one of the inside wall surface of the annular wall and the outer wall surface of the rotor having alternating peaks and valleys forming the non-uniform gap spacing; a fluid inlet in the annular wall in communication with the annular fluid channel; a fluid outlet in the annular wall also in communication with the annular fluid channel establishing Taylor-Couette flow within the annular fluid channel; wherein the Taylor-Couette flow comprises a plurality of circumferential, laminar vortices within the annular fluid channel. 2. A method for disinfecting a fluid comprising: providing a fluid reactor including an annular wall having an inside wall surface; a rotor having an outer wall surface placed within the annular wall, wherein a gap spacing is provided between the inside wall surface of the annular wall and the outer wall surface of the rotor forming an annular fluid channel therebetween and wherein the gap spacing along the walls is non-uniform having a plurality of locations where the gap spacing is narrower than other locations in the gap; including at least one of the inside wall surface of the annular wall and the outer wall surface of the rotor having alternating peaks and valleys forming the non-uniform gap spacing; a fluid inlet in the annular wall in communication with the annular fluid channel; a fluid outlet in the annular wall also in communication with the annular fluid channel; introducing a fluid comprising a micro-organism into the annular fluid channel; causing rotation of at least one of the wall surfaces in respect to the other wall surface; and irradiating the fluid in the annular fluid channel with an anti-microbial amount of energy from an energy source, further comprising the step of establishing laminar Taylor-Couette vortices in the fluid within the reactor. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the energy source is a lamp for providing ultraviolet light. 4. The method of claim 2, wherein the fluid comprises at least one of, wastewater, a bodily fluid, effluent, or wash water. 5. The method of claim 2, wherein the fluid comprises an edible fluid. 6. The method of claim 2, wherein the ratio of penetration depth of the energy to a velocity boundary layer of the fluid is less than about 1. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the ratio of penetration depth of the energy to a velocity boundary layer of the fluid is from about 0.5 to about 1. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the fluid reactor comprises a plurality of annular fluid channels. 9. A method of disinfecting a fluid including an organism comprising: providing two opposed surfaces having a gap and a gap spacing therebetween wherein the gap spacing along the surfaces is non-uniform having a plurality of locations where the gap spacing is narrower than other locations in the gap, wherein at least one of the surfaces has alternating peaks and valleys forming the non-uniform gap spacing; passing the fluid through the gap between the two surfaces; causing at least one of the surfaces to rotate in relation to the other surface and thereby forming Taylor-Couette vortices in the fluid in the gap; and irradiating the fluid with an anti-microbial amount of energy, further comprising the step of establishing laminar Taylor-Couette vortices in the fluid within the gap. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the organism comprises bacteria, fungi, protozoa, viruses, or a combination thereof. 11. The method of claim 9, wherein the energy is electromagnetic energy. 12. The method of claim 9, wherein the fluid comprises at least one of, wastewater, a bodily fluid, effluent, or wash water. 13. The method of claim 9, wherein the fluid comprises an edible fluid. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the ratio of penetration depth of the energy to a velocity boundary layer of the fluid is less than about 1. 15. The method of claim 9, wherein the ratio of penetration depth of the energy to a velocity boundary layer of the fluid is from about 0.5 to about 1. 16. The method of claim 9, further including rotating at least one of the surfaces such that the axis of rotation of at least one of the surface is substantially parallel to the flow of the fluid, wherein the Taylor number is between about 40 to about 400. 17. The method of claim 9, wherein the peaks and valleys are rounded forming the non-uniform gap spacing. 18. The method of claim 9, wherein a fluid reactor is provided. 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the peaks and valleys are rounded, parabolic, u-shaped or corrugated, or a combination thereof.
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