Method and system for controlling water system fouling

Abstract

A method and system flows water through a water system in proximity to an ion generation device and to a source of ultraviolet (UV) radiation that combines photochemistry principles, heavy metal toxicity, and UV light radiation to form a highly effective combined water disinfection process. Using ion generation and UV irradiation, the method and system synergistically improves the disinfection and bactericidal effects of ion generation or UV radiation working individually by making ion-exposed microorganisms more susceptible and less resistant to the bactericidal effects of UV radiation. The combined method and system of the present invention may include control means such that the method and system can be configured for single pass through, dual pass through or for recirculation such that the order of exposure to the ion generation and UV radiation aspects can be varied or altered. The method and system of the present invention may also be provided with means for controlling the system flow rate, ion generation and UV radiation levels to maximize performance, to minimize energy consumption, and, in some situations, to selectively target certain microorganisms for inactivation.

1 - 20 . (canceled)  
     
     
         21 . A method for preventing fouling of a water system by algae, nuisance invertebrates, microorganisms and inorganic salts, comprising the steps of 
 providing an apparatus for generating ions within the water system, which apparatus comprises a water containment tank having a generally cylindrical tank interior, means for outputting water from said tank, and an ion generating means disposed within said tank interior, means for inputting water to said tank, said water inputting means including an input line that is disposed generally perpendicularly to the tank interior,    providing at least one apparatus for generating ultraviolet radiation within the water system,    wherein water flowing through the system is exposed to ionic discharge and ultraviolet radiation, and    wherein fouling of the system is prevented.    
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the ionic discharge level and the ultraviolet radiation emission level are each variable and including the steps of providing an electronically programmed control means and operating the at least one ultraviolet radiation generating apparatus and the ion generating apparatus in accordance with a pre-programmed scheme.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22  wherein the pre-programmed scheme operating step includes selecting one or more from a group consisting of 
 configuration for single pass through,    configuration for dual pass through,    configuration for recirculation,    configuration wherein the sequence of exposure to the ionic discharge and ultraviolet radiation emission can be varied or altered, and    configuration for controlling the system flow rate, ionic discharge and ultraviolet radiation levels to maximize performance, to minimize energy consumption, and to selectively target certain microorganisms for inactivation.    
     
     
         24 - 28 . (canceled)  
     
     
         29 . A method for preventing fouling of a water system by algae, nuisance invertebrates, microorganisms and inorganic salts, comprising the steps of 
 providing a water flow continuum,    providing an ultraviolet disinfection means within the water flow continuum, and    providing an ion generating means within the water flow continuum,    wherein water flowing through the ultraviolet disinfection means and through the ion generating means is treated by exposure to ionic discharge and by exposure to ultraviolet radiation,    wherein the ion generating means comprises an apparatus for generating ions within the water system, which apparatus comprises a water containment tank having a generally cylindrical tank interior, means for inputting water to said tank, said water inputting means including an input line that is disposed generally perpendicularly to the tank interior, an ion generating means disposed within said tank interior, said ion generating means comprising at least one plate-like rectangular prism-configured anode and at least one plate-like rectangular prism-configured cathode placed in proximal spatial relation whereby ions are generated there between when an electrical potential is applied across the at least one anode and the at least one cathode, and means for outputting water from said tank, and    wherein the ion generating means comprises a water containment tank, said tank including a generally cylindrical tank interior, means for outletting water from said tank, an inlet pipe which is disposed generally perpendicularly to the tank interior, wherein said containment tank includes a tank aperture whereby said tank interior is made accessible through said aperture, a cover member that is functionally adapted to sealingly enclose said tank, said cover member made of an electrically nonconductive material, a side wall and a sight glass defined within said tank side wall whereby the tank interior may be visualized, at least one anode and at least one cathode, means for attaching the at least one anode and the at least one cathode to said tank cover member in proximal spatial relation whereby ions are generated there between when an electrical potential is applied across the at least one anode and the at least one cathode, and electronic circuitry for periodically reversing polarity of said at least one anode and said at least one cathode, and wherein said at least one anode and said at least one cathode are each configured as a plate-like rectangular prism and placed in generally parallel planes relative to each other, and said at least one anode and said at least one cathode are oriented in relation to said inlet pipe water flow wherein water flow between said at least one anode and said at least one cathode is maximized and whereby water flow from between said at least one anode and said at least one cathode creates a double vortex flow pattern along said containment tank side wall.    
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29  wherein the ion generation level and the ultraviolet radiation level are each variable and including electronic control means for operating the ultraviolet disinfection means and the ion generating means in accordance with a pre-programmed scheme.  
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30  wherein the pre-programmed scheme includes selecting one or more from a group consisting of configuration for single pass through, 
 configuration for dual pass through,    configuration for recirculation,    configuration wherein the sequence of exposure to the ion generating means and ultraviolet disinfection means can be varied or altered, and    configuration for controlling the system flow rate and the variable ion generation and ultraviolet radiation levels to maximize performance, to minimize energy consumption, and to selectively target certain microorganisms for inactivation.    
     
     
         32 . A method for preventing fouling of a water system by algae, nuisance invertebrates, microorganisms and inorganic salts, comprising the steps of 
 providing an apparatus for generating ions within the water system, which apparatus comprises a water containment tank having a generally cylindrical tank interior, means for outputting water from said tank, and an ion generating means disposed within said tank interior, means for inputting water to said tank, said water inputting means including an input line that is disposed generally perpendicularly to the tank interior,    providing at least one apparatus for generating ultraviolet radiation within the water system,    wherein water flowing through the system is exposed to ionic discharge and ultraviolet radiation, and    wherein fouling of the system is prevented.    
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32  wherein the ion generating apparatus providing step comprises providing a water containment tank, said tank including a generally cylindrical tank interior, means for outletting water from said tank, and an ion generating means disposed within said tank interior, an inlet pipe which is disposed generally perpendicularly to the tank interior, wherein said containment tank includes a tank aperture whereby said tank interior is made accessible through said aperture, a cover member that is functionally adapted to sealingly enclose said tank, said cover member made of an electrically nonconductive material, a side wall and a sight glass defined within said tank side wall whereby the tank interior may be visualized, wherein said ion generating means includes at least one anode and at least one cathode, means for attaching the at least one anode and the at least one cathode to said tank cover member in proximal spatial relation whereby ions are generated there between when an electrical potential is applied across the at least one anode and the at least one cathode, and electronic circuitry for periodically reversing polarity of said at least one anode and said at least one cathode, and wherein said at least one anode and said at least one cathode are each configured as a plate-like rectangular prism, said at least one anode and said at least one cathode are placed in generally parallel planes relative to each other, and said at least one anode and said at least one cathode are oriented in relation to said inlet pipe water flow whereby water flow between said at least one anode and said at least one cathode is maximized and whereby water flow from between said at least one anode and said at least one cathode creates a double vortex flow pattern along said containment tank side wall.  
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33  wherein the ion generation level and the ultraviolet radiation level are each variable and including electronic control means for operating the at least one ultraviolet disinfection apparatus and the ion generating apparatus in accordance with a pre-programmed scheme.  
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34  wherein the pre-programmed scheme includes selecting one or more from a group consisting of configuration for single pass through, 
 configuration for dual pass through,    configuration for recirculation,    configuration wherein the sequence of exposure to the ion generating apparatus and the at least one ultraviolet disinfection apparatus can be varied or altered, and    configuration for controlling the system flow rate and the variable ion generation and ultraviolet radiation levels to maximize performance, to minimize energy consumption, and to selectively target certain microorganisms for inactivation.