Apparatus and method for treating aqueous solutions and contaminants therein

Abstract

The present disclosure is generally directed to devices and methods of treating aqueous solutions to help remove or otherwise reduce levels, concentrations or amounts of one or more contaminants. The present disclosure relates to a apparatus including a substantially self-contained housing or container which is adapted to receive components including at least one counterelectrode (e.g. cathode) and at least one photoelectrode (e.g. anode) provided or arranged around at least one UV light source, and/or receive, contain and/or circulate fluid or aqueous solution.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for removing or reducing the level of contaminants in a solution comprising:
 a housing having first opposing end and a second opposing end and at least partially defining a cavity having a cavity wall and a cavity length;   a light tube provided within the cavity and adapted to help disburse or otherwise provide ultraviolet radiation over most of the cavity length;   a photoelectrode provided around the light tube; a counterelectrode provided in the space between the photoelectrode and the cavity wall, and a separator provided between the photoelectrode and counterelectrode;   wherein the photoelectrode comprises a primarily titanium foil support with a layer of titanium dioxide provided on at least one surface the photoelectrode; and   wherein the photoelectrode and counterelectrode are each coupled to a respective terminal adapted to be electrically coupled to a power supply.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a first end assembly member coupled to the first opposing end of the housing and further defining the cavity. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising a second end assembly member coupled to the second opposing end of the housing and further defining the cavity. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the first end assembly member defines an inlet aperture into the cavity. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the second end assembly member defines an outlet aperture into the cavity. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the light tube defines a light tube cavity adapted to at least partially receive an ultraviolet light source. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein an ultraviolet light source is provided within the light tube cavity. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the photoelectrode and the terminal coupled thereto and the counterelectrode and the terminal coupled thereto are removably coupled to a terminal assembly member, and a separator is provided between the photoelectrode and counterelectrode to form an electrode assembly or module. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the electrode assembly or module is removably coupled to the housing. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the electrode assembly further comprises a spacer, the spacer comprising a peripheral concentric portion coupled to an axial concentric portion by at least one divider. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the peripheral concentric portion defines a concentric groove therein adapted to receive a portion of the photoelectrode. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the spacer further comprises an entrance end, an exit end, and a longitudinal axis running from entrance end to exit end. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein at least one divider is angled relative to the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the light tube is coupled to a bulb end cap, which bulb end cap defines a cavity adapted to receive a bulb socket, and which bulb end cap is coupled to a bulb assembly member to form a bulb assembly or module. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the bulb assembly or module is removably coupled to the housing. 
     
     
         16 . A method for removing or reducing the level of contaminants in a solution comprising:
 providing a solution into a cavity of a device, wherein the cavity of the device houses a light tube, a photoelectrode comprising a primarily titanium foil support with a layer of titanium dioxide provided thereon provided around the light tube, and a counterelectrode provided in the space between the photoelectrode and a cavity wall of the device;   irradiating the photoelectrode with ultraviolet light; and   applying a first bias to a first terminal coupled to the photoelectrode and a second terminal coupled to a counterelectrode.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the first bias is applied for a first period of time. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising applying a second bias to the first terminal and the second terminal. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the second bias is applied for a second period of time.