Device for sterilising aqueous media

ES 2 200 904 T3

DESCRIPTION

Apparatus for the sterilization of aqueous media.

The present invention relates to an apparatus for the sterilization of aqueous media with the characteristics of the preamble of claim 1.

Water contaminated with viruses, bacteria or parasites represents a major problem throughout the world. There is often no regulated drinking water supply with filtration, chlorination or ozonation in large facilities. Recently, treatment with ultraviolet rays has also been used for sterilization, the UV-C spectrum being preferably used with a wavelength of 254 nm. Quartz crystal watertight radiator units are known, which are used as immersion units. However, these are generally medium to large-sized sterilization facilities, which are also based, in part, on the flow-through basis. From DE-U-94 20 752 an apparatus with a fixedly arranged UV lamp and a water inlet and outlet is known. From DE-C-25 27 009 a tank with a stationary UV source in a dipping hood is known. Finally, an energy-intensive alternative to such treatments is cooking, which must be done within approximately 10 minutes, to ensure sufficient germ-free. A portable filter cartridge with a power supply and a specially configured carrying case is published in PCTWO97 / 06108.

The object of the present invention is to create an apparatus for the sterilization of aqueous media, which can be operated with a very low amount of energy, which can be used in an extremely flexible way and which can be easily transported and which can be packaged in a short period of time smaller amounts of sterilized water, being characterized by high functional safety.

This task is solved by the characteristics mentioned in claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and developments of the invention are covered by the other claims.

According to the invention, an apparatus for the sterilization of aqueous media, especially for the generation of drinking water, where the aqueous medium is exposed to irradiation with ultraviolet radiation and this irradiation comes from a water-tight UV-radiator, in the form of a tube. , it is characterized in that the radiator is fixedly arranged in a tank, because an electronic control unit for controlling the radiator is arranged in the tank, and in that the electronic control unit is provided with a connection for a power supply.

Preferably, the electronic control unit and the radiator are operated with a voltage of approximately 12 volts of direct current (10.5 V to 14.5 V), this current being able to be taken by means of a transformer from the voltage of the network, but according to a preferred embodiment, is powered as solar current. However, in principle it is also possible to design the control unit in such a way that the device can be operated with mains voltage.

Preferably, the tank has a bottom and the electronic control unit is arranged in a housing below the bottom. The device is connected through the insertion of a connector or by means of a switch. Preferably, a switch for the electronic control unit is present and the electronic control unit has a clock, which switches off the apparatus after a certain period of time. Of course, a circuit breaker may also be present in its place. Preferably, the tank has a lid and an opening of the tank causes a disconnection of the radiator.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the cross section of the apparatus is essentially round or oval, being similar to a conventional kettle and the radiator is arranged on the bottom essentially along its median axis and is connected through this with the control unit.

The apparatus may be provided with a heating device for the aqueous medium.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is present as a set with a power supply and a solar module.

The invention is described in detail below by way of example with the aid of drawings. In this case:

Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of an assembly consisting of the apparatus, the power supply and the solar module.

Figure 2 shows a wiring diagram of the electronic control unit.

Figure 1 shows an apparatus 1 according to the invention with a tank 2, a hinged lid 3, a bottom 5 'and a housing 5 separated from it. The apparatus 1 has in known manner a handle 8 and a nozzle 4. In the housing 5, below the bottom 5 ', an electronic control unit 6 is arranged, which is connected to a current connection 10 for a power supply 11, which is connected to a solar module 12 and supplies direct current of 12 V to the electronic control unit 6. The electronic control unit 6 controls a UV radiator 7, which is arranged vertically on the bottom 5 'in the tank 2. The apparatus 1 has a switch 9, with which the UV radiator can be connected.

Figure 2 illustrates with the help of a switching scheme the other characteristics of the electronic control unit 6, which is made up of elements known per se, such as transistors T, an IC, diodes D, capacitors C, resistors R and the like and it is arranged on a printed circuit board. The circuit has an input 13 for 12 V direct current voltage. The device is switched on via switch 15. The disconnection is carried out after the expiration of a certain period of time (for example, 2 to 6 minutes), which is adequate to guarantee a sufficient absence of germs, through a clock 16, which is activated with the connection. However, if the lid 3 is opened before the expiration of this period of time, then an automatic switch-off is performed via the switch 14 of the lid, to protect the eyes of the user. The control unit 16 feeds and switches the UV radiator 7, which receives a power of 4 watts, for example.