USRE38130EExpiredUtility
Biological decontamination system
Est. expiryJul 8, 2014(expired)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
Inventors:Billy J. Adams
Y02W10/37C02F 1/001C02F 2201/003A61L 2/10C02F 1/481A61L 2/02Y10S422/907Y10S422/90C02F 1/4608B01J 2219/0877B01J 19/12C02F 1/283C02F 1/008C02F 2201/008B01J 19/123C02F 2201/4611C02F 9/00B01J 2219/0856C02F 1/30C02F 1/36C02F 2201/326C02F 2303/04C02F 2201/3223C02F 1/325
83
PatentIndex Score
33
Cited by
48
References
53
Claims
Abstract
A system for reducing biological organisms in a liquid effluent to non-viable organic molecules that includes: a stunning chamber that applies a voltage potential across biological organisms to break cell membranes and disable the defense mechanisms of vital organisms to ultraviolet radiation; a cavitation chamber to physically destroy any remaining membranes of biologicals in the effluent that may play host to vital organisms or allow such to hide therein, the action of the stunning and cavitation chambers releasing interferons; and a molecularly implanted stimulated emitter (MISE) chamber in which high levels of ultraviolet radiation are applied to virions and spores that remain at frequencies that are readily absorbed and operate to disassociate any viable DNA and RNA strands remaining, to thereby cause "death". Prior to the stunning chamber, preferably the effluent has any large solids therein, settled, floated or filtered out. When potable water is to be produced, heavy metals and other common inorganic contaminants are also removed. The resulting effluent is pulsed through the stunning, cavitation, and MISE chambers to gain maximum effect thereof. Once the DNA and RNA strands have been disassociated in the MISE chamber, the environment of the downstream flow is controlled to prevent reassociation of organic molecules into viable DNA or RNA strands by either diluting the output of the MISE chamber to such an extent that organic molecules are unlikely to recombine, or when drinking water is to be produced, by filtering the organic filtering the organic molecules out for cosmetic purposes.
Claims
exact text as granted — not AI-modifiedI claim:
1. A system for sterilizing water including:
a flow path for the water;
an inlet for said flow path;
an outlet for said flow path;
stun means in said flow path downstream from said inlet to apply an electrical potential across the flow path of sufficient strength to rupture cell membranes of cellular organisms thereat and to disable defense mechanisms of viral organisms to ultraviolet light; and
sterilizing means positioned in said flow path downstream of said stun means and upstream of said outlet to apply a lethal frequency range and power of ultraviolet radiation to viral organisms with disabled defense mechanisms, whereby water at said outlet is sterilized.
2. The system for sterilizing water as defined in claim 1 wherein said stun means include:
a plurality of closely spaced electrodes in said flow path; and
means to apply a potential between said closely spaced electrodes.
3. The system for sterilizing water as defined in claim 1 wherein said stun means include:
a plurality of closely spaced electrode plates in said flow path; and
means to apply a potential between said closely spaced electrode plates.
4. The system for sterilizing water as defined in claim 3 wherein said plurality of closely spaced electrode plates in said flow path are spaced at about 254 micrometers to about 127 micrometers.
5. The system for sterilizing water as defined in claim 1 wherein said sterilizing means include:
a housing having:
an inner cylindrical surface having:
an ultraviolet reflecting coating thereon;
ultraviolet absorbing and emitting materials thereon; and
ultraviolet emitting materials thereon responsive to electrons;
a source of ultraviolet energy connected to said housing to fill said housing with ultraviolet energy and electrons, and thereby impinge lethal ultraviolet energy from said source of ultraviolet energy, from said ultraviolet absorbing and emitting materials, and from said ultraviolet emitting materials on organisms therewithin to sterilize water flowing therethrough.
6. The system for sterilizing water as defined in claim 5 wherein said sterilizing means include:
a housing inlet connected to receive polluted water containing stunned viral organisms from said stun chamber;
a housing outlet through which sterilized water can leave said housing, said inner cylindrical surface adjacent said housing outlet including:
material that emits blue light to repel any viral organisms thereat.
7. The system for sterilizing water as defined in claim 1 wherein said sterilizing means include:
a housing having:
an inner cylindrical surface having:
an ultraviolet reflecting coating thereon; and
ultraviolet absorbing and emitting materials thereon;
a source of ultraviolet energy connected to said housing to fill said housing with ultraviolet energy and thereby impinge lethal ultraviolet energy from said source of ultraviolet energy and from said ultraviolet absorbing and emitting materials on organisms therewithin to sterilize water flowing therethrough.
8. The system for sterilizing water as defined in claim 7 further including:
a pulse pump upstream of said stun chamber capable of forcing water in finite amounts through said stun chamber, said cavitation chamber, and said sterilizing means to assure a lethal exposure to ultraviolet, and wherein said housing includes:
a coil thereabout positioned to produce a magnetic field within said housing generally parallel to said inner cylindrical surface when electrical current is flowing thereto.
9. The system for sterilizing water as defined in claim 8 wherein said finite amounts of water are matched to flow volumes of said stun chamber, said cavitation chamber, and said sterilizing means to assure all organisms in the water are exposed to electrical potential of sufficient strength to rupture cell membranes thereof, to disable defense mechanisms of viral organisms to ultraviolet light, and so a lethal power of ultraviolet radiation is applied to viral organisms.
10. The system for sterilizing water as defined in claim 1 further including:
a cavitation chamber positioned between said stun chamber and said sterilizing means, said cavitation chamber being capable of producing acoustic energy at a first frequency to resonate in said system to assist in cleaning said stun chamber, said sterilizing means, and said cavitation chamber, and a second frequency capable of causing cavitation within said cavitation chamber to injure organisms therewithin.
11. The system for sterilizing water as defined in claim 10 further including:
an activated charcoal filter downstream of said sterilizing means.
12. The system for sterilizing water as defined in claim 10 further including:
a solids filter upstream of said stun chamber; and
a settling tank upstream of said solids filter.
13. The system for sterilizing water as defined in claim 1 wherein said sterilizing means include:
a housing having:
an inner cylindrical surface having:
an ultraviolet reflecting coating thereon; and
ultraviolet absorbing and emitting materials thereon chosen from the group consisting of:
hydronzincite;
uranium+lithium fluoride;
fluorite+europium;
andesine+europium;
orthoclase+europium;
fluorite;
benitoite;
hydrozincite;
margarosanite;
scheelite;
wolframite+lithium fluoride;
allingite;
alunogen;
amethyst;
ceiestite;
danburite;
diamond;
dolomite;
dumortierite;
forsterite;
gypsum;
hydromagnesite;
ktypeite;
microcline;
opal;
pirssonite;
plumballophane;
simpsonite; and
wollastonite;
a source of ultraviolet energy connected to said housing to fill said housing with ultraviolet energy and thereby impinge lethal ultraviolet energy from said source of ultraviolet energy and from said ultraviolet absorbing and emitting materials on organisms therewithin to sterilize water flowing therethrough.
14. The system for sterilizing water as defined in claim 1 wherein said sterilizing means include:
a housing having:
an inner cylindrical surface having:
a longitudinal axis;
an ultraviolet reflecting coating thereon; and
ultraviolet absorbing and emitting materials thereon; and
a source of ultraviolet energy connected to said housing extending generally along said longitudinal axis to fill said housing with ultraviolet energy and thereby impinge lethal ultraviolet energy from said source of ultraviolet energy and from said ultraviolet absorbing and emitting materials on organisms therewithin to sterilize water flowing therethrough.
15. The system for sterilizing water as defined in claim 1 wherein said sterilizing means include:
a housing having:
an inner cylindrical surface having:
an ultraviolet reflecting coating thereon;
ultraviolet absorbing and emitting materials thereon; and
ultraviolet emitting materials thereon responsive to electrons;
a high voltage electrode extending generally along the longitudinal axis of the inner housing to energize said ultraviolet emitting materials responsive to electrons; and
a source of ultraviolet energy connected to said housing to fill said housing with ultraviolet energy and thereby impinge lethal ultraviolet energy from said source of ultraviolet energy, from said ultraviolet absorbing and emitting materials, and from said ultraviolet emitting materials thereon responsive to electrons on organisms therewithin to sterilize water flowing therethrough.
16. The system for sterilizing water as defined in claim 1 wherein said stun means include:
a stun housing having:
a cylindrical inner wall surface;
an inlet; and
an outlet;
at least one radial disk electrode in said flow path positioned concentrically in said cylindrical stun housing having:
an outer cylindrical electrode surface closely spaced from said cylindrical inner wall surface, said outer cylindrical electrode surface and said cylindrical inner wall surface being positioned so that all flow from said stun housing inlet to said stun housing outlet must pass therebetween; and
means to apply an intense electric field between said at least one radial disk electrode and said cylindrical inner wall surface.
17. The system for sterilizing water as defined in claim 16 wherein said stun means further include:
an elongate body having:
a body cylindrical surface positioned concentrically within said cylindrical inner wall surface of said stun housing, downstream of said at least one radial disk electrode and positioned so that all flow from said stun housing inlet to said stun housing outlet must pass therebetween, said means to apply an intense electric field between said at least one radial disk electrode and said cylindrical inner wall surface also applying an intense electric field between said body cylindrical surface and said cylindrical inner wall surface.
18. The system for sterilizing water as defined in claim 1 further including:
a dark flow channel connecting said stun chamber and said sterilizing means; and
a pulse pump upstream of said stun chamber capable of forcing water in finite amounts through said stun chamber, and said sterilizing means to assure a lethal exposure to ultraviolet.
19. The system for sterilizing water as defined in claim 18 further including:
a cavitation chamber positioned in said dark flow channel, said cavitation chamber being capable of producing acoustic energy at a first frequency to resonate in said system to assist in cleaning said stun chamber, said sterilizing means, and said cavitation chamber, and a second frequency capable of causing cavitation within said cavitation chamber to injure organisms therewithin.
20. The system for sterilizing water as defined in claim 1 further including:
a cooling storage tank downstream of said sterilizing means to reduce the chance that organic fragments in said flow path will recombine into viable organisms.
21. The system for sterilizing water as defined in claim 1 further including:
an IR flow channel downstream of said sterilizing means to for applying IR energy to said flow stream to reduce the chance that organic fragments in said flow path will recombine into viable organisms.
22. The system for sterilizing water as defined in claim 1 further including:
an IR flow channel downstream of said sterilizing means to for applying IR energy to said flow stream to reduce the chance that organic fragments in said flow path will recombine into viable organisms; and
dilution means to space any organic fragments in said flow stream to reduce the chance that organic fragments in said flow path will recombine into viable organisms.
23. The system for sterilizing water as defined in claim 1 wherein said sterilizing means include:
a plurality of MISE devices serially positioned in said flow path.
24. A system for producing organism free water from polluted water containing living organic contamination including:
a stunning chamber including:
a stunning chamber inlet for polluted water;
a stunning chamber outlet for polluted water;
at least first and second surfaces defining at least in part a passageway positioned between said stunning chamber inlet and said stunning chamber outlet through which the polluted water flows when flowing between said stunning chamber inlet and outlet; and
a high voltage supply connected to said stunning chamber first and second surfaces capable of producing an electric potential there across of sufficient magnitude to disrupt cell membranes of celled organisms positioned therebetween and to stun viral organisms positioned therebetween so such are unable to mount a strong defense against ultraviolet radiant energy; and
a sterilization chamber including:
a sterilization chamber inlet connected to receive polluted water containing stunned viral organisms from said stunning chamber outlet;
a sterilization chamber outlet through which sterilized water can leave said sterilization chamber;
a housing having:
an inner cylindrical surface having:
an ultraviolet reflecting coating thereon; and
ultraviolet absorbing and emitting material thereon; and
a source of ultraviolet energy positioned to fill said housing with ultraviolet energy and thereby impinge lethal ultraviolet energy from said source of ultraviolet energy and from said ultraviolet absorbing and emitting material on organisms therewithin to sterilize water for flow out said sterilization chamber outlet.
25. The system for sterilizing water as defined in claim 24 wherein said stunning chamber includes:
a plurality of closely spaced electrode plates in said flow path, said first and second surfaces being facing surfaces of said plurality of closely spaced electrode plates.
26. The system for sterilizing water as defined in claim 25 wherein said first and second surfaces are spaced at about 254 micrometers to about 127 micrometers.
27. The system for sterilizing water as defined in claim 24 wherein said stunning chamber includes:
a housing having:
a cylindrical inner wall surface;
an inlet; and
an outlet;
at least one radial disk electrode positioned concentrically in said cylindrical stun housing having:
an outer cylindrical electrode surface closely spaced from said cylindrical inner wall surface, said outer cylindrical electrode surface and said cylindrical inner wall surface being positioned so that all polluted water flowing from said housing inlet to said housing outlet must pass therebetween; and
means to apply an intense electric potential between said at least one radial disk electrode and said cylindrical inner wall surface.
28. The system for sterilizing water as defined in claim 27 wherein said stunning chamber further includes:
an elongate body having:
a body cylindrical surface positioned concentrically within said cylindrical inner wall surface of said housing, downstream of said at least one radial disk electrode and positioned so that all flow from said housing inlet to said housing outlet must pass therebetween, said means to apply an intense electric potential between said at least one radial disk electrode and said cylindrical inner wall surface also applying an intense electric potential between said body cylindrical surface and said cylindrical inner wall surface.
29. The system for sterilizing water as defined in claim 28 wherein said elongate body is integral with said radial disk electrode.
30. The system for sterilizing water as defined in claim 25 wherein said inner cylindrical surface includes:
phosphorescent ultraviolet emitting materials thereon, said sterilization chamber further including:
means to energize said phosphorescent ultraviolet emitting materials.
31. The system for sterilizing water as defined in claim 30 wherein said sterilization chamber includes:
a housing inlet connected to receive polluted water containing stunned viral organisms from said stunning chamber and pointed to establish a swirl of polluted water adjacent said inner cylindrical surface;
a housing outlet through which sterilized water can leave said housing, said ultraviolet absorbing and emitting materials on said inner cylindrical surface adjacent said housing outlet including;
material that emits blue light to repel any viable viral organisms thereat.
32. The system for sterilizing water as defined in claim 24 wherein said ultraviolet absorbing and emitting materials thereon are chosen from the group consisting of:
hydronzincite;
uranium+lithium fluoride;
fluorite+europium;
andesine+europium;
orthoclase+europium;
fluorite;
benitoite;
hydrozincite;
margarosanite;
scheelite;
wolframite+lithium fluoride;
allingite;
alunogen;
amethyst;
ceiestite;
danburite;
diamond;
dolomite;
dumortierite;
forsterite;
gypsum;
hydromagnesite;
ktypeite;
microcline;
opal;
pirssonite;
plumballophane;
simpsonite; and
wollastonite.
33. The system for sterilizing water as defined in claim 24 wherein said housing has:
a longitudinal axis, said source of ultraviolet energy being a plasma source and sealably connected to said housing and extending generally along said longitudinal axis to fill said housing with ultraviolet energy and thereby impinge lethal ultraviolet energy from said source of ultraviolet energy and from said ultraviolet absorbing and emitting materials on organisms therewithin.
34. The system for sterilizing water as defined in claim 24 wherein said housing includes:
a coil thereabout capable of creating a magnetic field within said housing when an electrical current is flowing therethrough;
first and second ends;
a longitudinal axis extending between said first and second ends,a high voltage electrode extending generally along the longitudinal axis of the inner housing; and
a ultraviolet reflective electrode to provide high voltage alternating potential between said high voltage electrode and said housing, said ultraviolet absorbing and emitting materials being responsive thereto to fluoresce ultraviolet energy, said source of ultraviolet energy being ultraviolet lamps positioned at said first and second ends of said housing to fill said housing with ultraviolet energy and thereby impinge lethal ultraviolet energy from said source of ultraviolet energy and from said ultraviolet absorbing and emitting materials on organisms therewithin to sterilize water flowing therethrough.
35. A molecularly implanted simulated emitter device for inactivation of microorganisms including:
a housing having:
a first inner surface having:
ultraviolet reflecting material thereon; and
at least one ultraviolet absorbing and emitting material capable of absorbing ultraviolet in one range of wavelengths and emitting ultraviolet at other range of ultraviolet wavelengths therefrom;
a housing inlet adapted to receive polluted water containing viral organisms;
a housing outlet through which sterilized water can leave said housing, said housing inlet and outlet being positioned with respect to said first inner surface so that any flow between said housing inlet and outlet is exposed to said first inner surface; and
a source of ultraviolet energy positioned with respect to said housing to fill said housing with ultraviolet energy in said one range of wavelengths.
36. The molecularly implanted simulated emitter device for inactivation of microorganisms as defined in claim 35 including:
at least one absorbing and emitting material on said inner cylindrical surface adjacent said housing outlet that emits blue light in response to absorption of ultraviolet energy.
37. The molecularly implanted simulated emitter device for inactivation of microorganisms as defined in claim 35 wherein said housing first inner surface is cylindrical surface having:
a longitudinal axis; and wherein said source of ultraviolet energy is sealably connected to said housing and extends generally along said longitudinal axis of the inner housing.
38. The molecularly implanted simulated emitter device for inactivation of microorganisms as defined in claim 35 wherein housing includes:
first and second ends;
a second ultraviolet emitting material capable of response to high voltage alternating potential to emit ultraviolet at other range of ultraviolet wavelengths therefrom;
a ultraviolet reflective electrode extending along the longitudinal axis of the inner housing; and
means to provide high voltage alternating potential between said ultraviolet reflective electrode and said housing, and wherein said source of ultraviolet energy includes;
a pair of ultraviolet lamps positioned at said first and second ends of said housing.
39. The molecularly implanted simulated emitter device for inactivation of microorganisms as defined in claim 35 including:
at least one absorbing and emitting material on said inner cylindrical surface adjacent said housing outlet that emits blue light in response to absorption of ultraviolet energy.
40. The molecularly implanted simulated emitter device for inactivation of microorganisms as defined in claim 35 wherein said at least one ultraviolet absorbing and emitting material is chosen from the group consisting of:
hydronzincite;
uranium+lithium fluoride;
fluorite+europium;
andesine+europium;
orthoclase+europium;
fluorite;
benitoite;
hydrozincite;
margarosanite;
scheelite;
wolframite+lithium fluoride;
allingite;
alunogen;
amethyst;
ceiestite;
danburite;
diamond diops;
dolomite;
dumortierite;
forsterite;
gypsum;
hydromagnesite;
ktypeite;
microcline;
opal;
pirssonite;
plumballophane;
simpsonite; and
wollastonite.
41. A system for treating water including:
a flow path for the water;
an inlet for said flow path;
an outlet for said flow path;
stun means downstream from said inlet, said stun means being of sufficient intensity to rupture at least a portion of the cell membranes; and
sterilizing means positioned in said flow path downstream of said stun means and upstream of said outlet to apply ultraviolet radiation having a predetermined power and a frequency within a predetermined range to kill or disable said stunned microorganisms.
42. A system for treating water including:
a flow path for the water;
an inlet for said flow path;
an outlet for said flow path;
stun means downstream from said inlet for stunning microorganisms in said flow path by applying an alternating electrical potential across the flow path sufficient to accomplish at least one of: ( i ) rupturing cell membranes of cellular organisms in said flow path and ( ii ) disabling defense mechanisms of microorganisms in said flow path to ultraviolet light; and
sterilizing means positioned in said flow path downstream of said stun means and upstream of said outlet to apply ultraviolet radiation having a predetermined power and a frequency within a predetermined range to kill or disable said stunned microorganisms.
43. A system for treating water including:
a flow path for the water;
an inlet for said flow path;
an outlet for said flow path;
stun means downstream from said inlet for stunning microorganisms in said flow path by applying a varying electric field across the flow path sufficient to accomplish at least one of: ( i ) rupturing cell membranes of cellular organisms in said flow path and ( ii ) disabling defense mechanisms of microorganisms in said flow path to ultraviolet light; and
sterilizing means positioned in said flow path downstream of said stun means and upstream of said outlet to apply ultraviolet radiation having a predetermined power and a frequency within a predetermined range to kill or disable said stunned microorganisms.
44. The system for treating water as defined in claim 41 wherein said stun means includes:
a plurality of closely spaced electrodes in said flow path; and
means to apply an alternating potential between said closely spaced electrodes.
45. The system for treating water as defined in claim 41 wherein said sterilizing means include a housing comprising:
an inner surface having;
an ultraviolet reflective coating comprising a material that absorbs ultraviolet light at a first wavelength characteristic of the ultraviolet energy source recited below and reradiates ultraviolet light at a second wavelength;
a source of ultraviolet energy connected to said housing to fill said housing with ultraviolet energy and thereby impinge lethal ultraviolet energy from said source of ultraviolet energy and from said reflective coating and material on microorganisms therewithin to sterilize water flowing therethrough.
46. The system for treating water as defined in claim 45 wherein said sterilizing means include:
a housing inlet connected to receive water containing stunned microorganisms from said stun means;
a housing outlet through which sterilized water can leave said housing, said inner surface adjacent said housing outlet including:
a material that emits light to repel microorganisms thereat.
47. The system for treating water as defined in claim 41 further including:
a cavitation chamber positioned between said stun means and said sterilizing means, for physically agitating said water to accomplish at least one of ( i ) assisting in cleaning said stun means, said sterilizing means, and said cavitation chamber, and ( ii ) further injuring microorganisms within said water.
48. The system for treating water as defined in claim 47 further including:
a pulse pump upstream of said stun means capable of forcing water in finite amounts through said stun means, said cavitation chamber, and said sterilizing means to assure a lethal exposure to ultraviolet, and wherein said housing includes:
a coil element positioned about said housing to produce a magnetic field within said housing generally parallel to said inner cylindrical surface when electric current is flowing therethrough.
49. The system for treating water as defined in claim 48 wherein said finite amounts of water are matched to flow volumes of said stun means, said cavitation chamber, and said sterilizing means to assure that all microorganisms in the water are exposed to an electrical potential sufficient to accomplish at least one of: ( i ) rupturing cell membranes thereof and ( ii ) disabling defense mechanisms of microorganisms to ultraviolet light.
50. The system for treating water as defined in claim 41 further including a dark flow channel connecting said stun means and said sterilizing means.
51. A system for producing usable water from waste water including:
a stunning chamber including:
a stunning chamber inlet for polluted water;
a stunning chamber outlet for polluted water;
at least first and second surfaces defining at least in part a passageway positioned between said stunning chamber inlet and said stunning chamber outlet through which the polluted water flows when flowing between said stunning chamber inlet and outlet; and
a voltage supply connected to said stunning chamber first and second surfaces capable of producing an electric current therethrough sufficient to accomplish at least one of: ( i ) rupturing cell membranes of celled organisms positioned therebetween and ( ii ) stunning microorganisms positioned therebetween so such are unable to mount a strong defense against ultraviolet radiant energy; and
a sterilization chamber including:
a sterilization chamber inlet connected to receive waste water containing stunned microorganisms from said stunning chamber outlet;
a sterilization chamber outlet through which sterilized water can leave said sterilization chamber;
a housing having:
an inner surface having:
an ultraviolet reflective coating comprising a material that absorbs ultraviolet light at a first wavelength characteristic of the ultraviolet energy source recited below and reradiates ultraviolet light at a second wavelength;
a source of ultraviolet energy positioned to fill said housing with ultraviolet energy and thereby impinge ultraviolet energy having a predetermined power and a frequency within a predetermined range from said source of ultraviolet energy and from said ultraviolet reflective coating on organisms therewithin to treat water for flow from said sterilization chamber outlet.
52. The system for producing organism free water as defined in claim 51 wherein said sterilization chamber includes:
a housing inlet connected to receive waste water containing stunned microorganisms from said stunning chamber and pointed to establish a swirl of waste water adjacent said inner surface;
a housing outlet through which useful water can leave said housing, said ultraviolet reflective coating comprises a second material that emits light to repel any viable microorganisms thereat.
53. The system for producing organism free water as defined in claim 51 wherein said housing comprises:
a coil element about said housing capable of creating a magnetic field within said housing when an electric current is flowing therethrough.Join the waitlist — get patent alerts
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