Solar disinfection of fluid

Abstract

A system for solar disinfection of fluid. One most preferred version of the system includes: (a) A UVTC, made of a polyethylene laminate film with an approximately rectangular plan, providing: a. A first compartment, b. A second compartment for holding fluid, with a port to fill and dispense. (b) A Disinfection Monitor Module (“DMM”) located in the first compartment which: a. Includes at least one sensor to measure light (e.g. solar UV) intensity b. Provides at least one user interface including: c. Contains a wireless communication interface d. Operates according to a process that ensures sufficient cumulative exposure of the contained fluid to solar UV to achieve adequate solar disinfection. Alternative embodiments may also include sensors to detect additional characteristics, such as transmittance, turbidity, “combined transmittance,” and/or temperature.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for photochemical treatment of a fluid, comprising:
 initiating a process monitoring activity in response to either a user signal or an auto-start condition,   estimating solar disinfection of water in a container, the container being substantially transparent in at least one area, the estimating comprising:
 measuring light intensity with a sensor module integrated into and calibrated for use with the container, and 
 supplying the measurements to an estimation algorithm derived from models of the photochemical treatment process; 
   indicating process completion, or degree of completion, based on specific criteria for the process state estimated by the algorithm; and   returning to a standby or reset state upon either a user signal or in response to an auto-stop condition.   
     
     
         2 . The method recited in  claim 1 , wherein the algorithm integrates the measured light intensity over time to generate a cumulative exposure value, and indicates process completion, or incremental progress, when this value exceeds one or more threshold values comprising the calibration values for the device. 
     
     
         3 . The method recited in  claim 1 , wherein the estimating step further comprises measuring temperature, fluid optical properties, or other properties of the fluid. 
     
     
         4 . The method recited in  claim 1 , wherein the light intensity is measured at wavelengths impacting solar disinfection of water. 
     
     
         5 . The method recited in  claim 1 , wherein the light intensity is measured at either UV-A wavelengths, UV-B wavelengths, or both UV-A and UV-B wavelengths.