Advanced oxidation system and method in a UV reactor with electrode

Abstract

A system and method for applying an advanced oxidation process to a UV fluid reactor. An L-shaped electrode is connected to a UV reactor hatch and inserted into the reactor upstream from a UV radiation source.

Claims

1. An advanced oxidation method comprising the steps of: providing in an alternating arrangement, a plurality of planar cathodes and a plurality of planar anodes; and placing the alternating arrangement of plurality of cathodes and plurality of anodes upstream from a UV radiation source; and in water, energizing the plurality of planar cathodes and plurality of planar anodes and energizing the UV radiation source to effect advanced oxidation, wherein the UV radiation source being elongated and tubular, the alternating arrangement of plurality of cathodes and plurality of anodes arranged into a plurality of veins, each longitudinally tapered so as to direct a flow of fluid therethrough laterally towards the center of the UV radiation source.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing an access hatch having a hydrogen exhaust port.

3. A method of facilitating advanced oxidation, comprising: providing in a UV fluid reactor, an electrode structure in water, comprising a plurality of substantially planar cathodes, the plurality of substantially planar cathodes being electrically connected to each other, a plurality of substantially planar anodes, the plurality of substantially planar anodes being electrically connected to each other, conductive spacers disposed between adjacent respective anodes and cathodes, and non-conductive spacers disposed between adjacent anodes and cathodes; wherein the plurality of substantially planar cathodes and plurality of substantially planar anodes are alternatingly, cooperatively arranged, and respectively connectable to a voltage source connected across the respective anodes and cathodes.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the cathodes and anodes are disposed substantially in parallel to each other.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the UV fluid reactor has a UV radiation source that is tubular, and oriented transverse to a fluid flow through the UV fluid reactor and placed and downstream from the cathodes and anodes.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein each cathode and anode is longitudinally tapered so as to direct the flow of fluid towards a lateral center of the elongated and tubular UV radiation source.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein each cathode and anode tapers from a wider end to a narrower end in the direction of the elongated and tubular radiation source.

8. The method of claim 3 wherein each cathode and anode is constructed from a mesh material.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein each cathode and anode is constructed from a titanium mesh material.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the titanium mesh is coated with iridium and/or ruthenium.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 depicts a perspective upper view of one embodiment of the electrode of the present invention.

(2) FIG. 2 depicts a perspective rear view of one embodiment of the electrode of the present invention.

(3) FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of the UV reactor in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

(4) FIG. 4A depicts a partial, cross sectional side view of one embodiment of the present invention.

(5) FIG. 4B depicts a top view of one embodiment of the present invention wherein the veins are parallel.

(6) FIG. 4C depicts a top view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention wherein the veins are tapered.

REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS

(7) The table below lists the reference numerals employed in the figures, and identifies the element designated by each numeral. 1 UV reactor 1 2 reactor access hatch 2 3 UV radiation source 3 4 directional fluid flow arrows 4 5 electrode 5 6 cathode 6 7 anode 7 8 upper vertical portion 8 of cathode 6 9 lower horizontal portion 9 of cathode 6 10 upper vertical portion 10 of anode 7 11 lower horizontal portion 11 of anode 7 12 tab 12 of upper, vertical portion 8 of cathode 6 13 tab 13 of upper, vertical portion 10 of anode 7 14 hole 14 in upper, vertical portion 8 of cathode 6 15 hole 15 in upper, vertical portion 10 of anode 7 16 holes 16 in lower, horizontal portion 9 of cathode 6 17 holes 17 in lower, horizontal portion 11 of anode 7 18 threaded titanium rod with nut 18 19 titanium spacer 19 20 threaded non-conducting rod with nut 20 (e.g. PVC) 21 non-conducting spacer 21 22 first connection terminal 22 23 second connection terminal 23 24 hydrogen exhaust port 24

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(8) In one embodiment, in a UV (i.e. ultra violet) fluid reactor 1, an electrode 5 comprises, a plurality of L-shaped, substantially planar cathodes 6; and a plurality of L-shaped, substantially planar anodes 7.

(9) In one embodiment, the UV radiation source comprises a plurality of tubular, medium pressure, mercury vapor lamps, enclosed by a quartz sleeve. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that other UV radiation sources can be used (e.g. amalgam lamps) without compromising the spirit of the invention.

(10) The plurality of L-shaped, substantially planar cathodes 6 are electrically connected to each other and are at substantially a first voltage. The plurality of L-shaped, substantially planar anodes 7 are electrically connected to each other and are at substantially a second voltage. In one embodiment, the first and second voltages differ by approximately 36 volts (e.g. the first voltage is zero and the second voltage is 36 volts). In one embodiment, the range of DC voltage is 0-36 volts, and 0-12 amps.

(11) The voltage polarity can be switched, depending on how fouled the electrodes become. Reversing the polarities in such a manner achieves the advantage of mitigating scaling and/or the accumulation of other undesirable particles and/or substances. The interval of such reversal is calibrated according to the application. For example, in one embodiment, a timer is used and the interval (i.e. duty cycle) varies from once per day (worst case-heavy fouling/scaling) to once per month (soft water).

(12) Each cathode 6 is electrically connected (and likewise for each anode 7) to each other. In one embodiment, the connectivity is achieved by inserting threaded titanium rod 18 (i.e. threaded conducting rod) through hole 14 of each upper, vertical portion 8 of each cathode 6, using titanium (i.e. conducting) spacers 19 as necessary to achieve the desired distance between each cathode. The connectivity of each anode 7 is achieved by inserting threaded titanium rod 18 (i.e. threaded conducting rod) through hole 15 of each upper, vertical portion 10 of each anode 7, using titanium spacers 19 as necessary to achieve the desired distance between each anode.

(13) The electrically connected cathodes 6 are non-electrically connected to the electrically connected anodes 7 by first arranging the cathodes and anodes, relative to each other, so that there is one anode between every two cathodes and vice versa (except on the ends); and so that holes 16 and 17 are coaxially aligned. In other words, the cathodes and anodes are alternatingly, cooperatively arranged. This arrangement is depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2.

(14) To achieve the non-electrical connection of cathodes 6 to anodes 7, non-conducting (e.g. PVC) threaded rods 20 are inserted through each of holes 16 in each lower, horizontal portion 9 of each cathode 6 as well as through each of holes 17 in each lower, horizontal portion 11 of each anode 7; using non-conducting spacers 21 as necessary to achieve the desired distance between each respective cathode and anode.

(15) It is to be understood that the number of cathode/anode pairs can be varied to achieve differing levels of reaction. For example, FIGS. 1, 2, 4B and 4C depict six pairs.

(16) In one embodiment, the various cathodes 6 and anodes 7 are made from a mesh material. However, a solid material can be substituted. In another embodiment, each cathode and anode are made from a titanium mesh material that is coated with iridium and/or ruthenium. In one embodiment, mixed metal oxide, iridium and ruthenium oxide coated titanium substrates (e.g. grade 1 or 2, 0.063 inches thick) are used. It is to be understood that while titanium is used in some embodiments for the various electrodes, threaded rods, bolts, and spacers, other conducting metals may be used.

(17) As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, first connection terminal 22 is electrically connected to tab 12 of upper, vertical portion 8 of cathode 6. Likewise, second connection terminal 23 is electrically connected to tab 13 of upper, vertical portion 10 of anode 7. Electrode 5 is then inserted into access hatch 2 of reactor 1 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4A.

(18) In one embodiment, each cathode 6 and each anode 7 are substantially parallel to each other (FIG. 4B). In another embodiment (FIG. 4C), the cathodes and anodes are longitudinally tapered to affect the fluid flow towards the lateral center of the reactor. This arrangement necessarily implies the electrode must be upstream from the radiation source in this particular embodiment. The longitudinal tapering is more fully appreciated from the plan view as depicted in FIG. 4C. UV radiation source 3 is elongated and oriented transverse to fluid flow (e.g. FIG. 3); the electrodes act as veins to direct the fluid flow towards the arc (i.e. the center of an elongated UV lamp) and away from the ends of the lamp. The veins are tapered, relative to the horizontal plane, so as to move the fluid towards the center of the arc. A distinct advantage is achieved by moving the fluid (e.g. water) away from the ends of the lamp.

(19) Those of skill in the art will appreciate that such an arrangement will direct the flow of fluid away from the ends of an elongated radiation source (e.g. a tubular medium pressure mercury vapor lamp) arranged perpendicularly (i.e. transverse) to fluid flow, towards the center of the radiation source. A distinct advantage is thereby achieved because the radiation intensity of such a radiation source is diminished somewhat towards the ends thereof.

(20) In one embodiment, the veins (i.e. cathodes and anodes) are parallel (e.g. FIG. 4B), and the distance between each vane is in the range of from about 0.2 to 0.4 inches. In another embodiment, the veins are tapered (e.g. FIG. 4C) and the distance between veins (downstream end) is in the range of from about 0.1 to 0.2 inches; and the distance between veins (upstream end) is in the range of from about 0.2 to 0.5 inches. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that the degree of tapering can be adjusted to accommodate differing reactor and/or lamp geometries.

(21) In one embodiment (e.g. FIG. 3), access hatch 2 has hydrogen exhaust port 24. It is to be noted that port 24 does not have to be placed in hatch 2. Alternatively, the exhaust port can be placed in the reactor itself.

(22) Those of skill in the art will appreciate that the size of electrode 5 is proportional to the size of reactor 1. Thus, various sizes are possible in accordance with conventional reactors.