Fluid mixing by creation of vortices, typically for ultra-violet radiation disinfection of liquids

摘要

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. Although the present invention is described in particularity as embodied in a UV reactor system, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention has equal applicability to other types of arrayed flow systems in which increased fluid mixing is desired.