Apparatus for the disinfection of aqueous media

APPARATUS FOR THE

DISINFECTION OF AQUEOUS

MEDIA wn 71Λ bw vw>nb tvs

Ref. 002021 IL

Wolfgang Wismeth

Agent for the Applicant:

Zohar Eliezri,

Advocate & Patent Attorney Borochov, Korakh, Eliezri & Co.

002021 IL

Apparatus for the Disinfection of Aqueous Media

Description

The present invention relates to an apparatus for the disinfection of aqueous media, with the characteristics of the generic part of Claim 1.

Water that is contaminated with viruses, bacteria or parasites resents a major problem worldwide. Often there is no access to large-scale facilities which can purify drinking water by means of filtration, chlorination or ozonization. In recent years, ultraviolet radiation has been used for disinfection, where the preferred UV-C spectrum has a wavelength of 254 nm. Watertight radiation source units made of quartz glass are known which are used as immersion units. However, as a rule these are medium-sized to large disinfection facilities, which are also partly based on through-flow. For example, an apparatus with a rigidly mounted UV lamp and a water intake and outflow is known from DE-U-94 20 752. A tank with a fixed UV radiation source in an immersion bell is known from DE-C-25 27 009. Finally, an energy-intensive alternative to such treatment is to boil the water for about 10 minutes to ensure a sufficient degree of disinfection. A portable filter cartridge with a power supply and a specially designed transport case is disclosed in PCT-W097/06108.

Object of the present invention is to create an apparatus for the disinfection of aqueous media which can be operated at a very low rate of energy, which is extremely flexible in application, is easily portable and can provide fairly small amounts of disinfected water in a short period of time, also ensuring a high degree of operational safety.

This object is achieved with the characteristics named in Claim 1. Advantageous embodiments arid further developments are contained in the sub-claims.

The invention relates to an apparatus for the disinfection of aqueous media, in particular for the production of drinking water, whereby the aqueous medium is exposed to ultraviolet radiation, and whereby this radiation originates in a tubular watertight UV source, characterized in that the source is rigidly arranged in a tank that

002021 IL the tank is provided with an electronic control unit for controlling the source, and that the electronic control unit is provided with a connection for a power supply.

Preferably the electronic control unit and the source are operated with about 12 Volt direct current (10,5 V to 14,5 V), whereby this current can be obtained by means of a transformer from the primary power supply, although according to a preferred embodiment it is provided in the form of solar power. In principle, however, it is also possible to design the control unit such that the apparatus can be operated from the primary power supply.

Preferably the tank is provided with a bottom, and the electronic control unit is arranged in a housing below the bottom. The apparatus is activated by plugging it into an outlet or by means of a circuit closer. Preferably there is a circuit closer for the electronic control unit, and the die electronic control unit is provided with a timer which shuts off the apparatus after a certain period of time. Of course, a cut-out switch can also be provided instead. Preferably, the tank is provided with a cover, and the opening of the tank triggers the shutdown of the source.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the cross section of the apparatus is substantially round or oval, whereby it resembles a conventional water kettle, and the source is arranged substantially along its middle axis on the bottom and connected through same with the control unit.

The apparatus can be provided with a heating arrangement for the aqueous medium.

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

Below, the invention is more closely described with reference to the drawings, where

Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of a set consisting of the apparatus, a power supply and a solar module;

Fig. 2 shows a circuit diagram of the electronic control unit.

002021 IL

Fig. 1 shows an apparatus 1 according to the invention with a tank 2, a cover 3 that can be tilted open, a bottom 5‘ and a housing 5 separated from same. Apparatus 1 has a conventional handle 8 and a grommet 4. In housing 5 under bottom 5‘, an electronic control unit 6 is arranged, which is connected to a power outlet 10 for a power supply 11, which is connected to a solar module 12 and which supplies the electronic control unit 6 with 12 V direct current. Electronic control unit 6 controls a UV-source 7, which is arranged in tank 2 standing vertically on bottom 5‘. Apparatus 1 is provided with a circuit closer 9, with which the UV source can be turned on.

Fig. 2 shows a circuit diagram which demonstrates the other characteristics of the electronic control unit 6, which consists of conventional elements such as transistors T, an IC, diodes D, capacitors C, resistors R, etc., and which is mounted on a circuit board. The circuit has an input 13 for the 12 V direct current. The apparatus is turned on with circuit closer 15. After a certain period of time has elapsed (e.g. 2-6 minutes), which is the suitable period for ensuring sufficient disinfection, shutdown is triggered by a timer 16 activated as the apparatus is turned on. However, if cover 3 is opened before this period has elapsed, the apparatus is automatically turned off by cover switch 14, to protect the eyes of the operator. Control unit 6 supplies and switches UV source 7, which can, for example, accommodate a power of 4 W.