Methods and systems for disinfecting potable water supplies

Abstract

The invention described herein contains two aspects, usable together or separately, that address the needs in the art described above, namely a first aspect that relates to the provision of a transportable water purification system that can be contained on a passenger transport vehicle, and that can use, but does not require, continuous, real-time monitoring, and a second aspect that relates to the use of UV purification of the water as it is uploaded to the passenger transport vehicle after a single pass through the UV chamber.

1 .- 11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . An apparatus uploading water to a passenger transport vehicle, comprising:
 a. an inlet to receive water;   b. a purification chamber in fluid communication with the inlet, adapted to receive or hold water from the inlet, comprising a source of ultraviolet radiation disposed within the chamber and capable of irradiating at least a portion of the interior of the chamber;   c. an outlet to remove purified water from the chamber after a single pass therethrough.   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the chamber further comprises an ultraviolet transparent helical tube between the inlet and outlet, and a longitudinal core through the helix within which the source of ultraviolet radiation is disposed. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the source of ultraviolet radiation comprises a metal halide lamp. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the chamber further comprises an ultraviolet transparent external window. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , further comprising an ultraviolet sensor external to the chamber. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the water is potable. 
     
     
         18 . A method of improving or maintaining water quality on a passenger transport vehicle, comprising passing at least a portion of a supply of water from a reservoir through a water purification device in fluid communication with the supply of water, comprising one or more disinfection chemicals, wherein the water purification device is adapted to release at least one disinfecting species to the water in a controlled manner. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the passenger transport vehicle is an aircraft, train, or watercraft. 
     
     
         20 . A method of uploading water to a passenger transport vehicle , comprising passing the water through the apparatus of  claim 12 , and transferring the purified water to a reservoir on the passenger transport vehicle after a single pass through the apparatus. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the passenger transport vehicle is an aircraft, train, or watercraft.