Fluid sterilization system

Abstract

A fluid filtration system is shown. The fluid filtration system utilizes a one-piece or multiple piece containers having a plurality of radiation-transmissible media adapted to receive light, such as ultraviolet light, white light or other wavelength light. The radiation-transmissible media are situated in the container and at least one or a plurality of radiation sources, such as ultraviolet lamps, are situated in an array in proximity to the radiation-transmissible media. The radiation-transmissible media interrupts the flow and velocity of the fluid stream passing through the container to extend the duration of radiation for any contaminants and also provide enlarged surface areas for the contaminants to be received and ultimately exposed to the radiation. In one example, the radiation-transmissible media may be tubular or spherical sections that are hollow or solid and made of quartz.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A fluid sterilization system comprising:
 a container;   radiation-transmissible media situated in said container; and   a radiation source;   said radiation-transmissible media being adapted to provide both mechanical filtration by physically capturing organisms as they are carried through the container in a fluid stream and substantially simultaneously permitting transmission of radiation from said radiation source through said radiation-transmissible media, said radiation being an appropriate amount to pass through said radiation-transmissible media and to disinfect at least a portion of said fluid stream and at least one surface of said radiation-transmissible media;   wherein said radiation-transmissible media comprises a plurality of radiation-transmissible media members, each of said plurality of radiation-transmissible media members being adapted and sized to permit said fluid stream to be either interrupted by or flow through said plurality of radiation-transmissible media members and each comprising a material adapted to permit transmission of radiation from said radiation source through said material while said fluid stream passes through or past said radiation-transmissible media member.   
     
     
         2 . The fluid sterilization system as recited in  claim 1  wherein said radiation-transmissible media comprises at least one of quartz media, glass or polymer. 
     
     
         3 . The fluid sterilization system as recited in  claim 1  wherein said radiation-transmissible media comprises quartz media. 
     
     
         4 . The fluid sterilization system as recited in  claim 3  wherein said container comprises a plurality of said quartz media. 
     
     
         5 . The fluid sterilization system as recited in  claim 4  wherein said plurality of said quartz media comprises different predetermined shapes. 
     
     
         6 . The fluid sterilization system as recited in  claim 4  wherein said plurality of said quartz media comprises generally the same predetermined shape. 
     
     
         7 . The fluid sterilization system as recited in  claim 6  wherein said predetermined shape is at least one of a circular shape, a cylindrical shape, a spherical shape, or a polygonal shape. 
     
     
         8 . The fluid sterilization system as recited in  claim 6  wherein said predetermined shape is a hollow or solid shape. 
     
     
         9 . The fluid sterilization system as recited in  claim 7  wherein said predetermined shape is a hollow or solid shape. 
     
     
         10 . The fluid sterilization system as recited in  claim 1  wherein said radiation source is at least one of white light or an ultraviolet radiation source. 
     
     
         11 . The fluid sterilization system as recited in  claim 1  wherein said radiation source is an ultraviolet radiation source. 
     
     
         12 . The fluid sterilization system as recited in  claim 7  wherein said container comprises a plurality of said quartz media. 
     
     
         13 . The fluid sterilization system as recited in  claim 6  wherein said predetermined shape is coated or doped with at least one of an ultraviolet emission material or a fluorescent material. 
     
     
         14 . The fluid sterilization system as recited in  claim 1  wherein said at least one of a size of said media or a number of said media are selected in response to a velocity of said fluid stream through said container. 
     
     
         15 . The fluid sterilization system as recited in  claim 1  wherein said container is generally planar and lies in a first imaginary plane, said radiation source comprises a plurality of ultraviolet lamps arrayed in a linear pattern in a second imaginary plane above said container. 
     
     
         16 . The fluid sterilization system as recited in  claim 15  wherein said first and second imaginary planes are generally parallel. 
     
     
         17 . The fluid sterilization system as recited in  claim 1  wherein said container is generally cylindrical and said radiation source comprises a plurality of ultraviolet lamps arrayed generally radially around said container. 
     
     
         18 . The fluid sterilization system as recited in  claim 2  wherein said radiation-transmissible media comprises a plurality of media, each of which are generally the same size. 
     
     
         19 . The fluid sterilization system as recited in  claim 2  wherein said radiation-transmissible media comprises a plurality of media having different sizes or dimensions. 
     
     
         20 . The fluid sterilization system as recited in  claim 3  wherein at least one of a size or amount of said radiation-transmissible media is adapted to at least one of vary a path of said fluid stream, disrupt said fluid stream, or slow a velocity of said fluid stream. 
     
     
         21 . The fluid sterilization system as recited in  claim 1  wherein said container is generally planar and lies in a first imaginary plane, said radiation source comprises a plurality of ultraviolet lamps arrayed in a linear pattern in a second imaginary plane within or adjacent to said container; said system further comprising:
 a mobile housing adapted to house said container containing said plurality of ultraviolet lamps, said plurality of said radiation-transmissible media and said plurality of ultraviolet lamps; 
 said mobile housing having at least one fan or blower and a controller for controlling operation of said at least one fane or blower and said plurality of ultraviolet lamps. 
 
     
     
         22 . The fluid sterilization system as recited in  claim 1  wherein said radiation source comprises a plurality of ultraviolet lamps arranged in a generally circular array, wherein said plurality of ultraviolet lamps generally surround said radiation-transmissible media. 
     
     
         23 . The fluid sterilization system as recited in  claim 1  wherein said container is a one-piece construction that houses both said radiation-transmissible media and said radiation source. 
     
     
         24 . The fluid sterilization system as recited in  claim 1  wherein said container is adapted to receive said radiation-transmissible media and a second member comprises a frame that receives and supports said radiation source. 
     
     
         25 . The fluid sterilization system as recited in  claim 24  wherein said second member is adjacent to said radiation-transmissible media either upstream or downstream of said radiation-transmissible media. 
     
     
         26 . The fluid sterilization system as recited in  claim 21  wherein said mobile housing comprises a housing having at least one locator frame for removably locating said container to a desired position in said housing such that said radiation-transmissible media interrupts a fluid stream. 
     
     
         27 . The fluid sterilization system as recited in  claim 1  wherein said radiation-transmissible media is substantially transparent to light. 
     
     
         28 . A filtration assembly for use in a fluid filtration system, said filtration assembly comprising:
 a container; and   radiation-transmissible media situated in said container;   said container being adapted to be situated in said fluid filtration system in proximate relationship to a radiation source to provide both mechanical filtration by physically capturing organisms as they are carried through the container in a fluid stream and substantially simultaneously permitting transmission of radiation from said radiation source through said radiation-transmissible media, said radiation being an appropriate amount to pass through said radiation-transmissible media and to disinfect at least a portion of said fluid stream and at least one surface of said radiation-transmissible media;   wherein said radiation-transmissible media comprises a plurality of radiation-transmissible media members, each of said plurality of radiation-transmissible media members being adapted and sized to permit said fluid stream to be either interrupted by or flow through said plurality of radiation-transmissible media members and each comprising a material adapted to permit transmission of radiation from said radiation source through said material while said fluid stream passes through or past said radiation-transmissible media member.   
     
     
         29 - 41 . (canceled)