Abstract: There is described a fluid treatment system comprising an array of independent fluid treatment reactors. The reactors are arranged in a manner whereby a flow of fluid may be passed through the array in a substantially helical direction. The fluid treatment system is capable of treating large volumes of fluid (e.g., water) while requiring a relatively small foot print. In essence, the present fluid treatment system concentrates a relatively large number of radiation sources in a relatively small amount of space resulting in the ability to treat large volumes of fluid (e.g., water).

Abstract: There is disclosed an optical radiation sensor system. The system includes a sensor device and a cleaning device. The sensor device detects and responds to radiation from a radiation field and includes a surface that is movable with respect to the radiation field between a first position in which the surface is in the radiation field and a second position in which at least a portion of the surface is out of the radiation field. The cleaning device operates to remove fouling materials from at least a portion of the surface in the second position. The cleaning device may be a chemical cleaning device, a mechanical cleaning device or a combined chemical/mechanical device.

Abstract: An optical radiation sensor device includes a radiation collector for receiving radiation from a predefined arc around the collector within the field and redirecting the received radiation along a predefined pathway; motive means to move the radiation collector from a first position in which a first portion of the predefined arc is received by the radiation collector and a second position in which a second portion of the predefined arc is received by the radiation collector; and a sensor element capable of detecting and responding to incident radiation along the pathway when the radiation collector is in the first position and in the second. The use of the optical radiation sensor device in a radiation source module and in a fluid treatment system is also described.

Abstract: There is disclosed an improved radiation source module having a power supply adapted to be at least partially immersed in a fluid being treated. In one embodiment, the power supply is partly immersed in the fluid being treated. In another embodiment, the power supply is fully submersible in the fluid being treated. A fluid treatment system comprising the radiation source module is also described.

Abstract: A fluid treatment device, particularly useful for ultraviolet radiation treatment of fluids such as water. The device comprises a housing for receiving a flow of fluid. The housing has a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, a fluid treatment zone disposed between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet and at least one radiation source having a longitudinal axis disposed in the fluid treatment zone substantially transverse to a direction of the flow of fluid through the housing. The fluid inlet, the fluid outlet and the fluid treatment zone are arranged substantially collinearly with respect to one another. The fluid inlet has a first opening having: (i) a cross-sectional area less than a cross-sectional area of the fluid treatment zone, and (ii) a largest diameter substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the at least one radiation source assembly.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for showing special characters or figures on a rotating disk. A sensor (e.g. spectrum sensor, metal sensor, magnetic field sensor, mechanical contact sensor and sound sensor) and a plurality of light fittings (e.g. bulbs, light-emitting diodes) are fitted to the rotating disk. The sensor detects the surroundings with inconsistency so that different sensed signals at different points are created when the sensor turns around the central axis once. By deciding the fixing points of the repetitive signals, the rotational cycle of the rotating disk is obtained. After analyzing the rotational cycle, different light fittings on the rotating disk light up at different delay time point. In cooperation with the persistency of vision of human eyes, the preset complicate figures and characters are therefore shown on the displaying surface of the rotating disk when it rotates.

Abstract: A radiation source module comprising a support member, a radiation source assembly connected to the support member and a seal disposed on a first surface of the module, the seal operable to provide a substantially fluid tight seal between the first surface and a second surface which is adjacent to the first surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for accomplishing fluid disinfection by passing fluid flow through a uniform array of ultraviolet lamps having cross sections perpendicular to the direction of fluid flow that define channels for the fluid flow. Positioned next to the end of each lamp at the entrance of the fluid flow are triangular shaped delta wings having surfaces inclined at an angle to the direction of fluid flow. The interaction of the fluid flow with each delta wing creates a pair of vortices that rotate in the same direction or in directions opposed to each other. The counter-rotating vortices reinforce each other to minimize dissipation of their mixing strength as they move down the channel. Due to these co-reinforcing properties these counter-rotating vortices more promote efficient mixing of the fluid which is required to achieve more efficient use of the light in the UV disinfection systems, along with heat and/or mass transfer in chemical reactions.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus for a radiation source assembly in a fluid treatment system is described. The cleaning system comprises: a cleaning sleeve comprising a cleaning ring for engagement with a portion of the exterior of the radiation source assembly; a slidable member magnetically coupled to the cleaning sleeve, the slidable member being disposed on and slidable with respect to a rodless cylinder; and motive means to translate the slidable member along the rodless cylinder whereby the cleaning sleeve is translated over the exterior of the radiation source assembly. A radiation source module comprising the cleaning apparatus is also disclosed. The radiation source module is particularly useful for ultraviolet radiation of wastewater while having the advantages of in situ cleaning of the radiation source as when it becomes fouled.

Abstract: Turbulent mixing in a UV system is increased by positioning one or more ring-shaped devices, such as washers, at one or more predetermined locations on the exterior surface of each lamp unit in the system. The washers may have the same or different diameters. Turbulent mixing is also increased by retaining the upstream end of each lamp unit in a ring-shaped device, alone or in combination with washers positioned on each lamp unit exterior surface as described above.

Abstract: An ultraviolet radiation lamp comprising a heat absorbing element on the exterior thereof such that, during operation of the lamp, the temperature of the lamp in contact with the heat absorbing element is at a lower temperature than the remainder of the lamp. The use of the lamp in a radiation source module and a fluid treatment system is also described. The ultraviolet radiation lamp is particularly useful for treatment of fluids such ambient air (e.g., containing pollutants), warm liquids and the like.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling zebra mussels and other bivalves using UV light from a medium pressure UV lamp which is located in a chamber having therein water in which the bivalves are located. The medium pressure UV lamp provides an intensity of UV light measured at a wavelength of 254 nm of at least approximately 6830 .mu.W/cm.sup.2 in the water. The medium pressure UV lamp provides a dose of UV light measured at a wavelength of 254 nm of at least approximately 0.1 W.sec/cm.sup.2 in the water.

Abstract: Turbulent mixing in a UV system is increased by positioning one or more ring-shaped devices, such as washers, at one or more predetermined locations on the exterior surface of each lamp unit in the system. The washers may have the same or different diameters. Turbulent mixing is also increased by retaining the upstream end of each lamp unit in a ring-shaped device, alone or in combination with washers positioned on each lamp unit exterior surface as described above.

Abstract: Remote ballasting apparatus adapted for insertion between a high frequency power source and one or more gaseous discharge lamps. The ballasting apparatus includes an isolation transformer having a primary winding adapted for connection to the high frequency power source, a low capacitance power transmission line having an output end adapted for connection to the one or more gaseous discharge lamps, and current limiting means, such as an inductor or a capacitor or a series resonant circuit connected between the secondaries of the isolation transformer and the input end of the low capacitance power transmission line.

Abstract: Turbulent mixing in a UV system is increased by positioning one or more ring-shaped devices, such as washers, at one or more predetermined locations on the exterior surface of each lamp unit in the system. The washers may have the same or different diameters. Turbulent mixing is also increased by retaining the upstream end of each lamp unit in a ring-shaped device, alone or in combination with washers positioned on each lamp unit exterior surface as described above.

Abstract: A fluid treatment system includes one or more radiation sources arranged in an irradiation zone with a treatment zone through which fluid to be treated passes and is irradiated. The radiation zone has a closed cross section to maintain the fluid within a predetermined maximum distance form he radiation source. Preferably, the irradiation zone comprises a reduced cross-sectional area perpendicular to the direction of fluid flow and thus the fluid flow velocity is increased through the irradiation zone.

Abstract: A continuous process for treating a fluid comprising at least one chemical contaminant.

Abstract: A radiation sensor having structure to remove fouling materials includes a sensor housing, and radiation transmissive structure within the housing and including a portion to be exposed to a radiation source. A radiation sensor is provided for receiving radiation from the transmissive structure. Structure is also provided for removing materials fouling the portion of the radiation transmissive structure to be exposed to the radiation source.

Abstract: A method of cleaning fouling materials from a radiation module, the method comprising the steps of: (i) immersing at least a portion of the radiation module in a fluid; and (ii) subjecting the radiation module to vibration at a frequency sufficient to substantially inhibit fouling materials adhering to the at least one radiation source. A radiation module for use in a fluid treatment system comprising: a support member for mounting the module in the fluid treatment system; at least one radiation assembly extending from the support member; and a vibration generator associated with the at least one radiation assembly. The radiation module is self-cleaning and can take the form of a radiation source module or a radiation sensor module. Incorporation of the radiation source module in a fluid treatment system is also described.

Abstract: A fluid treatment system includes one or more radiation sources arranged in an irradiation zone with a treatment zone through which fluid to be treated passes and is irradiated. The radiation zone has a closed cross section to maintain the fluid within a predetermined maximum distance form he radiation source. Preferably, the irradiation zone comprises a reduced cross-sectional area perpendicular to the direction of fluid flow and thus the fluid flow velocity is increased through the irradiation zone.