Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for a lamp assembly having a novel design for fitting two or more tube-shaped lamps end-to-end. Such an end-to-end structure may be constructed for use inside a single protective sleeve, such as one constructed of transparent quartz in embodiments where the assembly is used in a decontamination reactor equipment. In exemplary embodiments, the lamps are securely coupled, or otherwise fastened or linked, together end-to-end using any appropriate means for ensuring the integrity and longevity of the connection between the ends of the lamps. The integrity of this end-to-end connection would prevail under any and all circumstances, such as shipping or otherwise moving the assembly, or under normal or abnormal operating conditions, or even in the event that any equipment in which the lamp assembly is used fails during its operation.

Abstract: The disclosed principles for providing a chemical-free filtering of particulate down below sub-micron levels, while concentrating the particulate into a sludge. The disclosed principles integrate cross-flow filtration (i.e., micro-filtration or ultra-filtration) with a settling tank (or “weir”) to provide sequential filtration and dewatering of an aqueous media. The disclosed technique operates chemical-free and is continuous. Applications for systems and processes in accordance with the disclosed technique are wide, and include aggregate fines removal, sediment removal, replacement for clarifiers, etc.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for decontaminating a contaminated fluid that integrate ultraviolet radiation in an advanced decontamination process, and a honing material, along with a cross-flow membrane filter, into a single closed-loop system. This approach combines the advantages of chemical-free advanced decontamination technology, long-life wiper-free UV disinfections, and maintenance-free ceramic MF/UF membranes to provide multi-barrier protection. Such technique provides a 100% fluid recovery system (zero reject stream). In one embodiment, the system comprises a filtration membrane and a honing material located in the contaminated fluid that is sufficient to scrub foulants from the membrane, as well as any other components that honing material comes in contact with, while forming a dynamic filtration coating on the membrane as the contaminated fluid pass through the membrane.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for removing hydrogen peroxide from a liquid media. This is accomplished by adding an oxidizable metal to the photoreactive slurry. The oxidizable metal is then oxidized, which then causes the oxidized metal particles to bond to the particles of photoreactive slurry to create oxidized metal catalyst particles. Once bonded to the slurry particles, the metal remains in the decontamination system and its presence destabilizes and catalyzes the decomposition of the hydrogen peroxide in the contaminated media. Once destabilized, the hydrogen peroxide breaks down into water and oxygen particles, which are not detrimental to the operation of the system. The oxygen molecules may be vented from the system, while the water molecules simply mix with the liquid media flowing through the system. The photoreactive slurry and the oxidized metal are recovered and recycled so as not to have to be continuously replenished.

Abstract: Systems and methods for cleaning protective sleeves in UV decontamination systems are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system for decontaminating contaminated media includes a translucent sleeve surrounding a light source, and a housing configured to receive the sleeve. A distance between an outer surface of the sleeve and an inner surface of the housing defines an annulus for flowing a contaminated fluid. The system also includes a pump for flowing the contaminated fluid through the annulus. In addition, the system in such embodiments may include a honing material in the contaminated fluid, where the flowing of the honing material against the outer surface of the sleeve removes debris aggregated on the outer surface of the translucent sleeve.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for removing oxidizable metals from a liquid without the use of chemicals. This aeration technology maximizes the surface area-to-volume ratio of oxygen in the gas used. A system may comprise a dissolved oxygen addition device configured to receive the liquid and comprising a substrate with pores. A compressed gas source is connected to the device and configured to inject compressed gas containing oxygen through the substrate and into the liquid. Sub-micron sized bubbles are created on the substrate when the gas passes through the pores and expands in the liquid. The bubbles are removed from the substrate by passing liquid media while they have buoyancy insufficient to overcome a surface tension between the substrate and the bubbles. The bubbles then diffuse into the liquid to oxidize soluble oxidizable metals in the liquid media to create oxidized insoluble metal particles.

Abstract: Decontamination systems and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system comprises a first adsorption/desorption subsystem that is configured to receive a contaminated gaseous solution and remove substantially all of the contaminants from the contaminated gaseous solution during an adsorption cycle, while a second subsystem is configured to purge captured contaminants during a desorption cycle. An evacuator is configured to drive potentially flammable gas compositions from the subsystem operating in a desorption cycle back into the system such that potentially flammable gas compositions are purged from the subsystem operating in the desorption cycle at the beginning of the desorption cycle. A heat source is configured to heat contaminants adsorbed in the adsorption/desorption subsystems to remove the contaminants from the adsorption/desorption subsystems in a gaseous state during their respective desorption cycle.

Abstract: The disclosed principles for providing a chemical-free filtering of particulate down below sub-micron levels, while concentrating the particulate into a sludge. The disclosed principles integrate cross-flow filtration (i.e., micro-filtration or ultra-filtration) with a settling tank (or “weir”) to provide sequential filtration and dewatering of an aqueous media. The disclosed technique operates chemical-free and is continuous. Applications for systems and processes in accordance with the disclosed technique are wide, and include aggregate fines removal, sediment removal, replacement for clarifiers, etc.

Abstract: The disclosed principles provide for a digital industrial network and related method of maintaining and operating a system. An industrial network constructed according to the disclosed principles combines both the control/data signals used with smart control devices and operating power for those devices in one industrial network hybrid cable. In one embodiment, an industrial network comprises smart control devices for maintaining and operating a system, and hybrid cabling connecting the smart control devices in a daisy-chain. In addition, in such an industrial network, the cabling is configured to transmit control/data signals and operating power for the smart control devices along the daisy-chain.

Abstract: A system for treating contaminated media is provided. In the process, contaminants are removed from the media using a photocatalytic process operating in an aqueous phase.

Abstract: Decontamination systems and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system comprises a first adsorption/desorption subsystem that is configured to receive a contaminated gaseous solution and remove substantially all of the contaminants from the contaminated gaseous solution during an adsorption cycle, while a second subsystem is configured to purge captured contaminants during a desorption cycle. An evacuator is configured to drive potentially flammable gas compositions from the subsystem operating in a desorption cycle back into the system such that potentially flammable gas compositions are purged from the subsystem operating in the desorption cycle at the beginning of the desorption cycle. A heat source is configured to heat contaminants adsorbed in the adsorption/desorption subsystems to remove the contaminants from the adsorption/desorption subsystems in a gaseous state during their respective desorption cycle.

Abstract: Systems and methods for cleaning protective sleeves in UV decontamination systems are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system for decontaminating contaminated media includes a translucent sleeve surrounding a light source, and a housing configured to receive the sleeve. A distance between an outer surface of the sleeve and an inner surface of the housing defines an annulus for flowing a contaminated fluid. The system also includes a pump for flowing the contaminated fluid through the annulus. In addition, the system in such embodiments may include a honing material in the contaminated fluid, where the flowing of the honing material against the outer surface of the sleeve removes debris aggregated on the outer surface of the translucent sleeve.

Abstract: A system for treating contaminated media is provided. In the process, contaminants are removed from the media using a photocatalytic process operating in an aqueous phase.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the purification of contaminated fluids by photocatalytic treatment. In accordance with the invention, an oxidation state where contaminant molecules are oxidized and/or a reduction state where contaminant molecules are reduced are employed to purify a contaminated fluid. The reduction state, where certain contaminant molecules are reduced, is induced by providing a reactant, such as citric acid, in the presence of an excited photocatalyst. A reduction state may alternate to an oxidation state, where contaminant molecules are oxidized, by the addition of an oxidizing agent, such as oxygen.

Abstract: A method and system for purifying a contaminated fluid in a continuous manner is herein disclosed. The present invention provides for the irradiation of a slurry between a defined surface(s) such that substantially all of the contaminants are removed from the slurry, and a turbulent flow of the slurry is achieved. The present invention further provides for the separation of decontaminated effluent from the slurry by employing ceramic membrane filters. Air is applied to the ceramic membrane filters at relatively high pressures in order to remove any photoreactive catalyst particles that have collected in the ceramic membranes.